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What is von Willebrand Disease (VWD)?

Von Willebrand Disease is the most common bleeding disorder. One to two percent of the population or 1.4 to 2.8 million people in the United States has this disease. VWD occurs about as often in men as it does in women.
Women with VWD may have:
gums that bleed easily
frequent nosebleeds
heavy and long menstrual periods
easy bruising
heavy bleeding after small cuts, surgery, or dental work
What is hemophilia?
Hemophilia is a well-known but rare bleeding disorder that runs in families. Both men and women have this condition, but almost all people with severe hemophilia are men. However, many women have mild symptoms of hemophilia. This condition is caused by a shortage of clotting factors needed to stop bleeding.
Signs of hemophilia include:
easy bruising
excessive bleeding after cuts, dental work and surgery
blood in the stool or urine
How are bleeding disorders treated?
While there is no cure for bleeding disorders, medicine can control the symptoms. Treatment for bleeding disorders varies. Most women with von Willebrand disease do not need to take medicine at all. People with mild bleeding problems may only need treatment before or after surgery, dental work and injury. More severe cases can be controlled with daily medicines.
Treatments for bleeding disorders include:
Birth control pills control heavy periods in women with some bleeding disorders. They work by increasing the amount of clotting factors in the blood.
Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) is a hormone that makes the body release stored clotting factors into the blood. It can be given as a shot or nasal spray. DDAVP can prevent heavy periods and nosebleeds. It is also used before surgery or to stop serious bleeding.
Antifibrinolytic (an-tee-fye-bri-noh-LIT-ik) drugs are medicines used to stop blood clots from breaking down. They can be used before dental work, to stop nosebleeds, and for mild intestinal bleeding.
Clotting factor concentrates contain the blood proteins or clotting factors that are missing from a person's blood. Clotting factor concentrates are injected into a vein or given intravenously (IV). Adding these proteins to the blood prevents or controls bleeding. Different clotting factors are used to treat different kinds of bleeding disorders. Clotting factor concentrates are used when other treatments do not work, for surgery, or serious injury.
Doctors called hematologists have special training in bleeding disorders. They can help you find the best treatment options. With treatment and regular visits to the doctor, women with bleeding disorders can lead full and active lives.
Does heavy bleeding during my period mean I have a bleeding disorder?
Not always. Research shows that bleeding disorders are the cause of heavy periods for about 1 in 5 women. In other cases, heavy periods may be caused by:
gynecological diseases
using an intrauterine device (IUD) for birth control
taking some medicines
Roughly twenty percent of women who see their doctors for heavy periods have a bleeding disorder, most often von Willebrand disease. It is important to keep in mind that even if heavy periods run in your family, it might still be a sign of a problem. So, if you have heavy menstrual bleeding, be sure to ask your doctor about testing for bleeding disorders.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) suggests testing for von Willebrand disease when:
a woman is having heavy periods with no known cause
an adolescent is having heavy periods with no known cause
a woman is considering surgery to stop heavy periods
Testing should be done before hormone therapy like birth control pills is started.

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