Bleeding Disorder Types
A bleeding disorder exists when it is hard for a person to stop bleeding. When a person bleeds, the blood clots, stopping the bleeding. The clotting process, also called coagulation, changes blood from a liquid to a solid state. It takes both blood cells (called platelets) and proteins (called clotting factors) for blood to clot properly. When a person has a bleeding disorder, the blood platelets are not working like they should, or there are not enough platelets or clotting factors in the blood. This causes a person to bleed for longer periods of time than normal. Bleeding disorders tend to run in families and can be hard to detect in women. These disorders can be controlled, so a person can have a healthy and full life.

Types of Bleeding Disorders
There are different types of bleeding disorders a person can have. The two most common types of bleeding disorders are:

Hemophilia - while this well-known disease affects men and women, most people who have hemophilia are men. Even though most people think hemophiliacs bleed to death from cuts, they actually suffer problems with internal bleeding into the joints, muscles, and organs. Treatment involves replacing the missing clotting factor in a person's blood, done through intravenous (IV) treatment, where a small tube is inserted into a vein.

von Willebrand Disease (VWD) - a lesser known bleeding disorder that affects both women and men, VWD is the most common bleeding disorder in women. This disease causes bleeding in the intestines, bleeding gums, and very heavy menstrual periods in women. Treatment involves the release of stored clotting factors in the blood, or in severe cases replacing the clotting factor through IV treatment or with a nasal spray. When a person with VWD has a dental procedure or dental surgery, they need to take medication beforehand to reduce bleeding. Over the past 20 years, researchers have made great progress in diagnosing and treating VWD.
Content Courtesy : www.4woman.gov
^{Note : Information herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider before beginning any course of supplementation or treatment.}