Intermittent iron and folic acid supplementation for menstruating women

Iron deficiency is recognized by WHO as one of the ten greatest global health risks. Because women of reproductive age lose iron through menstruation and their diets are often lacking in available iron, they are particularly vulnerable to iron deficiency.

Traditionally, it has been recommended that all women of reproductive age are given daily iron supplementation in combination with folic acid if they live in areas where the prevalence of anaemia exceeds 40%. However, more recent evidence suggests that iron and folic acid supplements consumed once, twice or three times a week on non-consecutive days by all women of reproductive age are an effective, safe and more acceptable alternative to daily iron supplements.

Intermittent iron and folic acid supplementation is recommended by the WHO as a public health intervention in menstruating women living in settings where anaemia is highly prevalent, to improve their haemoglobin concentrations and iron status and reduce the risk of anaemia.