Question about donating blood??

[LoveableLauren]

Does donating blood by any chance have an affect on your period?? Because I've had heavy periods ever since i remember and then i gave blood and then a day later i got my period but it was extremely light. I dunno i'm always have been curious about this??

[sherrieleeh]

People say there is no relationship between donating blood and your period but on three separate occasions I have gotten my period either immediately afterwards or the next day. So........

[SurelyShirley]

I had the same thing happen to me.  I gave blood on Sunday. On Monday-Wednesday (so far), my period seems to be odd. It is not liquidy like usual. There is blood on my pads and toilet paper, but no blood drips or flows into the toilet.  I have never had a period like this and think the timing with donating blood is somehow related.  I am not worried about it, but, like you, curious.

[shagwell]

I have always wanted to give blood. I think it is an important gift to give, and one day the donar might need the favor returned. However; my doctor said that women should limit their blood donations because we alredy "donate" once per month! I know that the amount of blood loss durring your period isn't much, but for some women, it actually is. A friend of mine actually couldn't re-make her blood. She had to have transfusions to replace blood loss just from her period. I don't think I am one of those people, but I am still hesitant to give blood.

If you notice that you are feeling weak or faint, see a doctor, but if not, then I would just monitor it over a month or two and see if it goes back to normal.

[AnnieBrooke]

What comes out in your period is liquified uterine lining, i.e., endometrium, that has been building up for the past month.  It's not blood per se, despite what we call it.  Maybe if you were severely dehydrated for many months, your periods would be affected (along with your blood) but no, there is no connection with giving blood one month and having a light period right after.