Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D
For the health condition: Cramps (menstrual)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Recent research suggests that vitamin D may have a role in alleviating menstrual cramps, also known as primary dysmenorrhea. Several clinical studies have investigated the relationship between vitamin D levels and the severity of menstrual pain. For example, a randomized controlled trial published in Archives of Internal Medicine (2012) found that a single high dose of vitamin D significantly reduced pain scores in women with primary dysmenorrhea who had low baseline vitamin D levels. The rationale is that vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce the production of prostaglandins in the endometrium, which are compounds responsible for uterine contractions and pain during menstruation.

Other observational studies have noted that women with lower serum vitamin D often report more severe menstrual pain, supporting a potential link between vitamin D status and dysmenorrhea. However, while the results are promising, the body of evidence is still relatively small, and larger, longer-term studies are needed to confirm optimal dosing and to determine which subgroups may benefit the most.

Overall, there is a moderate level of scientific evidence (rated 3 out of 5) supporting the use of vitamin D supplementation to help manage menstrual cramps, especially in individuals with proven deficiency. Nonetheless, vitamin D is not considered a first-line therapy, and women should consult their healthcare provider before starting supplementation for menstrual pain.

More about vitamin D
More about Cramps (menstrual)

Other health conditions supported by vitamin D

Allergies (food)
Alzheimer's Disease
Amenorrhea
Anorexia
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arthritis
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Birth Defects (prevention)
Body Building
Broken Bones
Calcium Deficiency
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Celiac Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Erectile Dysfunction
Estrogen (low)
Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Grave's Disease
Grief and Sadness
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hashimoto's Disease
Headache (cluster)
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Hypothyroid
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Knees (weak)
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leukemia
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Lupus
Lymphoma
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Menstrual Irregularity
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Muscular Dystrophy
Myasthenia Gravis
Nephritis
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Numbness
Nursing
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pain (general remedies for)
Pancreatitis
Paralysis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
PMS (general)
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Polyps
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Prostatitis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Sciatica
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Senility
Acne
Allergies (respiratory)
Arteriosclerosis
Asthma
Anemia
Cardiovascular Disease
Fatigue
Tuberculosis