They blame work, stress, poor sleep, being busy or the endometriosis itself.
But for many women, the real issue is iron deficiency.
Heavy menstrual bleeding is one of the most common causes of low iron stores. Over time, iron levels can gradually fall until everyday activities begin to feel harder than they should.
You may find yourself relying on caffeine to get through the day. Struggling to exercise the way you used to. Cancelling plans because you’re simply too exhausted.
The aha moment for many women is discovering that their exhaustion may not just be caused by endometriosis itself. Low ferritin and iron deficiency may be making everything worse.
At Holden’s Chemist Express, we provide iron deficiency assessment and IV iron treatment for appropriate patients in Newark and Doncaster.
How Endometriosis Can Lead to Iron Deficiency
Endometriosis is often associated with heavy, prolonged or painful periods.
Over time, ongoing blood loss can gradually deplete the body’s iron stores.
Many women continue to lose iron month after month without realising how significantly it may be affecting their energy levels and overall wellbeing.
In some cases, ferritin levels can become depleted long before anaemia develops.
Symptoms That May Be Linked to Low Iron
- Persistent fatigue
- Low energy
- Brain fog
- Poor concentration
- Breathlessness
- Dizziness
- Hair thinning
- Reduced exercise tolerance
- Restless legs
- Feeling weak or run down
- Difficulty recovering after exercise
You’ve Been Taking Iron Tablets. So Why Are You Still Exhausted?
This is one of the most common frustrations we hear from women with endometriosis.
You’ve tried the tablets. You’ve increased iron-rich foods. Yet you still feel drained.
For some women, ongoing blood loss means iron stores are being depleted faster than they can be replaced.
Others struggle with side effects from oral iron supplements, making it difficult to continue treatment consistently.
Common side effects include:
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Stomach discomfort
- Diarrhoea
The result is often the same.
Month after month passes. Ferritin remains low. Energy remains poor. Life continues to feel smaller than it should.
If you’ve been told your iron is low and you’re still struggling despite treatment, it may be time to understand why.
Iron Assessment & Treatment Package – £649
Our complete iron deficiency pathway includes:
- Comprehensive iron blood testing, including ferritin, full blood count and iron studies
- Clinical review of your results
- Independent Prescriber consultation
- 500mg IV iron infusion if clinically appropriate
- Monitoring during treatment
- Aftercare and follow-up advice
IV iron is only provided where clinically appropriate following review of your blood results and medical history.
When IV Iron May Be Appropriate
IV iron may be considered where blood results confirm low iron stores and oral iron has not worked, has not been tolerated or is unlikely to restore iron levels effectively.
This can be particularly relevant for women experiencing ongoing heavy menstrual bleeding associated with endometriosis.
What Happens Next?
- Complete our enquiry form and tell us about your symptoms, blood results and medical history.
- We review your information and advise whether testing or assessment is needed.
- If appropriate, treatment can be arranged following prescriber review.
If your symptoms are not caused by iron deficiency, we will explain this clearly and advise on the most appropriate next steps.
How Much Of Your Life Is Fatigue Stealing?
Many women with endometriosis become so used to feeling exhausted that they stop questioning it.
They expect to feel drained after every period. They accept brain fog as normal. They push through work, family commitments and social plans despite feeling completely depleted.
Eventually, exhaustion becomes part of daily life.
But if low ferritin is contributing to your symptoms, simply accepting fatigue may mean missing an opportunity to feel significantly better.
If you’re constantly tired, struggling to keep up with work or family life, or wondering why you never seem to have the energy you used to, the first step is understanding what your iron levels are doing now.
Our iron deficiency pathway combines comprehensive blood testing, clinical review and IV iron treatment where appropriate.
Let’s find out whether low iron is still holding you back.
Supporting Patients Across Newark, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire
We regularly support women from Newark, Lincoln, Gainsborough, Retford, Worksop, Doncaster, Bassetlaw, Sheffield and surrounding areas who are experiencing iron deficiency associated with heavy periods and endometriosis.
Many patients come to us after struggling with ongoing fatigue, low ferritin, poor response to iron tablets or symptoms that continue to affect their quality of life.
Our clinics in Newark and Doncaster provide comprehensive iron assessment, blood testing, independent prescriber review and IV iron treatment where clinically appropriate.
We frequently see patients travelling from across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire because access to dedicated iron deficiency assessment and IV iron treatment can be limited locally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can endometriosis cause low ferritin?
Yes. Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding associated with endometriosis can gradually deplete iron stores and lead to low ferritin levels.
Can I have low ferritin without anaemia?
Yes. Iron stores can become depleted before anaemia develops, and some women experience symptoms despite having a normal haemoglobin level.
Why do iron tablets upset my stomach?
Oral iron commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects including constipation, diarrhoea, nausea and abdominal discomfort.
Will I definitely need IV iron?
No. IV iron is only offered where blood results and clinical assessment show it is appropriate.
How quickly might I feel better?
Many patients notice improvement within 2 to 6 weeks, although response varies depending on the severity of deficiency and any underlying cause.