Women of Child Bearing Age

Did you know…?

One out of every 5 women of childbearing age has iron deficiency anemia.

Two thirds of the iron in your body is in your blood. Because of monthly menstruation, female teens and young women have an increased risk for iron deficiency, especially those with very heavy, long or frequent periods.

Women of childbearing age who have iron deficiency can benefit from an iron-rich diet or supplementation with an iron supplement like Bifera if their diet is low in iron.

 Why does menstruation increase the risk for an iron deficiency?

One of the ways you can develop iron deficiency is if you lose more blood cells (and the iron in it) than your body can replace. Iron deficiency anemia takes place when your body’s iron stores run low. This can happen when you lose blood every month during your menstrual period, especially with a particularly heavy flow.

1. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ida/ida_whoisatrisk.html
2. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000584.htm
3. http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/vitamins/iron.html

Accessed: 11/02/11