Iron, menstrual cycle, and mood: an integrative approach to non-pharmacological support for women at different stages of the hormonal trajectory
Naku E.A.
Objective. To demonstrate an integrative approach to women's health by highlighting the relationship between latent iron deficiency, psycho-emotional burnout, and hormonal imbalances at different stages of the reproductive lifespan, and to substantiate the rationale for non-pharmacological and pharmacological support.
Materials and methods. We conducted an analysis of modern clinical studies on the impact of iron deficiency on the menstrual cycle, fertility, and psycho-emotional status of women. Cognitive and behavioral models of iron deficiency development and premenstrual syndrome were examined, as well as the mechanisms of action of combined iron, cyclic vitamin, herbal, and phytoestrogen supplements.
Results. Iron deficiency acts as a "silent trigger" for a cascade of neuroendocrine and psychosomatic disorders. A combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and synergetic pharmacological support (iron supplements with folic acid, cyclic drugs, phytoestrogens) has been shown to break the vicious cycle of stress, deficiency, and hormonal imbalance, restore ovulatory function, and improve quality of life in women from reproductive age till the menopausal transition.
Conclusion. Women's health requires a multidisciplinary approach. Timely diagnosis and correction of latent iron deficiency, combined with cyclical vitamin and phytoestrogen support, are the foundation for maintaining reproductive and psycho-emotional health, allowing women to successfully adapt to age-associated hormonal changes.
Conflict of interest. The author declares no conflict of interest.
Funding. The study had no sponsorship support.
Generative Artificial Intelligence. No generative AI was used for the conduction of this article.
For citation: Naku E.A. Iron, menstrual cycle, and mood: an integrative approach
to non-pharmacological support for women at different stages of the hormonal trajectory.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2026; (8): 200-206 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2026.237
Keywords
iron deficiency
menstrual cycle
premenstrual syndrome
perimenopause
psychosomatics
Ferretab
Time-Factor
Estrovel
phytoestrogens
women's health
cognitive behavioral therapy
References
- Соловьева А.В., Алейникова Е.Ю., Чегус Л.А., Ермоленко К.С., Кузнецова О.А. Железодефицитные состояния у женщин с ранней потерей беременности и их коррекция. Акушерство и гинекология. 2022; 4: 155-62. https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2022.4 [Solovyeva A.V., Aleynikova E.Yu., Chegus L.A., Ermolenko K.S., Kuznetsova O.A. Iron deficiency in women with early pregnancy loss and its correction. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2022; (4): 155-62 (in Russian). https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2022.4].
- 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 heavy menstrual bleeding. Women’s Clinic. 2022; 3: 29-37 (in Russian)].
- Соколова Т.М., Маринкин И.О., Кулешов В.М., Макаров К.Ю. Латентный дефицит железа и железодефицитная анемия у женщин с обильными менструациями. Акушерство и гинекология. 2023; 4: 171-6. https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2023.99 [Sokolova T.M., Marinkin I.О., Kuleshov V.M., Makarov K.Yu. Latent iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia in women with heavy menstruations. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2023; (4): 171-6 (in Russian). https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2023.99].
- Савельева И.В., Носова Н.В., Бухарова Е.А., Проданчук Е.Г., Галянская Е.Г. Коррекция железодефицитных состояний у пациенток репродуктивного возраста с хроническими аномальными маточными кровотечениями. Акушерство и гинекология. 2023; 1: 93-8. https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2023.12 [Savelyeva I.V., Nosova N.V., Bukharova E.A., Prodanchuk E.G., Galyanskaya E.G. Correction of iron deficiency states in reproductive-aged patients with chronic abnormal uterine bleeding. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2023; (1): 93-8 (in Russian). https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2023.12].
- 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. https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2023.64 [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].
- Тютюник В.Л., Виноградова М.А., Кан Н.Е. Диагностика, профилактика и терапия железодефицитных состояний у беременных: взгляд акушера-гинеколога и гематолога. Акушерство и гинекология. 2021; 3(Приложение): 10-6. [Tyutyunnik V.L., Vinogradova M.A., Kan N.E. Diagnosis, prevention and therapy of iron deficiency states in pregnant women: the view of an obstetrician-gynecologist and hematologist. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2021; 3(Suppl.): 10-6 (in Russian)].
- 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. https://dx.doi.org/10.17749/2313-7347/ob.gyn.rep.2025.632 [Gromova O.A., Torshin I.Yu., Tetruashvili N.K. Systematic computer analysis of the pharmacology of iron fumarate in the context of treating 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].
- Garofalo V., Condorelli R.A., Cannarella R., Aversa A., Calogero A.E., La Vignera S. Relationship between iron deficiency and thyroid function: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients. 2023; 15(22): 4790. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu15224790
- Ших Е.В., Махова А.А., Еременко Н.Н., Раменская Г.В., Дорогун О.Б. Рациональные комбинации в фармакотерапии железодефицита. Вопросы гинекологии, акушерства и перинатологии. 2023; 22(3): 108-16. https://dx.doi.org/10.20953/1726-1678-2023-3-108-116 [Shikh E.V., Makhova A.A., Eremenko N.N., Ramenskaya G.V., Dorogun O.B. Rational combinations in the pharmacotherapy of iron deficiency. Gynecology, Obstetrics and Perinatology. 2023; 22(3): 108-16 (in Russian). https://dx.doi.org/10.20953/1726-1678-2023-3-108-116].
- Громова О.А., Торшин И.Ю., Тетруашвили Н.К., Павлович С.В. Систематический анализ молекулярного синергизма фолиевой кислоты и фумарата железа при железодефицитной анемии. Акушерство и гинекология. 2022; 12: 178-86. https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2022.301 [Gromova O.A., Torshin I.Yu., Tetruashvili N.K., Pavlovich S.V. Systematic analysis of molecular synergy between folic acid and ferrous fumarate in iron deficiency anemia. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2022; (12): 178-86 (in Russian). https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2022.301].
- Павлович С.В., Мелихов О.Г., Ходжаева З.С., Муминова К.Т., Сакало В.А., Городнова Е.А., Абашова Е.И., Ярмолинская М.И., Чулков В.С., Назипова З.М., Савельева И.В., Андреева М.Д., Кудлай Ю.В., Енькова Е.В., Зарипова А.Ш. Результаты многоцентрового исследования эффективности комбинированного препарата с содержанием фумарата железа и фолиевой кислоты при анемии во II триместре беременности. Акушерство и гинекология. 2023; 2: 108-16. https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2023.51 [Pavlovich S.V., Melikhov O.G., Khodzhaeva Z.S., Muminova K.T., Sakalo V.A., Gorodnova E.A., Abashova E.I., Yarmolinskaya M.I., Chulkov V.S., Nazipova Z.M., Savelyeva I.V., Andreeva M.D., Kudlai Yu.V., Enkova E.V., Zaripova A.Sh. Efficacy of a combined drug containing ferrous fumarate and folic acid in anemia in the second trimester of pregnancy: results of a multicenter study. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2023; (2): 108-16. (in Russian). https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2023.51].
- Ховасова Н.О., Воробьева Н.М., Ткачева О.Н., Наумов А.В., Малая И.П., Котовская Ю.В. Результаты комплексной гериатрической оценки у амбулаторных пациентов старше 65 лет в зависимости от наличия анемии. Субанализ исследования «ЭВКАЛИПТ». Профилактическая медицина. 2025; 28(9): 101-11. https://dx.doi.org/10.17116/profmed202528091101 [Khovasova N.O., Vorobieva N.M., Tkacheva O.N., Naumov A.V., Malaya I.P., Kotovskaya Yu.V. Results of comprehensive geriatric evaluation in outpatients over 65 years old depending on the presence of anemia. Subanalysis of the EVKALIPT study. Russian Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2025; 28(9):101-11 (in Russian). https://dx.doi.org/10.17116/profmed202528091101].
- Стуклов Н.И., Ших Е.В. Дефицит железа у женщин репродуктивного возраста: современный взгляд на проблему. Частота встречаемости в московской популяции. Фармакология & Фармакотерапия. 2022; (4): 16-20. https://dx.doi.org/10.46393/27132129_2022_4_16 [Stuklov N.I., Shih E.V. Iron deficiency in women of reproductive age: a modern view on the problem. Frequency in the Moscow population. Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapy. 2022; (4): 16-20 (in Russian). https://dx.doi.org/10.46393/27132129_2022_4_16]
- Аполихина И.А., ред. Психосоматические аспекты репродуктивного здоровья женщины. М.: ГЭОТАР-Медиа; 2019. [Apolikhina I.A., ed. Psychosomatic aspects of women's reproductive health. Moscow: GEOTAR-Media; 2019 (in Russian)].
- Ярмолинская М.И., Черкашина С.А., Конопако Е.А. Негормональная терапия предменструального синдрома: современные возможности и перспективы. Акушерство и гинекология. 2026; 5: 184-92. https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2026.133 [Yarmolinskaya M.I., Cherkashina S.A., Konopako E.A. Non-hormonal therapy of premenstrual syndrome: modern opportunities and prospects. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2026; (5): 184-92 (in Russian). https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2026.133].
- Ших Е.В., Гребенщикова Л.Ю., Махова А.А. Место мультитаргетных негормональных комплексов в современных алгоритмах ведения пациенток в период менопаузального перехода и постменопаузы. Акушерство и гинекология. 2026; 3: 164-74. https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2026.80 [Shikh E.V., Grebenshchikova L.Yu., Makhova A.A. Multitarget non-hormonal complexes in modern algorithms for managing patients during the menopausal transition and postmenopause. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2026; (3): 164-74 (in Russian). https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2026.80].
Received 05.08.2026
Accepted 18.08.2026
About the Authors
Elena A. Naku, Dr. Sci. (Psychological), Physiologist, Perinatal Psychologist, Member of the Public Chamber of the Ministry of Health, Public Figure, Clinical Center for Family Health and Reproductive Medicine Protection, 1, Kievskaya str., Novosibirsk, 630136, Russia, elenaegf52@mail.ruSimilar Articles
