Well anything that increases iron loss is going to be a potential risk factor and the risk factors for women are going to include pregnancy. So for example three or more pregnancies in a woman’s history or past means that there’s a much higher risk without women will have restless leg syndrome in some point in her future.

Women in compared to men have a monthly potential loss of iron, meaning with their period. So women are much more likely to be iron deficient and that’s probably one of the good explanations for why women have restless leg syndrome two times more commonly than men. So that’s why it’s very important to make sure your iron status is good, if it’s normal and have your doctor check that because that may not be a test that is commonly check as women may think.

In addition, donating blood for woman is potentially another risk for losing iron and evidence for men too. But if you have several pregnancies, if you have very heavy blood loss with your period, donating blood could be an extra risk but perhaps—well generally, is to donate the blood. It might be something that may not be in the best interest of that woman to do.