Why Are Women More Likely to Develop Iron Deficiency?

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Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies that we see . While it can happen to anyone, still we see that women are experiencing the iron deficiency problem more as compared to men. But when we see this, a question comes to our mind: why is it so?

The answer is very simple: the need for iron in the body is higher in women at different stages. Iron is an essential mineral because it helps our body produce hemoglobin, which is a protein found in Red Blood Cells that carries oxygen from our lungs to the rest of the body. When our body does not have enough iron, the body cannot produce healthy red blood cells properly, because of which people get an iron deficiency, and in some cases, it even becomes iron deficiency anemia.

Why Are Women More Likely to Develop Iron Deficiency?

There are many reasons why women have a higher risk of developing iron deficiency anemia.

• Menstruation

The first is menstrual blood flow, which is the most common reason—menstruation. Every month, women lose some amount of blood during the menstrual cycle. Blood contains iron, and regular blood loss means that regular iron loss is happening. Some women also have heavy menstrual bleeding, because of which they lose even more iron, which increases the iron deficiency problem even further.

• Pregnancy

The second is increased iron needs during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the requirement for iron increases in the body because iron is needed to support the baby’s growth in the placenta, and also to increase the mother’s blood volume. If an adequate amount of iron is not available in the diet or supplements, then iron deficiency develops in the body.

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•Diet

Some women do not consume iron foods properly, if their diet has very little meat , legumes and green leafy vegetables. And iron, because it comes from animal-based foods, generally gets absorbed much better as compared to the iron we get from plant-based foods.

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Symptoms of Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency develops slowly. There are some common symptoms like feeling tired, feeling weak, pale skin, shortness of breath during physical activity, dizziness, headache, and difficulty in concentration. These are symptoms that can also have other possible causes. Because of this, it is important that iron deficiency should not be assumed without a proper medical evaluation.

How Can You Reduce the Risk?

With some simple habits, you can maintain healthy iron levels, such as including iron-rich foods in your diet like lean meat, beans, lentils, spinach, or fortified cereals.

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Include some foods that contain vitamin C, like oranges and lemons, because vitamin C improves the absorption of iron.

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Third, do not take iron supplements on your own ,until a healthcare professional recommends them.

And fourth, if you have heavy menstrual bleeding or are showing persistent symptoms of iron deficiency, then consult with a healthcare professional.

By understanding these factors, women can take charge of their health, and understand the importance of a balanced diet, and take medical advice when symptoms appear. If you feel that you have an iron deficiency, it is best that you consult your healthcare professional rather than taking iron supplements on your own.

Thank you for reading :D