Von Willebrand Disease in Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Abstract

Abnormal uterine bleeding is a term used for alterations in the regularity, duration and /or volume of menstrual bleeding and it is considered a common cause of medical consultation; sometimes it is a diagnostic challenge for the treating physician. Within the
aetiology approach of said pathology, coagulopathies affect around 13% of women, and the most common is von Willebrand disease. The objective is to review the current scientific literature on the influence of von Willebrand disease in abnormal uterine bleeding. This is an inherited pathology derived from a deficiency of the von Willebrand factor responsible for platelet adhesion. The prevalence of this disease may be low, however, when studying the population of women with menorrhagia, the frequency can range from 5 to 20%. Different gynecological problems associated with von Willebrand disease have been described, such as menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea and a significant iron deficiency associated with it, in addition to a higher incidence of ovarian cysts, endometriosis, endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial polyps. The current literature suggests that those women with suggestive clinical symptoms should be screened. Regarding treatment, the literature reports the use of tranexamic acid and oral contraceptives, nonetheless desmopressin has proven to be most useful.