How are bleeding disorders treated?
Although bleeding disorders cannot be cured, medicine can control the symptoms. Treatment for bleeding disorders varies. Most women with vWD don’t need to take medicine. People with mild bleeding problems may only need treatment before or after surgery and dental work or after an injury. More severe symptoms can be controlled with daily medicines. Treatments for bleeding disorders include: • Birth control pills. They increase the amount of clotting factors in the blood and can control heavy periods in women with some bleeding disorders. • Desmopressin acetate (dess-moh-PRESS-uhn A-suh-tayt) (DDAVP). DDAVP is a hormone that makes the body release stored clotting factors into the blood. It can be given as a shot or nasal spray. DDAVP can prevent heavy periods and nosebleeds. It is also used before surgery or to stop serious bleeding. • Antifibrinolytic (an-teye-FEYE-bruhn-uhl-IHT-ihk) drugs. These medicines are used to stop blood clots from breaking down. They can be used before dental w
