Polycystic ovary syndrome--or PCOS--is a relatively common hormonal disorder affecting women during their childbearing years. Treatment for PCOS is usually medical, although dietary and lifestyle choices can alleviate some PCOS symptoms. Vitamin D is one of several supplements that can complement medical treatment. Seek medical advice before making significant changes to your diet.
PCOS Symptoms
Most women with PCOS suffer from small cysts along the outsides of their ovaries, according to MayoClinic.com. However, you can have PCOS without having these cysts. Some of the common symptoms of PCOS include irregular menstrual periods, acne, excess hair growth and being overweight or obese. The signs of PCOS are usually identified during or after adolescence. Women with PCOS are more likely to have difficulty conceiving and going through pregnancy.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D, together with calcium, has been found effective in increasing overall fertility among women with PCOS. Infrequent menstruation is a common symptom of PCOS, and medical treatment with the antidiabetic medication metformin is commonly used to prompt ovulation for PCOS sufferers. A study published in the "Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology" in June 2009 indicates that supplementation with calcium and vitamin D was beneficial to study participants with PCOS-related infertility. Those study subjects who received calcium-vitamin D and metformin reported more beneficial results than those treated with metformin alone or calcium-vitamin D alone.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets in children--deformed bones and joints are classical symptoms of rickets. In adults, a common symptom of vitamin D deficiency is the development of osteomalacia, a disease causing weak bones and weak muscles. Vitamin D deficiency is more likely if you are elderly, obese or if you do not get much sunlight. As PCOS patients have a higher risk of obesity than the general population, obese PCOS patients may be relatively more likely to develop vitamin D deficiency. Although no direct link between PCOS and vitamin D deficiency has been established, a study published in the journal "Metabolism" in 2011 found that Scottish women with PCOS had far higher rates of vitamin D deficiency than similar women without PCOS.
Considerations
Supplementation with vitamins alone is unlikely to control or alleviate your PCOS symptoms. However, many of the symptoms of PCOS can be significantly reduced if you follow an overall healthy diet and lifestyle. MayoClinic.com recommends undertaking regular physical exercise and losing any excess weight you are carrying. High-fiber foods and complex carbohydrates such as whole-wheat breads and grains are also helpful in managing PCOS.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Polycystic ovary syndrome; Dec. 8, 2009
- "Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology"; The Effects of Calcium-Vitamin D and Metformin on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Pilot Study; B. Rashidi et al.; June 2009
- InfertilitySpecialist.com; PCOS, Metformin and Insulin Resistance; Gordon Kuttner, M.D.
- "Human Reproduction"; Homocysteine Levels in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Treated with Metformin versus Rosiglitazone; E.B. Kilicdag et al.; April 2005
- "Human Reproduction"; Administration of B-group Vitamins Reduces Circulating Homocysteine in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Patients Treated with Metformin; E.B. Kilicdag et al.; June 2005
- MayoClinic.com; Vitamin D; July 2011
