Effects of Iron Supplementation during the Menstrual Period on Hemoglobin Levels and Fatigue in Female Athletes

Abstract JOURNAL/jpin/04.03/02275668-990000000-00069/figure1/v/2026-04-02T053241Z/r/image-tiff Athletic training and menstruation both contribute to iron depletion and anemia in female athletes. We hypothesized that oral iron supplementation during the menstrual period would increase the hemoglobin (Hb) level and reduce fatigue in female athletes. Twenty-two female athletes were randomly assigned to either the control (CON) or experimental (EXP) groups. Participants in the EXP group received one capsule of ferrous bisglycinate chelate (equivalent to 20 mg of elemental iron) daily during their menstrual periods in the second, third, and fourth menstrual cycles (M2-M4), whereas those in the CON group took a placebo. Blood samples from each subject were collected after each menstrual period, and Hb, hematocrit, and blood cell counts were analyzed. The results indicated that iron supplementation significantly increased the levels of Hb, hematocrit, and red blood cell (RBC) count from the first menstrual bleeding period (M1) to the fifth menstrual bleeding period (M5). The immune-related cell populations and rating of perceived exertion fatigue indicators showed no significant differences from M1 to M5. In conclusion, daily supplementation with ferrous bisglycinate chelate during the menstrual period significantly increased Hb levels, hematocrit levels, and RBC counts in female athletes.