Helping Women ManageTheir Health (NAPSA)—Upto two and a half million women in the U.S. may have a bleeding disorder, predominantly von Willebrand disease (VWD), and not know it. VWD is more common than multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, lupus and Lou Gehrig’s disease combined. Every year 30,000 women in the U.S. have a hysterectomy due to heavy bleeding and a significant numberof these women may have a bleeding disorder controllable without surgery. Never heard of von Willebrand disease? You’re not alone. An alarming 91 percent of women have never heard of VWD, accord- ing to a recent Harris Interactive national survey. Yet, 31 percent of these same women report having “heavy” periods, the number one “red flag” symptom. The survey, “Women & Bleeding Disorders,” was commissioned for Project Red Flag by NHF, the foundation for all bleeding disorders. Project Red Flag is a national campaign cre- ated to educate women and their doctors about this serious issue. Greater AwarenessEssential Unfortunately, ignorance about bleeding disorders is not limited to the layperson. Doctors may diagnose heavy periods as dysfunctional uterine bleeding or not screen for VWD at all. On average, it takes 16 years for proper diagnosis and in the meantime, womenareat risk for serious complications, from life-threatening bleeding after surgery to poten- “Timely diagnosis is key to helping women regain control of their health and prevent unnecessary hysterectomies.” tially unnecessary hysterectomies. Indeed, the “Women & Bleeding Disorders” survey found that of those women who have heavy periods, only 25 percent thoughtit was necessary to see a doctor. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) now recommends that OB/GYNs screen women andgirls with very heavy periods for VWD. Enough is Enough “Enough is enough. There are ‘red flags’ that women and their doctors should recognize and act on,” says Dr. Paula Elbirt, professor at New York’s Mount Sinai Medical Center and co-chair of Project Red Flag’s Women with Bleeding Disorders Task Force. Other red flags include frequent or prolonged nosebleeds, easy bruising and heavy bleeding after injury, surgery, childbirth or dental work. “Timely diagnosis is key to helping women regain control of their health and prevent unnecessary hysterectomies,” Dr. Elbirt added. “Patients visiting their doctors with any of these symptoms should be armed with information from a reliable source.” To learn more about VWD, visit www.projectredflag.com or call 1-800-42-HANDI.
