I just assumed that everybody else had long periods like I did.”
—Kim, person treating VWD with HUMATE-P
How is VWD
diagnosed and treated?
VWD can be difficult to diagnose because patients may have mild or infrequent symptoms. Therefore, VWD often goes undetected.
Open the Dialogue for Diagnosis and Treatment
An open conversation with your doctor about your signs or symptoms and how they impact your life will help him or her give you the help you need.
Effective communication goes a long way to create a successful treatment plan. Your doctor will want to know your medical history and your family history. He or she will have tools to help you measure the severity of your symptoms. These tools may include the Pictorial Blood Assessment Chart for women who have heavy menstrual bleeding.
Your doctor will also conduct a physical examination and order laboratory tests to confirm or rule out VWD.
Be ready for some questions and blood tests
Medical history
Have you ever had bleeding or bruising persist after an injury?
How long does bleeding or bruising persist after injury?
Are you aware of excessive bleeding after surgery?
Do you experience heavy menstrual bleeding?
How severe are your symptoms?
Family history
Does anyone in your immediate family have a known bleeding disorder?
Does anyone in your immediate family have symptoms related to a bleeding disorder?
Laboratory tests
Tests can check the amount of VWF and FVIII in your blood
Several different tests may be needed for an accurate diagnosis
Kim was 35 years old when she was diagnosed with VWD
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Effective treatments to help manage your type of VWD
The main goal of treatment for VWD is to prevent or control bleeding. Your VWD experience is unique to you, so your treatment should be chosen specifically for you. Your doctor will base your treatment on your VWD type and the severity of your symptoms.
Treatments are available that replace or strengthen specific components in the coagulation process:
Desmopressin (DDAVP)
is a treatment for type 1 VWD that increases VWF by helping the body release it from where it is stored
Plasma-derived VWF
is made from normal human plasma; it replaces the missing or ineffective VWF. Most plasma-derived VWF therapies also contain FVIII
Recombinant VWF
is created in a laboratory using the DNA for VWF and animal cells; it is used to replace missing VWF
Antifibrinolytic agents
are drugs that prevent the body’s natural process from breaking down blood clots
Be sure to talk to your doctor about what treatment is best for you—and about any side effects you may experience once you have started treatment.
VWD treatment options at a glance
Desmopressin (DDAVP) |
Plasma-derived VWF |
Recombinant VWF |
Antifibrinolytic |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Administration |
IV Injection, |
IV Injection |
IV Injection |
Oral, IV Injection |
Provides VWF and Factor VIII* |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
All VWD types |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
All types of bleeds |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Desmopressin (DDAVP) |
|
|---|---|
Administration |
IV Injection, |
Provides VWF and Factor VIII* |
No |
All VWD types |
No |
All types of bleeds |
No |
Plasma-derived VWF |
|
|---|---|
Administration |
IV Injection |
Provides VWF and Factor VIII* |
Yes |
All VWD typess |
Yes |
All types of bleeds |
Yes |
Recombinant VWF |
|
|---|---|
Administration |
IV Injection |
Provides VWF and Factor VIII* |
No |
All VWD types |
Yes |
All types of bleeds |
Yes |
Antifibrinolytic |
|
|---|---|
Administrations |
Oral, IV Injection |
Provides VWF and Factor VIII* |
No |
All VWD types |
Yes |
All types of bleeds |
No |
*Everyone who has VWD has a potential FVIII deficiency. Therapies that provide VWF and factor VIII together help to resolve bleeding quickly.
Additional supportive treatments include oral contraceptives, which help control bleeding during menstruation, and topical agents to help control wound bleeding and bleeding during dental procedures.
Talk to your doctor and see if HUMATE-P is an option for you
A detailed discussion can help you and your doctor find the best treatment for your bleeding disorder. The HUMATE-P Doctor Discussion Guide can help you start the conversation.
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