#MenstruationBloodCleansing #PeriodHeavyMetals #BloodDonationMicroplastics
Have you ever wondered if having a period has the same effect as donating blood when it comes to reducing heavy metals and microplastics in your blood? Let’s dig into this interesting topic and find out the science behind it.
Firstly, it’s important to understand the potential health effects of heavy metals and microplastics in the blood. Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury can accumulate in the body over time and have been linked to various health problems, including organ damage and neurological issues. On the other hand, microplastics, which are tiny particles of plastic less than 5 mm in size, have been found in our environment, food, and even in the human body, and their long-term health effects are still not fully understood.
So, does having a period provide the same cleansing effect as donating blood when it comes to these harmful substances?
##Understanding the Blood Cleansing Process
To answer this question, it’s essential to understand how the body naturally gets rid of these toxins. The liver and kidneys play a crucial role in filtering and eliminating toxins from the blood. However, certain substances, like heavy metals and microplastics, can be challenging for the body to eliminate completely on its own.
###The Role of Blood Donation
When you donate blood, you are essentially helping your body to get rid of some of these toxins. The fresh infusion of new blood cells encourages the body to eliminate older blood cells, along with any accumulated toxins they may carry. This process effectively reduces the overall levels of heavy metals and microplastics in your bloodstream.
###Menstruation and Blood Toxin Levels
On the other hand, menstruation is a natural process that involves the shedding of the uterine lining, along with some blood. However, the shedding of blood during menstruation does not necessarily have the same cleansing effect as blood donation when it comes to heavy metals and microplastics. This is because the main focus of menstruation is to prepare the body for a potential pregnancy, and the shedding of the uterine lining is just one aspect of this process.
##Factors Affecting Blood Toxin Levels
There are several factors that can affect the levels of heavy metals and microplastics in the blood, and these factors differ when it comes to blood donation and menstruation.
###Frequency
Blood donation is usually done on a voluntary basis, and the frequency of donation is regulated to ensure the donor’s overall health and wellbeing. On the other hand, menstruation occurs naturally on a monthly basis for most women.
###Volume
During a typical blood donation, about 1 pint (450 ml) of blood is collected. In contrast, the amount of blood lost during menstruation varies from woman to woman, but it’s usually around 2 to 3 tablespoons (30-45 ml) per cycle.
###Timeframe
The timeframe for the cleansing effect of blood donation is relatively short-term, as the body replenishes the donated blood within a few weeks. On the other hand, menstruation occurs monthly, providing a recurring, but gradual, potential cleansing effect over time.
##Conclusion
In conclusion, while both blood donation and menstruation involve the shedding of blood, they differ in their impact on the levels of heavy metals and microplastics in the blood. Blood donation has a more immediate and significant cleansing effect, as it involves the removal and replenishment of a substantial volume of blood. On the other hand, menstruation may have a more gradual and recurring impact on blood toxin levels, but it’s not as effective as blood donation in reducing heavy metals and microplastics in the bloodstream.
It’s important to note that the body’s ability to eliminate toxins also depends on various factors such as overall health, diet, and environmental exposures. If you are concerned about your levels of heavy metals and microplastics, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and possible testing.
In the meantime, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise, can help support your body’s natural detoxification processes. And if you are eligible, consider donating blood as a way to not only help others in need but also potentially reduce your own levels of toxins in the process.
So, while having a period may not offer the same cleansing effect as donating blood when it comes to heavy metals and microplastics, there are still various ways to support your body’s natural detoxification processes and overall health.
Adding to this:
1. when women post menopause,
2. and/or have hormonally blocked periods (ex IUD),
Are there any data:
1. vs females premenopause,
2. vs females with “normal” cycles?
Fascinating question, forgive me if this add on is not allowed.
Yes. An example is hemochromatosis which is a genetic condition that causes iron overload. Women that have the genetic variants that cause hemochromatosis are less likely to experience symptoms or may begin to experience symptoms after menopause because their body is losing blood regularly and getting rid of iron.
Menstruation clearly has an effect on levels of metal in the blood, but it’s not always beneficial. Women are more likely to need iron supplements:
https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/reduce-iron-deficiency-females-aged-12-49-years-nws-17
However, I’ve seen arguments that diets (American, at least) are too iron-heavy anyway, so getting rid of it is actually a good thing. I’ll be curious to see if anyone else finds scientific studies to answer your question.
The magnitude of this also likely matters
1. When you donate blood you donate roughly 500mL
2. When you menstruate on average you lose about 30mL of blood. (Although this can vary a lot. From 5-80mL).
So one blood donation is equivalent to 1 year or menstruation plus 140mL (on average) And you can generally donate 4 times a year depending on where you live.
You’d have to link the exact study. But magnitude may be relevant here to have a clinically significant effect
Well given that when donating blood you’re usually giving 470ml and an average menstruation is more like 50ml to 70ml, half of which is actually endometrial tissue and other fluids and tissues and not blood at all. I would imagine it has a minimal effect.
Women only lose about 60 mL (2.7 oz) of blood menstruating, since the composition of menstrual fluid mainly includes water, cervical mucus, vaginal secretions, and endometrial tissue. Compared to the 450 mL taken when donating blood, you might see a similar effect after 7.5 cycles if the same holds true there. As far as I know, no one has tested women’s menstrual fluid for PFAS and the participants in the study you mentioned (I’m thinking [this one](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2790905?resultClick=1)?), were 97.9% men. I’d be interested to know if men and women have similar PFAS levels. If so and the effect holds true for any blood loss, then the additional menstrual loss could enhance the effects of giving blood, but we still don’t know how much of a reduction we would need to avoid organ damage or neurotoxicity.
Either way, blood donating is a far cry better than blood letting on many fronts.