Anemia and infertility

Iron is crucial before, during, and after pregnancy. As iron deficiency may be a cause of infertility, it is important to maintain healthy and constant iron levels when trying to get pregnant!

Women who do not receive sufficient iron from their diets may suffer from anovulation (the absence of ovulation) and lower quality eggs. As we all know, red blood cells carry oxygen to the body’s tissues and organs, and if a woman has an insufficient number of red blood cells due to low iron, this could lead to anemia. If there is no oxygen being carried to the uterus and the ovaries by red blood cells, over time both the uterus and ovaries could suffer.

Low iron during pregnancy could result in miscarriage, since low iron levels can prevent the fetus’s cells from dividing and growing properly.

Low iron symptoms include mild to severe fatigue, chronic headaches, dizziness, brittle and weak nails, a decrease in appetite, and low blood pressure. A simple blood test can determine your red blood cell level. Anemia is easy enough to treat with extra iron supplements or through eating foods high in iron like meat, spinach, beans, and beets. It is also important to ingest Vitamin C and foods that help your body absorb the iron.

If you’re not a “pill taker,” you can supplement your iron levels with orange juice, a broccoli salad, or some strawberries!