The prevalence of von Willebrand disease in women with abnormal uterine bleeding

Although a common symptom of von Willebrand disease is menorrhagia or metrorrhagia, the prevalence of this inherited bleeding disorder in women with heavy bleeding is not known. This pilot study compared the prevalence rate of von Willebrand disease in women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding with the prevalence rate in the general population. On average, these women bled for 11.5 days per month and experienced heavy bleeding for > 16 years. Over 60% had been treated previously for heavy bleeding. One woman was diagnosed with type 1 von Willebrand disease (5% prevalence rate). Larger studies are needed to confirm this increased rate of von Willebrand disease in women with abnormal uterine bleeding.