Conditions We Treat » Heavy Periods
Heavy Periods
(Menorrhagia)
If your periods are heavy and you feel exhausted, it is not a coincidence. Monthly blood loss is one of the most common causes of iron deficiency in women of reproductive age.
1 in 3
Women of reproductive age experience heavy menstrual bleeding
60%
Of iron deficiency anaemia in women is menstruation-related
1
Infusion can fully restore iron stores depleted by months of blood loss
Why it happens
Why heavy periods deplete your iron
Every period involves blood loss, and blood loss means iron loss. For most women, this is offset by dietary iron absorption. But for women with heavy periods, the monthly loss consistently exceeds what the body can replace through diet and oral supplements alone.
Over time, iron stores become progressively more depleted. Ferritin levels fall. Haemoglobin drops. And symptoms accumulate quietly until they become hard to ignore.
The challenge is that many women normalise these symptoms. Feeling exhausted around your period, struggling to get through the week, noticing more hair coming out in the shower, these are often accepted as just part of having heavy periods. But they are also the signs of iron deficiency, and they can be treated.
The iron depletion cycle
Many women end up in a frustrating cycle. They try oral iron tablets, manage to partially restore their levels, and then their next heavy period depletes them again. IV iron breaks this cycle by restoring stores fully in a single session, giving a meaningful window of recovery and wellbeing between cycles.
How it feels
Symptoms to look out for
If several of these sound familiar, and you also have heavy periods, getting a full iron panel checked is an important first step
Persistent fatigue
Exhaustion that does not fully resolve between periods. Feeling like you are never quite recovered.
Hair thinning
More hair than usual coming out in the brush or shower. One of the most visible signs of ongoing iron deficiency.
Poor concentration
Brain fog, difficulty focusing at work, feeling mentally slower than usual, especially in the days around your period.
Pale skin
Looking washed out between periods, not just during them. A sign of chronically low haemoglobin.
Breathlessness
Getting out of breath more easily than you should. The body compensating for reduced oxygen-carrying capacity.
Craving cold or ice
Pica, craving non-food items or very cold things, is a recognised sign of significant iron deficiency.
Who qualifies
Are you eligible?
Every patient is assessed individually. We will also ensure that the underlying gynaecological cause of your heavy periods is being investigated or managed appropriately alongside iron treatment.
01
Confirmed iron deficiency with heavy menstrual bleeding
Blood tests showing low ferritin or haemoglobin in a patient with a history of heavy periods. We accept NHS and private blood test results.
02
Oral iron not tolerated or not maintaining levels
If tablets cause side effects, or if they raise your levels temporarily only for the next period to deplete them again, IV iron is a clinically appropriate step.
03
Symptoms significantly impacting your life
Fatigue, brain fog, and hair loss that affect your work, relationships, and daily function are clinically relevant and warrant treatment.
04
Underlying cause being addressed
We encourage patients to also have the cause of their heavy periods investigated, fibroids, endometriosis, hormonal factors, alongside iron treatment. We can help signpost appropriately.
Tired of being tired?
Book a consultation and find out whether IV iron could make a meaningful difference to how you feel every month.
Or email hello@londonironinfusionclinic.co.uk