The congenital bleeding disorder, von Willebrand Disease, is the most frequently occurring congenital hemorrhagic disorder. It affects about one percent of the population and occurs in both sexes, as it is passed down genetically via autosomal dominant inheritance. The main presenting symptom of the disease is abnormal bleeding of mucosal membranes, usually occurring after a challenge to the body’s hemostatic ability such as surgery or a dental extraction. Menorrhagia in women can also be indicative of von Willebrand Disease. This abnormal mucosal bleeding is attributed to a quantitative deficiency or structural abnormality in the body’s supply of von Willebrand Factor, which is necessary for the body’s hemostasis and coagulative function. Within the human circulatory system, von Willebrand Factor, or VWF, has three main functions. Its primary function is to mediate platelet adhesion to the subendothelial collagen of blood vessel walls when they become damaged. This occurs most frequently in capillaries and arterioles, where the flow rate of blood is highest and desquamation of the endothelial lining is the most common. VWF is also the carrier molecule for the plasma procoagulant, Factor VIII. They form the VWF/VIII complex, which prevents the proteolysis of Factor VIII and prolongs its plasma half-life from only a few moments to eight to twelve hours. von Willebrand Factor is also responsible for mediating platelet-to-platelet aggregation through the release of glycoprotein stimulants. von Willebrand Disease is the product of either structural or quantitative dysfunction of von Willebrand Factor, which impairs primary hemostasis by reducing platelet adhesion. This is what leads to the mucocutaneous hemorrhaging. If the deficiency of VWF is extreme, it causes a deficiency of Factor VIII, which can lead to symptoms of Hemophilia A. The vast majority of patients retain VWF levels in the range of 30-50 percent of normal which is enough for the body to maintain competent coagulation. If Factor VIII levels drop below 30 percent, the body cannot maintain hemostatic balance, and soft tissue bleeding occurs in tandem with the hemorrhage of mucosal membranes, causing severe blood loss. Diagnosis of von Willebrand Disease is a complex and difficult process at best. A person’s ABO blood group, age, hormonal fluctuation, and physical stress, as well as their exercise habits all affect the production of VWF, because it is an acute phase reactant. This, coupled with the fact that clinical symptom manifestation and severity vary from person to person, even within a family unit, despite the fact that the disease is presumably caused by the same genetic mutation, makes the diagnosis complicated. There are also five main subtype of VWD, all of which have different signs and symptoms, which only serves to complicate the diagnostic process further. These disease subtypes arise because the genetic mutation causing the disease is expressed differently from one individual to another. There is also the consideration of Acquired von Willebrand Disease. In this aspect the disease is not caused by genetic mutation but occurs as the result of another condition such as hypothyroidism or autoimmune dysfunction. The one thing that seems to occur in most, if not all, patient afflicted with VWD, is easy bruising. If a patient is showing signs or symptoms, all testing should be repeated until there is a conclusive result. In essence, von Willebrand Disease is a complex and possibly life-threatening disorder. Although it sound like a frighten prospect, it is not all doom and gloom. With proper diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis for most von Willebrand patients is good. In fact most treatments for VWD are simple and relatively non-invasive, which allows them to lead normal and fulfilling lives, without being victims of their symptoms. Despite the lack of a cure for the disease, the treatments available are enormously effective in improving the quality of life for those afflicted. With treatment comes hope for a long-term cure, and there are many working towards that cure. Having stated that, von Willebrand Disease is not something to fear, but something to cure, for the benefit of future generations.