Toggle site contrast Toggle Contract

Hysteroscopy outpatients: advice for patients on Warfarin

Please read this information if you are taking Warfarin to thin your blood and your doctor recommends an Outpatient Hysteroscopy to investigate uterine/vaginal bleeding. This is a procedure carried out in the outpatient clinic to examine the inside of your uterus (womb) with a thin telescope.

Being on Warfarin may increase your risk of bleeding during the procedure and it is therefore helpful to monitor the amount of the Warfarin in your blood to ensure you INR (International Normalised Ratio, used to monitor the amount of the Warfarin in your blood) is within a safe level for the procedure. Your doctor will advise you if you need a different form of anticoagulation or when and if you need to stop taking Warfarin in preparation for your procedure.

For an Outpatient Hysteroscopy your INR should be between 2.0-3.0 on the day of the procedure and we might need to adjust your dose of Warfarin to achieve that without putting you at risk.

  • We will send you a date for your Hysteroscopy and your GP will be informed.
  • Once you have the date please make contact with your GP and/or your local anticoagulant service to inform them of the need to adjust your Warfarin dose.
  • Your GP and/or the anticoagulant team will work with you to adjust the dose of your Warfarin to ensure your INR is between 2.0-3.0 on the date of the procedure. You may require a different form of anticoagulation when you stop your Warfarin.  We will advise you if this is the case.
  • Please ensure that you have an INR check on the day before, or on the morning of the Hysteroscopy to ensure your INR is at the right level.
  • You should be able to return to your normal Warfarin dose in the evening after the procedure. You will need an INR blood test 5 days after your Hysteroscopy.
  • If you have any questions please get in touch with the Hysteroscopy Booker on 01296 316239.

Useful Contact Numbers

Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Consultant Gynaecologists – 01296 316239/6548

Hysteroscopy Booker – 01296 316239 (Monday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday 9:30am-1:30pm)

Wycombe Hospital

Consultant Gynaecologists  – 01494 425009/425724