Do women lose any amount of iron from menstruating?

Is it a critical amout? Are there any side effects? What about for anemics?

Khael2006-05-10T23:17:24Z

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Yes, any time you bleed you loose iron. A normal period shouldn't cause you to loose enough iron that you would notice. I would watch for feelings of being light headed, being overly tired, dizzy spells, or a feeling of weakness. Taking an iron supplement, a prenatal vitamin, or eating foods high in iron should make you feel a lot better. If you happen to have periods heavy enough to feel the loss of iron in your blood I would get in touch with your OBGYN, that can be a sign on something more serious.

jigsawinc2006-05-11T06:17:42Z

I don't think it is a critical amount unless you have another serious health condition that could be aggrevated by even a small loss of iron (or blood for that matter). During the heavy days it can cause you to feel a little weak or lethargic. A relative of mine is anemic and when she has hers, she can feel pretty bad. I don't know if she still does this, but she used to take some vitamin supplements before the start of her period.

Anonymous2006-05-11T06:14:09Z

Yes.Women need extra iron.I take one-a-day vitamins with minerals. Your doctor can check for anemia & can give you iron pills.I had to take iron pills along with my vitamins until my anemia was gone.Take care of your self.

alltheanswers2006-05-11T06:19:17Z

well you have iron in your blood and my x-gf would smell more like iron sometimes so i guess it would depend on how heavy it was, I'd say yes just because you have iron in your blood, but i think there are times when you loose more!!

jennifersuem2006-05-11T06:12:46Z

Good questions to ask your doctor! Call and ask one of the nurses! They might know!