The widely-held belief that varicose veins increase the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis may well be wrong. And women with varicose veins who take the contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy are not as likely to suffer spontaneous thrombosis as had been feared. Several reports have appeared in the past few months which question these beliefs, and cast doubt on the need for surgery on the veins. Women with varicose veins are at greater risk of thrombosis only if they are having major abdominal or pelvic surgery; otherwise, the risk is no greater than for other women (BMJ, January 27, 1996).