Iron deficiency and ferroptosis in gynecology. Possible corrections: A review of the literature

Abstract

The review presents the main aspects of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in women of reproductive age and highlights current diagnostic methods, therapy, and prevention of IDA. Moreover, the paper presents contemporary views on the molecular mechanisms of iron metabolism and iron homeostasis disruption involved in endometriosis. The role of laboratory tests in the diagnosis of latent and symptomatic iron deficiency of extreme importance was also described. In addition to IDA, anemia also occurs in patients with chronic gynecological diseases with a different pathogenesis. Its mechanisms were reported in the study discussed in the review. The results of the study on ferroptosis in patients with endometriosis were demonstrated, which showed significantly levels of iron, ferritin, lipid hydroperoxide, and low-density lipoprotein were higher in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis than in healthy women. The paper provided current information on the treatment of IDA in gynecology, possible symptomatic hypophosphatemia after intravenous therapy with iron-containing drugs, and methods to treat this complication. Current data on ferroptosis, its effect on the body, and ways of inducing, and inhibiting this process were presented.