Bladder dysfunction - Whole blood and components

Also known as: bladder problems

Essential information

Includes
  • Overactive bladder syndrome
  • Painful bladder syndrome (interstitial cystitis)
  • Age-related lower urinary tract symptoms
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Antimuscarinic therapy
  • Alpha blockers for bladder problems
Obligatory

Must not donate if:

  1. Under or awaiting investigation
  2. Has an associated condition which would prevent donation
  3. Has required catheterisation within the last 7 days
  4. On treatment with pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron®)
  5. Less than 4 months since cystoscopy with or without botulinum toxin injection
  6. Less than 14 days from completion of course of bladder instillation
Discretionary

If the donor is well, and:

  1. Investigations are complete, and
  2. There are no associated conditions or treatments which would prevent donation, and
  3. Symptoms are controlled on medication (other than pentosan polysulfate sodium, Elmiron®) if required and without significant side-effects, and
  4. It is 4 months or more since cystoscopy with or without botulinum toxin injection, and
  5. It is 7 days or more since catheterisation, and
  6. It is 14 days or more since bladder instillation, and
  7. It is 7 days or more since completion of treatment with pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron®), accept.

Supporting information

See if relevant
Additional information

Lower urinary tract symptoms commonly occur as people get older; they include urgency, frequency, nocturia, flow and emptying issues, and incontinence. Investigation and treatment of can involve cystoscopy and/or catheterisation, as well as medication.

The term ‘overactive bladder’ is generally used when symptoms significantly impact the person’s life. Treatment can be through lifestyle changes, bladder training, exercises, and with antimuscarinics (e.g. oxybutynin), the antidepressant duloxetine, or other medications such as mirabegron (Betmiga®), desmopressin and diuretics. Care should be taken to ensure that the donor’s symptoms are controlled on their current treatment, without any effects that could impact their safety during or after donation (e.g. fainting), but otherwise these medications do not preclude donation. Other treatments include catheterisation (self, intermittent or long-term) surgery, and nerve stimulator devices; also bladder instillations as for painful bladder syndrome (PBS) and botulinum toxin injections which may be repeated every few months. Investigation and treatment can involve cystoscopy and/or catheterisation.

Interstitial cystitis (IC), also known as PBS, is a condition which causes chronic or recurrent pain in the bladder and in the pelvic region due to damaged bladder lining or urothelium. The cause is unknown but may be associated with other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), autoimmune disease and anxiety disorder. It may also be caused by traumatic injury to the bladder or pelvic floor muscles and precipitated by infection. There can be chronic or frequent recurrent urinary tract and bladder infection. The diagnosis of IC or PBS is one of exclusion.

Treatment can be through diet modification, bladder training techniques, exercise and stress management. It can include oral medication with analgesics, antidepressants, and cimetidine. Treatment can also be with pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron®) which can be associated with increased bleeding and bruising. The condition can also be treated by interventional methods including catheterisation, surgery and botulinum toxin injections; also bladder instillations with combinations of local anaesthetic agents, steroids, sodium bicarbonate, heparin, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulphate and antibiotics to produce local relief, calm inflammation and restore the bladder lining. A 14-day deferral after completion of a course of instillation treatment is advised. If there has been infection present, a 14-day deferral from recovery must also be observed.

Use of neuromodulation techniques with a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine does not prevent donation.

Reason for change:
New entry which incorporates the ‘Interstitial cystitis’ section of the former ‘Kidney and bladder disease’ entry. The more commonly used term ‘painful bladder syndrome’ has been included.
Version details:

WB-DSG Edition 203 Release 81 (11 August 2026)