Every year, millions of donors go to medical centers or mobile stations to donate blood. It is a gift and a social need that is in our hands and, on many occasions, we are overcome by fear of the procedure or ignorance, rather than thinking that we are making it possible for other people to use our blood to improve their health or even save his life.
We must be aware of the need to donate blood for two main reasons. As the Red Cross explains, blood “cannot be manufactured”. It is only possible to obtain it from donors and it is usually “essential for operations and emergencies”. On the other hand, it expires, that is, “it cannot be stored for an indefinite time”, so donations must be sustained over time.
However, many people do not take the plunge to donate due to the existence of a large number of myths and doubts surrounding donation. For this reason, today we are going to talk about one of the most common and widespread questions among women: can I donate blood while on my period?
Menstruation and blood donation, are they compatible?
- Most of the female population thinks that you cannot donate blood while on your period, but they are wrong. The answer is emphatically yes.
- There is no rule that prevents you from donating blood while you are menstruating. The doctors who will treat you when you go to donate will always keep in mind that you are well (whether you are on your period or not). The only requirements that you must respect (for the good of your health) to donate blood while on your period are the following: that you are not dizzy, weak, in pain… You are strong and want to do it.
- It may be recommended that, for example, you do not go to donate on the day you menstruate more strongly, because the chances of getting dizzy or feeling weak may be greater. Of course, if you go to donate with your period, you must replace fluids as soon as you donate.
Requirements to donate blood
Although it is true that with the rule there is no rule that prohibits donating, there are certain requirements that must be met to do so. For your good and for the person who will receive the blood (even if it is previously treated). These are some:
- You must be of legal age, that is, be 18 or older. And not exceed 65.
- You must spend more than 50 kg.
- You can’t be pregnant.
- You cannot have taken medication or antibiotics in the days before donating.
- Not having used drugs or alcohol.
- Not having had cancer.
- Not having suffered from infectious diseases.
- Having waited 4 months since the last donation.
- Not having undergone surgeries, transfusions, tattoos or piercings in the last few months.
What is the blood donation process?
- Before the actual time to donate arrives, you will normally have to pass a series of questionnaires that answer all of these questions. There will be an interview, a small test, they will take your blood pressure and perform an iron test (with a small prick on your finger). Relax, all this will not take you long!
- Later, they will seat you reclining on a sofa where the line and the bag will be connected. It will last approximately a quarter of an hour. After this, they will offer you a snack with the aim of replenishing fluids and you will wait a few minutes in which, in addition to squeezing where you had the line so that you do not get bruises, the assistants will observe that you do not get dizzy (in fact, they usually ask you a lot) and all is well.
- It is possible that if you have never done it, it will give you a little respect. However, the editor who writes these lines (regular donor) recommends that you put yourself in the place of families and people who may need it. If you can overcome that brake that prevents you from donating, the feeling after having done it will be great. Enormous. Are you in to save lives by donating blood?
