Women of reproductive age who suffer from the symptoms of fibroids know how it negatively affects their lives. They are looking for anything to reduce the pain and other unfortunate circumstances that come with having fibroids. Scientists have been looking at links between Vitamin D and fibroids and discovering some interesting results. Does having a vitamin D deficiency cause fibroids?
Some Definitions
Fibroids are the most common benign (non cancerous) tumors in women of reproductive age. In women with symptoms, miscarriages, infertility, heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, and lengthy periods are all common. It can interfere with life and make a few weeks out of each month excruciating. Up until recently, treatment for fibroids has been either to leave it untreated or surgical intervention.
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that helps the body absorb and metabolize calcium, magnesium, and phosphate. It is also classified as a hormone due to its effects on the reproductive system.
Some Statistics About Fibroids
It is estimated that 50 – 80% percent of women will have fibroids during their lifetime.
- That includes 59% of black women and 43% of white women
- For women in their 40s, greater than 80% of black women will have fibroids vs 70% of white women
- Fibroids are 3 to 4 times more common in black women
- Black women are 10 times more likely to have a Vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency is one of the many risk factors for developing fibroids.
The Bottom Line
If you are a woman suffering from fibroid symptoms, it’s time to talk to South Florida Women’s Care about Vitamin D.
You are considered to have a vitamin D deficiency if your level is below 30ng/ml. The average Vitamin D level of women with fibroids is 23.3ng/ml.
85% of women diagnosed with fibroids had a measurable Vitamin D deficiency compared to the general population (or women not diagnosed).
Several studies, one in 2009, in 2016, and in 2020 all report that Vitamin D supplementation actually helps to stop or decrease fibroid growth, but it remains unclear if it can shrink fibroids.
Schedule an appointment with South Florida Women’s Care by calling (305) 661-7766 if you have fibroid symptoms and are interested in finding out more about your own level of Vitamin D or other fibroid treatment options.
