Why is it important to know if I have a bleeding disorder?
When a bleeding disorder is not diagnosed and treated, it can cause serious problems, some of which can be life threatening. Women can have severe bleeding during and after childbirth or with a miscarriage. Severe bleeding can also happen during or after dental or other kinds of surgery, and after an injury or accident. A person can suffer internal bleeding, as well as bleeding in the brain. If you know that you have a bleeding disorder, be sure to tell your health care providers, especially before dental procedures, surgery, pregnancy and childbirth.
How are bleeding disorders treated?
The treatment for bleeding disorders varies. Disorders that cause minor bleeding problems may need no treatment. Medications are available to prevent or treat more severe bleeding problems, such as heavy periods or extreme bleeding during dental or surgical procedures. Birth control pills are frequently used to treat heavy bleeding in women with VWD. Nasal sprays, like desmopressin acetate (DDAVP), are used for both heavy menstrual bleeding and nosebleeds. A form of DDAVP can also be injected into a person's vein before surgery or if they are having serious bleeding. Medicines to clot the blood, called clotting agents, help control bleeding. For women who have extreme menstrual bleeding that does not go away with medication, sometimes surgery is an option. Endometrial ablation can be done, which applies heat, laser, or radio waves to the inside of the uterus, or womb, to control bleeding. Hysterectomy, or removal of the uterus may also be done to stop bleeding. But, both of these surgeries, for women with bleeding disorders, increase the risk of bleeding from the surgery itself.There are health care providers, called hematologists, who have special training in bleeding disorders that can help you find the best treatment options. For information about hemophilia, VWD and other bleeding disorders, contact HANDI, the National Hemophilia Foundation's information clearinghouse toll free at 800-42-HANDI. Or, log on to their Internet web site, http://www.hemophilia.org. For More Information...
You can find out more about bleeding disorders by contacting the National Women's Health Information Center (800-994-96620) or the following organizations:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
Blood Disorders: Topic Home
Internet Address: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hbd/default.htm
Project Red Flag
Internet Address: http://www.projectredflag.org/
World Federation of Hemophilia
Phone Number(s): (514) 875-7944
Internet Address: http://www.wfh.org/
National Hemophilia Foundation
Phone Number(s): (800) 424-2634
Internet Address: http://www.hemophilia.org/
reproduced from the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services
