Bleeding Disorders

What are bleeding disorders?
Bleeding disorders are a variety of medical problems, including hemophilia and von Willebrand disease (VWD), that lead to poor blood clotting and to bleeding for long periods of time. These conditions often run in families, but also can develop during some illnesses or treatments.

Why are bleeding disorders an issue for women?
Bleeding disorders affect up to 2.5 million American women and can cause problems in reproduction, among other areas of health.

• Heavy menstrual bleeding, menorrhagia, is one of the more common symptoms of bleeding disorders in women.
• Bleeding disorders may be responsible for 50% of the cases of menorrhagia where a cause cannot be determined.
• 500,000 - 600,000 hysterectomies are performed annually and many may be unnecessary.
• About 20% of hysterectomies are performed to treat excessive bleeding.

What is the OWH doing about bleeding disorders in women?
The OWH facilitates a fourteen member task force created by Executive Order No. 51 (2003), The Governor’s Task Force on Women and Bleeding Disorders assesses the issue to determine:

• the number of bleeding disorders in New Jersey women,
• diagnostic issues among health care professionals,
• treatment options.

The task force submitted a report to Governor Corzine with recommendations addressing screening, diagnostic, and treatment measures in addition to community education and outreach efforts.  The report was approved earlier this year.

Report and Recommendations: The New Jersey Governor’s Task Force on Women with Bleeding Disorder

Task Force Members

Gloria A. Bachmann, M.D.	Elaine Kelly
Elena Bostick	Audrey LaBolle
Senator Barbara Buono	Bindi Merchant
Michele Chansky	Peri L. Nearon, M.P.A
Alice J. Cohen, M.D.	Claire Phillipp, M.D.
Anna DeSimone	Parvin Saidi, M.D., Chair
Julie Frenkel, M.A.

Bleeding Disorder Resources