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Von Willebrand syndrome Young patient with five years of persistent menstruation
A young Australian woman has a real nightmare behind her: 27-year-old Chloe Christos has spent her days continuously for five years. The reason for the chronic bleeding is the so-called "von Willebrand syndrome", a hereditary disorder, by which bleeding can not be stopped properly. In addition, the woman bleeding unusually strong, because while in a normal period about 20 to 60 ml of blood are lost, it was in Chloe within a few days, more than half a liter.
Von Willebrand syndrome affects both women and men
The story of Chloe Christos from Perth, Australia probably sounds like sheer horror to most women. Because the young woman had her rule for over five years. But not only that, because in addition, the 27-year-old now also lost significantly more blood than is the case with a normal menstrual period. The unusual phenomenon was caused by von Willebrand syndrome, a congenital hemostatic disorder. In an interview with the daily newspaper "Daily Mail Australia", Chloe talks about her suffering and encourages others concerned.
A congenital hemostatic disorder caused a long-term period in a young woman. (Image: Focus Pocus LTD / fotolia.com) Half a liter of blood in four days
When the young woman at the age of 14 first started the rule, she quickly realized that something was wrong. Because the bleeding just did not stop anymore. "I could not do anything anymore. I often fainted, had a dangerously low blood pressure and could never drive or go out, "Christos said in the interview. The missing end of the period was not everything, because in addition, the bleeding was also extremely strong. While women lose an average of between 20 and 60 milliliters of blood during their course, Chloe has already reached more than 500 ml in four days.
Frequent nosebleeds and hematomas
The permanent menstruation was triggered by the Von Willebrand syndrome. According to the German Hemophilia Society for the Control of Bleeding Diseases e.V. (DHG), this is the most common congenital haemostatic disorder affecting men and women, with a frequency of about 1%. The disease is caused by a deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand Factor (vWF), a protein that plays a key role in the blood clotting process. In the event of an injury, this ensures that platelets (platelets) attach themselves to the affected area, thereby causing closure of the wound and blood clotting.
If this protein is missing, the bleeding can not be stopped completely. People with the syndrome have an increased tendency to bleed, most commonly nosebleeds, superficial bruises, and a prolonged and prolonged period in the woman.
Medications with serious side effects
The young Australian made every effort to deal with the disease, but the burden was immense: she got over seven years, a synthetic drug that should make their daily life easier - but still had terrible side effects after all these years. Eventually, Christos sought help from a Haemophilia Center in Adelaide, where he was given a medication normally prescribed to men with haemophilia ("hemophilia").
The treatment - which she uses at the beginning of each cycle - worked and less than a month ago she had her first regular period, which lasted only four to five days. "It's the difference between lying in hospital for two weeks a month and taking two paracetamol and one heat pack for just one day," she told the Daily Mail. It is now their goal to raise awareness of the disease and to ensure that affected women worldwide have access to effective treatment options.
Doctors often shy away from men's medications
It is often unknown that medication. which were previously prescribed only to men, are also suitable in women with similar bleeding disorders, the 27-year-old continued. Therefore, the doctors are reluctant to let the means tested by women. "First of all, to make the right diagnosis is one thing. Helping people to find an adequate treatment plan is another thing, "says Christos. (No)