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Getting pregnant is a special joy experienced by moms around the world. However, sometimes due to certain deficiencies in the body, your fertility may get affected, and your dream of becoming a mother may seem a bit far-fetched. One such kind of deficiency that may occur in your body and affect your fertility is vitamin D deficiency. So, how exactly this deficiency affects your fertility, if you wish to know more on this topic, we suggest that you read the following article for the same.
What is Vitamin D?
Most of us have heard about vitamin D and how it is important for us. However, many may wonder what exactly does this vitamin do and why it is so important for many vital functions in our body. Well, vitamin D is a vitamin that is produced by our skin in response to sunlight exposure. Apart from the sunlight this important vitamin can also be obtained from various food sources and can also be taken in the form of supplements. This vitamin is also known as the sunshine vitamin. Vitamin D is also a hormone that is required by our body for some of its vital functions. This fat-soluble vitamin is essential for many functions in our body, which may include reproductive functions too.
How Does Vitamin D Help to Improve Fertility?
Apart from being linked to various health benefits, vitamin D and female fertility also have a strong relation. This vitamin helps the body in creating sex hormones. The apt amount of sex hormones in the body ensures better fertility, and it also lowers the chances of having any medical issues such as PCOS, PMS and even infertility issues. Lack of vitamin D may affect men’s fertility too, as it may lead to impaired sperm motility, low sperm count and other such issues. Therefore, there are many vitamin D benefits for fertility, and you should get ample amounts of it to increase your chances of conception.
Ideal Vitamin D Level for Fertility & Successful Pregnancy
There have been certain studies that prove the success rate of various fertility treatments because of ample amounts of vitamin D in the body. However, there has not been enough scientific evidence available that is indicative of the fact that 30ng/ml or higher levels of vitamin D in the body increase the chances of having a successful pregnancy. In one of the studies, it was observed that 25-OH vitamin D > 30ng/ml of vitamin d for fertility dosage might improve your chances of getting pregnant.
How to Get More Vitamin D?
The amount of vitamin D requirements may vary from person to person; therefore, before you follow any of the below-mentioned recommendations to pep up your vitamin levels, you should get a lab test done. Here are some ways of getting more vitamin D:
1. Exposure to Sunlight
Sunlight is one the best and most effective ways of getting your daily dose of vitamin D. You may bask yourself in unprotected and unadulterated sunlight for approximately 15 to 20 minutes every day.
2. Food Sources
If you are not able to avail the sunlight benefit you may consider including some of the following food items to pep up your vitamin levels:
- Eggs
- Cod-liver oil
- Mackerel
- Salmon
- Sardines
- Grass-fed beef
- Shiitake and button mushrooms
These are some of the sources of vitamin D rich foods that you may consume.
Vitamin D Deficiency and Fertility
Though there are still many ongoing studies to prove the relation between vitamin D deficiency on fertility and reproductive capacity, however, there is substantial evidence available which indicates positive effects of vitamin D supplementation on conception through IVF. There has also been a study indicating the positive effects of this vitamin on the male fertility.
So, if you are wondering, can low vitamin D cause infertility? Well, to get a full-proof answer to that question, we may have to wait until more substantial studies come forward. Meanwhile, what you may do is, increase your vitamin D intake if you are planning on getting pregnant and increase your chances of conception.
Should You Take Vitamin D Supplements to Boost Fertility?
Self-medication or taking any kinds of supplements on your own may not be a good idea. Vitamin D supplements must be taken if it has been prescribed by your doctor. Before prescribing you any kind of supplements, your doctor will first establish your deficiency levels by suggesting some lab tests. Your doctor may recommend supplements that may contain vitamin D3 with vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 is very important for the proper absorption of calcium and vitamin D by the bones, and it also ensures that does not go into the arteries.
You may be prescribed supplements to pep up your fertility, but it cannot replace any fertility treatment that you may have to undergo. Therefore, if you are 35+ years and you have been having unprotected sex for more than a year, you should meet a specialist to get your reproductive health assessed before you plan to take any vitamin D supplements.
Vitamin D can be easily produced by our body if you get adequate amounts of sun exposure. However, multiple factors may affect the absorption of this vitamin by your skin. Well, this may happen if you are a dark-skinned woman or you may be overweight. If you have any such issues that may fiddle with your natural vitamin D absorption, you may like to meet your doctor, especially when you are trying to pregnant.
A healthy body is vital to become pregnant and nurture a baby in your womb. Therefore, if you plan to get pregnant, you may like to get yourself thoroughly examined to see if your body has any kind of deficiencies. Once any kind of deficiencies is established, your doctor may help your guide how you may overcome that. Talk to your healthcare provider to know more about vitamin D deficiency.
