Blood Loss
Red blood cells contain iron. Thus, a loss of blood caused by accidents or medical conditions would lead to iron deficiency anemia. Those women with heavy menstrual bleeding would be at higher risk. In fact, this is the reason why they need more iron in the daily diet than men. Colorectal cancer or peptic ulcer is associated with chronic blood loss, thus increasing the risk as well. The same effect can be triggered by the taking of several OTC pain killers, particularly aspirin. [10]
