Can A Heavy Period Cause Iron Deficiency?

by | Partnerships

Do you find that you feel tired, weak, short of breath, and lightheaded with reduced concentration and focus during your monthly period cycle? This could be due to blood loss and decreased iron stores in your red blood cells during this time. Women with a heavier period and losing more blood than average could be at risk of developing iron deficiency anaemia (IDA).

Low Iron & Heavy Periods

Due to the blood loss associated with menstruation, anaemia affects women more frequently than men. Each month during menstruation blood loss, the iron within the red blood cells is also lost. You then risk developing iron deficiency anaemia if your monthly intake and absorption of iron are insufficient to make up for the iron you lose during your period.

Heavy menstrual flow increases the risk of iron deficiency anaemia in women. When the average menstrual flow exceeds 80 ml, it is deemed to be excessive menstrual bleeding.

Although it might be difficult to determine how much blood you lose during your period, the below symptoms could indicate excessive blood loss.

  • Expelling large blood clots
  • Needing two forms of protection (using both pads and tampons at once)
  • Need a pad or tampon change every two hours or less
  • Excessive bleeding that disrupts your daily activities
  • Bleeding through your sheets or clothes despite wearing protection

Blood Loss & Iron Deficiency

Except for menstruation, numerous conditions can result in bleeding, and you might not even be aware of them.

Blood loss during childbirth or a c-section can also contribute to the development of iron deficiency. Other conditions such as intestinal polyps, duodenum/gastric ulcers, and erosive gastritis can all result in gastrointestinal bleeding. Blood loss can also result from endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Endometriosis and anaemia are closely related.

How To Curb Iron Deficiency?

A great place to start is by increasing your iron consumption through a balanced diet. Healthy foods that are high in iron include spinach, red meat, broccoli, dark chocolate, fish & liver. It may also be difficult to get an adequate amount of iron solely from food, therefore an iron supplement such as Chela-fer® may assist in adding iron to your diet. Chela-fer® replenishes iron stores in the body. It is an iron supplement for healthy red blood cell formation and function, assisting with the transport of oxygen throughout the body. It also contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.

Where Can I Buy Chela-fer®?

Chela-fer® is available at selected retailers and pharmacies, including Clicks, Dis-Chem and Mopani Pharmacy.

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