Vitamin D Deficiency and PCOS: Associations and Risks
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common disorders of the endocrine system, affecting between 6% and 12% of people with ovaries.
PCOS is often characterized by irregular periods, elevated androgen levels, and/or cysts in the ovaries. Firstly, individuals affected by PCOS often have irregular periods, or menstruation cycles that are abnormally heavy, long, or infrequent. Individuals may also show physical signs of excess androgen, such as hirsutism (excess facial and body hair), severe acne, or androgenic alopecia (male-pattern baldness). Finally, the presence of cysts on the outer edges of the ovaries may lead to the ovaries not releasing eggs regularly, contributing to the infertility (difficulties becoming pregnant) that some with PCOS experience. Given these diverse characterizations, PCOS manifests as a variety of symptoms that differ from person to person.
The underlying cause of PCOS is currently unknown, although, according to Cleveland Clinic, factors such as genetics, the presence of low-grade inflammation, and insulin resistance may play a role. Another factor that may influence PCOS is vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D facilitates the absorption of minerals that are important to tooth and bone health, and it takes part in an individual’s immune, nervous, and muscle systems; a lack of Vitamin D could lead to health issues such as osteoporosis, and it may also have implications for the diseases and complications associated with PCOS.
PCOS is often characterized by irregular periods, elevated androgen levels, and/or cysts in the ovaries. Firstly, individuals affected by PCOS often have irregular periods, or menstruation cycles that are abnormally heavy, long, or infrequent. Individuals may also show physical signs of excess androgen, such as hirsutism (excess facial and body hair), severe acne, or androgenic alopecia (male-pattern baldness). Finally, the presence of cysts on the outer edges of the ovaries may lead to the ovaries not releasing eggs regularly, contributing to the infertility (difficulties becoming pregnant) that some with PCOS experience. Given these diverse characterizations, PCOS manifests as a variety of symptoms that differ from person to person.
The underlying cause of PCOS is currently unknown, although, according to Cleveland Clinic, factors such as genetics, the presence of low-grade inflammation, and insulin resistance may play a role. Another factor that may influence PCOS is vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D facilitates the absorption of minerals that are important to tooth and bone health, and it takes part in an individual’s immune, nervous, and muscle systems; a lack of Vitamin D could lead to health issues such as osteoporosis, and it may also have implications for the diseases and complications associated with PCOS.
Increasing Vitamin D intake through taking supplements, among other methods, can be beneficial towards the prevention of PCOS
In a study from The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, researchers conducted a cross-sectional study that examined the role of vitamin D deficiency in PCOS, particularly in relation to the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) which regulates blood pressure. Researchers chose to study RAS because over-activation of this system occurs in metabolic syndrome and Type II Diabetes, and research from the National Institute of Health indicated that RAS overactivity was present in PCOS. RAS over-activation is a major risk factor for kidney and cardiovascular disease, making it an important measure of risk levels for women with PCOS.
The study compared subjects who did not have PCOS with subjects who did have PCOS. The researchers analyzed blood samples from all subjects then categorized them based on their vitamin D levels, and analyzed the subjects’ levels of three RAS-related proteins.
One of the RAS-related proteins called renin was found to be increased in subjects with PCOS who were vitamin D deficient. This result shows that vitamin D deficiency in subjects with PCOS is correlated with RAS overactivation, indicating that vitamin D deficiency may play a role in the RAS-related risks and complications associated with PCOS.
However, a major limitation of this study is that only Caucasian subjects were included. As race is a significant risk factor for vitamin D deficiency, further research that is inclusive of all races is particularly important. The researchers suggest that in populations with a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, these results may be exacerbated, making further research into this subject with diverse populations essential. This limitation is indicative of a lack of research in the reproductive health of diverse populations, which acknowledges racial and ethnic disparities. There is a need for greater investment into PCOS research that acknowledges the intersectional and diverse nature of demographic data.
Overall, this study indicates the role that vitamin D deficiency may play in PCOS, and it suggests that for those affected by PCOS, particularly people with darker skin, it is important to be aware of vitamin D levels and intake. African American and Hispanic populations have the highest rates of vitamin D deficiency, and studies have emphasized the importance of vitamin D supplementation for these populations. People can increase their vitamin D intake by taking vitamin D supplements or multivitamins containing vitamin D, spending time outside for a longer or shorter time depending on skin tone, and increasing consumption of vitamin-D-fortified foods such as cereals or tofu.
The study compared subjects who did not have PCOS with subjects who did have PCOS. The researchers analyzed blood samples from all subjects then categorized them based on their vitamin D levels, and analyzed the subjects’ levels of three RAS-related proteins.
One of the RAS-related proteins called renin was found to be increased in subjects with PCOS who were vitamin D deficient. This result shows that vitamin D deficiency in subjects with PCOS is correlated with RAS overactivation, indicating that vitamin D deficiency may play a role in the RAS-related risks and complications associated with PCOS.
However, a major limitation of this study is that only Caucasian subjects were included. As race is a significant risk factor for vitamin D deficiency, further research that is inclusive of all races is particularly important. The researchers suggest that in populations with a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, these results may be exacerbated, making further research into this subject with diverse populations essential. This limitation is indicative of a lack of research in the reproductive health of diverse populations, which acknowledges racial and ethnic disparities. There is a need for greater investment into PCOS research that acknowledges the intersectional and diverse nature of demographic data.
Overall, this study indicates the role that vitamin D deficiency may play in PCOS, and it suggests that for those affected by PCOS, particularly people with darker skin, it is important to be aware of vitamin D levels and intake. African American and Hispanic populations have the highest rates of vitamin D deficiency, and studies have emphasized the importance of vitamin D supplementation for these populations. People can increase their vitamin D intake by taking vitamin D supplements or multivitamins containing vitamin D, spending time outside for a longer or shorter time depending on skin tone, and increasing consumption of vitamin-D-fortified foods such as cereals or tofu.
Featured Image Source: Kent Pilcher
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