Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacotherapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, University City Road-University City, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates.
Nutrients. 2023 Aug 30;15(17):3804. doi: 10.3390/nu15173804.
Recent years have witnessed the emergence of growing evidence concerning vitamin D's potential role in women's health, specifically in postmenopausal women. This evidence also includes its connection to various genitourinary disorders and symptoms. Numerous clinical studies have observed improvements in vulvovaginal symptoms linked to the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) with vitamin D supplementation. These studies have reported positive effects on various aspects, such as vaginal pH, dryness, sexual functioning, reduced libido, and decreased urinary tract infections. Many mechanisms underlying these pharmacological effects have since been proposed. Vitamin D receptors (VDRs) have been identified as a major contributor to its effects. It is now well known that VDRs are expressed in the superficial layers of the urogenital organs. Additionally, vitamin D plays a crucial role in supporting immune function and modulating the body's defense mechanisms. However, the characterization of these effects requires more investigation. Reviewing existing evidence regarding vitamin D's impact on postmenopausal women's vaginal, sexual, and urological health is the purpose of this article. As research in this area continues, there is a potential for vitamin D to support women's urogenital and sexual health during the menopausal transition and postmenopausal periods.
近年来，越来越多的证据表明维生素 D 可能对女性健康，特别是绝经后妇女的健康有作用。这些证据还包括它与各种泌尿生殖系统疾病和症状的关系。许多临床研究观察到维生素 D 补充对与绝经后妇女泌尿生殖系统综合征（GSM）相关的外阴阴道症状的改善。这些研究报告了对各种方面的积极影响，如阴道 pH 值、干燥、性功能、性欲降低和尿路感染减少。此后，提出了许多这些药物作用的潜在机制。维生素 D 受体（VDR）被认为是其作用的主要贡献者。现在已经知道，VDR 在泌尿生殖器官的浅层表达。此外，维生素 D 在支持免疫功能和调节身体防御机制方面起着至关重要的作用。然而，这些作用的特征需要更多的研究。本文旨在回顾现有关于维生素 D 对绝经后妇女阴道、性和泌尿系统健康影响的证据。随着该领域研究的继续，维生素 D 有可能在绝经过渡和绝经后期间支持女性的泌尿生殖和性功能健康。
