What it is
Many people only need treatment before surgery, dental work or childbirth, or when bleeding happens. Medicines can raise clotting levels or help clots form.
Tell doctors and dentists you have it, and avoid medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen unless a doctor says they are safe.
Common signs
- Bruising easily
- Nosebleeds that last longer than 10 minutes
- Heavy or long periods
- Bleeding gums
- Bleeding for a long time after cuts, dental work or surgery
How it is usually diagnosed
- Blood clotting tests
- Von Willebrand factor tests
- Family history
- Assessment at a haemophilia centre
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Clotting test results
- Haematology letters
- Bleeding disorder cards
- Treatment plans for surgery or childbirth
Questions to ask your doctor
- What type do I have?
- What should I do before surgery or dental work?
- Should my family be tested?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Bleeding that will not stop, a head injury, vomiting blood or black stools: call 112 and say you have von Willebrand disease
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.