Symptoms of von Willebrand Disease

Not everyone with VWD has the same symptoms, but some are common among most types. The most common are:

• Nosebleeds (the medical name for this is epistaxis)
• Easy bruising
• Bleeding from the gums
• Menstrual periods with heavier than normal bleeding (passing clots larger than a grape, having to change a pad or tampon more than hourly) or that last longer than seven days
• Abnormal bleeding after surgery, having a tooth pulled, being injured, or childbirth

Less common symptoms include:

• Bleeding from the stomach and intestines
• Bleeding into the joints (this is more common in people with Type 2N, Type 3, and severe Type 1 VWD).

NOTE: People within the same family may experience different symptoms. People may find that their symptoms change as they grow older.