Vitamin D deficiency has important implications for women with PCOS, with low vitamin D status linked to insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, inflammation, and reproductive dysfunction.
Vitamin D may have a bigger role in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) than previously appreciated, with emerging evidence linking deficiency to both reproductive difficulties and metabolic abnormalities.
A recent review by Mehtiyeva and colleagues examined the growing evidence surrounding the relationship between vitamin D and PCOS. The authors reviewed human studies published from January 2015 to July 2024, identified through PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate. Clinical, molecular, genetic, and therapeutic studies were considered, while animal research was excluded.
The findings point to a consistent association: vitamin D deficiency is frequently observed in women with PCOS and may accompany greater insulin resistance, increased androgen activity, menstrual irregularities, and chronic low-grade inflammation. The therapeutic evidence is particularly noteworthy.
Across 20 randomized controlled trials involving 1,961 participants, vitamin D supplementation was linked with remarkable improvements in ovulation and pregnancy outcomes. The analysis also reported a lower risk of early miscarriage, alongside potentially favorable effects on androgen levels and metabolic measures.
The potential benefits may be explained by vitamin D's involvement in insulin signaling, ovarian steroidogenesis, inflammatory regulation, and vitamin D receptor-mediated gene expression. However, the findings were not sufficient to establish a universal supplementation strategy. Differences in dose and treatment duration across studies limited definitive clinical recommendations.
Overall, the evidence suggested that identifying and correcting vitamin D deficiency may complement comprehensive PCOS management, particularly in women with documented deficiency.
Scholars International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
The Interplay between Vitamin D Deficiency and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Nigar Mehtiyeva et al.
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