Von Willebrand's Disease: Symptoms

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Symptoms

Most cases of von Willebrand's disease are mild. Some people with type 1 von Willebrand's disease have no more bleeding than members of the general population. Mild von Willebrand's disease may not be noticed until you have excessive bleeding after an injury, dental procedure, or surgery. Severe cases (type 3) often are recognized early in childhood because of unusual and very heavy bleeding.

Symptoms of mild von Willebrand's disease include:

• Frequent nosebleeds.
• Occasional bleeding from the gums.
• Heavy menstrual periods in women (menorrhagia). Over half of all women with von Willebrand's disease have excessive menstrual bleeding.⁴
• Unexplained bruises.

Symptoms of more severe cases of von Willebrand's disease include those listed above and:

• Blood in the urine.
• Bruising easily.
• Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
• Bleeding into the joints, resulting in stiffness, pain, and swelling. This symptom is rare.

The severity of symptoms of von Willebrand's disease can vary greatly, even within the same family.¹

A very rare form of von Willebrand's disease occurs in some older adults. Acquired von Willebrand's disease is thought to occur in less than 0.13% of people.⁵ Symptoms include nosebleeds with no previous history of bleeding abnormalities.

Last updated:	November 29, 2006
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Joseph O'Donnell, MD - Hematology/Oncology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC