Prevention

Because it is an inherited genetic disease, hemophilia cannot be prevented. If you or any of your immediate family members (parents or siblings) have hemophilia or are carriers and you are thinking about having a child, you may want to talk to a health professional who specializes in the study of inherited disorders (medical geneticist) before becoming pregnant. A genetic counselor can tell you how likely it is that your child will have hemophilia and how severe it might be.

If you have hemophilia, maintain a healthy body weight to limit the stress on your joints, which can lead to bleeding episodes. Also, talk to your doctor about creating an exercise plan that is safe for people with hemophilia. Regular exercise strengthens the joints and muscles, which helps prevent bleeding.

It is especially important to prevent bleeding into the joints, because it can result in severe disability.