Effect of Oral Consumption of Vitamin D on Uterine Fibroids: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 38234246 · doi:10.1080/01635581.2023.2288716
What was done
Authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis searching Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials through September 2022. They identified randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of oral vitamin D supplementation versus placebo on uterine fibroid size and serum vitamin D levels.
What was found
Five trials comprising 511 participants (256 intervention, 255 control) were analyzed. Vitamin D supplementation significantly decreased uterine fibroid size compared to placebo (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.48, 95% CI: -0.66 to -0.31) and significantly increased serum vitamin D levels (SMD: 3.10, 95% CI: 0.66 to 5.55). In the subgroup of trials supplementing for >8 weeks, fibroid size reduction was SMD -0.62 (95% CI: -0.88 to -0.37).
Why it matters
This review aggregates early randomized evidence suggesting that vitamin D supplementation can modestly reduce uterine fibroid volume, supporting its investigation as a non-surgical management option.
Limits
The total sample size is small (5 trials, 511 patients). The abstract reports no data on patient-centered clinical outcomes such as abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, quality of life, or surgical avoidance, nor does it detail specific dosing strategies or adverse events.
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- context Using high doses of vitamin D3 can significantly help shrink uterine fibroids.