Iron-Deficiency Anaemia in Women
Exhausted, breathless on the stairs, pale or dizzy? Low iron is one of the most common — and most overlooked — reasons women feel constantly drained, and it's very treatable.
Anaemia affects more than half of Indian women of reproductive age— India National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5)
Anaemia affects more than half of Indian women of reproductive age— India National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5)
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Iron-deficiency anaemia happens when your body doesn't have enough iron to make healthy red blood cells. Iron is the key ingredient in haemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen around your body — so when it runs low, every cell gets a little less oxygen, and you feel it as deep, persistent tiredness.
It's especially common in women because of regular blood loss through periods (particularly heavy ones), higher iron needs during pregnancy, and diets that may be lower in easily-absorbed iron. In India, anaemia is strikingly common and often goes unrecognised because the symptoms creep in slowly and get blamed on a busy life.
The good news: it's usually straightforward to diagnose with a simple blood test and very treatable with diet changes and iron supplements. The important part is finding why iron is low — sometimes it's heavy periods or pregnancy, and occasionally it points to something else worth checking.
Signs & symptoms
- Persistent tiredness and lack of energy, even after rest
- Breathlessness or a racing heart with mild activity
- Pale skin, or paleness inside the lower eyelids and nail beds
- Dizziness, light-headedness, or frequent headaches
- Brittle nails and more hair fall than usual
- Unusual cravings for ice, clay, or chalk (pica)
- Cold hands and feet, and difficulty concentrating
What causes it
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual periods (a leading cause in women)
- Increased iron demand during pregnancy
- A diet low in iron, or low in vitamin C that aids absorption
- Vegetarian or limited diets where plant iron is less easily absorbed
- Gut conditions that reduce iron absorption (e.g. coeliac disease)
- Hidden blood loss, such as from the digestive tract
When to seek help
See a doctor if you feel persistently tired, breathless, dizzy, or notice pale skin — a simple blood test (haemoglobin and ferritin) confirms iron deficiency quickly. It's especially worth checking if you have heavy periods, are pregnant or planning to be, or follow a limited diet. Don't start high-dose iron supplements long-term without testing, and always get the underlying cause looked into rather than only treating the symptom.
How SHELY helps
Iron Deficiency Risk Check
Answer a few questions to see whether your symptoms suggest low iron and whether you should get a blood test.
Symptom Checker
Talk through fatigue, breathlessness, and other symptoms to understand what might be behind them.
SHELY Varsity
Guides on iron-rich Indian foods, pairing iron with vitamin C, and getting the most from supplements.
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- Persistent tiredness and lack of energy, even after rest
- Breathlessness or a racing heart with mild activity
- Pale skin, or paleness inside the lower eyelids and nail beds
- Dizziness, light-headedness, or frequent headaches
- Brittle nails and more hair fall than usual
- Unusual cravings for ice, clay, or chalk (pica)
- Cold hands and feet, and difficulty concentrating
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual periods (a leading cause in women)
- Increased iron demand during pregnancy
- A diet low in iron, or low in vitamin C that aids absorption
- Vegetarian or limited diets where plant iron is less easily absorbed
- Gut conditions that reduce iron absorption (e.g. coeliac disease)
- Hidden blood loss, such as from the digestive tract
See a doctor if you feel persistently tired, breathless, dizzy, or notice pale skin — a simple blood test (haemoglobin and ferritin) confirms iron deficiency quickly. It's especially worth checking if you have heavy periods, are pregnant or planning to be, or follow a limited diet. Don't start high-dose iron supplements long-term without testing, and always get the underlying cause looked into rather than only treating the symptom.
Iron Deficiency Risk Check
Answer a few questions to see whether your symptoms suggest low iron and whether you should get a blood test.
Symptom Checker
Talk through fatigue, breathlessness, and other symptoms to understand what might be behind them.
SHELY Varsity
Guides on iron-rich Indian foods, pairing iron with vitamin C, and getting the most from supplements.
Symptoms
- Persistent tiredness and lack of energy, even after rest
- Breathlessness or a racing heart with mild activity
- Pale skin, or paleness inside the lower eyelids and nail beds
- Dizziness, light-headedness, or frequent headaches
- Brittle nails and more hair fall than usual
- Unusual cravings for ice, clay, or chalk (pica)
- Cold hands and feet, and difficulty concentrating
Causes
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual periods (a leading cause in women)
- Increased iron demand during pregnancy
- A diet low in iron, or low in vitamin C that aids absorption
- Vegetarian or limited diets where plant iron is less easily absorbed
- Gut conditions that reduce iron absorption (e.g. coeliac disease)
- Hidden blood loss, such as from the digestive tract
When to seek care
See a doctor if you feel persistently tired, breathless, dizzy, or notice pale skin — a simple blood test (haemoglobin and ferritin) confirms iron deficiency quickly. It's especially worth checking if you have heavy periods, are pregnant or planning to be, or follow a limited diet. Don't start high-dose iron supplements long-term without testing, and always get the underlying cause looked into rather than only treating the symptom.
How SHELY helps
Iron Deficiency Risk Check
Answer a few questions to see whether your symptoms suggest low iron and whether you should get a blood test.
Symptom Checker
Talk through fatigue, breathlessness, and other symptoms to understand what might be behind them.
SHELY Varsity
Guides on iron-rich Indian foods, pairing iron with vitamin C, and getting the most from supplements.
Frequently asked
What's the difference between low iron and anaemia?
Low iron (depleted stores, shown by low ferritin) comes first and can cause tiredness even before anaemia develops. Anaemia is when haemoglobin falls because there isn't enough iron to make red blood cells. Both are worth treating.
Which foods help raise my iron?
Iron-rich foods include leafy greens, lentils and beans, jaggery, dates, eggs, and meat or fish. Pair plant sources with vitamin C (lemon, amla, citrus) to boost absorption, and avoid tea or coffee right after meals.
How long do iron supplements take to work?
Energy often improves within a few weeks, but it usually takes around three months to rebuild iron stores fully. Keep going for as long as your doctor advises, even once you feel better.
Can heavy periods cause anaemia?
Yes — heavy menstrual bleeding is one of the most common causes of iron-deficiency anaemia in women. Treating the bleeding is often key to fixing the iron problem for good.
✔ Written from established medical guidance — independent clinical review in progress
This guide is for general education and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your health. In an emergency or crisis, see our crisis support resources.