HEALTH & WELLNESS

I Tried Every Iron Supplement for Women on the Market β€” Here's the One That Actually Worked Without Destroying My Stomach

After 3 years of iron deficiency, failed supplements, nausea, and a ferritin level stuck at 14, I finally found an oral dissolving iron strip that changed everything.

By Sarah Mitchell, Health EditorMarch 10, 20265 min read

For three years, my ferritin sat at 14. As a woman dealing with iron deficiency anemia, I knew my levels were dangerously low.

My doctor kept telling me to just take an iron supplement. Simple, right?

Except every single one made me sick.

The nausea would hit within 20 minutes - sometimes so bad I'd skip days at a time.

I tried ferrous sulfate, ferrous bisglycinate, liquid iron, slow-release capsules.

Same story every time: a few good days, then the side effects would pile up, and I'd stop.

I'd resigned myself to the symptoms of iron deficiency β€” being tired all the time, the afternoon energy crashes, the brain fog, the breathlessness walking up stairs.

Between my heavy periods and low ferritin, I was losing more iron than I could absorb.

My GP suggested an iron infusion, but the waitlist was six months.

I needed a gentle iron supplement that actually worked - and that I could actually keep taking without stomach upset.

The Iron Supplement Trap Nobody Talks About

Here's what I didn't understand until I started researching: the problem isn't just side effects.

It's absorption.

When you swallow an iron pill, it has to survive your stomach acid, compete with food and other minerals, and get absorbed through your intestinal wall.

Your stomach actively blocks a significant portion of what you take in.

28%THE PROBLEM WITH IRON PILLSNearly a third of the iron you swallow in pill form is lost to poor gut absorption. You endure the nausea β€” and still don't get the full dose.
How traditional iron pills are absorbed β€” most iron is lost before reaching your bloodstream.
How traditional iron pills are absorbed β€” most iron is lost before reaching your bloodstream.

So you're forcing yourself through nausea, constipation, and that awful metallic taste - and your body is wasting almost a third of it anyway.

It felt like a cruel joke.

No wonder so many women give up on iron supplements within the first month.


How I Discovered an Iron Supplement for Women That Actually Works

I first heard about oral dissolving iron strips from a friend who works in healthcare.

She mentioned that some medical treatments use buccal delivery - absorption through the lining of your mouth.

Because it's faster and bypasses the digestive system entirely.

The concept was simple: if iron never touches your stomach, there's nothing to cause nausea.

And if it absorbs directly into your bloodstream through the oral mucosa.

You skip the absorption loss that happens in the gut.

I was sceptical.

But then I found Iron Glow Up by OYO.

It's an oral dissolving strip with 19mg of elemental iron and 400mcg of folate.

You place it on your tongue, it dissolves in about 30 seconds, and the iron absorbs directly into your bloodstream through your oral mucosa.

No stomach involvement.

No water needed.

No timing it around meals.

Left: Iron pills face multiple absorption barriers. Right: Oral strips deliver iron directly through the mouth lining into the bloodstream.
Left: Iron pills face multiple absorption barriers. Right: Oral strips deliver iron directly through the mouth lining into the bloodstream.

What Happened When I Actually Tried It

The first thing I noticed was what I didn't feel.

No nausea.

No metallic taste.

No heaviness in my stomach.

Just... nothing.

It tasted like raspberry and dissolved before I finished brushing my teeth.

I made it my morning routine - strip on tongue while I did my skincare.

For the first time in three years, I took iron every single day for eight weeks straight.

My ferritin went from 14 to 38 in eight weeks. My GP actually asked what I'd changed.

β€” After 8 weeks of daily use

When I told my doctor about the strips, she said the buccal absorption mechanism made clinical sense, and she'd look into recommending them to other patients struggling with traditional iron.

But honestly, the numbers weren't what convinced me.

It was how I felt.

The afternoon crashes stopped around week four.

I could think clearly again.

I didn't need to sit down after climbing two flights of stairs.

Iron Strips vs. Iron Pills

Here's how the two approaches actually compare.

Feature OYO Strips Iron Pills
Bypasses Stomach
No Nausea or Side Effects
Works With Acid Reducers
Full Absorption Rate
No Water Required
Dissolves in 30 Seconds
Try Iron Glow Up Risk-Free β†’

60-day money-back guarantee Β· Free shipping

1.2K Comments Most Relevant
Write a comment…

Sarah Kennedy Top fan

I have a sensitive stomach and every iron pill I tried left me nauseous for hours. These strips dissolve so fast I barely register taking them, and my stomach feels completely fine. My iron levels are finally moving in the right direction after years of struggling. πŸ™Œ

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OYO Supplements Author

So happy to hear this Sarah! That's exactly why we developed the buccal delivery β€” bypassing the gut makes all the difference. πŸ’›

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Β· Reply Β· 2d

Emily Alston

I started taking these in January and by March my haematologist actually commented on my numbers improving without us changing my treatment plan. I told her about the strips and she said the buccal absorption theory makes sense. That was enough validation for me.

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Jessica TrαΊ§n

Wait your doctor actually endorsed these?? Okay I'm ordering πŸ˜‚

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Β· Reply Β· 4d

Emily Alston

She didn't endorse the brand specifically but she said the delivery method is sound. That was enough for me!

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Β· Reply Β· 4d

Stephanie Iosefa

I've been iron deficient for years and hated taking supplements. Bought these on a whim and been consistent for two months straight. Something that's never happened with capsules. The raspberry flavour actually tastes good too??

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Β· Reply Β· 1w
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Jordan McKenzie Top fan

The hardest part of any supplement is remembering to take it and not dreading it. This ticks both boxes. It's on my bathroom counter, I do it with my morning skincare, and it's been 11 weeks without skipping. My energy in the afternoons is genuinely different.

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Β· Reply Β· 1w

OYO Supplements Author

11 weeks of consistency is amazing Jordan!! That's when most people really start noticing the energy shift πŸ”₯

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Β· Reply Β· 6d

Danielle Reeves

Ordered for my daughter who's been anaemic since she was a teenager. She actually takes these every day without me nagging her. If you have a picky teen this is a game changer lol

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Β· Reply Β· 3d

Megan Liu

Just got my blood work back β€” ferritin went from 11 to 29 in 6 weeks. My GP was shocked. These strips are the only thing I changed. Already ordered 3 more boxes 😭❀️

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Β· Reply Β· 4d

Amy Chen

Girl SAME my ferritin was 9 😩 just started my second box. Praying for results like yours

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Β· Reply Β· 3d
Iron Glow Up Strips packaging β€” oral dissolving iron supplement for women, 30 raspberry-flavored strips with fast absorption
★★★★★ 4.8/5 (2,927+ reviews)

IRON GLOW UP STRIPS

From $49.00
Try Iron Glow Up Strips
60-day money-back guarantee β€” risk free

The Bottom Line

If you've tried iron supplements and given up because of the side effects, this is genuinely different.

It's not another pill that promises to be "gentle on your stomach."

It's a completely different delivery method that removes your stomach from the equation entirely.

I've now been taking Iron Glow Up daily for over four months.

My ferritin is at 42 - the highest it's been since my 20s.

I have energy.

I can think.

I don't dread taking my supplement.

That alone was worth trying it.

Every order comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Take it daily for two months - if you don't feel a difference in your energy, focus, and consistency, you get a full refund.

No questions asked.

RECOMMENDED

Iron Glow Up

19mg Iron + 400mcg Folate. Natural raspberry flavour. Dissolves in 30 seconds. No stomach upset.

  • Bypasses your stomach completely
  • Absorbs directly into bloodstream
  • Dissolves in 30 seconds β€” no water needed
  • 60-day money-back guarantee
Get Iron Glow Up β†’

60-day money-back guarantee. Free shipping. Cancel anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find quick answers to the most common questions about Iron Glow Up.

No β€” and that's the whole point. Unlike traditional iron pills that cause nausea, constipation, and cramping, Iron Glow Up strips absorb through your oral mucosa before they ever reach your stomach. If you've quit iron supplements because of side effects, this is a fundamentally different experience β€” it's the best iron supplement for sensitive stomachs.

When the strip dissolves on your tongue, iron is absorbed directly through the oral mucosa (the mucous membrane lining your mouth) straight into your bloodstream. This buccal absorption method completely bypasses your digestive system, which is why there are zero GI side effects. It's the same delivery route used in medical treatments for rapid absorption. Each strip contains 19mg of Iron as Ferric Saccharate and 400mcg of Folate (Vitamin B9) to support red blood cell production and fight iron deficiency.

Most women notice improvement in fatigue, brain fog, and energy within 3–6 weeks of daily use, though this varies depending on your ferritin levels. For iron stores to fully restore, consistent use over 2–3 months is recommended β€” which is exactly why we back every order with a 60-day money-back guarantee. Many customers see ferritin increases of 20–40 points within 8 weeks.

Place one strip on your tongue and let it dissolve β€” takes around 20–30 seconds. You can take it any time of day, with or without food. No water needed. Taking it at the same time each day is the easiest way to build the habit.

We recommend checking with your GP or midwife before starting any new supplement during pregnancy or breastfeeding. They can also advise on the right dosage for your specific needs.

Iron Glow Up has a pleasant natural raspberry flavour sweetened with Monk Fruit β€” no metallic taste, no iron aftertaste. The formula is vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free. It's ideal for women on plant-based diets who struggle to get enough iron from food alone.

Iron Glow Up Strips packaging β€” oral dissolving iron supplement for women, 30 raspberry-flavored strips with fast absorption
★★★★★ 4.8/5 (2,927+ reviews)

IRON GLOW UP STRIPS

From $49.00
Get Your Iron Glow Up Strips
60-day money-back guarantee β€” risk free

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

*Side-effects are uncommon but may include mild stomach upset in sensitive users. Discontinue use if adverse reactions occur.