Research Publications on Vitamin D for Menstrual Comfort

High-dose vitamin D supplementation significantly reduces the prevalence and symptoms of PMS and dysmenorrhea among adolescents, suggesting a potent strategy for managing these conditions.

Systematic reviews confirm that calcium and vitamin D play crucial roles in reducing PMS symptoms, recommending them as effective, low-risk treatments. Furthermore, vitamin D supplementation in adolescents with severe hypovitaminosis D has demonstrated substantial improvements in PMS-related mood disorders.

Additionally, vitamin D supplementation effectively reduces pain and systemic symptoms in women with primary dysmenorrhea and vitamin D deficiency, highlighting its potential as a non-pharmacological treatment option.

These findings underscore the importance of considering vitamin D and calcium supplementation as part of a comprehensive approach to managing PMS and dysmenorrhea.

Effect of treatment with dydrogesterone or calcium plus vitamin D on the severity of premenstrual syndrome; International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 2009; Link

The study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of dydrogesterone and calcium plus vitamin D supplementation in alleviating severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. Conducted as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, it involved 180 Shiraz University students diagnosed with PMS. Participants documented their symptoms over two menstrual cycles, then were randomly assigned to receive either 5 mg dydrogesterone, 500 mg calcium plus 200 IU vitamin D, or a placebo, taken twice daily from the 15th to the 24th day of their menstrual cycle for two additional cycles. Symptom severity was assessed using questionnaires during the intervention. The results indicated that both dydrogesterone and calcium plus vitamin D supplementation similarly reduced PMS symptom severity (by 4.64% and 4.20% respectively), compared to a 3.42% decrease observed with placebo treatment. The conclusion drawn from these findings is that dydrogesterone and calcium plus vitamin D offer comparable benefits in reducing PMS symptoms, suggesting either treatment could be considered as an option for managing severe PMS.

High dose vitamin D supplementation can improve menstrual problems, dysmenorrhea, and premenstrual syndrome in adolescents; Gynecological Endocrinology, 2018; Link

This study evaluated the effects of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in 897 adolescent girls in Mashhad and Sabzevar, Iran. Participants received nine weekly doses of 50,000 IU of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) over 9 weeks. The study categorized participants into four groups: those with only PMS, those with only dysmenorrhea, those with both conditions, and normal subjects without these conditions. The findings revealed a significant reduction in PMS prevalence, from 14.9% to 4.8% (p < .001), after vitamin D supplementation. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea also decreased slightly from 35.9% to 32.4%, and the incidence among subjects with both PMS and dysmenorrhea reduced from 32.7% to 25.7%. Moreover, the supplementation led to a decrease in several PMS symptoms, such as backache and a tendency to cry easily, and a reduction in the pain severity of dysmenorrhea (p < .05). The study concluded that high-dose vitamin D supplementation could effectively reduce the prevalence of PMS and dysmenorrhea, alongside improving both physical and psychological symptoms associated with PMS.

A systematic review of the role of vitamin D and calcium in premenstrual syndrome; Obstetrics & Gynecology Science, 2019; Link

This systematic review assessed the impact of calcium and vitamin D on premenstrual syndrome (PMS) by analyzing 28 high-quality articles from various databases. It found that low serum levels of these nutrients during the luteal phase may contribute to PMS symptoms. Supplementation or dietary intake of calcium and vitamin D was recommended as an effective, low-risk, and cost-efficient approach to alleviate PMS symptoms, highlighting their significance in managing this common disorder among women of reproductive age.

Vitamin D Supplementation for Premenstrual Syndrome-Related Mood Disorders in Adolescents with Severe Hypovitaminosis D; Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 2016; Link

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in young girls (15-21 years old) with severe hypovitaminosis D and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), particularly focusing on mood disorders. A total of 158 participants with severe PMS symptoms and low serum levels of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (≤10 ng/mL) were randomly assigned to receive either vitamin D (200,000 IU initially, followed by 25,000 IU biweekly for 4 months; group 1, n=80) or a placebo (group 2, n=78). The study assessed the clinical and hormonal effects of the treatment. Results showed that in the vitamin D group, serum levels reached the normal range (35-60 ng/mL) within the first month and remained stable. Significant improvements were observed in anxiety, irritability, ease of crying, sadness, and disturbed relationships scores, with no significant changes in the placebo group. The frequency of adverse events, including nausea and constipation, was similar between the two groups. The conclusion drawn from the study is that vitamin D supplementation is a safe, effective, and convenient treatment for improving the quality of life in young women with severe hypovitaminosis D and mood disorders associated with PMS.

Vitamin D supplementation for primary dysmenorrhea: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial; Obstetrics & Gynecology Science, 2021; Link 

The study aimed to assess the impact of vitamin D supplementation on pain and systemic symptoms in female students aged 18 to 32 years with primary dysmenorrhea and vitamin D deficiency. In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 116 participants were divided into two groups, receiving either 50,000 IU of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) or a placebo weekly for eight weeks. The evaluation focused on pain intensity, days with pain, consumption of pain-relief medications, and severity of systemic symptoms such as fatigue, headache, nausea/vomiting, and diarrhea. The results demonstrated that participants who received vitamin D supplements showed significant improvements in all measured outcomes. There was a notable decrease in pain intensity, fewer days with pain, reduced consumption of pain-relief medications, and a decrease in the severity of systemic symptoms at both the 4-week and 8-week marks, with all changes being statistically significant (P<0.001). No significant improvements were observed in the placebo group. The conclusion drawn from the study is that vitamin D supplementation can effectively reduce pain intensity, decrease the number of days with pain, lessen the need for pain-relief medications, and improve systemic symptoms in women with primary dysmenorrhea and vitamin D deficiency.