In its active form, vitamin D increases progesterone and estrogen levels, maintains a healthy uterine lining, and reduces the risk of developing polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis. In men, vitamin D plays a role in the healthy development of sperm and maintenance of semen quality.
Recently, we discovered that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) is induced in T cells by progesterone. This finding connects the function of progesterone to that of vit. D and suggests that the two steroid hormones cooperate with each other for sequential and effective regulation of the immune system.
Estrogen imbalance: Vitamin D deficiency may lead to lowered estrogen levels, which can cause depression, hot flashes, mood swings and more.
Females. Vitamin D has a biologically plausible role in female reproduction. In human ovarian tissue, 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulated progesterone production by 13%, estradiol production by 9%, and estrone production by 21% (20).
Causes of Low Progesterone
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) Hyperprolactinemia (elevated prolactin) Low cholesterol. Ovulation issues such as anovulatory cycles or polycystic ovarian syndrome [KS1] (PCOS)
Vitamin B6 Foods
Vitamin B6 also plays a role in keeping your body's hormones regulated. One research study showed that increasing the amount of B6 vitamins taken each day to around 200-800 mg per day can raise progesterone levels and reduce estrogen enough to improve symptoms of PMS.
When circulating vitamin D concentrations are low, intestinal calcium and phosphorus absorption decreases and parathyroid hormone levels increase. This latter, besides of promoting calcium resorption in the kidneys, also stimulates the immediate production of 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D.
There are vitamin D3 receptors in all of your female reproductive organs – showing that the entire reproductive system requires D3 to function healthily. D3 boosts progesterone levels which helps you to get and stay pregnant.
The formation of the corpus luteum (which produces the majority of progesterone) is triggered by a surge in luteinising hormone production by the anterior pituitary gland.
No interactions were found between progesterone and Vitamin D3.
Vitamin D deficiency — when the level of vitamin D in your body is too low — can cause your bones to become thin, brittle or misshapen. Vitamin D also appears to play a role in insulin production and immune function — and how this relates to chronic disease prevention and cancer — but this is still being investigated.
The reduction in sex hormones among the women with the highest levels of vitamin D was observed even after taking into account how much weight the women lost, showing that the vitamin D had an independent effect on hormone levels, regardless of pounds shed.
Vitamin B6 has been shown to help improve progesterone levels and is, therefore, one of the vitamins which women who are trying to conceive often take. Research has shown that women who have higher levels of vitamin B6 in their blood have reduced miscarriage rates by 50%.
Women who did not meet the recommended level of 30 ng/mL of 25(OH)D had almost five times the odds of having menstrual cycle disorders as women who were above the recommended vitamin D level. Conclusion: A relationship was demonstrated between the frequency of menstrual disorders and low levels of vitamin D.
Vitamin D likely executes its control on ovarian function and hence the menstrual cycle through anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) receptors, which also share a domain for the vitamin D response element (3, 6). Vitamin D supplementation in a high dose can correct metabolic disorders associated with PCOS (7, 8).
In particular, women with regular cycles had significantly higher vitamin D levels, and lower vitamin D was associated with 13 times the odds of having an irregular cycle. In this study, vitamin D deficiency was associated with a prolonged follicular phase, delayed ovulation, and longer than normal menstrual cycles.
Vitamin D deficiency occurs when the body doesn't get enough vitamin D from sunlight or diet. Vitamin D deficiency can cause loss of bone density, osteoporosis, and broken bones. Vitamin D is sometimes called the sunshine vitamin because your body makes it from cholesterol when your skin is exposed to sunlight ( 1 ).
Yes! It is possible to increase your progesterone levels either naturally or through treatment. This can be done through diet, supplements, or other lifestyle changes to bring your hormones into balance.
Low progesterone can have negative health effects, including difficulty getting pregnant or maintaining a pregnancy, increased risk of endometrial cancer, and irregular menses.
Magnesium is Essential to Balancing Hormones
Magnesium is one of the most essential minerals to help balance hormones. While you can take a supplement, and even spray your skin with magnesium spray, there's no better way of getting the magnesium you need than from the foods you eat.