Why You’re So Tired: The Iron-Clad Truth About Menorrhagia

Have you ever felt so exhausted that an afternoon rest and a whole night’s sleep do nothing? Maybe you walk up a short flight of stairs and immediately feel breathless, or you look in the mirror and notice your hair thinning or your skin looking unusually pale. 

When you bring this up in a conversation, they might say, “You’re just stressed”, “Maybe you’re out of shape”, or worse, “It’s just your period, don’t worry.” 

This is your clear reminder: BONE-DEEP EXHAUSTION IS NOT A “NORMAL” PART OF MENSTRUATION. 

If you are struggling to function, you aren’t just tired; you might be losing more iron than your body can replace. 

The Link Between Heavy Flows and Anemia

Iron helps your red blood cells carry oxygen to your brain and muscles. Every time you bleed, you lose iron. A heavy flow can tank your stored iron, leading to Iron Deficiency Anemia. 

Many doctors overlook this because they only check your hemoglobin. However, it is essential to get your ferritin checked as well. This is your body’s actual iron reserve. If your reserves are empty, your body is running on fumes. 

Knowing When “Heavy” is “Too Heavy”

Measuring blood in a toilet is hard. This makes it easy for medical professionals to overlook the issue. You need data to get them to listen, and your innerwear can be a powerful diagnostic tool. 

• The Soak Test: Are you bleeding through high-absorbency products within 2 hours?
• The Overnight Test: Do you have to wake up in the middle of the night to change?
• The Clot Factor: Are you seeing blood clots larger than a 10-cent coin?

If you answered yes to these, your flow is likely considered “menorrhagia”, the clinical term for heavy bleeding. 

Speak Up for Your Health 

Never let anyone tell you that suffering is “normal”. When you go to your doctor, bring your data. Share the number of times that you’ve had to change your period underwear and tell them the size of the clots. 

Demand a full iron panel. You deserve to have enough energy to enjoy your life. You shouldn't have to just "survive" your cycle. You aren't lazy. You aren't weak. You might just need more iron and a medical team that actually listens to your body.

To build your understanding of how heavy cycles impact your overall health, we recommend starting with exploring this clinical overview: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menorrhagia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352829 

Writer: Sophia Maxine Bien