Page 19 - HFA Dateline 2021 Q4 Winter

Sidonio said some situational prophylaxis
can be used for menstrual bleeding, but it’s
not for everybody. “There’s a role for factor
concentrates in heavy menstrual bleeding, but
women and girls should consider hormone
therapy and antifibrinolytics as the first-line
therapy unless there are contraindications.”

If those don’t work, menstrual bleeding factor
prophylaxis can be considered. “We have a
Tammy Jones with
her family national study called ATHN 9, and it’s focused
on severe and clinically severe VWD,” he
said. The study is examining the use of von
son’s condition has leveled out in the past few years, Willebrand factor (VWF) concentrate for
the past decade was rough. She is thankful for the various situations, including nosebleeds, joint bleeds and
support she had. heavy menstrual bleeding. VWF can be a consideration if
other options have failed or hormone therapy cannot be
That connection helped MacDougall cope also. HFA
provided an opportunity to learn more about VWD and used, he said.
hemophilia B, she said. “It’s just one of the most wonderful “I try to look for the positives,” Jones said. “The answers
tools in the world to be connected with other people that are getting better. The care is getting better. All the new
have the disease that I have.” things that started this year from my advocacy are mind-
boggling, and I’m so excited.”
Jones agreed: “The advocacy is so important for healing
because it empowers you to be able to move forward
and help others. We can’t stay in that anger zone or that
depressive state thinking, ‘I have this and I passed it to my
children.’ How much better can their life be if I advocate Take Comfort
for this, if I work with organizations in my community?”
in Our Care
Treatment Trends
HFA works to stay on top of the latest research in VWD
and other bleeding disorders. According to O’Brien, more ARJ delivers high-quality home infusion care
women are deciding to go with an intrauterine device to children and adults with bleeding disorders.
(IUD) as a first-choice treatment option. IUDs are long-
term, reversible contraception placed inside the uterus. “In
general, IUDs work best compared to birth control pills in 24-7 clinical care Nationwide pharmacy
reducing bleeding,” O’Brien said. & consultation & factor delivery

Doctors are working to break down barriers to IUD
treatment, to make them more accessible to younger In-home infusion Patient assistance
patients and provide education on misconceptions. “There nursing services & financial resources
are concerns IUDs affect your fertility or they can only be
used if you’re sexually active—or they’re associated with
infection. [But that] isn’t the case for IUDs on the market
today,” O’Brien said.

In many pediatri c hospitals, young patients can be placed
under sedation for the IUD insertion. “That removes the
barrier of a patient being scared to have a pelvic exam,” arjinfusion.com
she explained.
866-451-8804

WINTER 2021 19