Causes The main causes of anemia are by blood loss, by decreased or faulty red blood cell production and by destruction of red blood cells. Red blood cells can be lost through bleeding and this kind of chronic bleeding commonly results from the following such as ulcers, hemorrhoids, gastritis and cancer. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as aspirin or Ibuprofen which can cause ulcers and gastritis. Menstruation and childbirth in women especially if menstrual bleeding is excessive and if there are multiple pregnancies. But with decreased or faulty red blood cell production in this type of anemia the body may produce too few blood cells or the blood cells may not function correctly. In either case, anemia can result. Red blood cells may be faulty or decreased due to abnormal red blood cells or the lack of minerals and vitamins needed for red blood cells to work properly. Conditions associated with these causes of anemia include the following: sickle cell anemia, iron-deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiency, and bone marrow and stem cell problems. Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder that affects mostly African-Americans. In this type of anemia the red blood cells become crescent-shaped because of a genetic defect and they break down rapidly, so oxygen does not get to the body's organs causing anemia. The crescent-shaped red blood cells also get stuck in tiny blood vessels causing pain Iron-deficiency anemia occurs because of a lack of the mineral iron in the body. Bone marrow in the