A contemporary understanding of iron metabolism in active premenopausal females

Claire E Badenhorst; Adrienne K Forsyth; Andrew D Govus

doi:10.3389/fspor.2022.903937

A contemporary understanding of iron metabolism in active premenopausal females

Front Sports Act Living. 2022 Jul 28:4:903937. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2022.903937. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Claire E Badenhorst¹, Adrienne K Forsyth², Andrew D Govus³

Affiliations

¹ School of Sport, Exercise, and Nutrition, College of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand.
² School of Behavioural and Health Science, Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia.
³ Discipline of Sport and Exercise, Department of Sport, Exercise, and Nutrition Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

Abstract

Iron metabolism research in the past decade has identified menstrual blood loss as a key contributor to the prevalence of iron deficiency in premenopausal females. The reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone influence iron regulation and contribute to variations in iron parameters throughout the menstrual cycle. Despite the high prevalence of iron deficiency in premenopausal females, scant research has investigated female-specific causes and treatments for iron deficiency. In this review, we provide a comprehensive discussion of factors that influence iron status in active premenopausal females, with a focus on the menstrual cycle. We also outline several practical guidelines for monitoring, diagnosing, and treating iron deficiency in premenopausal females. Finally, we highlight several areas for further research to enhance the understanding of iron metabolism in this at-risk population.

Keywords: hepcidin; iron regulation; iron status; menstrual cycle; menstruation.

Publication types

Review