Fix Your Period
The Period Party Podcast · EP. 145 · April 22, 2023

Iron Deficiency Anemia 101

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podcast guest

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Dr. Stephanie Martin is a highly accomplished OBGYN and Medical Director and co-owner of Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics, LLC. She’s here today to break down iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia for us.

This is such an important aspect of women’s health that is frequently overlooked, especially since testing iron levels isn’t a part of most women’s routine bloodwork. With one in five women of childbearing age having iron deficiency anemia, I’m encouraging you to check out GetIronInformed.com, which is a women’s health initiative that encourages women to learn more about their iron levels and how that can affect their health.

In this episode, we talk about the differences between iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, what you need to know to advocate for yourself with your healthcare provider, testing for iron deficiency, symptoms of iron deficiency, and so much more!

This episode is brought to you by Let’s Get Checked. Visit LetsGetChecked.com and use my code HORMONES 25 for 25% off.

Testing doesn’t have to be confusing or frustrating. Let’s Get Checked, the at-home health testing service that I’ve been partnered with for a number of years makes testing so easy. Just order a test kit on LetsGetChecked.com, do the test at home according to your menstrual cycle, and ship it back. Within a week a nurse practitioner will call you to interpret your test results and the results are also uploaded into your account on their website.

Since we’re talking all about iron deficiency on this episode, I want to highlight the iron panel offered by Let’s Get Checked so you can see if your numbers are normal or not. Get a 25% discount on the iron panel and any other test kits using the code HORMONES25.

Episode Highlights

Resources Mentioned

Fix Your Period

How Fix Your Period Supports Women in Perimenopause

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from this episode — and how Fix Your Period can help.

What is perimenopause?
Perimenopause is the hormonal transition phase leading up to menopause — typically beginning in the mid-to-late 40s, though it can start earlier. It's characterised by fluctuating and eventually declining estrogen and progesterone levels, leading to irregular cycles, hot flashes, sleep disruption, mood changes, and other symptoms. Perimenopause can last 4–10 years.
What are the first signs of perimenopause?
Early signs include cycle changes (shorter or longer cycles, skipped periods), worsening PMS, sleep disruption, new or increased anxiety, mood changes, brain fog, and — eventually — hot flashes and night sweats. Progesterone typically begins declining before estrogen, which is why PMS and sleep issues are often the first symptoms.
What drives perimenopausal symptoms?
Perimenopausal symptoms are driven primarily by the erratic fluctuation and eventual decline of estrogen and progesterone. Declining estrogen reduces insulin sensitivity, making blood sugar dysregulation more likely. Declining progesterone affects sleep, mood, and anxiety. The degree of symptom severity is influenced by underlying hormonal health going into the transition.
Is Fix Your Period right for women in perimenopause?
Absolutely. Fix Your Period's free assessment gives you personalised results based on your current symptoms. Fix Your Period Premium unlocks multiple perimenopause-specific protocols, Nicole's Period Pillars education, and Nicole.AI — all tailored to support women through this hormonal transition.
Does Fix Your Period cover HRT for perimenopause?
Yes. Fix Your Period Premium includes a Hormone Replacement Therapy protocol covering the options available, how to have informed conversations with your doctor, and what to consider when exploring HRT as part of your perimenopause support strategy.
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