Menstruation is a natural process, but in some cases, it can have a negative effect on your health. Heavy periods and anemia can be correlated, and many women suffer from different symptoms as a result.
Every woman’s period is different, but most women only lose a few tablespoons of blood each month. If you’re losing more blood than normal during your periods, you lose iron. This makes your hemoglobin (Hb) drop and causes iron deficiency anemia.
Anemia is a condition that occurs when you have low levels of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein inside your red blood cells, and it carries oxygen to your tissues.
Iron is an essential micronutrient and it’s vital to many biological processes, from oxygen transport to cellular respiration. Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, which explains why not getting enough iron causes anemia. Iron deficiency can be caused by not consuming enough iron through your diet, or by losing a significant amount of blood. This is why heavy periods can cause anemia.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding also have a higher risk of developing anemia, since they have to support both their and their child’s iron requirements.
Anemia can often go undiagnosed. Patients overlook symptoms like fatigue, or chalk them up to a different condition or lifestyle factor. They might be unaware of the symptoms that can be caused by low iron levels during periods. This can go on for years in some cases, and it delays getting a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Studies have shown that only 6% of women seek help for heavy periods and anemia. Receiving the proper treatment can dramatically improve your symptoms and quality of life.
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia. You can develop this iron deficiency on your period, but there are other things that can cause low iron levels.
Causes of iron deficiency anemia include:
Iron deficiency anemia can develop over a long period of time, which is why it’s so easy to overlook it. The symptoms of period-related anemia can vary greatly from one person to the next, but the most common ones include:
Although anemia is a relatively simple condition, it can negatively affect many areas of your life. Anemia can make it much harder for you to carry out your daily activities or any action that requires physical effort or concentration. It also affects your physical appearance, since it can make you look pale.
Since anemia tends to develop in an insidious manner, it usually causes symptoms that gradually worsen over time. It’s common for patients with anemia to report that they don’t even remember when they started to feel tired, but that their symptoms have increased over the years or months.
The treatment for anemia is simple; but, if left untreated, anemia can become dangerous. Some of the most important complications of anemia include:
All women lose a certain amount of blood during their periods, but how do you know when to worry?
It might feel like more, but women normally only lose a few milliliters of blood each month. Heavy menstrual bleeding is usually defined as losing more than 80 ml of blood during your entire menstruation.
It’s hard to measure exactly how much blood you’re losing during your period, so these are other ways to determine your period blood loss:
Although it can be nearly impossible to measure how much you bleed during your period, these can be symptoms of too much blood loss, and they can lead to anemia during your period.
The cause of heavy menstrual bleeding can be unknown, but in some cases, it can be caused by an underlying condition. Some of the most common causes of heavy periods and anemia include:
Some of these conditions don’t cause many obvious symptoms, which is why it’s so important to get regular checkups with your doctor. Other conditions do cause symptoms, including irregular bleeding, bleeding after your period, period pain, excessive cramps, and nausea during your menstruation. Talk to your doctor if you experience any new symptoms or irregularities in your cycle.
If you suspect that you are suffering from excessive menstrual bleeding and anemia, you’ll need to go to the doctor.
They will be able to perform a physical examination to look for any symptoms of anemia. Afterwards, they will order blood tests to determine your hemoglobin levels and overall health. Imaging tests, such as an ultrasound, can help rule out physical conditions — like polyps, for example — that might be causing your bleeding.
Once the cause of your anemia is determined, your doctor will be able to prescribe the best treatment for you. This could include iron supplements, hormonal contraceptives to manage your menstruation, blood transfusions, and surgery to correct physical abnormalities.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to lessen the symptoms of heavy periods and anemia. One of the easiest ways to keep your hemoglobin levels up is by eating iron-rich foods. Some of the best sources of dietary iron include:
Avoid caffeine immediately after your meals, since this substance can decrease iron absorption. Vitamin C, on the other hand, can make it easier for your digestive system to absorb iron. Try drinking some orange juice or eating some strawberries after your meals!
If you’re anemic or suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding, your doctor could also prescribe iron supplements. Don’t self-medicate with iron supplements; when used inappropriately, they can cause constipation and even liver damage.
You can also use a period tracker like Flo to determine your cycles, spot any irregular bleeding, and keep an easy record of your menstruation. This information can be very useful to your doctor.
Heavy periods can cause many unpleasant symptoms, which is why it’s so important to discuss them with your doctor. Listen to your body and don’t ignore symptoms like excessive bleeding and fatigue. With proper treatment, you’ll be able to control your periods and anemia, and go back to your usual routine in no time!
