Therapeutic Effects of Vitamin D on Vaginal, Sexual, and Urological Functions in Postmenopausal Women
Abstract
:1. Background
2. Methodology
3. The Pharmacology of Vitamin D
3.1. Vitamin D Synthesis
3.2. Vitamin D Metabolism
3.3. Vitamin D Mechanism of Action
3.4. Predictors of Vitamin D Status
3.5. Effect of Estrogen on Vitamin D Metabolism in Postmenopausal Women
4. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
4.1. Urogenital Changes in Postmenopausal Women
4.2. Hormonal Therapy for GSM Symptoms
4.3. Vitamin D Supplementations for GSM Symptoms
5. Therapeutic Effects of Vitamin D on Urogenital Functions
5.1. Cellular Effects of Vitamin D on Urogenital Tissues
5.2. The Effects of Vitamin D on Vaginal Epithelium and pH
5.3. The Effects of Vitamin D on Vaginal Symptoms
5.4. The Effects of Vitamin D on Vaginal Infections
5.5. The Effects of Vitamin D on Sexual Functions
5.6. The Role of Vitamin D in UTIs: Effects on the Immune Function
5.7. The Role of Vitamin D in UTIs: Effects on Tight Junction Proteins
5.8. The Effects of Vitamin D on Pelvic Floor Disorders
6. Vaginal Dosage Form as Route of Delivery
7. Future Research Directions
8. Conclusions
9. Key Findings
- The role of vitamin D on urogenital and sexual health in postmenopausal women revealed a limited but growing body of research.
- Vitamin D has the potential to support postmenopausal women’s urogenital and sexual health.
- Vitamin D receptors play a significant role in mediating and maintaining the pharmacological effects of vitamin D on urogenital organs.
- Both oral and vaginal vitamin D were shown to improve vulvovaginal symptoms, sexual functioning and reduce the risk of urinary tract infections.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the therapeutic effects of vitamin D supplementation on urogenital and sexual health in postmenopausal women.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Hassanein, M.M.; Huri, H.Z.; Abduelkarem, A.R.; Baig, K. Therapeutic Effects of Vitamin D on Vaginal, Sexual, and Urological Functions in Postmenopausal Women. Nutrients 2023, 15, 3804. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173804
Hassanein MM, Huri HZ, Abduelkarem AR, Baig K. Therapeutic Effects of Vitamin D on Vaginal, Sexual, and Urological Functions in Postmenopausal Women. Nutrients. 2023; 15(17):3804. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173804
Chicago/Turabian StyleHassanein, Mohammed M., Hasniza Zaman Huri, Abduelmula R. Abduelkarem, and Kauser Baig. 2023. "Therapeutic Effects of Vitamin D on Vaginal, Sexual, and Urological Functions in Postmenopausal Women" Nutrients 15, no. 17: 3804. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173804
APA StyleHassanein, M. M., Huri, H. Z., Abduelkarem, A. R., & Baig, K. (2023). Therapeutic Effects of Vitamin D on Vaginal, Sexual, and Urological Functions in Postmenopausal Women. Nutrients, 15(17), 3804. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15173804