ISSN 0300-9092 (Print)
ISSN 2412-5679 (Online)

Efficacy of a medicine containing iron fumarate and folic acid drug in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding

Artymuk N.V., Tachkova O.A., Marochko T.Yu., Veys A.O.

Kemerovo State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, Kemerovo, Russia

Rationale. Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is a common condition affecting 27–50% of girls and women and is the main cause of latent iron deficiency (LID) and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). An important approach to managing such patients is the simultaneous use of bleeding control methods (medication and/or surgery) and correction of iron-deficiency condition (IDC). 
Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of a drug containing iron fumarate (equivalent to 50 mg of iron) and 0.5 mg folic acid in patients with AUB. 
Materials and methods. Study design: single-center continuous observational study. The study comprised 75 patients of reproductive age with AUB and IDC. Hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and red blood cell count were identified using hematology analyzers (models XS 800i, XT 2000i, XE 2100, Japan), while ferritin was measured with Abbott Architect i (Abbott Laboratories, USA) and Roche Cobas e (Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland) chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzers.
Results. The age of patients included in the study was 42.0 (39.0; 46.0) years. Among predominant gynecological diseases were adenomyosis – 46.7%, endometrial hyperplasia – 29.3% and uterine fibroids – 24.0%. All patients received drug treatment for AUB, and 20.0% of patients underwent surgical treatment. Clinical manifestations of sideropenic syndrome (Plummer–Vinson syndrome) before treatment were present in 86.7% of patients with AUB. 12 weeks after treatment sideropenic symptoms were noted in in 45.3% (p<0.001). For anemic syndrome the figures were 93.3% and 30.7% (p<0.001), respectively. After 12 weeks of therapy, a statistically significant increase in hemoglobin concentration was recorded – from 117.00 (110.00; 124.00) to 126.00 (118.00; 132.00) g/l (p<0.001), hematocrit – from 35.90 (34.00; 37.40) to 37.70 (35.85; 43.15)% (p=0.038), ferritin – from 14.00 (8.90; 20.50) to 32.00 (20.00; 38.50) μg/l (p<0.001). At the same time, the incidence of LID decreased from 42.7 to 13.3%, and IDA from 57.33 to 17.3% (p<0.001). Minor adverse events were reported in 4.0% of patients.
Conclusion. Treatment of patients with AUB and IDC with a drug containing iron fumarate (equivalent to 50 mg of iron) and 0.5 mg of folic acid for 12 weeks showed high efficacy and safety.

Authors’ contributions. Artymuk N.V., Tachkova O.A. – study concept and design, manuscript editing; Artymuk N.V., Tachkova O.A., Marochko T.Yu., Veys A.O. – data collection and analysis; Veys A.O. – data statistical processing; Artymuk N.V., Marochko T.Yu. – manuscript writing.
Conflicts of interest. The research work was carried out independently by the authors. Alcea LLC supported the publication (publication fee to the publishing house). Employees of Alcea LLC had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the results of the study. All final decisions on the text of the publication were made by the authors themselves. 
Funding. Alcea LLC supported the publication (publication fee to the publishing house).
Ethical Approval. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Kemerovo State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia (protocol No. 362 as of February 25, 2026).
Use of generative artificial intelligence. No AI was used for the preparation and submission of the manuscript.
Patient Consent for Publication. All participants provided informed voluntary consent for data publication.
Authors' Data Sharing Statement. The primary data underlying the study conclusions can be provided upon reasonable request from the corresponding author. Open access to data is limited due to the protection of personal data of research participants and ethical restrictions.
For citation: Artymuk N.V., Tachkova O.A., Marochko T.Yu., Veys A.O. Efficacy of  a medicine 
containing iron fumarate and  folic acid drug in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2026; (5): 157-164 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2026.146

Keywords

abnormal uterine bleeding
iron fumarate and folic acid
Ferretab
latent iron deficiency
iron deficiency anemia

References

  1. Jain V., Munro M.G., Critchley H.O.D. Contemporary evaluation of women and girls with abnormal uterine bleeding: FIGO Systems 1 and 2. Int. J. Gynaecol. Obstet. 2023; 162(Suppl 2): 29-42. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.14946
  2. Leal C.R.V., Vannuccini S., Jain V., Dolmans M.M., Di Spiezio Sardo A., Al-Hendy A. et al. Abnormal uterine bleeding: the well-known and the hidden face. J. Endometr. Uterine Disord. 2024; 6: 100071. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jeud.2024.100071
  3. Horne M., Martin K.C. Abnormal uterine bleeding in women of reproductive age: getting to the diagnosis. Nurse Pract. 2025; 50(9): 17-28. https://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.NPR.0000000000000351
  4. Walker M.H., Coffey W., Borger J. Menorrhagia. 2023 Aug 28. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publ.; 2025.
  5. Da Silva Filho A.L., Caetano C., Lahav A., Grandi G., Lamaita R.M. The difficult journey to treatment for women suffering from heavy menstrual bleeding: a multi-national survey. Eur. J. Contracept. Reprod. Health Care. 2021; 26(5): 390-8. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13625187.2021.1925881
  6. Резолюция Совета экспертов «Лечение и профилактика железодефицитных состояний на современном этапе в условиях реальной клинической практики. Место комбинированных лекарственных препаратов железа в сочетании с фолиевой кислотой при лечении железодефицитной анемии и дефицита железа». Акушерство и гинекология. 2023; 3: 155-62. [The resolution of the Expert Council "Prevention and treatment of iron deficiency conditions at the present stage in real clinical practice. The place of combined iron preparations in combination with folic acid in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia and iron deficiency". Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2023; (3): 155-62 (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2023.3.155-162
  7. Прилепская В.Н., Андреева Е.Н. Удовлетворенность молодых женщин препаратом эстрадиола валерат/диеногест в реальной клинической практике в России: результаты проспективного многоцентрового наблюдательного исследования «Лебедь». Акушерство и гинекология. 2024; 3: 108-17. [Prilepskaya V.N., Andreeva E.N. Satisfaction of young women with estradiol valerate/dienogest in real clinical practice in Russia: results of prospective multicenter observational study Q-SWAN. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2024; (3): 108-17 (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2024.21
  8. Munro M.G., Mast A.E., Powers J.M., Kouides P.A., O'Brien S.H., Richards T. et al. The relationship between heavy menstrual bleeding, iron deficiency, and iron deficiency anemia. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 2023; 229(1): 1-9. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2023.01.017
  9. Munro M.G. Heavy menstrual bleeding, iron deficiency, and iron deficiency anemia: framing the issue. Int. J. Gynaecol. Obstet. 2023; 162 Suppl 2: 7-13. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.14943
  10. Джобава Э.М., Кнышева И.Г., Артизанова Д.П. Дефицит железа во время беременности: эффективность терапии и ключевые точки клинической практики. Акушерство и гинекология. 2023; 3: 109-12. [Dzhobava E.M., Knysheva I. G., Artizanova D.P. Iron deficiency during pregnancy: effectiveness of therapy and key points for clinical practice. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2023; (3): 109-12 (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2023.64
  11. Heavy menstrual bleeding: assessment and management. London: National institute for health and care excellence (NICE); 2021 May 24.
  12. Министерство здравоохранения Российской Федерации. Клинические рекомендации. Аномальные маточные кровотечения. 2024. [Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Clinical guidelines. Abnormal uterine bleeding. 2024 (in Russian)].
  13. Lebduska E., Beshear D., Spataro B.M. Abnormal uterine bleeding. Med. Clin. North Am. 2023; 107(2): 235-46. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mcna.2022.10.014
  14. Mikes B.A., Vadakekut E.S., Sparzak P.B. Abnormal uterine bleeding. 2025 Feb 21. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publ.; 2026.
  15. Bofill Rodriguez M., Dias S., Jordan V., Lethaby A., Lensen S.F., Wise M.R. et al. Interventions for heavy menstrual bleeding; overview of Cochrane reviews and network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 2022; 5(5): CD013180. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013180.pub2
  16. Доброхотова Ю.Э., Маркова Э.А. Анемия беременных. Рациональная профилактика. Доказательная база. Женское здоровье. 2022; (1): 50-6. [Dobrokhotova Yu.E., Markova E.A. Anemia of pregnant women. Rational prevention. The evidence base. Topical Issues of Women's Health. 2022; (1): 50-6 (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.46393/2713122X_2024_1_50
  17. Munro M.G., Critchley H.O., Fraser I.S. The FIGO classification of causes of abnormal uterine bleeding in the reproductive years. Int. J. Gynecol. Obstet. 2011; 113(1): 1-2. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgo.2011.01.001
  18. Munro M.G., Critchley H.O.D., Fraser I.S. The two FIGO systems for normal and abnormal uterine bleeding symptoms and classification of causes of abnormal uterine bleeding in the reproductive years: 2018 revisions. Int. J. Gynaecol. Obstet. 2018; 143(3): 393-408. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.12666
  19. Министерство здравоохранения Российской Федерации. Клинические рекомендации. Железодефицитная анемия. 2024. [Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Clinical guidelines. Iron deficiency anemia. 2024 (in Russian)].
  20. Кузнецова И.В., Беришвили М.В. Латентный дефицит железа и железодефицитная анемия у женщин с обильными менструациями. Женская клиника. 2022; 3: 29-37. [Kuznetsova I.V., Berishvili M.V. Latent iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in women with copious menstruation. Women’s Clinic. 2022; (3): 29-37. (in Russian)].
  21. Cao Y., Li C., Ding D. Endometrial carcinoma risk prediction and gynecological comorbidity in adenomyosis: a 5648-case study. BMC Womens Health. 2026; 26(1): 175. https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12905-026-04332-2
  22. Martire F.G., Costantini E., D’Abate C., Schettini G., Sorrenti G., Centini G. et al. Endometriosis and adenomyosis: from pathogenesis to follow-up. Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025; 47(5): 298. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cimb47050298
  23. Fiore A., Casalechi M., Sichenze L., Ferraro C., Magni B., Bellinghieri R. et al. Co-occurrence of endometriosis and uterine fibroids: a systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine. 2025; 89: 103510. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2025.103510
  24. Громова О.А., Торшин И.Ю., Тетруашвили Н.К. Систематический компьютерный анализ фармакологии фумарата железа в контексте лечения дефицита железа и железодефицитной анемии. Акушерство, гинекология и репродукция. 2025; 19(2): 230-48. [Gromova O.A., Torshin I.Yu., Tetruashvili N.K. Systematic computer analysis of iron fumarate pharmacology in the treatment of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction. 2025; 19(2): 230-48 (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.17749/2313-7347/ob.gyn.rep.2025.632
  25. Ших Е.В., Еременко Н.Н., Пахомова А.Е., Поздняков А.В. Соответствие профиля растворения Ферретаб комп. требованиям, предъявляемым лекарственным препаратам модифицированного высвобождения: оптимизация биофармацевтических, фармакокинетических и фармакодинамических свойств. Фармакология & Фармакотерапия. 2024; 4: 8-16. [Shikh E.V., Eremenko N.N., Pakhomova A.E., Pozdnyakov A.V. Conformity of the dissolution profile of Ferretab comp. to the requirements for modified-release medicines: optimization of biopharmaceutical, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Farmakologiya & Farmakoterapiya. 2024; 4: 8-16 (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.46393/27132129_2024_4_8-16

Received 28.04.2026

Accepted 06.05.2026

About the Authors

Natalya V. Artymuk, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Head of the G.A. Ushakova Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kemerovo State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, 22a, Voroshilov str., Kemerovo, 650056, Russia, +7(3842)73-48-56, +7(960)923-33-55, artymuk@gmail.com, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7014-6492
Olga A. Tachkova, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Hospital Therapy and Clinical Pharmacology, Kemerovo State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia,
22a Voroshilov str., Kemerovo, 650056, Russia, ol.an.t@yandex.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6537-3460.
Tatyana Yu. Marochko, PhD, Associate Professor, G.A. Ushakova Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kemerovo State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, 22a Voroshilov str., Kemerovo, 650056, Russia, marochko.2006.68@mail.ru, https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5641-5246
Alena O. Veys, Teaching Assistant at the G.A. Ushakova Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kemerovo State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia,
22a Voroshilov str., Kemerovo, 650056, Russia, +7(3842)73-48-56, a.o.veys@yandex.ru, https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5452-2388
Corresponding author: Natalya V. Artymuk, artymuk@gmail.com

Similar Articles