Published date: Dec 13 2021

Journal Title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine

Issue title: International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM): Volume 19, Issue No. 11

Pages: 979–986

DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v19i11.9913

Vinita SinghDdvinitasingh@gmail.comObstetrics and Gynecology Department, Aiims, Raipur, India.

Neelam TamarObstetrics and Gynecology Department, Aiims, Raipur, India.

Zamir LoneObstetrics and Gynecology Department, Aiims, Raipur, India.

Esha DasObstetrics and Gynecology Department, Aiims, Raipur, India.

Rajshree SahuObstetrics and Gynecology Department, Aiims, Raipur, India.

Sagarika MajumdarObstetrics and Gynecology Department, Aiims, Raipur, India.

Background: Research examining the role of vitamin D deficiency and the development of menstrual disorders in women is of widespread interest. Studies have been published showing that supplementation with high-dose vitamin D can lead to the restoration of the menstrual cycle. We lack adequate information regarding the effect of vitamin D levels on the physiology of menstruation and further on fertility in women of reproductive age due to the contradictory results reported by studies.

Objective: To study the association of 25-hydroxy vitamin D with menstrual cycle characteristics including long and short cycle length and cycle irregularity.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, serum vitamin D levels of 166 women attending an outpatient department with menstrual irregularities after excluding all obvious causes of menstrual disorders (n = 83) between April-June 2019 were measured and were compared with women of similar profiles with complaints other than menstrual irregularities (n = 83).

Results: A decreased level of vitamin D was associated with a 13.3 times odds of an irregular cycle (OR (95% CI): 13.30 (5.79-30.60), p < 0.001). 25-hydroxy vitamin D was not associated with age or body mass index. We found a significant difference (p < 0.001) in mean vitamin D levels among the females with irregular cycles vs. regular cycles.

Conclusion: Vitamin D plays a role in the physiology of reproduction specific to the menstrual cycle and ovulation. Long-term prospective studies assessing the exact cutoff value and the exact dose of supplementation required are needed.

Key words: Menstrual disturbances, Ovulation, Reproductive period, Vitamin D deficiency, Dietary supplements, Polycystic ovarian syndrome.

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