Yes, anemia, particularly iron-deficiency anemia, can cause amenorrhea (absence of a menstrual period). This is because low iron levels can disrupt the hormonal balance necessary for ovulation and menstruation to take place naturally. However, it must be noted that amenorrhea due to anemia can only be diagnosed with blood tests and usually presents itself along with other symptoms.
If you want to learn more about how anemia affects your period and your body, keep reading as we discuss this and what can be done to remedy the situation.
What is Anemia?
Anemia is a condition in which your blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry adequate oxygen to your body’s tissues. This can make you feel weak, tired, and short of breath.
Causes of anemia
A number of dysregulations in the body can cause anemia. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Iron deficient anemia – Iron deficiency anemia is the most advanced stage of iron deficiency. It is characterized not only by low hemoglobin and hematocrit levels but also by a reduction or depletion of iron stores, low serum iron levels and decreased transferrin saturation. [1] Spleen supplements are an easily absorbable source of heme-iron, which can help treat iron deficiency anemia.
- Vitamin deficiency – A lack of vitamin B12 or folic acid, which produces irregularly large red blood cells. These cells can’t carry oxygen throughout your body the way they should. A lack of iron-rich foods can cause this deficiency. Grass-fed beef liver supplements have a high level of B vitamins that can help overcome B12 deficiency. [2]
- Anemia of inflammation – Also known as anemia of chronic disease, it affects people who have inflammatory chronic conditions such as kidney disease, cancer, or autoimmune disorders. [3]
- Chronic blood loss – This is internal bleeding that occurs over a prolonged period. Ulcers, polyps in the intestines, kidney problems, and heavy periods can all fall into this category. Heavy menstrual bleeding does not always lead to anemia if iron intake is more than the loss. [4]
- Bone marrow disorders – Occurs when your bone marrow doesn’t make enough red and white blood cells and platelets. Aplastic anemia can be a result of this disorder. [5]
- Genetic conditions – Genetic variations passed on from one generation to the next can cause sickle cell anemia (irregular shaped blood cells) or thalassemia (blood cells break down easily). [6]
Suffering from any one or more of these conditions will increase your risk of developing anemia, and that, in turn, may affect your menstrual cycle.
5 Ways anemia affects your menstrual cycle
Anemia (iron deficiency related) can affect the menstrual cycle in several ways. Since menstruation involves blood loss, anemia can both result from and contribute to irregular periods or amenorrhea (no period).
1. Heavier or prolonged periods
Low iron levels can weaken blood vessel integrity and the amount of sufficient red blood cells leading to a disruption in clotting. This can in turn cause heavy bleeding or prolonged periods. Some people have reported they benefit from iron supplementation when they have heavier periods.
It should be noted, however, that you don’t just develop iron deficiency anemia because you have heavy periods, and you will need to see your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis.
2. Irregular or missed periods
When you don’t have enough iron, the body prioritizes essential functions over reproduction, and this can lead to hormone imbalances. Anemia caused by low iron levels, vitamin deficiency, inflammatory conditions, or other diseases can result in irregular or missed periods.
An iron supplement can be helpful in this regard and may be prescribed along with other treatments by your doctor.
3. Increased fatigue and PMS symptoms
How much iron you have available can dictate your energy levels since a low level of hemoglobin (carried by red blood cells) means a lack of oxygen to vital organs. This can make you feel weak and lacking vitality. A study found that levels of hemoglobin of <12 g/dl Hb increase the likelihood of PMS in sufferers.
4. Fertility problems
A 2006 study into whether iron intake caused a higher risk of ovulatory infertility showed that women who took iron supplementation had a significantly lower risk of infertility than those who did not. It specifically reported that the intake of heme-iron supplements lowered the risk of ovulation problems.
How to maintain a healthy menstrual cycle
Tackling any menstrual cycle problems begins with a holistic approach to your health. Anemia-related amenorrhea commonly occurs as a result of nutritional deficiencies in which the body is prioritizing other functions. What does this mean? Simply, the body does not have enough of the building blocks and minerals it needs to keep everything in tip-top condition, so it chooses what’s more important.
Tackling these nutritional deficiencies will lead to not only a healthier menstrual cycle but also a stronger body, able to cope with life’s challenges. Here are some tips you can implement to address your reproductive health.
| Goal | How to achieve this goal |
| A diet that provides ‘building blocks’ for the body | About 99% of the mass of the human body is made up of six elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus, along with trace minerals. Any foods that directly provide or convert into these elements will be good for the body. For instance proteins provide the chemical building blocks called amino acids, necessary for the synthesis of hormones. |
| A well-hydrated body | The latest research reports that the adult body is 60% water. To maintain this level, an adult female needs 2.2 liters or 2.3 quarts a day. All the essential building blocks are transported to the bloodstream by the water in our bodies. |
| Consume iron-rich foods | If you’re aware that you have low iron levels, then specifically target iron-rich foods and make them a part of your daily intake. |
| Supplementation | Include the following supplements in your routine: Grass-fed desiccated spleen supplements Grass-fed beef liver supplements (high B vitamins) Vitamin C (helps absorb iron more effectively) A pregnancy and fertility supplement |
| Eliminate high stress levels | A study showed that high levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) impacts the production of red blood cells because it influences the bone marrow environment. It has also been shown that extreme levels of stress can lead to missed periods.
Include a healthy activity that reduces your stress levels quickly and gives you a sense of well-being in your daily routine. This can be anything from long walks to journaling to box breathing. |
Will supplementation help your anemia?
Great question. The answer depends on the type of anemia you suffer from, how long you’ve had the condition, and what kind of supplements you take. Supplementation is good for mild to moderate low iron levels, in which case it can make a big difference. Severe anemia is a serious medical condition and should be treated with the help of a medical practitioner.
Recently there’s been a focus on organic beef supplements that are made from freeze-dried dessicated organs. Ancient healers believed that weak organs could be strengthened by eating similar organs of an animal. Diseases of the liver, kidney, spleen, heart, and especially reproductive organs were treated by consuming the heart, liver, testes etc., of cattle.
Among these, a highly bioavailable beef blood supplement stands out as a superior source of heme iron, providing essential nutrients that support red blood cell production and combat iron deficiency-related fatigue.
Grass fed desiccated beef blood supplement
Fortunately, modern technology allows us to enjoy the benefits of these organs without needing to consume large quantities of beef organs. We can get them in a supplement, and this offers new hope for sufferers of various illnesses, including anemia, since these supplements are a source of heme-iron, which is more bioavailable than other forms.
In Conclusion
Moderate to severe cases of anemia can be responsible for irregular and missed periods. If you have a diagnosed case of anemia and have begun to have missed periods, you should get your iron levels tested to confirm anemia is the cause of your amenorrhea.
Tackling anemia-related amenorrhea requires a holistic approach that includes a varied diet, staying hydrated, eliminating high stress levels, and taking iron supplements, since all of these factors can play a role in the development and management of anemia.
Supplementing your diet with grass-fed beef organ capsules offers a potent and effective way to support your body’s red blood cell production. This can also help you to recover better from anemia related disorders.
If you’re concerned about the absence of your menstrual cycle and suspect it’s anemia-related, then following the tips and advice we’ve provided can be the beginning of a journey to recovery for you.
May your future be filled with health and robust vitality!
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