Can i treat varicose veins while breastfeeding?

Probably not: True varicosities will probably need to be treated by endolaser or ligation & division of the saphenofemoral junction followed by sclerotherapy. Neither of these options would be good for breastfeeding baby due to anesthesia &/or injectables used. Telangiectasia or spider veins could be treated by transdermal laser which would not affect baby. Why not wait until you are finished breastfeeding.

Yes: Treatment of ropy vv can be done while breast feeding. Sclerotherapy of spider veins can also be done, and our practice has been to pump, saving milk for the treatment day when we advise discarding the milk for 24 hours to allow clearing of the solution used.

Yes/no: Sclerotherapy may not as the chemical may enter the breast milk, laser abaltion is ok but you have to hold off breastfeeding for several hours after to allow the local anesthesia to clear the system.

Yes and no: I certainly would not advocate treatment while breastfeeding unless there is a strong medical need to do it. If there is, though, treatment can be performed. The chemicals used for sclerotherapy does come though in breast milk and our practice is to "pump and dump" for 48 hours after sclerotherapy. Endovenous laser treatment can also be done but i would recommend pump and dump then too.

Varicose Veins: I would recommend that you pump milk prior to any treatment & feed your infant this during the days around treatment (or use formula as a alternative). Due to the fact that some medications are given for vein treatments, it is best to wait for a couple of days to let the medications clear your system before you begin breast feeding again. Alternative is to wait . . .There should be no big rush.

I would wait: Treatment of VV can be done during breastfeeding but there is rarely a reason not to wait until you are through with breastfeeding before electively treating them.