Background: Iron deficiency most commonly affects reproductive-aged females, with one in three being diagnosed by the age of 43. Menstruation contributes greatly to iron deficiency risk and hormonal contraceptives (HC) may reduce menstrual blood and iron loss. The current iron RDI does not account for HC use and the potential reduction in bleeding frequency and volume, and subsequently iron loss, as a result. Objectives: This study was designed to determine the rate of current and intended contraceptive practices, menstrual bleeding frequency and medically diagnosed iron deficiency amongst female university students. Design: A 20 item questionnaire conducted in female Gold Coast University students. Descriptive and chi-squared analyses were conducted. Outcomes: Of the 1010 respondents, over half (59%) reported currently using the oral contraceptive pill (OCP). Two thirds of OCP users reported skipping menstruation, primarily for convenience. HC users self-reported less regular menstrual bleeding frequency (p=0.054). Thirty percent of HC users had been on their current regimen for 3-5 years and two thirds intended to be on it for up to in excess of 5 years. Sixty-two percent of respondents were interested in a HC regimen designed to further reduce blood loss volume and frequency. Thirty percent of respondents self-reported having had medically diagnosed iron deficiency over their life and two thirds were undertaking behaviours that may increase iron deficiency risk. Conclusions: OCP use was extremely prevalent. Given that HC's may reduce volume and frequency of menstrual blood loss and many females were interested in, and have undertaken, practices that reduce menstrual bleeding frequency the RDI's for iron in this population might benefit from accounting for HC use.