Do women need to take iron supplements?

Women may benefit from iron supplementation, especially during menstruation, due to iron loss. However, it's not necessary for all women to take iron supplements. Stacy Sims suggests that if women are concerned about low ferritin levels, they might take an iron supplement every other day, starting at the first day of their menstrual cycle for ten days, to help absorb and maintain adequate iron levels. It's important to note that fatigue in women isn't always due to iron deficiency alone, so iron supplements should be considered in the context of overall health and specific needs 1.

For more accurate assessments, women can have their iron levels checked through inexpensive blood tests to determine if supplementation is necessary. Maintaining a balance is crucial, as both low and excessive iron levels can have adverse effects 2.