We have been talking to you about blood donations for some time now. Although ignorance and lack of information can slow you down a bit when it comes to becoming a donor, you should be aware that it is something extremely necessary.
Blood cannot be manufactured, only the blood that we donate can be treated and used. In the same way it is not eternal either, it expires! Some components of this last very little. For this reason, there are permanent and mobile points that remind us every day that we can donate selflessly to help those who might need it, that in the future we could be ourselves.
Regarding blood donation, we always have doubts or frequent questions and one of the questions that we are going to solve in this article is how often you can donate blood, because there are myths and rumors that should be clarified.
How often can you donate blood?
To talk about the time that has to pass between one donation and another, we must make two distinctions. In the first place, that it has not been donated, at least, in the last two months. Although it is true that after the donation the recovery capacity of our body is really fast, the limit is thus stipulated as a fundamental guideline to follow.
Secondly, it depends on your gender and this is not a matter of equality but of biology.
- If you are a man you can donate up to 4 times a year (respecting to do so, as we have just said, with a minimum of two months between one time and another).
- If you are a woman you can do it 3 times a year. The reason is that we must also compensate for the blood loss that occurs when we have our period. Our iron deposits are affected on a monthly basis when our menstruation drops. Therefore, if we compare the donation of 3 women versus 4 men, the loss of iron per year will have been similar.
We must take this very seriously because, in the end, when we go to donate blood, we do not want it to affect our health and by always following these guidelines it will not. Still, the frequency with which we donate is usually controlled by computer programs.
Other information to take into account before donating
Although when we go to donate blood the doctors and assistants present take care to ask us exhaustive questions and control any contraindications that prevent us from donating blood, we must also be prepared. Therefore, you should keep a few things in mind:
- The fact of taking contraceptives is not a contraindication for donation. You can do it perfectly.
- If you are pregnant, lactating or have just given birth, you cannot donate blood.
- You must be of legal age and weigh more than 50 kg. Don’t try it if you weigh less, they won’t let you.
- If you have recently (in the last few months) had a tattoo or piercing, it is possible that you will have some problems and you may have to wait a few months to do it.
- It is not a blood test, you should not go fasting. Having eaten something before donating will help you have more energy and avoid dizziness.
- You must have normal iron and blood pressure, but don’t worry, they will take it themselves at the donation point to check it.
- If you have taken any medication, make sure that it is compatible with the donation. In the case of antibiotics they are not, but, for example, anti-inflammatories and aspirin are. It is best that you discuss it with the doctors and professionals at the time of the donation. They will get you out of doubt.