This is because complications such as clotting and bleeding have a higher risk of occurring during pregnancy. Also, as the veins might worsen during pregnancy more complicated treatment might be necessary.

Plus it is better to offer treatment early on in patients who have developed skin damage and ulceration as it has been shown to be not only beneficial from a quality of life perspective but is also cost effective as it increases healing rates.

According to A/Prof Laurencia Villalba from the Vascular Care Centre, “Up to 30 per cent of the population will suffer from varicose veins. Women are more affected than men and usually at a younger age. Predisposing factors include: genetics, hormonal changes, pregnancies, previous clots, trauma and prolonged periods of sitting or standing.”

Healthy veins are “one-way pipes” that carry blood from the extremities back to the heart.

As we spend most our time sitting or standing the veins are constantly fighting against the effects of gravity.

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“To keep the blood flowing in the right direction we need to walk to activate the calf muscle pumps, we also need a clear pathway with no obstructions or blockages and functional one-way valves which prevent the blood from flowing back downwards,” A/Prof Villalba explains.

When these mechanisms fail the blood can no longer travel upwards and instead “pools” in the legs increasing the pressure in the venous system and causing the veins to spread and balloon out.

This causes aching and swelling in the lower limb and leads to the development of bulging varicose veins. Spider veins and reticular veins are smaller than typical “bulging” veins and usually indicate back flow from deeper abnormal veins.

Now, minimally invasive options result in lower complication rates, reduced pain and bruising and superior cosmetic results.

“Endovenous thermal ablation uses either laser or radiofrequency energy to cause the veins to shrink, collapse and seal shut,” Dr Tam Nguyen says.

“A tiny catheter is inserted through a needle stick under local anaesthetic and seals the vein as the catheter is withdrawn.

“The procedure takes 30-40 minutes and has minimal recovery time with most patients able to return to normal activity the following day. It is the best option when treating major feeder veins.”

A medical “superglue” has also been developed to treat abnormal veins which according to Dr Tam Nguyen is a beneficial and effective non-surgical option for some patients.

“Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy and micro-sclerotherapy are also non-surgical options which involve injecting a sclerosing agent into the smaller abnormal veins to get them to collapse,” the doctor said. “Several sessions of approximately 30 minutes might be necessary.”

Once the problem veins have been treated the venous blood will be shifted to healthy veins nearby, improving venous circulation. The treated veins will be gradually absorbed by the body and eventually disappear.

It is important to maintain a healthy weight, perform regular exercise, elevate the legs when possible and wear compression stockings to protect the veins long term.

A/Prof Villalba and Dr Nguyen advise that seeking an early medical opinion results in the best outcome.