Vitamin D3 and Fertility

We know that vitamin D is essential for bone health because it helps the body absorb calcium. But many are unaware of its role in fertility.

In fact, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to infertility, specifically vitamin D3 deficiency, which is a common cause of infertility in women.

Two Forms of Vitamin

Vitamin D is available in two forms, cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) and ergocalciferol (vitamin D2).

Vitamin D2

Vitamin D2 is produced by plants or fungus (e.g., mushrooms).

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 is made by animals, including humans.

It’s formed when the skin is exposed to UVA and UVB rays and the body synthesizes sunlight on its surface.

So it’s interesting to note that since vitamin D3 is manufactured in the body, it’s considered a hormone – not really a vitamin!

Why is Vitamin D3 Important for Fertility

It turns out that vitamin D3 is not only important to the cells in the bones, but to virtually every other cell in the body because it affects the way a cell carries out its functions.

It’s able to turn the genes in a cell “on or off,” and therefore can control the growth and death of that cell.

In fact, nearly every cell in the body has a receptor on its surface, which enables vitamin D3 to do its job. This includes those in the female reproductive organs, such as the ovaries, uterus, and placenta.

Vitamin D3 Affects Estrogen

When vitamin D3 is bound to its receptor on these reproductive cells, it can control the genes involved in making estrogen, which is essential for the development and maturation of the egg, and the thickening of the endometrium lining.

Vitamin D3 Helps with Implantation

Right before the fertilized egg enters the uterus, the uterine lining also produces D3 to help with implantation.

Vitamin D3 Helps Protect the Fetus

And once the implantation takes place, the uterus and placenta continue to make D3, which helps organize immune cells in the uterus to protect the fetus from potential infections.

How Does Vitamin D3 Affect Your Fertility

When there is an insufficient level of vitamin D3 in the body it can hinder the reproductive processes and cause infertility. A vitamin D3 deficiency can do this in three ways:

Ovulation

It can interrupt ovulation – the development, maturation and release of a normal egg, resulting in infertility.

Implantation

It can retard the thickening of the uterine lining and reduce the possibility of a successful implantation.

Development

It can reduce the immune protection in the uterus and affect the development of the fetus.

On the other hand, an adequate level of vitamin D3 can boost levels of progesterone and estrogen, which regulate menstrual cycles and improve the chances of a successful conception.

Researches have also reported that women with higher vitamin D3 levels were significantly more likely to achieve pregnancy from IVF compared to women with lower levels of vitamin D3.

How to Make Sure You Have Sufficient Vitamin D3

It’s estimated that among women of reproductive age, more than 40% are deficient in this vital steroid hormone.

So if you’re trying to conceive, one of the easiest way to increasing your chances of conception is to make sure that you have an optimal amount of vitamin D3.

Sun Exposure

The best way to get vitamin D3 is through sun exposure. Go outside and get some sun, especially in the mid-day when it’s the strongest.

However, many of us use sun block, which is good for our skin but not so helpful when it comes to the production of vitamin D3. By blocking out the UVA and UVB rays, sun block can interfere the skin’s ability to synthesize vitamin D3.

I think that’s why I’m deficient in vitamin D3, even though I live in the sunny Southern California and have plenty of sun exposure. Per my doctor, 98% of his patients have very low levels of vitamin D3, which is shocking!

Vitamin D3 Supplement

So if you’re not getting enough sun, or are deficient in vitamin D3 regardless, consider taking a vitamin D3 supplement. Check out NatureWise Vitamin D3 5,000IU in Organic Olive Oil.

Prenatal Vitamins

If your vitamin D3 level is not very deficient and you want to keep it at a healthy level, consider taking a high quality prenatal vitamin that contains vitamin D3.

Based on my research, Garden of Life RAW Vitamin Code Prenatal Multivitamin is the best, which contains 1,000 IU of vitamin D3.

I hope you find this post helpful. If so, please share it with your friends who are trying to conceive. Thank you!

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