Mikkipedia Iron, Hormones & Performance: What Every Woman Needs to Know with Clare Badenhorst
Jul 1, 2025
Clare Badenhorst, an associate professor in exercise physiology and a leading researcher in female athlete health, discusses the critical link between iron, menstrual health, and athletic performance. She highlights the alarming prevalence of iron deficiency in active women and how menstrual cycles impact iron absorption. Clare explains complex topics like hepcidin regulation and the implications of heavy menstrual bleeding. Her insights reveal how these factors can contribute to fatigue and reduced athletic performance, emphasizing the need for tailored research and proactive health measures.
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Exercise Impacts Iron Levels
- Exercise increases iron loss through mechanisms like foot strike hemolysis and sweating.
- Hepcidin hormone spikes post-exercise reduce iron absorption, creating a negative iron balance risk.
Menstrual Cycle Complexity Explained
- The menstrual cycle includes ovarian and endometrial cycles, not just hormone fluctuations.
- Ovulation, hormone signaling, and endometrial changes vary and impact menstrual health beyond bleeding patterns.
Limits of Current Menstrual Research
- Current menstrual cycle research is underpowered and not generalizable due to small, biased samples.
- Personalized monitoring is vital, as symptoms vary widely and cannot be dismissed by group-level data.