Common
Questions About Bleeding Disorders
Do I have a Bleeding Disorder?
You may have a bleeding disorder if you:
- Have very heavy menstrual periods
- Have frequent or prolonged nosebleeds
- Bruise easily
- Bleed heavily following injury, surgery, childbirth,
or dental work
Women with undiagnosed and untreated bleeding disorders
risk serious complications. The most common bleeding disorder
in women and girls is von Willebrand disease (VWD),
which is transmitted from generation to generation and is
caused by a defect or deficiency of an essential blood clotting
protein called von Willebrand factor.
If you think you might have a bleeding disorder, it is important
to 1) learn as much as you can and 2) get a proper diagnosis
and treatment from specialists. Discuss the problem with
your doctor or a hematologist at a hemophilia treatment center
(HTC). HTCs are specialty centers for people with bleeding
disorders. You can contact NHF at handi@hemophilia.org or
at (800) 42-HANDI for information about bleeding disorders
and to find the HTC nearest you.
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