Inherited coagulopathies in OB/GYN

There is an increased risk of venous thrombosis in women with inherited plasma protein coagulopathies (thrombophilias). Although a general screening for thrombophilia is impractical, risk assessment based on identification of other hypercoagulable states-such as a personal or family history of venous thrombosis-can identify patients who may benefit from testing. Those patients testing positive for thrombophilia need to be counseled regarding the implications of oral contraceptive use, hormone replacement therapy, use of selective estrogen receptor modulators, and pregnancy.