What women should be aware of about DVT risk and prevention
By Dr. John S. Hogg MD, Founder Medical Vein Clinic
March is just around the corner and it is Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month. It’s important to have its own month as there still exists a lack of understanding by women about their personal risk for blood clots. I see it in our
vein clinic practice almost daily.
A patient comes in with swelling in one leg, a tight feeling in the calf, or a persistent ache. She assumes it is muscle strain or simple fluid retention. When we dig a little deeper, we often find important risk factors such as recent travel, hormone therapy, surgery, or a family history of clotting problems.
Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a blood clot that forms in the deep veins, most often in the legs. It is one of the most serious vascular problems we diagnose. The danger is not only the clot in the leg. The real threat occurs when part of that clot travels to the lungs or the heart and blocks blood flow. This can be deadly.
The women most at risk are often the ones who do not see it coming. They are professionals managing deadlines, travel, long desk hours, and family responsibilities. Leg discomfort gets blamed on overwork, aging, or standing too long. Many assume swelling is normal. It is not.
Hormones affect blood clot risk more than many women realize. Estrogen from birth control, pregnancy, or menopause therapy can increase clotting activity in the bloodstream. Delivery method matters. Orally taken estrogen raises clot risk more than skin-based options like patches, creams, or gels because they act on the liver first. This is because oral estrogen undergoes what’s called the “first-pass effect” through the liver, which increases the production of clotting factors like fibrinogen, factor VII, and C-reactive protein. Non-oral options, including pellets, send hormones directly into the bloodstream and often reduce that effect. When considering hormone therapy, it’s important to share with your doctor any history of blood clots in your family.
Risk for clots also builds through everyday habits. Long periods of sitting, dehydration, weight gain, poor sleep, and chronic stress all slow circulation. Stack several of these together and clot risk rises quietly.
Symptoms often look mild at first. One leg appears more swollen than the other. A calf feels sore, firm, or warm. There may be a heavy sensation that does not match your activity. Because the signs seem minor, many women wait too long to get checked.
Even elite athletes are not immune. Serena Williams has spoken publicly about her own dangerous clot experience. Awareness and fast action made the difference.
Prevention comes down to simple habits. Move often during desk work and travel. Walk hourly when possible. Flex your calves when seated. Stay hydrated.
The bottom line is simple. One-sided leg swelling or persistent calf pain deserves attention. When caught early, DVT is highly treatable. Pay attention to what your legs are telling you. Healthy legs support everything else you do.
Healthy Legs Take You Further ™
Dr. John Hogg, MD, DABR, DABVLM, RPVI, RPhS, RVT, RVS, is a board-certified radiologist specializing in Vascular & Interventional Radiology and the CEO/Founder of Medical Vein Clinic. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Hogg has established San Antonio’s leading vascular treatment clinic, helping thousands of patients since its opening in 2017. To learn more, visit https://www.medicalveinclinic.com.
