Iron Status in Relation to Oral Contraceptive Use in Women of Reproductive Age

This study investigated the iron status in women of reproductive age in relation to oral contraceptive (OC) use. 178 women (18-34 years) who had never been pregnant and did not take iron supplements were sampled as part of a cross-sectional study to determine nutrient status in different life stages (DRKS00004789). Iron status was assessed by haemoglobin, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and sTfR-ferritin index. Frequency of anaemia (haemoglobin < 12 g/dL) was 2.8% and that of depleted iron stores without anaemia (ferritin < 20 µg/L) was 13.5%. In multiple linear regression models, OC use was associated with higher ferritin concentration (B=0.144, p=0.037), especially the fourth progestin generation (B=0.177, p=0.015). Further determinants of lower ferritin concentration were higher intensity of menstruation (B=-0.201, p=0.001), lower time since last period (B=-0.004, p=0.024), blood donation (B=-0.360, p=0.003) and vegetarian diet (B=-0.206, p=0.042). Although the prevalence of anaemia was low, women of reproductive age should ensure an adequate intake of highly available iron because depleted iron stores increase the risk of anaemia.