Low Iron Due to Menstration

Updated on October 06, 2009
A.P. asks from San Diego, CA
14 answers

This question is for my 43 year old sister, mother of three grown kids. All her life she has suffered from periods so heavy that they have always interfered with her life, and health. During a physical the Dr. said her blood iron was so low that she was almost to the point of needing a blood transfusion. Along with iron supplements she is considering partial or full histerectamy, or DNC, and some other option (the name skips her). Has anyone gone through this? Advice or guidance on results of different procedures listed? Recovery time? Vitamins that help kick up the energy level-she's very tired, all the time! Thanks in advance!

2 moms found this helpful

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

S.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have known a couple of women who've had ablations. In each case, they have been thrilled with the results. For one friend in particular, it brought her periods down to hardly anything at all (minimal bleeding, no pain). She said it's the best thing she's ever done for herself.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from San Diego on

Get some black strap molasses. It is full of iron, potassium (more than bannanas) calcium(more than milk) and magnisium. It is a perfect food and balanced. I take a teaspoon every time i feel my energy drop. works well and is cheap! Google the benefits, you will be amazed!!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Iron deficiency is a symptom, not a valuable diagnosis on its own. Your sis needs a good diagnosis. What is causing the heavy periods? Fibroids? A hormonal issue? Something else? The procedures she is considering can be major. Have her go to a doc who can find out exactly the cause, then she'll be able to make a wise decision.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi A.,
I would send your sister for acupuncture. I started going 15 years ago originally for asthma. It helped that but it also helped my periods, cramps, and PMS. My acupuncturist is an MD and fertility specialist as well. Maybe something to consider before surgery. Also, I would get a second opinion from another doctor before surgery.

Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.C.

answers from San Diego on

I know there is an iron supplement with "Heme" iron, it has a better absorption rate & also there is a book called "What your DR might not tell you about Peri-Menopause" by Dr. John R. Lee. You can get copies on Amazon. It has a lot of useful info on supplements & vitamins, hormones & the changes that happen as a women ages...but it sounds like 1st her diet needs to be tweecked & a lot more iron rich foods added, asap.

Does she like spinach? my kids don't so much, but I puree it & add it to stuff they wouldn't notice it in, like pesto or sometimes homemade pasta sauce. If one of them knows it's there, she won't eat it. but it doesn't have a strong favor, so it hides well in darker foods. She doesn't like cooked carrots either, so I chopped them up super fine & add to pasta & soups & she eats them with no problems. I think it's just the idea of them...I hate liver, but it suppose to have a lot of iron, so if she likes it, fry it up!

You could also look up info on WebMD & check her symptoms there & see what it says. Good Luck...

Okay, I'm adding this a couple of days later, because I just read an article about Celiac Disease & alot of the symptoms are similar..the unexplained anemia & fatigue being tops on the list. Anyway, the gluten in wheat & other foods damages the small intestine so it can't absorb nutrients from food. something to look into, maybe

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

I can't remember the name of the procedure but my ob/gyn mentioned a procedure that would eliminate periods. Basically she described that a warm fluid inserted and somehow this sheds something in the uterus which prevents a menstrual cycle from occurring (outpatient procedure)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

A.,

I absolutely have to recommend a vitamin called Vemma. It's, by far, the most complete liquid nutrition supplement in North America. I came across it almost 2 years ago and it's been a godsend. There are too many testimonials about people and their health problems and how Vemma has helped tremendously. My mom had a similar problem and I just bought her the Vemma...she was on it for about 2 months when she started to see the difference! Plus more energy, how amazing is that?! We get it from www.vemmabuff.com
my whole family takes it!
Hope this helps!
B. : )

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

Your sister may want to investigate natural healing methods before doing something as invasive as surgery. I would recommend she check out Maya Abdominal Massage http://arvigomassage.com

Its is amazing how many effects a prolapsed uterus or other off kilter organs can have on the body.

Best wishes

M.

C.C.

answers from Visalia on

my sister/44 had the same problem. her iron/hemoglobin was so low down to 6. the dr was surprised she was still standing and working as a house keeper full time. she always ate right a health nut but never maintain stamina and always achey. she hardly ever went to drs. she did try birth contol to limit the blood flow but she was gettin very depressed and awful mood swings so she stopped. but with the puddles of blood every month she finally went to a gyno. she had a large fibroid on her unterus, he recommended a hesterrectomy(she didnt want anymore children) but leaving her ovaries intact.

she stayed 3 days after the procedure, no lifting, lots of rest and reading and chillaxin, lol. off of work for 8 weeks. took awhile to get back into the groove of working but today she has the stamina of a young woman again!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi A.,

I had the same problem and ended up having an endometrial ablation. Its an outpatient procedure that is pretty much painless. I no longer have periods and my anemia is gone. Its been about 2 years and I couldn't be happier.

N.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.P.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had the same problem and it was a huge fibroid. I had a 3 pint transfusion then a hysterectomy leaving the ovaries. It is the best thing I could have ever done. I was in the hospital overnight and dressed and ready to go home the next morning before the physician made it there. recovery was a breeze and he told me that the proceedures now are even better.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

A.,
First of all tell your sister she is very lucky to have children and no blood transfusions. I am glad to hear that I am not the only one with that situation.
I had a DNC done and that pretty much took care of things for a while. Tell her to ask how long before it starts all over; they might have to clean her up periodically.
I also took iron pills everyday during my periods because I was so anemic, I've had three blood transfusions. I recommend that a couple days before her periods she begans eating a high iron diet that way her body is prepare.
Best of luck,
Ceci

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Run, don't walk, and get Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom by Dr. Christiane Northrup. Amazing read. Every woman should have this book and should read it from cover to cover.

Doctors really have no clue as to what to do with a woman's body except to give more medication and to cut things out. Menopause is not what we all should be dreading and the major thing we need to be watching and paying attention to is what is happening the 5 to 15 years before Menopause, Perimenopause.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hello
I had the same thing...I wasn't even on the charts I was so low....I was to the point that getting off the couch was a major event.....but I was put on iron supplements (Slow Fe)...3 a day for about 3-4 months...then tapered down to 2 and now I am on one a day.....but I noticed a HUGE difference within appx 2 months....I still have heavy periods but now for only 1 really bad day....(mine were life altering too) and I had had these extreme periods for about 7 years...I'm still amazed that no one thought that was odd....in any case...please have her do the supplements first...if it is due to fibroids as well...she can look in to ablation therapy...hope it helps...
C.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions