Your severe period may be a sign of this blood disorder

Can your cause be serious about concern?

Sherri Ozawa, MSN, RN, indicates that serious blood loss during menstruation can be a symptom of von Willebrand’s disease, a blood disorder that compromises the body’s ability to form blood clots.

What is von Willebrand’s disease?

“VWD occurs when the body does not have enough factor von Willebrand, a protein that helps platelets climb together to form clots,” Ozawa said.

“People with VWDs can flow longer than usual after injuries, surgeries or even small cuts. Some may have frequent noses, slight bruise or severe menstrual bleeding.”

VWD is hereditary, and the symptoms range from mild (type 1) to severe (type 3) with relevant treatments.

“For mild cases (type 1), a hormone that occurs naturally called Desmopressin (DDAVP) is often used intravenously to temporarily increase the levels of von Willebrand factors – for example, before surgery or during bleeding episodes.

In moderate to severe cases, doctors can give patients concentrated replacement therapy derived from blood donors plasma or made with genetic engineering. “

How can women make the difference between a severe period and a blood disorder?

Ozawa notes that while bleeding through pads or tampons every hour, having periods lasting more than seven days, and clots of the passage greater than a quarter are all cause for concern, patients cannot determine independently if they have VWDs.

However, they can and should talk to their providers about the conditions of their menstrual cycles.

“Only four of the ten women who experience severe menstrual bleeding will require care for her,” she said.

“Research shows that less than 10% of pediatricians and family medicine doctors document a menstrual history for female patients.

“Moreover, most girls learn about menstruation from their mothers, so in families who have some members with VWD, abnormal bleeding may seem normal.”

According to Ozawa, treatments for VWD and severe menstrual bleeding include hormone therapy such as birth control pills. It advises patients with these symptoms to avoid aspirin and other blood thinners, which can strengthen blood loss.

She claims that ignoring symptoms of severe bleeding can lead to serious health issues.

“If women are not diagnosed and treated for this severe bleeding, it puts them at great risk for iron deficiency and anemia,” she explained. “Both problems have tremendous consequences for women and their children still born.”

A recent study found that 29% of American adults are affected by absolute or functional iron deficiencies – and nearly one in three Americans may have an unprecedented iron deficiency.

Iron -related issues include “poorer quality of life and academic performance, changed social relationships, increased risk of depression and behavioral issues, and weaker surgical results. This is in addition to normal daily symptoms, tired/exhausted and unable to finish at work,

Why are women most at risk?

While the VWD represents equally between the sexes, Ozawa says the bleeding disorders are historically under -recognized and under diagnosed in women.

“On average, women with VWD experience a 16-year delay between the onset of symptoms and proper diagnosis,” she said.

Seventy -six percent of men are diagnosed up to the age of 10, but 50% of women are not diagnosed by the age of 12.

“This is a problem because, without the diagnosis, we may lose the opportunity to advise girls on abnormally severe menstrual bleeding,” she added.

One of the reasons for this delayed diagnosis is stigma about menstruation. “Both patients and doctors have embarrassment in menstruation discussion – what is normal, what is not and when they seek help.”

However, transparency is essential for treatment, “when doctors understand better exactly why patients are bleeding and how their blood clots, they can use the right treatment efficiently and not waste time, money and resources – and they can save lives.”

Is there a cure for VWD?

While there is no known cure for VWD, it can be managed. Ozawa calls on patients who suspect they may have a bleeding disorder to seek diagnostic tests.

“With proper management, most people with VWDs can lead to normal life by minimizing the risk of excessive bleeding during injuries, surgeries or activities.”