• New data shows 64% of women have experienced heavy periods, meaning they are more likely to suffer symptoms such as tiredness and fatigue.
  • 82% have just accepted disruptive symptoms linked to their menstrual cycle, with more than half (60%) of women surveyed believing ‘it is just part of being a woman’.
  • 71% recognised tiredness and fatigue as a symptom caused by the menstrual cycle but only 33% think inadequate iron contributes to tiredness and fatigue. 

The degree to which women endure the debilitating side effects of their menstrual cycle is revealed in recent new research by Irish brand Active Iron among women in Ireland.

Stomach cramps and pain were the top complaint, reported by 74%, while 65% of women experience fatigue.  61% endure stomach bloating and 58% suffer mood swings.

Back pain (48%), sore breasts (44%) and skin breakouts (43%) were also referenced, each by almost half of the survey respondents.

The survey of 2,400 women1, commissioned by the makers of Active Iron, leading experts in oral iron, show that the majority of the women (82%) have accepted the disruptive symptoms linked to their menstrual cycle, with more than half (60%) believing that ‘it is just part of being a woman’.

Furthermore, almost a third (31%) think ‘there is nothing that can be done to make a difference’ when it comes to symptoms resulting from their period.

71% of the women surveyed recognised tiredness and fatigue as a symptom commonly caused by the menstrual cycle.  However, only one third (33%) were aware that inadequate iron levels can contribute to tiredness.

Similarly, the survey shows 46% of women have never considered that their menstrual cycle could be causing inadequate iron levels.  In fact, periods are the leading cause of iron loss worldwide, and inadequate iron is an issue that 2.1 billion people in the world face.

Almost two thirds of women surveyed (64%), suffer ‘heavy’ periods, a leading cause of fatigue on account of the degree of iron loss.

Commenting on the survey results, Dr Aoibhe O’Driscoll of Blackrock Medical Centre, Women’s Health Clinic and Menopause Specialist in Cork said: “I’m surprised to learn that so many Irish women are just putting up with symptoms of inadequate iron. The most common symptoms of inadequate iron levels are low energy and extreme fatigue. I have seen first-hand in my practice, treating inadequate iron levels has resolved the symptoms. The average woman will spend an equivalent of almost 10 years of her life menstruating, which is a significant time spent feeling less than her best.  This really needs to change.”

Period symptoms have stopped 52% from wearing certain types of clothes, 41% from taking part in physical exercise, and 34% from enjoying time with family and friends.  Almost a fifth have required time off work (18%).

Tiredness and fatigue are the symptoms of menstruation that women are most likely, by far, to put up with (46%).  60% say they sleep more to combat the tiredness from their menstrual cycle, while coffee (36%) and energy drinks (17%) are also popular options to help restore energy levels.

But simple changes to lifestyle and diet, as well as routine supplementation, can help ensure iron levels are topped-up, providing sustained energy and alleviating the common side effects of low Iron which can include extreme fatigue, Dr Aoibhe O’Driscoll claims.

The Cork medic continues: “Iron supplementation is generally helpful for women, in particular, on account of menstruation.  On average, women will lose around 30-50ml of blood during their period, which will contain between 220mg and 250mg of iron.  To put that in context, you would need to eat 1kg of spinach, over 12 servings, to generate the equivalent iron stores.”

A separate Irish study2, conducted by the makers of Active Iron earlier this year revealed high levels of inadequate iron levels among women of childbearing age.

Irish Women’s Health specialist Dr Shirley McQuade says the most common reason for inadequate iron levels in pre-menopausal women is heavy menstrual bleeding.

“In clinics we sometimes see women with blood counts so low it is having a serious impact on their daily living, causing extreme tiredness and fatigue.  An iron supplement that doesn’t cause gastro-intestinal symptoms would be very useful in the management of these symptoms, in addition to the investigation and management of heavy menstrual bleeding.”

Traditionally, iron supplementation was viewed to have poor absorption and negative side effects, particularly stomach upset including constipation, bloating and nausea.

The Atlantia clinical study, however, found that Active Iron reduces gut irritation compared to previous oral iron.  This meant a dramatic increase in compliance with taking the product, and therefore improved outcomes. Active Iron showed a 94% increase in iron stores, with a significant improvement in resulting energy levels.

University College Dublin School of Medicine Professor and Pharmacist Mark Ledwidge, who helped develop Active Iron, said: “This study helped reveal the scale of the gut irritation problem, due to oral iron, amongst women.   As well as gut discomfort, 63% of participants had insufficient iron stores.  Gut side-effects are the main reason women stop supplementing with iron, so it is welcome news that Active Iron can reduce discomfort, while improving compliance, iron stores, haemoglobin levels, and energy for these women”.

A 30-day supply of Active Iron, produced by Solvotrin Therapeutics in Cork, has an RRP of €20.40 an