Varicose veins are large, rope-like veins when are often one-quarter inch or larger in diameter and possess diseases valves. They sometimes appear to twist and bulge. Some people with varicose veins will not experience any pain or discomfort while others are more severely affected – a condition known as chronic venous insufficiency.

• Pain
• Aching and uncomfortable "fatigued" legs
• Feeling of heaviness in the legs
• Swollen feet and ankles
• Throbbing or burning in your legs
• Itchy, dry and thin skin over the affected vein
• Brownish skin changes
• Muscle cramping in your legs (particularly at night)
• Bleeding and/or ulceration

Typically if you have these symptoms, they are exacerbated by standing up for long periods of time and will be worse in warm weather.

Varicose veins most often develop on the legs, usually on the back of your calf or on the inside of your leg.  Although they can sometimes appear in other parts of your body, such as:

• Pelvis
• Esophagus
• Uterus
• Vagina
• Rectum