15. You could develop an iron deficiency
Having regular menstrual periods leaves women vulnerable to iron-deficiency anemia. This is due to the blood loss during the period. On average, a woman loses 30-40ml of blood each cycle. For women with a heavy cycle, it can be as much as 80ml. Blood is rich in iron. And an iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia. Anemia is a lack of red blood cells in the body. The hemoglobin in your blood cells binds with oxygen to deliver it to different parts of the body. If you don’t have enough red blood cells, your body will not get enough oxygen.
For women who struggle with iron deficiency or develop it because their period is so heavy, birth control pills are the solution. Some versions of the pill contain iron which boosts the levels. Less blood is lost during withdrawal blood than during a menstrual period. When you stop taking the pill, your body is vulnerable to an iron deficiency.
The iron lost during menstruation can leave women feeling fatigued, breathlessness, headaches, pallor, and chest pain. These are some of the symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia. It develops over time and can be serious if left untreated. It’s easy to have your iron levels tested. A simple blood test will do the trick. Have a test and get help if you feel these symptoms during your period after being on the pill. When you go off the pill, eat an iron-rich diet to boost your levels.
You shouldn’t self-medicate when it comes to iron supplements as too much iron is not good for you either. The care of a doctor is essential. He/she can look at your blood test results and determine how much iron you need. Once prescribed, iron tablets raise your levels back to within the normal range. The symptoms described above will dissipate.