Having a very heavy period can lead to iron deficiency anemia, the most common type of anemia. This disorder is characterized by the body not having enough healthy red blood cells, iron is essential for red blood cells and when it is lacking, the body does not produce all the blood cells it needs.
Menorrhagia
Bleeding excessively during the period in each menstrual cycle is what is known as menorrhagia. To be considered as such, the bleeding must last approximately a week or use a pad or tampon every hour for several days.
When estrogen and progesterone levels become unbalanced, the endometrium becomes larger than normal, so there is more to expel during menstruation.
Symptoms of anemia
- Continuous headaches.
- Being tired all day, even though we have slept enough hours.
- Suffer dizziness or fainting.
- Not being able to concentrate on work or any other task that requires our attention.
Tips for treating iron deficiency anemia
The first thing we should do if we notice any of the above symptoms is to go to the doctor, he will do the corresponding analyzes and tests to diagnose whether we suffer from anemia or not. In the event that we have it, we must take foods rich in iron:
- Legumes, especially lentils and soybeans.
- Whole grains.
- The meat: chicken, turkey, beef, pork and fish among others.
- Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and chard.
If iron supplements are prescribed, they should be taken with freshly squeezed natural orange juice, since iron absorption will thus be much more effective.
