Because iron deficiency often occurs without noticeable symptoms, it is so dangerous. Women with heavy to very heavy menstrual bleeding should be particularly careful. You are more at risk than others. Why is that?
Heavy blood loss during the period
“Since women lose iron over and over again through menstrual bleeding, iron-deficiency anemia is more common in women of childbearing age than in women men“, explains the health portal “apotheke.com”. Iron deficiency anemia, that’s how anemia is referred to in medicine as a result of iron deficiency. The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWIG), based in Cologne, pointed out years ago that menstruation in women can lead to iron deficiency. The proportion of those affected is given by “apotheke.com” at around 10 percent.
If the deficiency often occurs without strong specific symptoms, how can women recognize that they suffer from it? “Those affected feel weak during menstruation, are pale and often have cold hands and feet because the body cannot produce enough red blood cells then,” quotes “paradisi.de” from the IQWIG report. Other forms of bleeding can also endanger the supply of the trace element.
Prevent iron deficiency through diet
Other signs are breathing problems and heart palpitations. Because no hemoglobin is formed without iron and it is the red blood pigment that transports oxygen in the blood to the organs, those affected experience reduced resilience: iron deficiency causes a lack of oxygen in the body and thus lower performance. This can also take the form of Headache or express dizziness.
The German Society for Nutrition recommends 15 mg of iron per day for women of childbearing age. Women who know their menstrual period is approaching can top up their iron stores by consuming legumes, dried parsley, spearmint, millet, molasses, pork liver, pumpkin seeds, or sesame seeds. These foods are considered good sources of iron. Treatment with iron tablets is also possible, but should be discussed with your doctor because of the risks and side effects.