Problemas de salud

Bleeding disorders

Revisado: 4 de octubre de 2026

Solo en inglés por ahora

Very heavy periods are sometimes caused by blood that does not clot as well as it should. Knowing the signs of a bleeding disorder can help you get tested and treated.

What a bleeding disorder is

When you bleed, your blood forms a clot to stop the bleeding. In a bleeding disorder, this does not work as well as it should, so bleeding can be heavier or last longer. The most common bleeding disorder in women is von Willebrand disease. In this condition, the body does not have enough of a protein that helps blood clot, or the protein does not work properly. It is almost always passed down from a parent. It affects men and women equally, but women often notice it because of heavy periods or heavy bleeding after childbirth. Other types include problems with platelets, the tiny blood cells that help form clots.

How common it is

In the United States, as many as 1 in 100 women may have a bleeding disorder, and many do not know they have one. Most people with von Willebrand disease have the mildest type. Because so many people are unaware, it is worth knowing the signs, especially if your periods are heavy.

Signs in your periods

Heavy periods are a key sign. Your bleeding may be too heavy if your period lasts longer than 7 days. It may also be too heavy if you soak through a pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours on your heaviest days, pass clots larger than about 2.5 cm, or have flooding that limits what you can do. Having been told you are low in iron, or having had treatment for anaemia, is another clue. Heavy bleeding after giving birth can also be a sign.

Other signs to watch for

Look out for nosebleeds that start for no clear reason and last longer than 10 minutes, and bruising easily without an injury. Heavy bleeding after dental work, surgery or another medical procedure is another sign. So is bleeding into muscles or joints without an injury. Having a family member with a bleeding disorder, such as von Willebrand disease or haemophilia, also matters.

Tests and treatment

A doctor will ask about your own and your family's history of bleeding, and can order blood tests that measure how well your blood clots. Bleeding disorders cannot be cured, but treatment can keep bleeding under control and prevent problems. For von Willebrand disease, options include a medicine called desmopressin, medicines that slow down the breakdown of clots, such as tranexamic acid, replacement of the missing clotting protein, and the contraceptive pill to make periods lighter. Some painkillers can affect clotting, so ask a doctor or pharmacist which ones are safe for you.

When to see a doctor or nurse

Talk to a doctor or nurse if you have one or more of these signs. Logging how heavy your periods are and how long they last in Ciclo can help you describe your bleeding. If you know you have a bleeding disorder, tell your care team before surgery, dental work or giving birth. Get emergency help if you have very heavy bleeding with dizziness or fainting.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. If your periods are very heavy or you bruise or bleed easily, talk to a doctor or nurse.