I was just thinking of you and others in this boat a few hours ago while talking to my mother! My mother is anemic, is seeing a hematologist, and an iron infusion didn't help her. Her major symptom is always being cold. When I say that is her major symptom, recognize that she is in a different situation than anyone on this board.... she's nearly 80, she has severe multiple sclerosis, she uses a wheelchair 95% of her day, she takes several medications, and she has no periods. Her hematologist is referring her to a gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy, I presume to see if she has ulcers or internal bleeding.
I had a friend who was severely anemic due to heavy periods for years. She was hospitalized and given 1 or 2 blood transfusions. After that, her obgyn recommended switching her BCP to the one that prevents period for 3 months at a time, which she did solely to reduce blood loss. I believe after a year-ish, my friend switched back to a regular BCP. I do not know what happened with her anmeia in between. As for the fibroids and heavy periods, eventually, she had a myomectomy to remove several fibroids.
Advice and commentary on living overseas
DD1 15, DD2 12, and DS 9