Women and Girls Bleed Too: Shining the Light on haemophilia and bleeding disorders in Women and girls

Each year, on April 17, the world raises awareness about haemophilia. This includes other inherited bleeding disorders. The theme for World Haemophilia Day 2025 is “Women and Girls Bleed Too.” It challenges the belief that only males are affected by these disorders. While haemophilia is more common in males, many females also suffer from symptoms.

What is a Bleeding Disorder?

Bleeding disorders are conditions where blood does not clot properly. This occurs when essential components for clotting are missing or malfunctioning. Individuals may experience prolonged bleeding after injury, surgery, or childbirth. These disorders can be inherited from parents or acquired later in life.

Types of bleeding disorders include:

- Haemophilia A and B: Inherited conditions affecting mostly males due to deficiencies in factors VIII or IX.

- Von Willebrand Disease (vWD): The most common inherited disorder affecting both genders, causing easy bruising and heavy periods.

- Other rare disorders: Include platelet function disorders and deficiencies of other clotting factors.

Common Signs and Symptoms:

- Frequent nosebleeds or bleeding gums
- Heavy or prolonged menstruation
- Unexplained bruises
- Blood in urine or stools
- Painful, swollen joints from internal bleeding
- Excessive bleeding after surgery or childbirth

Management:

These bleeding disorders cannot be cured but can be managed effectively. Treatments may include clotting factor replacement therapy and hormone treatments for menstrual symptoms. Early diagnosis is crucial for improving quality of life.

The Global and Ghanaian Landscape

According to the World Federation of Haemophilia’s 2023 survey, there are 390,630 individuals with bleeding disorders worldwide:

- 56% have haemophilia
- 26% have von Willebrand Disease (vWD)
- 18% have other bleeding disorders

Of this population, 65% are male while 34% are female. This shows significant representation among females who often go undiagnosed.

In Africa, an estimated 93,985 people live with haemophilia; however, only 8% have been identified. In Ghana, about 7,131 people are estimated to have haemophilia but only 525 cases are diagnosed—indicating serious gaps in access to care.

Many people in Ghana may live with undiagnosed bleeding disorders—especially women and girls.

A Silent Burden on Women and Girls

Females can experience symptoms as carriers of the haemophilia gene or through other inherited conditions like vWD. Women may suffer from:

- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Excessive bleeding during childbirth
- Unexplained bruising

Often they are told heavy periods are normal when they might indicate a disorder. We must take their symptoms seriously.

A Call to Action

This year’s theme reminds us that we need change:

- Women and girls bleed too.

- They deserve equal access to diagnosis and treatment.

- Their voices must be heard.

We should launch public education campaigns addressing inequities in care. Creating safe spaces for women to share experiences is vital.

In Ghana, institutions like Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital work hard to improve care with support from the World Federation of Haemophilia and the Ghana Haemophilia Society.

Despite these efforts, gaps remain in diagnostics and specialized care access. Addressing these challenges requires collective action from government bodies and civil society organizations.

“Women and Girls Bleed Too” is not just a theme—it’s a truth we must acknowledge.

Let’s ensure no woman or girl with a bleeding disorder in Ghana is left behind. By listening to them and providing necessary care, we improve outcomes for families and communities alike.

#WorldHaemophiliaDay2025 #WomenAndGirlsBleedToo #BleedingDisordersAwareness

Authored by Dr Adwoa Agyemang Adu-Gyamfi & Dr Eunice Agyeman Ahmed in collaboration with the Ghana Haemophilia Society.