You just came across some information about whether taking iron makes your period heavier. In conclusion, taking iron supplements does not make your periods heavier.
Iron pills don't make periods lighter, but supplementation is still a sensible idea to replenish the iron stores in the body. Of 236 women treated for heavy menstrual bleeding, one year of iron supplementation increased their hemoglobin levels, reduced anxiety and depression, and improved their daily energy.
Women with heavy periods may be particularly at risk of developing low iron levels, often leading to tiredness and fatigue. Among women who experience heavier periods, adequate daily iron intake is particularly important and may be difficult to achieve with diet alone.
Iron plays a vital role in maintaining optimal health for women during their period. By boosting energy levels, regulating menstrual cycles, and reducing heavy menstrual bleeding, iron can help you feel better and more comfortable during your time of the month.
Iron is an essential nutrient in blood that carries oxygen, and due to blood loss during menstruation, people who have periods are more susceptible to iron deficiency. In fact, if you have periods, we actually need to consume 18 mg per day of iron, while others only need only 8 mg per day.
But a type of anemia that's common with heavy periods is iron deficiency anemia. Heavy periods lead to blood loss over a long time. This depletes your body's iron stores. With iron deficiency anemia, you might feel tired all the time, weak, dizzy or short of breath, among other signs and symptoms.
How are heavy periods and anaemia linked? Blood naturally contains iron, which helps red blood cells carry oxygen around the body. Heavy blood loss month after month can lead to iron deficiency (low iron levels). This can lead to anaemia.
While iron supplements can help improve menstrual flow in women with iron deficiency or anemia, they can also have potential side effects on menstrual flow. These side effects can include changes in menstrual flow, such as heavier or lighter periods, as well as changes in the duration or timing of menstrual periods.
Most people with iron deficiency have no symptoms, so taking iron pills may not result in any obvious changes to how they feel. A doctor can verify if the pills are working via a blood test. However, if a person does have anemia symptoms, they may notice they get better or go away entirely.
Some women experience high levels of estrogen and low levels of progesterone. This can cause the uterine lining to thicken. When a thick uterine lining sheds during menstruation, women might experience heavier blood flows and larger blood clots. Uterine fibroids – Fibroids are noncancerous growths inside the uterus.
Conditions affecting the ovaries, womb, or hormone levels can cause sudden heavy periods. These include uterine polyps, endometriosis, and more. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , heavy periods are among the most common health issues that females report to doctors.
Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids - 2,000-4,000 mg/day - has an anti-estrogenic effect on the uterus. A study showed that vitamin C was able to reduce heavy bleeding in 87% of women who participated. Bioflavonoids were also shown to strengthen the vessel walls of the capillaries, further reducing the bleeding.
Anaemia, a condition caused by low iron levels, can also cause pink period blood. 'Iron is what gives the blood its red colour, and blood may become lighter if iron is low,' explains Dr Rosén.
The average menstrual period lasts anywhere from two to five days. Estimates suggest that 220 to 250mg of iron per pint of blood is lost during menstruation. This can vary over a woman's lifetime due to changes in iron stores, changing contraceptives, the use of intrauterine devices, or certain medications.
The best way to take the iron supplement is through two or more doses each day. This way your body absorbs the greatest amount of iron. However, you should take extended-release iron products once a day.
Yet, iron supplements can cause stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea in some people. You may need to take iron with a small amount of food to avoid this problem. Milk, calcium and antacids should not be taken at the same time as iron supplements.
In healthy people, taking high doses of iron supplements (especially on an empty stomach) can cause an upset stomach, constipation, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Large amounts of iron might also cause more serious effects, including inflammation of the stomach lining and ulcers.
If you need to change your tampon or pad after less than 2 hours or you pass clots the size of a quarter or larger, that is heavy bleeding. If you have this type of bleeding, you should see a doctor. Untreated heavy or prolonged bleeding can stop you from living your life to the fullest. It also can cause anemia.
Tranexamic acid is used to decrease the amount of blood lost during your monthly period but does not stop menstrual bleeding. Call your doctor if your bleeding does not improve or gets worse during your treatment. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
Vitamin A is an antioxidant that generally helps to protect your cells against damage. It helps cells reproduce normally and is also needed for red blood cell production. Vitamin A deficiency has been found in women with heavy periods.
Iron pills typically start to work within 3 to 7 days. However, your test readings won't go up right away. Hemoglobin blood levels generally go up after 2 to 4 weeks. Symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and headache should start to improve during this timeframe.
Most people feel better after taking ferrous fumarate for 1 week, but it may take up to 4 weeks to work fully.