Like hemophilia, Von Willebrand Disease (VWD) is a genetic coagulation disorder. It is estimated that roughly 1% of the population has VWD, meaning that more than 3 million Americans the condition.

Symptoms may include:

• easy bruising
• frequent and prolonged nosebleeds
• bleeding after dental procedures and surgeries
• heavy menstrual bleeding

There are several different types of VWD. Some types are due to a deficiency of Von Willebrand factor in the blood, and some are due to a qualitative problem in the nature of the Von Willebrand factor. VWD affects individuals equally, regardless of sex. Diagnosis of VWD can be complicated and is best done at a specialized Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC).