If you’ve got those painful, swollen varicose veins that make you hesitate to slip on shorts or stand for long periods, know that you’re in good company. Countless folks deal with these bulging, rope-like veins that can seriously cramp your style and daily routine. But here’s some positive news: a treatment called Varithena is out there, helping people feel at ease in their own bodies again—without the need for major surgery.
What Is Varithena Treatment?
Varithena is a prescription med that comes as a specialized foam. It’s basically a precise fix that your doctor injects straight into the troublesome veins. The technical term is polidocanol injectable foam, but everyone sticks with Varithena because it’s simpler. This isn’t for those small spider veins scattered on your legs. Varithena is designed for the larger varicose veins stemming from issues with your saphenous veins—the key veins along your legs that, when they malfunction, cause those visible and palpable bulges.
How Does Varithena Work?
The science behind it is pretty cool. In healthy leg veins, tiny valves ensure blood flows up toward your heart. But if those valves weaken, blood pools instead, leading to those swollen, twisted varicose veins. Varithena foam irritates the inner walls of these faulty veins on purpose. Once it contacts them, the veins collapse and seal off. Then your body takes over, realizing the vein isn’t useful anymore, and slowly breaks it down and absorbs it over weeks or months.
What to Expect During the Procedure
Varithena is a minimally invasive treatment designed to support your vein health and overall wellness. The procedure isn’t a full surgical operation and is usually performed right in your doctor’s office, allowing you to go home the same day. Using ultrasound guidance, your doctor identifies the affected veins and numbs the area with a local anesthetic for comfort. The injection itself takes only a few minutes, and the entire visit typically lasts less than an hour. Afterward, you’ll wear compression stockings to promote healthy circulation and assist the veins in closing naturally—an important step in restoring both comfort health and wellness to your legs.
Are You a Good Fit for Varithena?
You could be if you’re dealing with things like:
- Aching or throbbing legs
- A sense of heaviness or fatigue in your legs
- Nighttime cramps
- Swelling around your lower legs or ankles
- Worsening pain after standing for a while
However, it’s not suitable for all. If you’re pregnant, had a recent blood clot, or have specific health issues, your doc might suggest alternatives.
Recovery and Results
A big plus with Varithena is the easy recovery. You’ll wear those compression stockings for roughly two weeks, and your doctor may encourage a brief walk right after. Most people get back to regular activities in a day or two.
Some see changes in weeks, but for others, full benefits show up after a few months as the body completes the absorption process.
Potential Side Effects
Common ones are:
- Leg pain or soreness post-treatment
- Bruising at the injection spot
- Itching or irritation along the treated vein
Rarer but more serious risks include:
- Blood clots
- Allergic responses to the foam
- Nerve damage near the site
Your doctor will discuss these in detail beforehand, so you’re prepared and know the signs.
How It Stacks Up Against Other Treatments
Old-school vein stripping means surgically pulling out the vein via cuts—effective, but invasive with longer downtime. Varithena delivers comparable outcomes without the hassle.
Laser or radiofrequency methods use heat to shut veins down. Varithena differs by relying on chemical foam rather than heat. Liquid sclerotherapy is a classic option but often falls short for bigger veins.
A Real Patient Story
Take Sarah Mitchell from Phoenix, Arizona—she’d battled varicose veins for almost eight years before going for Varithena. As a teacher on her feet all day, the ongoing ache and drag in her legs were getting to be too much. Sarah recalls: “I was pretty anxious at first, but my doctor explained everything clearly. The procedure wasn’t nearly as intimidating as I thought. I was amazed at how fast I recovered—back in the classroom after just three days, without that nagging pain. Two months in, the bulges were basically gone. I regret waiting so long.”
Deciding If It’s Right for You
Treating varicose veins is your call, based on how they’re impacting your life. Talk to a vein expert for a personalized check-up before deciding on Varithena.
Key questions for your consult:
- How many Varithena treatments have you done?
- What results do your patients usually get?
- What’s the plan for follow-ups?
- What if it doesn’t go as planned?
You don’t have to put up with varicose vein discomfort forever. Options like Varithena make it simpler to tackle them without upending your routine.
