Things that cause AVMs to enlarge

Does the use of birth control pills affect the size of AVMs? What effect does weight gain or loss have on enlargement? Smoking?

I hve AVM and was told not to take birth control for the fear of having blood clots. Even though I have never had blood clots, the doctors aare still worried. The estrgen in the birth control can cause bloodclots in people that are at higher risk.

My friend suspects that she has an AVM after potentially being misdiagnosed over her entire life, she's going to get an MRI done this Friday. She's a 1 and a half pack a day smoker and I'm curious as to whether the smoking has affects on AVMs. I know smoking is bad enough for her health in general, I'd like to be aware of what to look for in terms of the AVM condition.

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Thanks!

I think I've been on the wrong board in my previous postings, but I have a veinous malformation on my tongue. I'm 32 and have had it since birth, but it has increased in size over the last 10 years resulting in my teeth shifting, so I'm scheduled to start treatments next week. (A series of 3 CO2 laser treatments 6 weeks apart to hopefully reduce the size.)
I have taken birth control for about 10 years now and have never noticed any impact on my tongue. Things that do impact me are: alcohol (gives new meaning to a hangover), colds/various illnesses, and sometimes physical activity. The effects I have are either swelling or some soreness.
My regular physician told me that when I decide to have children they will need to watch me because he believes that might impact it or even cause others to grow.

I am 49 years old and was also born with a VM on my tongue. Which has grown over the years to a critical situation. Any hormonal change seems to cause mine to grow. Especially at puberty, through my two pregnancy's, menapause and the subsequent hormone therapy that was prescribed, and stress. I have trouble dealing with colds also. The malformation has now closed one of my sinus cavities, and is growing down my throat. There has been a noticable change on my cheek area where there is also a malformaion showing, my chin is now starting to show signs of also developing these ugly marks. I am hopeful that new technologies that are now available will help. I am scheduled for lazer treatment Oct 28th in Little Rock with Dr. Milton Waner. He seems to me to be the best in the field for this type of anomaly. I was so glad to find this website and find others who can relate to the issues that concern my situation. Will you let me know how your treatments went? I am so hopeful that situations like ours can be eliminated in the near future. Good Luck with your procedure. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

I have a 23 year old daughter who has an AVM on her cheek. She was adviced not to take any birth control pills. I am new to the site, and I am so afraid of this condition and what it will do to her!

i have a venous malformation, and have always been very concerned about what pregnancy will do to it. i've read that pregnancy, BC pills, and other hormonal changes correlate with changes in VMs.

Hmmm... so what about strenous exercise? Like extensive running? Swimming? Endurance sports? Do you guys think this has a large effect? When I was younger I was told not to. But now, being at 23, and with my AVM stabilized (but not gone), I've been more active. I just hope this doesn't aggravate and spawn new bleeding episodes. My AVM is on my lower jaw and lower lip.

Hi, I just found this website last weekend. It is sooooooo good to finally know things that my daughter needs to avoid and/or do to help prevent her AVM's from growing. They are in the bones of her hand and forearm. I am reading your all's responses outloud to her so she will be aware of things that can aggravate growth. Some things we had already heard, such as puberty and pregnancy, the other things I hadn't thought of but am beginning to realize that there are small little things that we can do to help minimize the growth of her AVM's. Any other advise you can send our way would be greatly appreciated. Talk with you later, Sarah

weight gain affects them avm's also