In many communities, there is a strong belief that blood donation is “not for women.” This is incorrect. Healthy women can safely donate blood when they meet the same medical criteria as men.

Myth: “Women are too weak to donate blood”

Fact: Strength and health depend on an individual’s condition, not on gender alone.

·       Women who meet the age, weight and hemoglobin requirements and feel well are just as capable of donating blood safely as men.

·       Before donation, every person’s hemoglobin is checked. If it is low, they are deferred—this applies to both men and women.

If a woman is healthy, eats well and passes the screening, there is no medical reason to exclude her purely because she is female.

Myth: “Donation causes infertility or problems in pregnancy”

Fact: There is no scientific evidence that blood donation causes infertility in men or women or leads to future pregnancy problems.

·       Donation takes blood, not reproductive cells or hormones.

·       Fertility is related to reproductive organs and hormones, not to giving away a small amount of blood.

·       Blood donation is not linked to miscarriages, difficulty conceiving, or complications in future pregnancies.

Women should not donate while pregnant or immediately after childbirth because the body is already under extra strain, but outside these periods, donating is safe for eligible women.

Myth: “Women lose blood in periods, so donation is dangerous”

Fact: Menstruation alone is not a reason to avoid donation.

·       Many women can donate safely during or soon after their periods, provided they feel well and their hemoglobin is within safe limits.

·       Women with very heavy or painful periods might prefer to avoid donating on their heaviest days, or may be deferred if their hemoglobin is low.

The screening process ensures that only women with adequate hemoglobin and general health donate.

Why women donors are important

In many countries, women:

·       Make up half the population but a much smaller share of donors.

·       Are often the primary caregivers in families, so their example can strongly influence others.

·       Help ensure a stable supply of all blood groups.