You & your partner

Telling anyone that you have haemophilia can be difficult, though it can be particularly hard to tell a girlfriend or boyfriend (especially as some people have pre-conceived and un-informed ideas about the condition). It is, however, worth remembering that great relationships are based on honesty and trust. Ultimately, only you can decide whether you should tell your partner, but you have everything to gain from being bold and honest about it at the appropriate time in your relationship.

How and what should I tell them?

There’s no right or wrong way to tell your partner about your condition. You might want to think about giving them some time to get to know you before you tell them, as this will allow them to see that you are capable of living as full a life as anyone else, provided you have access to Clotting Factor treatment.

When you tell your partner that you have haemophilia, you have a great opportunity to reassure them. You can explain to them that the condition is not contagious, and that you’ll live a long and happy life. Whilst they may be scared at first, their greatest concern is likely to be for your wellbeing. Remember, if your partner knows and likes you, they will still know and like you when they find out you have haemophilia. Have confidence in yourself and you will be surprised how much confidence others have in you.

All information on this page has been taken from the following sources:
(Websites were last accessed on November 30th, 2010)