A person with a bleeding disorder can have both internal and external bleeds.
External Bleeds
External bleeds can occur in the mouth, after biting the mouth, lips or tongue. Recurrent, heavy nosebleeds, also called 'epistaxis', that occur without apparent cause are another symptom. People with bleeding disorders can also experience minor cuts that don’t clot or that stop and then start again.
Internal Bleeds
The most frequent sites of internal bleeds are the knee, ankle, elbow and hip joints. At first the joint feels bubbly or tingly. As more blood pools in it and swelling occurs, the joint feels tight, may be hot to the touch and becomes painful to bend. Children may hold or protect the affected joint, or start limping or crawling.
Bleeds also can occur in large muscles, such as the iliopsoas muscle in the front of the hip, causing abdominal, hip or back pain. Many women with bleeding disorders experience long, heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) and cramps. Large bruises can result from soft tissue bleeds under the skin.
Learn more about the signs and symptoms of bleeding disorders in women.
Brain bleeds, or intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), are serious. They can occur spontaneously or after trauma. Symptoms to be aware of include: painful headache, stiff neck, vomiting, sleepiness, changed behavior, sudden weakness or balance issues, difficulty walking, double vision, convulsions and seizures. Other bleeds that need prompt action include those in the eye, throat or gastrointestinal tract, or that are caused by deep cuts or lacerations. For any of these bleeds, it’s best to call your hemophilia treatment center or head right to the emergency room.