Expert consensus publication, supported by P&G Health along with renowned experts to determine the impact of iron deficiency on the health of peri-menopausal women in India Results showed low awareness amongst clinicians to diagnose iron deficiency in peri-menopausal women.

This national nutrition week, P&G health shares findings of the expert consensus on Iron deficiency in peri-menopausal women (40 to 49 years) in India & its impact on their health.

In an effort toward raising awareness around iron deficiency among women and its timely treatment, a consensus manuscript titled iron deficiency in peri-menopausal women: Clinical considerations from an Expert Consensus as an original research article has been accepted & published in the national journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology- Indian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research. P&G Health is the proud corresponding author for this article.

Anaemia is a common clinical condition with a disproportionate prevalence in women. Globally, it is estimated that 1 of every 4 individuals is anaemic. Unfortunately, many clinicians are not aware of the prevalence of the peri-menopausal age group, making it difficult to differentiate between symptoms that are a result of iron deficiency anaemia or menopause.

In fact, a study published in 2011 highlighted how anemia among perimenopausal women has risen from 48% to 54%, within the last five years. Studies analysing the impact of the prevalence of iron deficiency in the perimenopausal age group in India are sparse.

A study conducted previously also showed how on average, 78-88% of peri-menopausal women across various states in India reported a prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia. 

Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia commonly occur during and after pregnancy. However, various studies in the past have suggested how peri-menopausal women's lives are at an increased risk and their symptoms are often misinterpreted and overlooked due to lack of awareness. Perimenopause is the natural transition phase that every woman goes through before reaching menopause.

Millind Thatte, Managing Director, P&G Health India, said, P&G Health has been dedicated to awareness and education efforts on iron deficiency in our 50 years of presence in India.

This National Nutrition Week, our aim is to increase conversation on the effects of iron deficiency in peri-menopausal women and call attention to the need for awareness and its possible solutions.

Commenting on the Expert Consensus publication, Dr Sachin Pawar, head of medical affairs at Procter & Gamble Health, said, through this consensus publication, we have aimed to understand more about iron deficiency in Indian peri-menopausal women and through the exercise, raise awareness on the critical nature of this issue.

More importantly, this publication aims to identify iron deficiency before the occurrence of iron deficiency anaemia, which is crucial to receiving timely treatment. We hope the consensus will help to standardise care and provide guidance on screening and treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in perimenopausal women. Shander A, Javidroozi M, Ozawa S, Hare GM. What is really dangerous: Anaemia or transfusion?

The expert consensus was generated by a set of renowned experts who specialise in gynaecology& endocrinology in India, including Dr Alpesh Gandhi, Arihant Women's Hospital, Ahmedabad Dr Suchitra Pandit, Surya Group of Hospital's Mumbai Dr Jaideep Malhotra, Art Rainbow IVF, Agra.

Dr Madhuri Joshi, Group of Multi-Specialty Hospitals, Mumbai Dr Janaki Desai, Revive Women's Clinic, Ahmedabad Dr Parag Biniwale, Biniwale Clinic, Pune Dr Vaishali Deshmukh, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital and Research Centre, Pune Dr Mamata Sarmah, Group of Multi-Specialty Hospitals, Guwahati Dr Sachin Pawar, Head of Medical Affairs, P&G Health India and Dr Vinod Malve, Medical Affairs, P&G Health India Highlights from the published Consensus: Insufficient iron reserves and compromised haemoglobin production in the body often lead to mood swings and impaired cognitive function.

Iron deficiency also has a significant impact on general health and quality of life and hence, is considered a major health concern for perimenopausal women. Perimenopausal women with iron deficiency have reported having poorer results on tests of attention, learning and memory when compared to iron sufficient participants.

The expert panel involved in consensus generation agreed that zinc and iron supplementation can provide therapeutic responses in the management of iron deficiency in perimenopausal women. Empirical clinical evidence also suggests how iron supplementation improves cognitive function regardless of whether the participant suffers from iron deficiency or anaemia.

Considering the pathological and physiological status of perimenopausal women, the consensus publication also concluded the importance of considering iron supplementation as a valuable therapeutic option for managing iron deficiency and iron deficiency Anemia.

P&G Health has also planned a Nutrition Symposium in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai. These symposiums are an extension of the Continuous Pharmacists Education Programme (CPE). CPE is an educational program especially curated and designed in a way that will benefit pharmacists in keeping themselves updated with the most recent developments and information about various common ailments, their causes, and remedies that will empower them further to deal with their daily interactions with the patients. These sessions will address topics related to anaemia and the role of the right supplementation.