This myth is one of the most often repeated myths - that is also wrong - except in the condition of Vulval or Vaginal Varicose Veins (see www.vulval-varicose-veins.co.uk)

It used to be thought to be true when most research was done by simple methods. In the case of finding out who gets varicose veins, GP's or Surgeons used to count numbers of patients who turns up to see them complaining of varicose veins.

However, whereas women are generally good about seeking health care, men are not. Men tend to avoid going to doctors at all costs - often to their own detriment.

As such, it APPEARED that women had varicose veins more than men - solely because more women consulted doctors about varicose veins than men.

As such, when a researcher from Edinburgh went out into the community and examined people at random, she found that slightly more men than women have varicose veins. This was presented in 1998 and is a good test to see whether your source of information is up to date.