Women with bleeding disorders – let us support you on your journey

Hemophilia (A & B)

Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder, less common than VWD. There are two main types of inherited hemophilia: Hemophilia A, the most common type, is caused by a deficiency of factor VIII, one of the proteins that helps blood to form clots. Hemophilia B is caused by a deficiency of factor IX. This type is also called Christmas disease. Women can be carriers of the hemophilia gene and also have hemophilia.

Link Source: Canadian Hemophilia Society

von Willebrands Disease (VWD)

The most common inherited bleeding disorder, VWD occurs in around 1 in 1000 individuals worldwide. VWD can be caused by genetic mutations that result in low levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF), or VWF that does not work properly. VWF plays a crucial role in blood clotting, meaning people with VWD can experience problems with excessive or prolonged bleeding. There are three types of VWD: Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3. People with Type 1 VWD, the most common form, have low levels of VWF. People with Type 2 VWD have VWF that does not work properly. People with Type 3 VWD have very low levels of VWF, is more severe and the rarest form of VWD.

Link Source: Canadian Hemophilia Society

Platelet Function Disorder

Many platelet function disorders may be mild so many women go undiagnosed. Depending on the type of platelet function disorder platelets may not stick to the walls of damaged blood vessels, may not clump together at the site of the injury to the blood vessel, or may not form a proper surface so that other blood factors can make a fibrin clot.

Link Source: Canadian Hemophilia Society