Most likely, when you think of vitamin D, you probably don’t think of fertility however, vitamin D and fertility are a big deal.
After all, it’s most commonly associated with bone health and preventing serious diseases like cancer and heart disease.
What you may not know, however, is that the sunshine vitamin plays an essential role in regulating the reproductive cycle and ensuring healthy egg cells in women.
In addition, healthy sperm in men are both, critical components of getting pregnant, naturally or through fertility treatments such as IVF.
For example, researchers have found that vitamin D deficiency may increase your risk of infertility by as much as 58 percent!
So what can you do to make sure you have enough vitamin D?
Vitamin D and Fertility
The role vitamin D plays in reproductive health isn’t well known, which is unfortunate because a deficiency can cause painful menstrual cycles and affect ovulation.
According to medical research published by leading journals, such as Fertility and Sterility and Endocrine Connections, women are more likely to conceive with normal menstrual cycles when vitamin D levels are balanced.
Another new study suggests that it also has an impact on female fertility. In fact, researchers found that women with high levels of vitamin D were more likely to get pregnant during IVF treatments than those with low levels.
Not only does it play an important role during conception but it also plays a crucial role in embryo growth. Without proper levels of vitamin D, embryos aren’t able to develop properly and can’t implant into your uterus; they die and are flushed out naturally through menstruation.
It’s an alarming discovery—and one that emphasizes how vital vitamin D really is for reproductive health!
Deficencies Of Vitamin D and Fertility - The Big Picture
Do you feel tired, weak, or fatigued?
Or maybe, you have lost muscle mass?
Or you may even be suffering from unexplained aches and pains?
If so, you may be deficient in vitamin D.
It is estimated that a staggering 1 billion people worldwide have inadequate levels of vitamin D, making it one of the most common deficiencies in developed countries as well. Fortunately, it is easily treated with supplements and can make an enormous difference to your health. In addition to being linked to poor immune function, allergies, and depression, vitamin D deficiency has also been linked to reduced fertility and low sperm counts; particularly in men.
So if you are planning on starting a family soon or would like to improve your chances of getting pregnant we urge you to check your levels today!
Read More: Ultimate Guide To Vitamin D Supplementation & Testing
Best Way to Get More Vitamin D
Be sure to consult your doctor before taking vitamin supplements.
Having a healthy diet and getting outside, even on an overcast day, can help you naturally get more vitamin D. Even if you're not planning to become pregnant right away, it's a good idea to work toward healthy habits early.
It will help boost your fertility down the road when you are ready to have kids. To make sure you’re getting enough vitamin D, ask your doctor about getting tested; then take an oral supplement if necessary.
You should aim for between 600 IU and 2,000 IU daily—but don't self-treat with mega doses of 10,000 IU or more without medical supervision!
Read More: Vitamin D Deficiency, Symptoms & Biohacks To Fix
Thinking Of Getting Pregnant? Get Checked.
In addition to boosting fertility, vitamin D is linked to many other benefits.
Studies have found that getting enough can help improve bone density and reduce your risk for osteoporosis. And if you're trying to conceive a child, it may even boost fertility by helping increase sperm count.
It's also important for pregnancy—both during and after. In fact, some studies have found that mothers with low levels of vitamin D may be more prone to complications like preeclampsia (high blood pressure) and gestational diabetes.
Getting your blood tested is a quick way to see how much vitamin D you have in your system.
Lab Me offers multiple tests that look at Vitamin D:
Female Executive Health Test
Male Executive Health Test
Vitamin D Only Health Test