Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia in women of reproductive age: Sex- and gender-based risk factors and inequities.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic search or quantitative synthesis
PubMed 40580629 · doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2025.127684
What was done
This narrative review examined iron requirements across the female lifespan, the physiology of iron absorption, factors affecting iron bioavailability, and the causes of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia. It evaluated the limitations of existing interventions and discussed sex- and gender-based disparities and diagnostic biases affecting biologically female women of reproductive age.
What was found
The abstract reports established global estimates: iron deficiency affects 20-25% of the general population and 52% of pregnant individuals worldwide, while iron deficiency anaemia affects one in three women aged 15-49 years. Pregnant women have the highest risk due to elevated physiological demands. The authors find that current interventions are inadequate, available treatments have poor acceptability, iron deficiency remains underdiagnosed, and sex biases affect clinical management. No original quantitative data or effect sizes are reported.
Why it matters
It highlights the persistent global burden of iron deficiency in reproductive-aged women and emphasizes the need for better-tolerated interventions and reduced diagnostic bias.
Limits
As a narrative review, it provides broad qualitative synthesis rather than systematic review methodology, meta-analysis, or primary clinical data. The abstract does not specify literature search strategies, inclusion criteria, or the number of papers reviewed.
Cited by
- supports Between 20% and 30% of menstruating women are iron deficient during menstruation.