The fatigue that many women experience every day has long been dismissed as a normal part of life, but recent research suggests that it may be more than just exhaustion. In fact, the root cause of this widespread tiredness could be iron deficiency, which affects almost one in three women of reproductive age in the UK.
According to experts, heavy periods can lead to blood loss above what is considered normal, causing a woman's body to steal iron from elsewhere. This can result in low iron levels, known as iron deficiency, which can cause symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and brain fog. However, many women are not diagnosed with iron deficiency because their GPs may not be aware of the signs or may not take them seriously.
The problem is that societal expectations around women's roles and responsibilities often lead to their exhaustion being downplayed. Women are expected to manage multiple tasks, from work to childcare, without asking for help, which can exacerbate the issue. As a result, many women struggle to get an appointment with their GP or are told they just need to "drink more water" or take iron tablets.
But taking these steps alone is not enough. Iron deficiency is often treated with oral supplements, which can cause side effects like constipation and nausea in some people. In severe cases, however, intravenous (IV) iron therapy can be effective but is often more expensive and harder to access than other treatments.
The situation has been likened to medical misogyny, where women's symptoms are dismissed or downplayed because of their gender. Dr Toby Richards, a global expert in iron deficiency, notes that if this were an issue affecting only men, the pathways for diagnosis and treatment would have been established long ago.
Iron deficiency is also linked to mental health issues like depression and anxiety. In fact, many women who are struggling with these conditions may not realize that they are suffering from iron deficiency. Dr Kayathry John, a GP in Manchester, says that she screens her patients' blood for iron deficiency whenever they present with symptoms of depression or anxiety.
The good news is that iron deficiency can be treated effectively, and some experts believe that it may even be the cause of many women's mental health issues. By getting regular blood tests and taking iron supplements if necessary, women can alleviate their symptoms and start living a more productive life.
As one woman who underwent an IV iron infusion said, "I am suddenly capable of being 'in life' again." It's time to take exhaustion seriously and recognize that it may be more than just fatigue.
According to experts, heavy periods can lead to blood loss above what is considered normal, causing a woman's body to steal iron from elsewhere. This can result in low iron levels, known as iron deficiency, which can cause symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, and brain fog. However, many women are not diagnosed with iron deficiency because their GPs may not be aware of the signs or may not take them seriously.
The problem is that societal expectations around women's roles and responsibilities often lead to their exhaustion being downplayed. Women are expected to manage multiple tasks, from work to childcare, without asking for help, which can exacerbate the issue. As a result, many women struggle to get an appointment with their GP or are told they just need to "drink more water" or take iron tablets.
But taking these steps alone is not enough. Iron deficiency is often treated with oral supplements, which can cause side effects like constipation and nausea in some people. In severe cases, however, intravenous (IV) iron therapy can be effective but is often more expensive and harder to access than other treatments.
The situation has been likened to medical misogyny, where women's symptoms are dismissed or downplayed because of their gender. Dr Toby Richards, a global expert in iron deficiency, notes that if this were an issue affecting only men, the pathways for diagnosis and treatment would have been established long ago.
Iron deficiency is also linked to mental health issues like depression and anxiety. In fact, many women who are struggling with these conditions may not realize that they are suffering from iron deficiency. Dr Kayathry John, a GP in Manchester, says that she screens her patients' blood for iron deficiency whenever they present with symptoms of depression or anxiety.
The good news is that iron deficiency can be treated effectively, and some experts believe that it may even be the cause of many women's mental health issues. By getting regular blood tests and taking iron supplements if necessary, women can alleviate their symptoms and start living a more productive life.
As one woman who underwent an IV iron infusion said, "I am suddenly capable of being 'in life' again." It's time to take exhaustion seriously and recognize that it may be more than just fatigue.
I think this whole situation is like the NHS waiting list crisis all over again... women are left feeling frustrated and ignored because they're not getting the help they need in time 
. We've got to start taking women's health seriously, not just as a separate issue but also as a symptom of the systemic problems that women face every day 
. I mean, think about it, if we had a national ' Men's Health Day' would men be expected to manage multiple tasks without asking for help? 
Of course not! So why should women expect any less? We need to challenge these societal expectations and start treating iron deficiency like the serious health issue it is 
.
. Like, come on, it's not that simple! Women are expected to do everything without anyone asking for help, and then we get told our exhaustion is just because we're not eating enough... 
. It's like our bodies are disposable or something. 
Women are almost one in three! That's a lot of people suffering in silence. And it's not just the exhaustion; it's also depression, anxiety... all these other mental health issues that can be linked to low iron levels. It's time we take women's symptoms seriously and start treating them like they're worth something 
. It's so unfair to women who are already expected to do everything for everyone else...
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we've been told to drink more water and take iron tablets but what about the root cause? why aren't our GPs aware of the signs or taking us seriously? 
. and it's so sad that docs might not take us seriously just because we have periods 
. we need to get educated about this and support each other 
. i'm so glad there are docs like dr john who are making a difference by screening for iron deficiency, especially when people are struggling with depression and anxiety 
I think it's time for society to step up and recognize that women are not just fine when they're tired, they need help too 
! Women are literally burning out left and right and no one is taking it seriously 
and start recognizing that iron deficiency can be a major culprit behind exhaustion 
. I mean, if men's symptoms were being downplayed all the time, we'd have figured out how to treat them by now 
. We need to start treating women like human beings, not just vessels for our society's expectations 
!
First off, how come GPs never mention iron deficiency as an option? Like, what are they hiding? And don't even get me started on the whole "drink more water" thing - that's just a cop-out. It's like, we're supposed to believe that women are just not responsible enough to take care of themselves? 