The Impact of Iron Deficiency on Quality of Life, Physical Performance, and Cognitive Function Among Women of Reproductive Age: A Review of Current Literature

Background: Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies worldwide and represents a major public health concern, particularly among women of reproductive age. Although traditionally associated with anemia, increasing evidence indicates that iron deficiency may adversely affect health even in the absence of reduced hemoglobin concentrations. Objective: This narrative review summarizes current evidence regarding the impact of iron deficiency on quality of life, physical performance, and cognitive function in women of reproductive age. Methods: A literature review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Original studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses evaluating the clinical consequences of iron deficiency in women of reproductive age were included and qualitatively analyzed. Results: Iron deficiency was consistently associated with reduced health-related quality of life, persistent fatigue, impaired psychological well-being, and poorer sleep quality. Evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses indicates that iron deficiency may impair physical performance by reducing aerobic capacity, exercise tolerance, and recovery after exertion, particularly among physically active women and athletes. Furthermore, inadequate iron availability may negatively affect cognitive function through its impact on neuronal metabolism and neurotransmitter synthesis, contributing to impaired attention, memory, and information processing. Importantly, many of these adverse effects may occur in women with iron deficiency without anemia. Iron supplementation has been shown to improve fatigue, selected cognitive outcomes, iron status, and physiological indicators of exercise capacity. Conclusions: Iron deficiency should be recognized as a systemic condition affecting multiple dimensions of women's health beyond hematological parameters alone. Early diagnosis and appropriate management may improve quality of life, physical capacity, and cognitive functioning in women of reproductive age. Further research is required to establish standardized diagnostic criteria and optimal management strategies, particularly for iron deficiency without anemia.