Final answer:
The most common causes of iron deficiency in adult women include excessive menstrual bleeding, pregnancy, and other factors like poor absorption and increased demand during growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common causes of iron deficiency in adult women (20-50 years old) include:
- Menorrhagia: Excessive menstrual bleeding can lead to a loss of iron.
- Pregnancy: During pregnancy, women require more iron for the growing fetus.
- Other: Factors such as poor absorption, pathological blood loss, and increased demand during growth can also contribute to iron deficiency.