Bleeding Disorders in Women

A bleeding disorder is a condition that keeps your blood from clotting properly after a cut or injury. Women are more likely to notice the symptoms of a bleeding disorder because of heavy or abnormal bleeding during their menstrual periods and after childbirth.
Photo: Two women having a conversation

Heavy bleeding is one of the most common problems women report to their doctors. It affects more than 10 million American women each year. This means that about one out of every five women has it.

Signs and Symptoms of a Bleeding Disorder

I have heavy menstrual periods, such as:
- Bleeding for more than 7 days from the time bleeding begins before it completely stops.
- Flooding or gushing of blood that limits daily activities such as housework, exercise, or social activities.
- Passing clots that are bigger than a quarter.
- Changing a tampon or pad, possibly even both, every hour or more often on heaviest day(s).
I have been told I am "low in iron" or I have received treatment for anemia.
I have experienced heavy bleeding after dental surgery, other surgery, or childbirth.
I have experienced prolonged bleeding episodes such as might occur as a result of:
- Dental surgery, other surgery, or childbirth;
- Frequent nose bleeds (longer than 10 minutes);
- Bleeding from cuts or injury (longer than 5 minutes); or
- Easy bruising (weekly, raised, and larger than a quarter in size).
I have one or more of the bleeding symptoms above and someone in my family has a bleeding disorder such as von Willebrand disease or a clotting factor deficiency such as hemophilia.

Talk to Your Doctor

Photo: A woman talking with her healthcare professional

If you have one or more of the signs and symptoms, please talk with your doctor or other health care professional. CDC supports a network of specialized healthcare centers to prevent and reduce complications experienced by people with certain blood disorders. At these centers a team of experienced healthcare professionals work together to treat people with rare or complex medical conditions. Visit www.cdc.gov/bloodtreatmentcenters to locate a treatment center.

Bleeding disorders can be dangerous if they are not treated. Women with untreated bleeding disorders face serious risks after childbirth, dental surgery, other surgery, or injury.

Bleeding disorders are common among women. But, many women do not know that they can get help for it. Others do not get help because they are too embarrassed to talk with a doctor about their problem. Talking openly with your doctor is very important in making sure you are diagnosed properly and get the right treatment.