Vitamin D and benign gynaecological diseases: a critical analysis of the current evidence

• Published in: Gynecological endocrinology Vol. 32; no. 4; pp. 259 - 263
• Main Authors: Buggio, Laura, Roncella, Elena, Somigliana, Edgardo, Vercellini, Paolo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 02-04-2016
• Subjects: Endometriosis; Female; Genital Diseases, Female - etiology; Genital Diseases, Female - metabolism; Humans; overdiagnosis; polycystic ovary syndrome; uterine fibroids; vitamin D; Vitamin D - metabolism; Endometriosis; overdiagnosis; uterine fibroids; vitamin D; polycystic ovary syndrome
• ISSN: 0951-3590; 1473-0766
• DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2015.1111329

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble pro-hormone that plays an important role in bone homeostasis; beside this principal function, vitamin D promotes modulation of cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and reduction of inflammation. In addition, several in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency could increase the risk of cancer, autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, vitamin D plays also an important role in female reproduction, because vitamin D receptors are expressed in ovarian tissue, endometrium, fallopian epithelial cells as well as in decidua and placenta. We aimed to review the most updated evidence, which suggests a link between vitamin D metabolism and the development of some gynaecological diseases, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids and polycystic ovary syndrome.