[surferjoe2007]

The veins are caused by leaky blood vessels, which means lack of bioflavonoids. Hormones like estrogen (e.g., from NBE) and other factors may play a role in the leaks through added stress on the veins, but bioflavanoids are the way the body maintains the vein walls. Here's a bioflavanoid supplement from a good company: http://healthproductsusa.net/30_invisi-vein_health.htm . Any natural source of vitamin C also contains bioflavonoids (but not all synthetic sources). This study confirms horse chestnut reduces problems by constricting veins: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20148408 . The decrease in platelets (temporary leak-patchers)
indicates that this constriction reduced the leaks, though that might not mean a full repair. Covering up the problem with surface solutions instead of dealing with all leaky blood vessels leaves you with poor circulation. Later on in life the platelets are associated with double the risk of heart disease or stroke.