Are routine tests for bleeding disorders always accurate?
No, they are not. Screening tests may come out normal even when a woman has a bleeding disorder. Varied blood tests need to be done and some may need to be repeated for a correct diagnosis. This is because many things can affect test results, such as: • hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle • use of pain killers like aspirin • use of birth control pills or other hormone therapies • pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding • blood type • intense exercise • stress Research shows that diagnosing bleeding disorders, especially VWD, in women is hard. One study found that women had symptoms for an average of 16 years before being diagnosed.
