Fertility and Vitamin D

The active form of Vitamin D, calcitriol,  has many roles in female reproduction and also positively affects sperm. A research study done by USC in Los Angeles showed that more than 40% of women of reproductive age had low levels of vitamin d. Research shows that women with low levels of vitamin d have lower pregnancy rates. This is also seen through fertility being lower in winter months for some.  In another study done at USC they showed that between 1994-2004, vitamin D insufficiency doubled. Why is adequate vitamin D necessary for reproduction? Let’s take a look.

Vitamin D

• controls genes involved in making estrogen which is important for follicular development and building up of uterine lining in preparation for ovulation

• uterine lining produces calcitriol in response to the embryo

• once pregnant , the uterus and placenta continue to make calcitriol which organizes immune cells in uterus

• low levels of Vitamin D associated with lower pregnancy rates and miscarriage

Actions you can take:

• Get your vitamin d levels tested at your next appointment ( over 50 is what you want). If your vitamin d is less than 50 on a blood test do the following:
  • Supplement with 5000 iu daily for 3 months before conception with liquid d ( get it on Fullscript)
  • Get 15 minutes of natural sunlight on as much skin as possible in the middle of the day ( cover face). Getting sunlight on your abdomen is ideal. Try sunbathing in your back yard or taking a lunch break at work and exposing legs and arms.
• You don’t need to test your levels before getting that vital 15 minutes mid day. We don’t absorb much vitamin d when many of us are going out for walks or hikes late in the day.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24717915

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28102491