At Our Blood Institute, we often receive questions about blood donation eligibility. Makes sense!
But we also recognize that there are certain questions not everyone is comfortable asking. We'd like to address one of those today: "Can you donate blood when on your period?"
It may seem personal, but with more than 160 million women in the United States alone, it's among the most relevant questions a person can ask! So let's talk about it. If you've ever wondered if you can give blood during your menstruation cycle, you're not alone — here's everything you need to know.
So... Can You Donate Blood When on Your Period?
First thing's first: yes, you can! It’s a common misconception that menstruation disqualifies you from giving blood. In reality, your period doesn’t affect your ability to donate at all, provided you meet the standard donation requirements. Your body can usually manage blood loss from both menstruation and donation quite easily.
How Your Body Manages Blood Loss
During menstruation, the body sheds a small amount of blood over the course of several days. This is much less than what is taken during a typical blood donation, which is around one pint (500 mL). Your body is equipped to replace that blood volume quickly, even if you’re on your period.
MORE: How much blood is in the human body anyway?
What About Low Iron?
It's true that you may experience a slight drop in iron during menstruation. And, since iron is a key component of hemoglobin — the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen — that means there is a chance that your ability to give blood will be impacted.
Fortunately, your hemoglobin levels will always be tested when donating at any OBI center or mobile drive. If your hemoglobin falls below 12.5 g/dL, we will work with you to reschedule your donation.
If you're prone to anemia or know you have an existing iron deficiency, it may still be worth checking your iron status before coming in.
Do You Feel Well Enough to Donate?
While it’s perfectly safe to donate blood during your period, it’s important to listen to your body. If you’re feeling fatigued, lightheaded, or dealing with particularly heavy bleeding, it might be best to wait until you’re feeling more like yourself. You should be in good health overall and feel well on the day of your donation.
Can You Donate Plasma on Your Period? Platelets?
Just like a whole blood donation, you can donate blood products like plasma and platelets while on your period, provided you meet the general eligibility requirements, are in good health, etc.
The Bottom Line
Yes, you can absolutely donate blood while on your period! As long as you’re feeling well, meet the eligibility requirements and have healthy iron levels, menstruation doesn’t need to hold you back from making a lifesaving donation.
At Our Blood Institute, we're here to answer any questions and help you feel confident during your blood donation process. If you're ever unsure, don't hesitate to reach out to our team for guidance!
