Vitamin D and female fertility

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#adult #animals #bone-density #dietary-supplements #dysmenorrhea

Vitamin D and female fertility

Lerchbaum et al., 2014 | Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Lerchbaum Elisabeth, Rabe Thomas. Vitamin D and female fertility. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2014-Jun;26(3):145-50. doi:10.1097/GCO.0000000000000065

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Apart from the well known effects of vitamin D on maintaining calcium homeostasis and promoting bone mineralization, there is some evidence suggesting that vitamin D also modulates human reproductive processes. We will review the most interesting and relevant studies on vitamin D and female fertility published over the past year. RECENT FINDINGS: In the past year, several observational studies reported a better in-vitro fertilization outcome in women with sufficient vitamin D levels (≥30 ng/ml), which was mainly attributed to vitamin D effects on the endometrium. One randomized controlled trial found an increased endometrial thickness in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) receiving vitamin D during intrauterine insemination cycles. Further, vitamin D supplementation had a beneficial effect on serum lipids in PCOS women. Vitamin D treatment improved endometriosis in a rat model and increased vitamin D intake was related to a decreased risk of incident endometriosis. Vitamin D was also favorably associated with primary dysmenorrhea, uterine leiomyoma, and ovarian reserve in late reproductive aged women. SUMMARY: In women undergoing in-vitro fertilization, a sufficient vitamin D level (≥30 ng/ml) should be obtained. Vitamin D supplementation might improve metabolic parameters in women with PCOS. A high vitamin D intake might be protective against endometriosis.

Key Findings

In the past year, several observational studies reported a better in-vitro fertilization outcome in women with sufficient vitamin D levels (≥30 ng/ml), which was mainly attributed to vitamin D effects on the endometrium. One randomized controlled trial found an increased endometrial thickness in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) receiving vitamin D during intrauterine insemination cycles. Further, vitamin D supplementation had a beneficial effect on serum lipids in PCOS women. Vitamin

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Bone Density
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Dysmenorrhea
  • Endometriosis
  • Female
  • Fertilization in Vitro
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infertility, Female
  • Leiomyoma
  • Male
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  • Pregnancy
  • Rats
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin D Deficiency
  • Vitamins

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-d-fertility

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09