Women and girls with bleeding disorders

Girls who could be possible carriers of a bleeding disorder are registered locally with the centre soon after they are born, with their parents' consent.

Pathways for carriers and women with bleeding disorders:

• Management of menorrhagia
• Management of menopause
• Identification of potential carriership - factor levels checked
• Confirmation of a genetic variant
• Prenatal counselling
• OHTC follow-up for symptomatic carriers and women with haemophilia
• Prenatal genetic testing
• Management of pregnancy
• Management of labour and delivery
  

Girls who have symptoms, or may be carriers for haemophilia, have their factor levels checked before starting school.

Girls who have excess bleeding as children, or low factor levels, are registered on the National Haemophilia Database by the Paediatric Haemostasis Unit and followed up regularly.

Education and support are offered before girls start their periods so that heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is recognised and diagnosed early, with intervention from the GP and/or escalation to adolescent gynaecology for management.

When girls reach the age of 16-18, they start the transition process to the adult service.

We support girls and women with information about their reproductive choices, access to prenatal diagnostic services and genetic counselling and testing.

Women with menorrhagia (heavy periods) are cared for our Gynaecology colleagues, Iron Clinic and Sexual Health team. We also provide advice on the menopause.

We are always available for pre-conception counselling with women and their partners, and update on advances in care for children with bleeding disorders so that they can make informed choices.

We support women through pregnancy with support from:

• Maternity Services
• Community Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU)
• Fetal Medicine Unit (FMU)
• Oxford Maternal Medicine (Silver Star)
• Nuffield Department of Anaesthesia (NDA)
• Paediatric Haemostasis Unit

along with our regional colleagues, to provide comprehensive delivery plans and follow-up after birth.

If you would like any further information, please contact us.

Resources

Patient leaflets

Conditions we treat

Contraception

Contraception - NHS website

Contraception - Sexual Health Oxfordshire

Contraception - NHS inform

Contraception Choices

For clinicians

Haemophilia and thrombosis referrals

Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Menstrual Clinic referrals