The critical role Vitamin D plays in hormone regulation for women in menopause
The Critical Role of Vitamin D in Hormone Regulation
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism, which is important for menopausal women who are at increased risk of reduced bone density and fractures due to declining estrogen levels. Vitamin D has been studied for its potential effects on various health issues beyond bone health, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and menopause-related symptoms.
Vitamin D and Hormones: What's the Big Deal?
Vitamin D is classified as fat soluble vitamin meaning it is stored in the fat tissue of the cells. The critical role of Vitamin D is widely known in calcium homeostasis, bone metabolism, and cell differentiation and proliferation.
These actions are mediated via the nuclear Vitamin D receptor which is expressed in calcium-regulating tissues such as the digestive system, muscles, parathyroid gland, ovary and testis. Optimal Vitamin D levels have been shown to be directly related to full reproductive function and development in both men and women.
Focusing specifically on women's health, the calcitropic hormones (25-hydroxy Vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH)) do not seem to vary across a women’s menstrual cycle.
However, women with serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D below 30ng/ml (75 nmol/L) have been studied to have lower mean estradiol levels throughout the menstrual cycle. Meaning, low levels of Vitamin D3 in serum testing has been associated with lower overall estradiol levels in women of reproductive age.
In human granulosa cells (the type of cells in the ovary which produce estradiol and progesterone as well as hormones such as Anti-Mullierian Hormones (AMH)).
Vitamin D alters AMH signalling, FSH sensitivity, and progesterone production indicating a possible physiologic role for Vitamin D in ovarian follicular development and Luteinization.
Studies have also shown that vitamin D is associated with fecundability – the probability of achieving pregnancy in one menstrual cycle.
Assessing Serum Levels for Optimal Health
Patient serum levels of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D3 should be critically assessed by healthcare providers as it has a direct connection with treatment outcomes in fertility, pregnancy, PMS, perimenopausal and menopausal patients.
How much Vitamin D3 should I take?
Factors such as baseline serum levels, skin colour, treatment duration, and sun exposure influence the efficacy of supplementation. As Vitamin D3 is a fat soluble vitamin, individuals with more body fat will "hold" onto more Vitamin D3 and thus have lower serum test levels. The amount needed will vary depending on the individual and it is important to speak to primary care provider – your family doctor or naturopathic doctor, before starting any new supplement.
Does Vitamin D3 improve menopause related symptoms?
Supplementation with calcium and vitamin D does not significantly influence menopause-related symptoms such as sleep disturbances, emotional well-being, or energy/fatigue. High dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium may be modestly associated with a lower risk of early menopause, although this effect is not observed with vitamin D supplementation alone.
Take Control of Your Health Today
If you're experiencing symptoms related to hormonal imbalances or menopause-related issues don't hesitate to take action.
Book a free 15-minute discovery call with Dr. Amy. Let's create a health strategy together, that includes this important Vitamin.
References:
Mei, Z., Hu, H., Zou, Y., & Li, D. (2023). The role of vitamin D in menopausal women’s health. Frontiers in Physiology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1211896.
Mohamed I, Merhi Z. Role of Vitamin D in ovarian physiology and its implication in reproduction: a systematic review. Fertility and Sterility, Vol 102, Issue2, August 2014, 460-468.
Kinuta, K., Tanaka, H., Moriwake T., et al. Vitamin D is an important factor in estrogen biosynthesis of both female and male gonads. Endocrinology. 2000; 141(4):1317-1324.
Harmon QE, Kissell K, Jukic, AMZ, et al. Vitamin D and Reproductive Hormones Across the Menstrual Cycle. Human Reproduction, Volume 35, Issue 2, February 2020, Pages 413–423, https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dez283
The Critical Role of Vitamin D in Hormone Regulation
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism, which is important for menopausal women who are at increased risk of reduced bone density and fractures due to declining estrogen levels. Vitamin D has been studied for its potential effects on various health issues beyond bone health, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and menopause-related symptoms.
Vitamin D and Hormones: What's the Big Deal?
Vitamin D is classified as fat soluble vitamin meaning it is stored in the fat tissue of the cells. The critical role of Vitamin D is widely known in calcium homeostasis, bone metabolism, and cell differentiation and proliferation.
These actions are mediated via the nuclear Vitamin D receptor which is expressed in calcium-regulating tissues such as the digestive system, muscles, parathyroid gland, ovary and testis. Optimal Vitamin D levels have been shown to be directly related to full reproductive function and development in both men and women.
Focusing specifically on women's health, the calcitropic hormones (25-hydroxy Vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH)) do not seem to vary across a women’s menstrual cycle.
However, women with serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D below 30ng/ml (75 nmol/L) have been studied to have lower mean estradiol levels throughout the menstrual cycle. Meaning, low levels of Vitamin D3 in serum testing has been associated with lower overall estradiol levels in women of reproductive age.
In human granulosa cells (the type of cells in the ovary which produce estradiol and progesterone as well as hormones such as Anti-Mullierian Hormones (AMH)).
Vitamin D alters AMH signalling, FSH sensitivity, and progesterone production indicating a possible physiologic role for Vitamin D in ovarian follicular development and Luteinization.
Studies have also shown that vitamin D is associated with fecundability – the probability of achieving pregnancy in one menstrual cycle.
Assessing Serum Levels for Optimal Health
Patient serum levels of 25-hydroxy Vitamin D3 should be critically assessed by healthcare providers as it has a direct connection with treatment outcomes in fertility, pregnancy, PMS, perimenopausal and menopausal patients.
How much Vitamin D3 should I take?
Factors such as baseline serum levels, skin colour, treatment duration, and sun exposure influence the efficacy of supplementation. As Vitamin D3 is a fat soluble vitamin, individuals with more body fat will "hold" onto more Vitamin D3 and thus have lower serum test levels. The amount needed will vary depending on the individual and it is important to speak to primary care provider – your family doctor or naturopathic doctor, before starting any new supplement.
Does Vitamin D3 improve menopause related symptoms?
Supplementation with calcium and vitamin D does not significantly influence menopause-related symptoms such as sleep disturbances, emotional well-being, or energy/fatigue. High dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium may be modestly associated with a lower risk of early menopause, although this effect is not observed with vitamin D supplementation alone.
Take Control of Your Health Today
If you're experiencing symptoms related to hormonal imbalances or menopause-related issues don't hesitate to take action.
Book a free 15-minute discovery call with Dr. Amy. Let's create a health strategy together, that includes this important Vitamin.
References:
Mei, Z., Hu, H., Zou, Y., & Li, D. (2023). The role of vitamin D in menopausal women’s health. Frontiers in Physiology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1211896.
Mohamed I, Merhi Z. Role of Vitamin D in ovarian physiology and its implication in reproduction: a systematic review. Fertility and Sterility, Vol 102, Issue2, August 2014, 460-468.
Kinuta, K., Tanaka, H., Moriwake T., et al. Vitamin D is an important factor in estrogen biosynthesis of both female and male gonads. Endocrinology. 2000; 141(4):1317-1324.
Harmon QE, Kissell K, Jukic, AMZ, et al. Vitamin D and Reproductive Hormones Across the Menstrual Cycle. Human Reproduction, Volume 35, Issue 2, February 2020, Pages 413–423, https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dez283
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