Iron deficiency and heavy periods

This page is reference information compiled from the cited sources. It is not medical advice. For any decision about health, diagnosis or care, consult a qualified professional.

What it is

Iron-deficiency anemia is anemia caused by a lack of iron, defined as a decrease in the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. It is caused by blood loss, insufficient dietary intake, or poor absorption of iron from food. Sources of blood loss can include heavy periods, also known as menorrhagia, which is a common cause of iron deficiency anemia in women of childbearing age. This condition can occur without a person experiencing symptoms and tends to develop slowly, allowing the body to adapt. For children, iron-deficiency anemia is associated with poor neurological development, including decreased learning ability and altered motor functions.

Key facts

Iron-deficiency anemia affected about 1.48 billion people in 2015. Women and young children are most commonly affected, with women of childbearing age being at risk due to heavy menstrual periods. When onset is slow, symptoms are often vague, such as feeling tired, weak, short of breath, or having decreased ability to exercise. Symptoms can also include dizziness, lightheadedness, poor physical exertion, headaches, decreased ability to concentrate, cold hands and feet, cold sensitivity, increased thirst, and confusion. In severe cases, shortness of breath can occur, and pica may develop, with consumption of ice being specific to this condition. A lack of dietary iron is estimated to cause approximately half of all anemia cases globally, and the condition can be caused by increased iron demand during periods of growth or decreased iron intake from diets low in iron.

When to seek professional help

The source text associates professional care with several situations. A diagnosis of iron-deficiency anemia requires further investigation into its cause, which can include increased iron loss from chronic gastrointestinal blood loss linked to a possible cancer. The source mentions that medical treatment may be needed for underlying causes such as parasites. Professional care is involved when blood tests are used to confirm a diagnosis. Situations prompting investigation include heavy menstrual periods in women of childbearing age causing iron-deficiency anemia, as well as gastrointestinal bleeding resulting from regular use of some medications or conditions like colon cancer. The source also notes that the blood bank screens people for anemia before drawing blood for donation, and if anemia is present, blood is not drawn, indicating a point of professional assessment.

Source: Iron-deficiency anemia (CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikipedia)), retrieved 2026-10-04.