Did you know that about 17% of premenopausal women in the United States are affected by iron deficiency anemia (IDA)? That means your body lacks the iron needed to produce healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen to organs and tissues, often resulting in extreme fatigue, weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness and more.
Women and girls are at higher risk of IDA because they lose blood every month during their periods. and many cases are caused by heavy periods. But lots of other conditions and diseases are connected to IDA as well, and understanding these connections may help you know whether you or a loved one is at risk.
If you think your teen could have IDA, our easy-to-follow infographic can help you better understand the signs and symptoms and what you can do next.
This resource was created with support from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.
Resources
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a condition where blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells and insufficient iron. With low levels of iron, less oxygen gets to the cells, keeping them from functioning properly and often leading to fatigue, weakness, and even anxiety and depression. This is closely linked to heavy uterine bleeding (HUD) or menorrhagia, which is the medical term for menstrual periods with abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding. Many women suffering from this can't maintain usual activities when on their period because of a significant amount of blood loss and cramping. For more information, please contact your healthcare provider and visit the resources provided below.
HealthyWomen Resources
- Are You at Risk for Iron Deficiency Anemia?
- Is Your Teen Anemic?
- My Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Led to Iron-Deficiency Anemia and Disrupted My Career, but I Took My Life Back
- Iron Deficiency Anemia and Heavy Periods: What’s the Connection?
- Why It’s Important to Speak Up About Heavy Uterine Bleeding
- Important Questions to Ask About Heavy Uterine Bleeding and Its Potential Complications: Q & A with Dr. Rashmi Kudesia
- Heavy Uterine Bleeding May Cause This Potentially Serious Complication
Additional Resources
- Heavy Menstrual Periods Leading to Iron Deficiency Anemia
- Anemia Period: Can Menstruation Cause Anemia?
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
