While several types of bleeding disorders can affect women, von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common, affecting up to 1.5 million American women.
Women typically have symptoms similar to men with bleeding disorders; common symptoms include frequent nosebleeds, easy bruising, bleeding from the digestive or urinary tract and excessive bleeding from the mouth or gums. But women of childbearing age can also experience obstetric and gynecologic complications due to VWD. Prolonged, heavy menstrual bleeding, referred to as menorrhagia, is often the main symptom of VWD in women and is frequently the first sign that there might be a problem.
About Menorrhagia
Menorrhagia is typically characterized by:
- Bleeding with clots larger than about one inch in diameter
- Anemia, or low iron levels in the blood
- Having to change a pad or tampon more than once an hour
If left untreated, menorrhagia can lead to serious complications. If you suspect you may have menorrhagia due to VWD, make an appointment with your gynecologist immediately. He or she can examine you to rule out any other gynecological disorders with similar symptoms, and explain how you can be tested for the condition.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Some doctors may not be familiar with bleeding disorders, which will make it difficult for them to definitively diagnose VWD. It is also common for doctors and patients to attribute bleeding symptoms to other causes or to simply allow them to go unexplained once they subside.
To help make a diagnosis, the doctor will need to perform blood tests to determine the amount of von Willebrand factor (VWF) in the blood. Since VWF levels can vary, these tests may need to be repeated. A person who thinks he or she may have VWD should see a hematologist, a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of bleeding disorders.
There are treatments available for women who have VWD and heavy menstrual bleeding. These include combined oral contraceptives (birth control pills), a levonorgestrel intrauterine device, certain antifibrinolytic drugs, desmopressin (DDAVP), and Humate-P®.
Pregnancy & VWD
If a woman with a bleeding disorder becomes or plans to become pregnant, she should see an obstetrician as soon as possible. This will ensure that the doctor can consult with the local hemophilia treatment center to provide pre- and postnatal care for the woman and her baby.
Your doctor can also talk to you about minimizing risk of complications due to VWD during pregnancy and delivery. By working with the healthcare team and taking the proper precautions, most women with VWD can have successful pregnancies.
Visit the resources below for more information and tips on living with a bleeding disorder:
Diet & Exercise
Learn the importance of a healthy diet and regular exercise for people with bleeding disorders. You’ll also find a list of activities that may be safe for you.
Discussion Guides
Our discussion guides can help you talk to others about your bleeding disorder. Use them to inform people about signs of bleeding to look for, what to do in an emergency and more.
Resources
This section lists some valuable resources, such as a list of medications to avoid.
Patient Programs & Support
Find out more about insurance and patient reimbursement, along with events and activities happening in the bleeding disorders community.
My Journal
This interactive tool can be used to track bleeding symptoms, doctor appointments, medication, diet and exercise. You can even use it for discussions with your doctor.
Important Safety Information About Humate-P
Humate-P is indicated for treatment and prevention of bleeding in adult patients
with hemophilia A (classical hemophilia). Humate-P is also indicated in adult and
pediatric patients with von Willebrand disease (VWD) for (1) treatment of spontaneous
and trauma-induced bleeding episodes, and (2) prevention of excessive bleeding during
and after surgery. This applies to patients with severe VWD, and patients with mild
and moderate VWD for whom use of desmopressin is known or suspected to be inadequate.
Humate-P is not indicated for the prophylaxis of spontaneous bleeding episodes.
Humate-P is contraindicated in individuals with a history of anaphylactic or severe
systemic response to antihemophilic factor or von Willebrand factor preparations.
Monitor for intravascular hemolysis and decreasing hematocrit values in patients
with A, B, and AB blood groups who are receiving large or frequent doses. Also monitor
VWF:RCo and FVIII levels in VWD patients, especially those undergoing surgery.
Thromboembolic events have been reported in VWD patients receiving coagulation factor
replacement. Caution should be exercised and antithrombotic measures considered,
particularly in patients with known risk factors for thrombosis.
Humate-P is derived from human plasma. The risk of transmission of infectious agents,
including viruses and, theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent,
cannot be completely eliminated.
In patients receiving Humate-P in clinical studies for treatment of VWD, the most
commonly reported adverse reactions observed by >5% of subjects are allergic-anaphylactic
reactions, including urticaria (hives), chest tightness, rash, pruritus (itching),
and edema (swelling). For patients undergoing surgery, the most common adverse reactions
are postoperative wound or injection-site bleeding, and epistaxis (nosebleed).
Please see full prescribing
information.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the
FDA. Visit
www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Last Updated:
9/29/2010 11:02 AM