What Are the Signs and Symptoms of von Willebrand
Disease?
The signs and symptoms of von Willebrand disease
(VWD) depend on the type and severity of the disease. Many people have such
mild symptoms that they don't know they have the disorder.
If you have type 1 or type 2 VWD, you may have the
following mild-to-moderate bleeding symptoms:
- Frequent large bruises from minor bumps or
injuries
- Frequent or hard to stop nosebleeds
- Extended bleeding from the gums after a dental
procedure
- Heavy or extended menstrual bleeding in women
- Blood in your stools from bleeding in your
intestines or stomach
- Blood in your urine from bleeding in your kidneys
or bladder
- Heavy bleeding after a cut or other accident
- Heavy bleeding after surgery
People with type 3 VWD may have all of the symptoms
listed above, as well as severe bleeding episodes for no reason. These bleeding
episodes can be life threatening if not treated right away. They also may have
bleeding into soft tissues or joints, causing severe pain and swelling.
Heavy menstrual bleeding is often the main symptom
of VWD for women. Doctors call this menorrhagia (men-o-RA-je-a). They define it
as:
- Bleeding with clots larger than about 1-inch in
diameter
- Anemia
or low blood iron
- The need to change pads or tampons more than
every hour
However, just because a woman has heavy menstrual
bleeding doesn't mean she has VWD. |