Iron Supplements Improve Anemia in Women with Heavy Periods

Women who experience heavy blood flow during their menstrual cycle, also known as menorrhagia, could be at a high risk of anemia, a common blood deficiency that affects around 3.5 million Americans. For those suffering from the health issue, a new study published in the journal Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica shows that taking iron supplements could help prevent the problem and improve overall quality of life.

For women who regularly have heavy periods, monthly menstrual cycles can result in inadequate iron stores throughout the body. Previous studies have shown that iron deficiencies, which often result in anemia, can impact women's physical performance, cognitive function, mood and overall daily function.

Lead study author Dr. Pirkko Peuranpää from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Hyvinkää Hospital in Finland, examined 234 women who were being treated for menorrhagia at the time of the study. The women were randomly divided into two groups: one that was getting a hysterectomy and one that was receiving a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system. Researchers also measured the women's hemoglobin levels in order to determine if they were anemic. Lastly, ferritin levels were determined to assess the rate of iron deficiency.

Study results revealed that 27 percent of the women had anemia, while eight percent of the anemic women took iron supplements, and about 60 percent of the women were severely iron deficient.

However, one year after the participants were taking the iron supplements, researchers found that the women's hemoglobin levels had increased in both groups. Yet the levels were slightly lower in the anemic group when compared to the non-anemic group.

"The quality of life of women with heavy periods is plural, but the treatment of anemia is important to get good results," concluded Dr. Peuranpää, in a news release. "Our findings suggest that clinicians should screen for anemia in women with heavy menstrual bleeding and recommend early iron supplementation as part of the treatment process."