by Annette Benedetti
As a 44-year-old woman, I spend a lot of time concentrating on my health and wellness. I have been active for most of my adult life. I started running in my twenties and have practiced yoga for over 20 years. I work hard to stay fit and active and, like many Pacific North westerners, I spend a lot of time outdoors. But, when I turned 40, I found that it was just a little harder to keep extra weight off and stay in my best physical condition.
Since entering my forties, I have been more attentive to my health than ever, so I was shocked when I discovered my first varicose vein two months ago. As a health and wellness writer and mother of three, it didn’t take me long to realize what I was seeing. Throughout my career and my journey as a mother, I had learned all about varicose veins and how they often appear when women go through pregnancy. Many of my friends had developed the dark protruding veins on their legs with their first or second child, but I had gotten lucky and escaped the condition.
Similarly, I had childless friends who had suffered from the appearance of spider veins—the thin, blue, web-patterned veins—when they were younger. Some of them worked in the service industry and spent long hours on their feet, and others had a desk job that kept them inactive. What I realized as I propped up my feet after an afternoon run and laid my eyes on the bulging vein, was that I’d never considered how I would feel or what I would do, should I personally be affected by venous disease.
In retrospect, my gut reaction was a bit shocking. Tears sprang to my eyes, and I immediately felt a bit self-conscious. It was a big deal! I spend a lot of time in shorts and dresses…and, to be honest; I’ve always really loved how my legs look. I didn’t want to give up the confidence I gained from having smooth, healthy-looking calves and thighs.
There are many things I love about being in my forties. In general, I am wiser and more self-assured than I ever have been. I speak and act with the certainty of someone who has a lifetime of knowledge, experience, and well-earned skills. But one of the things I do struggle with is the idea that being a woman over forty means I am no longer attractive—or as attractive as my more youthful self. It seems to me that along with all of the confidence and knowledge I have obtained over the years should also come a feeling of timeless beauty. This is perhaps why the appearance of my first varicose vein dealt a particularly painful blow.
Fortunately, Advanced Vein Therapy of Boise had educated me on all of the treatment options available for those struggling with venous disease. Once I calmed myself down, I went to their website and checked out my options. Knowing that there are so many non-invasive treatments like EVLT, Sclerotherapy, Phlebectomy, and the ever-intriguing Venaseal truly eased my mind.
The in-office procedures AVT offers have patients up and running in no time without having to make big changes to their schedules or lifestyle. They also give patients a manageable way to maintain not only their leg health but also their personal aesthetic. It’s the little things that make me feel better about aging, and I want to stay fit and feeling good about myself for the long run.
So which procedure am I leaning towards? Let’s just say VenaSeal is at the top of my list. I’m just grateful to have access to so many highly effective treatment options today.