For millions of women around the world, something as common as a heavy period can hide a serious bleeding disorder for decades. A major new report is now sounding the alarm — and offering a clear path forward.
The Lancet Haematology, a respected medical journal, published a landmark commission on the state of blood-related health for women and girls globally. The work was led by Dr. Bethany Samuelson Bannow, a hematologist at the Cleveland Clinic, one of the largest medical centers in the United States. The findings were presented at the 2026 Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis in Paris, France.
The numbers are striking. Women with bleeding disorders wait an average of 14 to 16 years before they receive a diagnosis — roughly eight times longer than the two years men typically wait. That's more than a decade of suffering, repeated tests, and dismissed concerns.
Heavy menstrual bleeding affects up to one in three women, according to the report. For many, it is the first clue that something deeper is wrong, like an inherited bleeding disorder. Yet doctors often overlook or minimize the symptom, leaving women without the treatment they need.
"Improving hematological care for women of all ages represents one of the clearest opportunities to strengthen health outcomes globally," said Dr. Samuelson Bannow, who directs the Classical Hematology program at the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute. She described the gap as major but fixable. "The tools already exist, and this paper offers a forward-looking roadmap to apply them more consistently and equitably."
The commission sets an ambitious target: cut the average time from first symptoms to diagnosis down to under 24 months by the year 2035. The authors say this is achievable if doctors start asking routine questions about menstrual health, use standardized screening tools, and build stronger connections between primary care and blood specialists.
Beyond diagnosis, the report calls for universal screening for iron deficiency, standardized ways to handle dangerous bleeding after childbirth, and better personalized care for blood clots during and after pregnancy. It also urges the medical community to finally include more women in clinical research and update the guidelines doctors rely on daily.
"Women experience unique challenges related to bleeding and clotting disorders throughout their lives, yet many aspects of their care remain underrecognized or understudied," said Dr. Pantep Angchaisuksiri, president of the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis. He called the commission an important resource for doctors, researchers, and policymakers worldwide.
The authors are clear: the evidence shows real progress is possible. What is needed now is coordinated action across hospitals, research institutions, and governments to make sure women and girls finally get the timely, equitable care they deserve.