Purpose of review: Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated as a contributing factor to a spectrum of reproductive health burden, including difficulty conceiving, pathogenesis of gynaecological disorders such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis, to metabolic and endocrine burden of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Recent findings: There have been recent publications showing that in infertile women who are supplemented with vitamin D, there are higher pregnancy rates; there are improved ovarian reserve parameters in women with diminished ovarian reserve; curtailed fibroid growth in those with uterine myomas; lessened dysmenorrhea in endometriosis patients; and improved menstrual regularity, lowered testosterone, AMH and insulin levels in women with PCOS. In infertile men, sperm parameters, especially motility, are positively correlated with vitamin D serum levels.
Summary: Vitamin D status appears to be relevant to reproductive physiology, and to physiological processes underlying common gynaecological disorders as well as for reproductive success.
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