What are Causes of Anemia

The most common cause of anemia is not eating enough food rich in iron, since iron is needed to make red blood cells.

Other causes are:

Malaria, which destroys red blood cells.

Any kind of blood loss, such as:

• heavy monthly bleeding (an intra-uterine device, or IUD, can make bleeding heavier)
• childbirth
• bloody diarrhea (dysentery) from parasites and worms
• bleeding stomach ulcers
• a wound that bleeds a lot

Sources

• Burns, A. A., Niemann, S., Lovich, R., Maxwell, J., & Shapiro, K. (2014). Where women have no doctor: A health guide for women. Hesperian Foundation.
• Audiopedia ID: en010416