In collaboration with Iris + Arlo.
Periods are hard enough as they are, and if you’re dealing with heavy bleeding, it can be even tougher. If this sounds like what you’re going through, you are not alone. It happens to more people than you might think. Nearly 1 in 4 women experience heavy bleeding, also known as menorrhagia, during their menstrual cycle.
While a heavy flow comes with a world of complications — from cramps to blood clots — it can also put you at risk for developing iron deficiency anemia. Why? Because you’re losing a lot of blood. And if your iron levels can’t keep up with the blood loss, your body goes on red alert (no pun intended).
So, what exactly causes heavy bleeding? And how can you avoid anemia if your flow just won’t stop flowing? Here’s everything you need to know about menorrhagia and low iron.
What is menorrhagia and how do I know if I have it?
Also known as heavy uterine bleeding (HUB), menorrhagia is a condition that affects over 10 million women every year in the US alone.
The tough part about heavy bleeding is that a lot of women don’t realize they’re losing more blood than they probably should. If you’re experiencing any of the following, it might be a good idea to talk to your doctor about testing for menorrhagia:
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Soaking through a pad or tampon every hour for multiple hours in a row.
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Doubling up on pads.
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Waking up to change pads or tampons during the night.
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Bleeding for longer than 7 days.
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Passing blood clots that are larger than a quarter in size.
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Severe menstrual cramps.
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Symptoms of anemia like fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath.
Heavy menstrual bleeding can sometimes make day-to-day life more challenging. It’s worth paying attention to how your body feels and checking in with your doctor, since untreated menorrhagia can sometimes be linked to other health concerns, like fibroids.
What causes heavy bleeding?
Heavy menstrual bleeding can happen for a variety of reasons, and it isn’t always obvious why it occurs. Some causes include pregnancy complications, certain medical conditions, or even the use of an IUD. One of the most common factors, however, is a hormone imbalance.
Let’s flashback to grade school sex ed for a sec. In a healthy menstrual cycle, there’s a good balance between the hormones, estrogen and progesterone. They work together to release an egg from your ovaries and build up a lining for it in your uterus. Then, if the egg doesn’t fertilize, that lining sheds, and voila! Your period arrives.
But if your hormones are out of balance, that uterine wall lining can build up too much, causing excessive bleeding when it sheds. These hormone imbalances can be caused by a number of health concerns, including obesity, insulin resistance, thyroid problems, PCOS, or your ovaries simply not functioning properly.
If you think hormones might be messing with your flow, talk to your doctor about how you can get them back in balance.
How does heavy bleeding affect my iron levels?
Simple: blood loss. When you lose an abnormal amount of blood, it depletes your body’s iron stores. Iron is responsible for producing hemoglobin, a substance that helps carry oxygen to your body’s tissues through your red blood cells.
So if you lack iron, you lack healthy red blood cells. The result? Iron deficiency anemia.
What is iron deficiency anemia?
Simply put, it’s what happens when your body tries to make up for the lost red blood cells by using your iron stores to make hemoglobin (if all of this sounds like a vicious cycle, that’s because it is).
Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia can include:
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Fatigue and fogginess
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Weakness
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Shortness of breath
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Dizziness or lightheadedness
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Brittle nails
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Headaches
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Mood swings
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Pale skin
It can also be hereditary. One study found that more than 50% of participants with iron deficiency anemia had a family history of the condition, suggesting that their susceptibility to low iron was in their genes. Meanwhile, some women with anemia experience no symptoms at all.
Iron deficiency anemia can be caused by a lack of iron in your diet, pregnancy, or poor iron absorption capabilities. The most common cause in women is blood loss from menstruation; however, other conditions like gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, hernias, and colon cancer can also be contributing factors. That’s why iron deficiencies are up to 18% more prevalent in women than in men.
How can I prevent iron deficiency while also supporting my menstrual health?
Although HUB is something far too many women experience, it doesn’t mean you have to live with low iron. Here are some of the most effective ways to prevent iron deficiency anemia and restore iron levels that have been depleted.
Incorporate Iron-rich + Hormone Balancing Foods
One way you can start to naturally restock your iron stores and better support your hormones is by incorporating the foods below into your diet:
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Lean proteins (lean red meat, chicken, turkey, eggs)
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Seafood (shrimp, oysters, clams)
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Healthy fats (salmon, avocado, olive oil)
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Nuts and seeds
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Leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale, broccoli)
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Beans and legumes (lentils, chickpeas, white beans)
To boost iron absorption, always pair these foods with a good source of vitamin C.
Iron supplements
Supplements are one of the most effective ways to prevent and treat iron deficiencies. Some people shy away from iron supplements because they’re known to cause uncomfortable gastro-intestinal side effects. The trick is to find a supplement that is specially formulated to skip over those side effects.
That's why we made Ferosom Forte, it uses liposomal form and a proprietary LCE Coat™ to protect the iron from stomach acids and bacteria as it moves through your digestive system. Unlike most iron supplements, Ferosom gets absorbed in the small intestine rather than the stomach. This means little to no unabsorbed iron, which is what causes those typical side effects like constipation, nausea or upset stomach.
IV iron
If your iron deficiency is more serious, your doctor might prescribe IV iron infusions. Typically, these sessions take place over 4 to 6 weeks. This method of treatment is only for severe cases of iron deficiency anemia.
Supporting Your Cycle, Safely
When it comes to heavy menstrual bleeding, the products you use matter more than you might think. Many conventional pads and tampons can contain synthetic materials and chemicals that may irritate sensitive skin or disrupt your natural hormonal balance. Choosing clean, non-toxic period care helps support your hormone health and overall reproductive health (especially when you’re already navigating heavy bleeding).
Iris + Arlo creates 100% organic cotton period products that are GOTS certified and are free of toxins that can disrupt reproductive or endocrine health. They also focus on using sustainable materials, so your period care can be safe, thoughtful, and better for the planet.
Use code FEROSOM15 on their website for 15% off your first order.
