Shining a Spotlight on Iron for Female Athletes
Shining a Spotlight on Iron for Female Athletes
This month, we’re shining a spotlight on the importance of iron for women who train and compete, as we roll out our latest campaign for Active Iron.
Female athletes face a higher risk of developing inadequate iron levels for several reasons. Alongside the physical demands of training and competition, women can lose iron through menstruation, pregnancy and lactation, as well as through sweat during exercise. Despite this, iron awareness and routine screening are still not prioritised enough in sport.
The insights driving this campaign highlight just how widespread the issue is:
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40% of inter-county Camogie players are low in iron, based on research conducted in partnership with Atlantic Technological University¹.
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88% of active UK women report symptoms linked to low iron, according to a survey conducted by Active Iron².
These findings highlight a clear and pressing need for a more proactive approach to routine iron screening, as well as greater education around menstruation and the importance of iron and other key nutrients needed to support female athletes.
Iron plays a crucial role in energy production, oxygen transport and overall performance. When iron levels are low, athletes may experience fatigue, reduced endurance and difficulty maintaining peak performance.
That’s why this campaign aims to spark an important conversation around iron awareness, menstrual health and the nutritional needs of women in sport.
Lower iron levels can impact energy and performance - don't let it hold you back. By prioritising routine screening, better education and proper nutritional support, we can help ensure female athletes are equipped to train, compete and recover at their best.
Why Young Female Athletes are More Likely to Struggle with their Iron Levels
Growth & Development
Adolescent female athletes require more iron for rapid growth, muscle development, and increased blood volume.
Menstrual Blood Loss – once menstruation begins, iron loss increases monthly. Heavier periods and other women’s health issues can impact iron levels even further.
High-Intensity Training: can increase iron loss through sweat and a condition known as foot-strike haemolysis. Foot-strike haemolysis is caused by the repeated impact of feet hitting the ground, particularly when running, which leads to the destruction of red blood cells and the release of haemoglobin into the bloodstream³.
Lifestyle: skipped meals, picky-eating, limited red-meat and other iron-rich foods intake, along with overall busy lifestyles, can all impact iron levels.
Advice for Parents of Teenage Girls
For many girls, iron levels are impacted as soon as menstruation begins. Combine this with the physical demands of sports, and the risk of declining energy levels and performance increases further.
As a parent, understanding the connection between periods, iron levels, and performance can make a significant difference.
Practical Steps Parents Can Take
1. Encourage Open Conversation
Normalising discussions around periods and menstrual health will help build trust; most teenagers won’t volunteer this information unless asked. Creating a safe environment to openly talk about these topics will encourage your teenager to be honest about how they’re feeling, both physically and mentally.
2. Iron-Rich Nutrition
Make iron-rich foods a regular part of family meals. Consistent intake helps support your child’s daily iron needs and plays an important role in maintaining healthy iron levels over time.
3. Consider Period Tracking
Apps or simple calendar tracking can help identify heavy cycles or patterns linked to lower iron levels. Active Iron have partnered with the period tracking app, Clue. When you purchase any pack of Active Iron, you will get a free annual subscription to Clue. For steps on how you can avail of the offer, click here
4. Test When Appropriate
If there are signs of persistent fatigue or heavier periods, please consult your healthcare professional, who may recommend checking ferritin and haemoglobin levels. If your teen has lower iron levels, your GP may recommend supplementing with Active Iron*.
How Active Iron Can Help
Active Iron is an iron supplement that is clinically proven to increase iron levels⁴ and fight menstrual fatigue⁵. Most iron supplements break down in the stomach, triggering oxidation and gut inflammation – leading to constipation, nausea and other unwanted side effects.
Active Iron is powered by a whey protein formula and delivers iron directly to the DMT-1, the sweet spot for absorption. This reduces oxidation and protects your gut, making it gentle & non-constipating.
Active Iron Advance is Informed Sport certified, meaning that every batch is tested for banned substances, making it safer for athletes to take. The Informed Sport program assures that products have been tested for a wide range of substances prohibited in sport.
Let’s keep the conversation going, and remember, don’t accept menstrual fatigue.
Keep an eye out on our social media platforms and website throughout March for loads of educational content, real people sharing their stories, exclusive discounts, and much more!
¹Atlantic Technological University: Active Iron Research Project 2-25. N=44 inter-county Camogie players.
²Active Iron survey 2026. Conducted by Obsurvant. N=1,000.
³Oxfordshire Chiropody & Podiatry (2025) Understanding foot strike haemolysis: causes, symptoms and management. Available at: https://www.oxfordshirechiropody.co.uk/post/understanding-foot-strike-hemolysis-causes-symptoms-and-management (Accessed: 24 February 2026).
⁴Ledwidge, M. et al. PRECISION Study. Int J Clin Pharm (2023).
⁵Iron contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
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