Periods can be hard and when you are dealing with heavy bleeding it is even tougher. Nearly 1 in 4 women experience heavy flow which can put them at risk for iron deficiency anemia. Here is what you should know about menorrhagia, low iron, and how to support your cycle.
This article was written in collaboration with Ferosom Forte.
Periods are hard enough as they are, and if you’re dealing with heavy bleeding, it can be even tougher. If this sounds like what you’re going through, you are not alone. It happens to more people than you might think. Nearly 1 in 4 women experience heavy bleeding, also known as menorrhagia, during their menstrual cycle.
While a heavy flow comes with a world of complications — from cramps to blood clots — it can also put you at risk for developing iron deficiency anemia. Why? Because you’re losing a lot of blood. And if your iron levels can’t keep up with the blood loss, your body goes on red alert (no pun intended).
So, what exactly causes heavy bleeding? And how can you avoid anemia if your flow just won’t stop flowing? Here’s everything you need to know about menorrhagia and low iron.
What is menorrhagia and how do I know if I have it?
Also known as heavy uterine bleeding (HUB), menorrhagia is a condition that affects over 10 million women every year in the US alone.
The tough part about heavy bleeding is that a lot of women don’t realize they’re losing more blood than they probably should. If you’re experiencing any of the following, it might be a good idea to talk to your doctor about testing for menorrhagia:
- Soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for multiple hours in a row.
- Doubling up on pads.
- Waking up to change pads or tampons during the night.
- Bleeding for longer than 7 days.
- Passing blood clots that are larger than a quarter in size.
- Severe menstrual cramps.
- Symptoms of anemia like fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.
Heavy menstrual bleeding can sometimes make day-to-day life more challenging. It’s worth paying attention to how your body feels and checking in with your doctor, since untreated menorrhagia can sometimes be linked to other health concerns, like fibroids.
What causes heavy bleeding?
Heavy menstrual bleeding can happen for a variety of reasons, and it isn’t always obvious why it occurs. Some causes include pregnancy complications, certain medical conditions, or even the use of an IUD. One of the most common factors, however, is a hormone imbalance.
Let’s flashback to grade school sex ed for a sec. In a healthy menstrual cycle, there’s a good balance between the hormones estrogen and progesterone. They work together to release an egg from your ovaries and build up a lining for it in your uterus. Then, if the egg doesn’t fertilize, that lining sheds, and voila! Your period arrives.
But if your hormones are out of balance, that uterine wall lining can build up too much, causing excessive bleeding when it sheds. These hormone imbalances can be caused by a number of health concerns, including obesity, insulin resistance, thyroid problems, PCOS, or your ovaries simply not working properly.
If you think hormones might be messing with your flow, talk to your doctor about how you can get them back in balance.
How does heavy bleeding affect my iron levels?
Simple: blood loss. When you lose an abnormal amount of blood, it depletes your body’s iron stores. Iron is responsible for producing hemoglobin, a substance that helps carry oxygen to your body’s tissues through your red blood cells.
So if you lack iron, you lack healthy red blood cells. The result? Iron deficiency anemia.
What is iron deficiency anemia?
Simply put, it’s what happens when your body tries to make up for the lost red blood cells by using your iron stores to make hemoglobin. (If all of this sounds like a vicious cycle, that’s because it is.)
Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia can include:
- Fatigue and fogginess
- Weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Brittle nails
- Headaches
- Mood swings
- Pale skin
It can also be hereditary. One study found that more than 50% of participants with iron deficiency anemia had a family history of the condition, suggesting that their susceptibility to low iron was in their genes. Meanwhile, some women with anemia experience no symptoms at all.
Iron deficiency anemia can be caused by a lack of iron in your diet, pregnancy, or poor iron absorption capabilities. The most common cause in women is blood loss from menstruation; however, other conditions like gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, hernias, and colon cancer can also be contributing factors. That’s why iron deficiencies are up to 18% more prevalent in women than in men.
How can I prevent iron deficiency while also supporting my menstrual health?
Although HUB is something far too many women experience, it doesn’t mean you have to live with low iron. Here are some of the most effective ways to prevent iron deficiency anemia and restore iron levels that have been depleted.
Incorporate Iron-rich + Hormone Balancing Foods
One way you can start to naturally restock your iron stores and better support your hormones is by incorporating the foods below into your diet:
- Lean proteins (chicken, turkey, eggs, tofu, edamame)
- Seafood (shrimp, oysters, clams)
- Healthy fats (salmon, avocado, olive oil)
- Nuts and seeds
- Leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale, broccoli)
- Beans and legumes (lentils, chickpeas, white beans)
To make the most of the iron in these foods, pair them with a good source of vitamin C whenever possible. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron more efficiently, especially from plant-based sources like leafy greens, broccoli, kiwis, and oranges.
Iron Supplements
Iron supplements are one of the most effective ways to prevent and treat iron deficiencies. People often hesitate to take iron supplements because they can cause gastrointestinal side effects, such as constipation, nausea, or stomach upset.
If supplements are recommended by your healthcare provider, there are options designed to be gentler on the stomach. For example, Ferosom Forte is an iron supplement in liposomal form and uses a proprietary LCE Coat™ to protect the iron from stomach acids and bacteria as it moves through your digestive system. This allows the iron to be absorbed in the small intestine rather than the stomach, which can help reduce common side effects while still supporting iron levels.
IV Iron
If your iron deficiency is more serious, your doctor might prescribe IV iron infusions. Typically, these sessions take place over 4 to 6 weeks. This method of treatment is only for severe cases of iron deficiency anemia.
Supporting Your Cycle, Safely
When it comes to heavy menstrual bleeding, the products you use matter more than you might think. Many conventional pads and tampons can contain synthetic materials and chemicals that may irritate sensitive skin or disrupt your natural hormonal balance. Choosing clean, non-toxic period care helps support your hormone health and overall reproductive health (especially when you’re already navigating heavy bleeding).
That is why we launched Iris + Arlo, because you deserve to know exactly what you are putting into your body. Our period products are made with 100% organic cotton, GOTS certified, free from toxins, that could disrupt reproductive or endocrine health. We also focus on using sustainable materials, so your period care can be safe, thoughtful, and better for the planet.
Conclusion
Heavy menstrual bleeding can take a toll on your body, especially your iron levels, but there are ways to support your health. Paying attention to your period, nourishing your body with iron-rich foods and vitamin C, taking iron supplements when needed, and choosing safe, non-toxic period products can all make a difference.
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