Signs and Symptoms of Bleeding Disorders in Women

Signs and symptoms

Women with bleeding disorders often have one or more signs or symptoms.

Heavy bleeding during menstruation (period) that can include

• Bleeding that lasts longer than 7 days from the time bleeding starts until the time it ends;
• Flooding or gushing of blood that limits daily activities, such as work, school, exercise, or social activities;
• Passing clots that are bigger than a grape; and
• Soaking a tampon or pad every hour or more often on the heaviest day(s).

A diagnosis of "low in iron" or having received treatment for anemia.

Symptoms of easy or frequent bleeding that can include

• Nosebleeds that occur for no apparent reason and last longer than 10 minutes or that need medical attention;
• Easy bruising that occurs with no physical injury;
• Excessive bleeding after a medical procedure or dental extraction; and
• A history of muscle or joint bleeding with no physical injury.

Having a family member with a bleeding disorder, such as von Willebrand disease or hemophilia.

When to talk to your doctor

Bleeding disorders can be treated, but first you need to know if you have one.

If you have one or more of these signs and symptoms, talk with your doctor or other healthcare professional. You can also visit the Better You Know website to take the bleeding disorder risk assessment to determine if you might be at risk for a bleeding disorder. Bleeding disorders can be dangerous if not treated. Finding out if you are at risk can be the first step to feeling better.

Better You Know Campaign

Better You Know is a campaign to raise awareness of bleeding disorders for those individuals who may experience symptoms but have not yet been diagnosed. To learn more about bleeding disorders that affect women, go to the Better You Know website, which was developed by the National Bleeding Disorders Foundation, and the women's portion was funded through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Better You Know website has a bleeding disorder risk assessment, which will help you determine if you might have a bleeding disorder. If you decide to seek care, this website also provides tools, information, and resources that can simplify your next steps.