Anemia in Women: Understanding the Higher Prevalence, Risk factors and Solutions
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional disorder and women, particularly those of reproductive age, are at much higher risk of iron deficiency due to special physiological factors.
This article explores the causes, symptoms, and impact of anemia on women’s daily lives, emphasizing the importance of proper nutrition, iron intake and management of condition to reduce the prevalence of anemia in women and maintain their optimal health.
Understanding Anemia: A Hidden Health Issue for Women
According to World Health Organization (WHO), anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the hemoglobin concentration within them is lower than normal. The most common nutritional cause of anemia is iron deficiency. Globally, in 2021, 31.2% of women had anemia compared with 17.5% of men.
Read more at Anemia: Types, Prevention, and Effective Treatment Options
What Makes Women More Susceptible to Anemia?
Iron deficiency is a prevalent issue, but women face a heightened risk due to a combination of physiological factors. Menstruation, particularly heavy periods, results in regular iron loss. Pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding further deplete iron reserves, often leading to deficiencies if not adequately addressed.
While these are primary drivers for women, other risk factors can also lead to iron deficiency anemia:
- Undergoing major surgery or physical trauma
- Gastrointestinal diseases such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis, or Crohn disease
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Undergoing bariatric procedures, especially gastric bypass operations
- Low iron intake (Vegetarians, vegans, and other people whose diets do not include iron-rich foods)
How Menstruation Impacts Iron Deficiency?
Menstruation plays a significant role in iron deficiency among women. On average, a woman loses approximately 35 ml of blood per menstrual cycle, with a typical range of 25-60 ml. This blood loss translates to an estimated 0.5-0.68 mg of iron lost per day, in addition to other obligate iron losses.
Women who experience heavy menstrual bleeding, also known as menorrhagia, lose significantly more blood and consequently, iron. When iron loss exceeds the body’s ability to replenish it, the body’s ability to produce new hemoglobin, the essential component of red blood cells responsible for oxygen transport, is affected.
Therefore, women with heavy periods are at a substantially increased risk of developing iron deficiency anemia.
Pregnancy and Anemia: A Double Challenge
It’s a well-established fact that pregnant women are more at a considerably higher risk of iron deficiency anemia compared to other individuals. This isn’t merely a minor concern; the dramatic increase in blood volume during pregnancy necessitates a parallel increase in iron to support both maternal and fetal oxygenation. The body uses iron to create the extra blood needed for circulation and oxygen delivery to her own organs as well as to the placenta. If a pregnant woman’s iron intake or reserves are insufficient to meet this increased demand, she can develop iron deficiency anemia.
Symptoms of Anemia: How to Recognize the Warning Signs
Recognizing the symptoms of anemia is crucial for early detection and treatment. Here are the key symptoms that are often considered warning signs, and it’s important to be aware of them.
- Being pale or having yellow “sallow” skin
- Unexplained fatigue or lack of energy
- Shortness of breath or chest pain, especially with activity
- Unexplained generalized weakness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Pounding or “whooshing” in the ears
- Headache, especially with activity
- Craving for ice or clay – “pagophagia”
- Sore or smooth tongue
- Brittle nails or hair loss
Anemia and Quality of Life: How This Condition Affects Women Daily
Anemia can severely affect your overall quality of life. In fact, half of all people with anemia report feeling overtired. This pervasive fatigue stems from the body’s inability to deliver sufficient oxygen to tissues and muscles.
Everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and regular exercise shouldn’t leave you gasping for breath. When muscles don’t have access to enough oxygen, the body increases its breathing rate to compensate for the shortage.
Those with iron deficiency or anemia can experience a host of psychological symptoms, including anxiety, irritability, depression, and a decrease in cognitive abilities (including poor concentration).
These physical and mental challenges can profoundly disrupt a woman’s ability to function effectively and diminishes her overall quality of life.
The Role of Diet: Can Women Prevent Anemia?
A key preventive measure is consuming a diet rich in iron. To support healthy iron levels, incorporate these iron-reach foods into your daily meals:
- Meats, such as beef, pork, lamb, liver, and other organ meats
- Poultry, such as chicken, duck, turkey, (especially dark meat), liver
- Fish, such as shellfish, including clams, mussels, and oysters, sardines, anchovies
- Leafy greens of the cabbage family, such as broccoli, kale, turnip greens, and collards
- Legumes, such as lima beans and green peas; dry beans and peas, such as pinto beans, black-eyed peas, and canned baked beans
- Yeast-leavened whole-wheat bread and rolls
- Iron-enriched white bread, pasta, rice, and cereals
How can Women Manage Anemia?
The treatment and prevention of anemia depend on the underlying cause of the condition. There are many effective ways to treat and prevent anemia.
Changes in diet and eating a healthy diet with a variety of foods especially rich in iron, folate, vitamin B12 and other nutrients can help reduce anemia.
For some types of mild to moderate cases, or when dietary changes alone are insufficient, a physician may prescribe supplements. Iron supplements are designed to boost iron stores, particularly in iron deficiency. This may help treat iron-deficiency anemia. Iron supplements are generally not given to people who do not have iron-deficiency anemia because too much iron can damage your organs.
A crucial aspect of anemia management involves identifying and addressing any underlying causes or diseases contributing to its development.
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of anemia, it’s important to take action early. Consulting a healthcare professional can help with prevention and ensure appropriate treatment.
Conclusion
Anemia is a significant health issue affecting a large number of women worldwide, with causes ranging from iron deficiency to underlying medical conditions. By understanding the risk factors, symptoms, and preventive measures, women can take steps to protect their health and prevent the debilitating effects of anemia. Early detection and treatment, combined with a well-balanced diet, are key to managing and reducing the prevalence of anemia in women and maintaining optimal health.
Don’t let anemia affect your quality of life—empower yourself with the right information and resources today!
References
- https://www.who.int/health-topics/anaemia#tab=tab_1
- https://www.healthdata.org/news-events/newsroom/news-releases/lancet-new-study-reveals-global-anemia-cases-remain-persistently
- https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/reduce-iron-deficiency-females-aged-12-49-years-nws-17
- https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/anemia/iron-deficiency
- Coad J, Conlon C. Iron deficiency in women: assessment, causes and consequences. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care. 2011 Nov 1;14(6):625-34.
- https://www.healthline.com/health/anemia-period
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/anemia-during-pregnancy/art-20114455
- https://usdigestivehealth.com/about-us/newsroom/how-can-anemia-affect-your-daily-life/
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/irondeficiency-anemia
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/anaemia
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- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anemia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351366