A bleeding disorder characterized by inadequate amounts of the plasma protein factor VII, an important clotting protein; also known as extrinsic factor deficiency. Factor VII deficiency may be either inherited or acquired via a vitamin K deficiency. Symptoms include bleeding into joints and muscles, excessive menstrual bleeding and bruising, and bleeding from the mucous mem¬ branes. Treatment with normal plasma, concentrates containing factor VII, or recombinant factor VII is generally effective for stopping bleeding episodes.