Iron deficiency anemia is a condition that occurs when the body doesnt have enough iron, leading to the decreased production of red blood cells. Women are at greater risk of iron deficiency anemia than men, and some of the most common causes of low iron levels in women are:

• Heavy periods: Women of reproductive age may develop iron deficiency anemia due to heavy menstrual bleeding over several consecutive menstrual cycles, known as menorrhagia. Usually, only women with heavy periods develop iron deficiency anemia.

• Pregnancy: Pregnant women need almost twice as much iron as women who are not pregnant do. Without iron supplementation, iron deficiency anemia occurs in many pregnant women because their iron stores need to serve their own increased blood volume as well as be a source of hemoglobin for the growing fetus.

• Blood loss: Blood contains iron within red blood cells, so if you lose blood, you lose some iron. Slow, chronic blood loss within the body, such as from a peptic ulcer, a hiatal hernia, a colon polyp or colorectal cancer, can cause iron deficiency anemia. Gastrointestinal bleeding can result from regular use of some over-the-counter pain relievers, especially aspirin.

• Inadequate dietary intake: Your body regularly gets iron from the foods you eat. If you consume too little iron, over time your body can become iron deficient. Examples of iron-rich foods include meat, eggs, leafy green vegetables, and iron-fortified foods. For proper growth and development, infants and children need iron from their diets, too.

• Decreased ability to absorb iron: Certain health conditions, such as Celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and H. pylori infection, can decrease the bodys ability to absorb iron.

If you think you may have iron deficiency anemia, talk to your doctor or nurse. They can help determine the cause of your low iron levels and recommend appropriate treatment.