Sex/Gender Differences in Chronic Venous Disease

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a disorder of the lower extremities that results from vein dysfunction. While varicose veins are indeed the most recognized clinical manifestation of CVD, the term encompasses broad functional and morphologic abnormalities, including edema, heaviness, pain, skin alterations, and venous ulcers. There are notable sex and gender differences regarding the prevalence and etiology of CVD. It has been observed that the condition is more commonly found in women than in men. This increased prevalence is especially noticeable in telangiectasis, reticular veins, and varicose veins categorized as C1–C2. The higher prevalence of CVD in women is thought to be tied to biological factors such as pregnancy and female hormones. In this chapter, we also provide a brief overview of the treatment options for chronic venous disease. The progress in this area has been remarkable, with particular strides being made in the field of endovenous procedures. There is yet limited study on the sex/gender difference in treatment response and related complications.