Loss of blood through heavy menstruation can deplete iron stores.
Iron deficiency anaemia is a condition where a lack of iron in the body leads to a reduction in the number of red blood cells.
In women of reproductive age, the most common causes of iron deficiency anaemia are heavy periods and pregnancy. Iron deficiency is also more frequent in women who smoke, eat a diet low in iron and have heavy periods. It is also common in vegetarians.
A study by researchers from Finland found that diagnosis and treatment of anaemia is important to improve quality of life among women with heavy periods. The study assessed the impact of anaemia and iron deficiency on health-related quality of life in 236 women treated for heavy menstrual bleeding.
This is because previous studies have found that iron deficiency anaemia may impact women’s physical performance, cognitive function, mood, and overall quality of life.
At the start of the study, 27% of the women were anaemic and 60% were severely iron deficient. In those women who were anaemic only 8% took an iron supplement.
One year following treatment hemoglobin levels had increased in both groups, but women who were initially anaemic still had significantly lower levels compared to those in the non-anaemic group.
One year after treatment women in the anaemic group had a significant increase in energy, along with physical and social function, and a decrease in anxiety and depression compared to the non-anaemic group.
However, it took five years for the iron stores to reach normal levels.
“The quality of life of women with heavy periods is plural, but the treatment of anaemia is important to get good results,” concludes Dr. Pirkko Peuranpää from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Hyvinkää Hospital in Finland.
“Our findings suggest that clinicians should screen for anaemia in women with heavy menstrual bleeding and recommend early iron supplementation as part of the treatment process.”
