Vitamin A in the treatment of menorrhagia

S Afr Med J. 1977 Feb 12;51(7):191-3.

Abstract

Hypovitaminosis A was found to be an important cause of menorrhagia, and a statistically significant difference between the fasting serum vitamin A values of healthy controls and patients with menorrhagia was noted. Vitamin A is a co-factor of 3 beta-dehydrogenase in steroidogenesis and deficiencies of this vitamin may result in impaired enzyme activity. The level of endogenous 17 beta-oestradiol appears to be elevated with vitamin A therapy, and menorrhagia was alleviated in more than 92% of patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Amenorrhea / blood
  • Estradiol / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Menorrhagia / drug therapy*
  • Menorrhagia / etiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Oligomenorrhea / blood
  • Oligomenorrhea / drug therapy
  • Vitamin A / therapeutic use*
  • Vitamin A Deficiency / complications
  • Vitamin B 6 Deficiency / complications

Substances

  • Liver Extracts
  • Vitamin A
  • Estradiol