The impact of vitamin D treatment on pregnancy rate among endometriosis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D supplementation is supposed to have an important role in the management of several endometriosis-related aspects, offering potential relief to affected individuals. Herein, the authors aim to evaluate the impact of vitamin D on pregnancy rates and clinical symptoms in women with endometriosis. Methods: The authors extensively searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, and CINAHL from their inception to 20 July 2023. Results: Three randomized controlled trials involving 167 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The findings demonstrated that vitamin D supplementation exhibits efficacy in alleviating dysmenorrhea associated with endometriosis, as evidenced by a meta-analysis showing a significant reduction in dysmenorrhea (mean difference −1.41, 95% CI −2.61 to −0.22, P = 0.02). However, the impact on dyspareunia was inconclusive, with a non-significant mean difference of –0.2 (95% CI −1.62 to 1.22, P = 0.78). In contrast, dyschezia significantly decreased with vitamin D supplementation (mean difference −1.10, 95% CI −2.22 to 0.02, P = 0.05 However, the meta-analysis did not show a significant effect of vitamin D on chronic pelvic pain associated with endometriosis. Conclusion: While antioxidant vitamin D supplementation demonstrates general effectiveness in alleviating endometriosis symptoms, such as dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and dyschezia, the existing literature lacks direct investigations into the specific impact of vitamin D on enhancing pregnancy rates among endometriosis patients. This observation prompts various hypotheses, suggesting that the positive effects of vitamin D supplementation on endometriosis-related symptoms may indirectly contribute to improved pregnancy outcomes and enhanced fertility.