Women with Bleeding disorders
Bleeding disorders in women are often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed due to lack of awareness. An undiagnosed bleeding disorder can put a woman at risk for unnecessary medical procedures, heavy bleeding after surgery or dental procedures and during menstrual periods, and difficulties during pregnancy and childbirth.
Haemophilia: Some women who are carriers of haemophilia A or B can themselves have lower than normal levels of the clotting factor and can in some cases experience many of the symptoms of haemophilia. For this reason, it is very important for known or suspected carriers to know their factor level.
von Willebrand's Disease: However, the most common bleeding disorder in females is von Willebrand's disease (vWD). As vWD can be acquired as well as inherited, it is not always detected in women. If you have symptoms of a bleeding disorder, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis and treatment from a haematologist. Comprehensive Care Centres and Haemophilia Treatment Centres in Ireland provide comprehensive care to patients with haemophilia and other bleeding disorders.
Here are some signs that may indicate a bleeding disorder in women
1. Heavy menstrual bleeding, called menorrhagia, which is characterised by:
- Bleeding for longer than 7 days, from the time it begins until the time it ends
- Flooding or gushing blood that limits daily activities, such as social activities, school, or exercise
- Passing blood clots that are bigger than a quarter
- Changing a tampon and/or pad every 1 hour or less on the heaviest day
2. Low levels of iron in the blood; having had or having been treated for anemia
3. A family member has or has had a bleeding disorder, such as von Willebrand's disease (vWD) or haemophilia
4. Heavy bleeding from dental surgery or other surgery, and/or other bleeding symptoms, such as:
- A nosebleed that occurs for no apparent reason and lasts longer than 10 minutes despite pressure on the nose, or a nosebleed that needs medical attention
- An episode of bleeding from a small wound that lasts more than 15 minutes
- Bleeding that starts up again within the first seven days following surgery
- An episode of bruising with little or no apparent trauma, especially if a lump is under the bruiseAn episode of blood in the stool for no apparent reason
- A history of muscle or joint bleeding
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