Uterine fibroids are common non-cancerous growths that affect many women, especially women of African descent. Scientists have discovered that vitamin D might play an important role in preventing these growths. This review looked at all the latest research on how vitamin D works in the body to fight fibroids and explored whether it could be used as a treatment. While the early evidence is promising, researchers say we need more studies to prove that vitamin D supplements can actually prevent or shrink fibroids in real patients.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether vitamin D levels affect the chances of developing uterine fibroids and how vitamin D might work to prevent or slow their growth
  • Who participated: This was a review of existing research, not a new study with participants. Scientists looked at many previous studies about vitamin D and fibroids
  • Key finding: People with healthy vitamin D levels appear to have a lower risk of developing uterine fibroids compared to those with low vitamin D
  • What it means for you: Getting enough vitamin D might help protect against fibroids, but this is not yet proven enough to recommend as a treatment. Talk to your doctor about your vitamin D levels and whether supplementation is right for you

The Research Details

This research is a review article, which means scientists read through many previous studies on vitamin D and uterine fibroids to find patterns and common findings. Instead of doing their own experiment with patients, the researchers looked at what other scientists had already discovered and organized that information to see the bigger picture.

The review focused on understanding two main things: first, how vitamin D might prevent fibroids from forming in the first place, and second, whether vitamin D could be used as a treatment to shrink existing fibroids. The researchers looked at the biological mechanisms—basically, the ways vitamin D works inside the body at a cellular level.

This type of study is valuable because it brings together all the available evidence in one place, helping doctors and patients understand what we know so far and what still needs to be studied.

Review articles are important because they help us see the whole picture instead of just one small study. By looking at many studies together, scientists can identify strong patterns and figure out what the evidence really shows. This helps doctors decide what might be worth trying and tells us what questions still need answers

This review was published in Endocrine Reviews, which is a well-respected scientific journal that focuses on hormones and metabolism. However, because this is a review of other studies rather than a new experiment, the strength of the findings depends on the quality of the studies that were reviewed. The authors note that more research is needed, which is honest and important—it means we shouldn’t treat this as definitive proof yet

What the Results Show

The research shows that vitamin D appears to have several ways of fighting fibroids in the body. First, vitamin D seems to stop fibroid cells from multiplying too quickly. Second, it may trigger a process where damaged or abnormal cells die off naturally, which is called apoptosis. Third, vitamin D might prevent the growth of new blood vessels that feed fibroids, which would slow their growth.

Studies have found that women with adequate vitamin D levels have a lower risk of developing fibroids compared to women with low vitamin D. The risk appears to be significantly higher among African women, and vitamin D deficiency may be one factor contributing to this difference.

The review suggests that vitamin D and similar compounds could potentially be used not just to prevent fibroids, but also to treat them. However, the authors emphasize that while the laboratory and early research findings are encouraging, we don’t yet have enough evidence from human trials to say this definitively works.

The research also explored how vitamin D affects various biological processes related to fibroid development. Vitamin D appears to influence enzyme activity in the body, which could affect how fibroids grow. Additionally, vitamin D’s anti-inflammatory effects might play a role in preventing fibroids, since inflammation is thought to contribute to their development

This review builds on growing evidence that vitamin D plays a role in many women’s health conditions. Previous research has linked vitamin D to bone health, immune function, and other aspects of women’s health. The connection between vitamin D and fibroids is relatively newer, but it fits with the broader understanding that vitamin D is important for controlling cell growth throughout the body

The biggest limitation is that this is a review of existing studies, not a new clinical trial with patients. Many of the studies reviewed were done in laboratories or with animals, not in real people. The review authors note that we need randomized controlled trials—the gold standard of medical research—to prove that vitamin D supplements actually prevent or treat fibroids in women. Additionally, most research has focused on vitamin D levels and fibroid risk, but we don’t yet know the optimal vitamin D level for prevention or the best dose for treatment

The Bottom Line

Based on current evidence, maintaining healthy vitamin D levels appears to be associated with lower fibroid risk, but this is not yet strong enough to recommend vitamin D supplements specifically for fibroid prevention. General recommendations to maintain adequate vitamin D through sunlight, diet, or supplements for overall health remain valid. If you have fibroids or are at risk, discuss vitamin D testing and supplementation with your doctor as part of your overall health plan. Confidence level: Moderate for association; Low for treatment effectiveness

Women of reproductive age, particularly those of African descent who have higher fibroid rates, should be aware of this research. Women with a family history of fibroids or those experiencing fibroid symptoms should discuss vitamin D with their healthcare provider. This research is less relevant for post-menopausal women or those who have already had fibroid treatment, though maintaining healthy vitamin D levels remains important for overall health

If vitamin D does help prevent fibroids, the benefit would likely develop over months to years, not weeks. If vitamin D were used as a treatment for existing fibroids, any shrinkage would probably take several months to become noticeable. This is not a quick fix but rather a long-term health strategy

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your vitamin D supplementation (dose and frequency) and any fibroid-related symptoms monthly, including pain level, bleeding patterns, and pelvic pressure. Note any changes over 3-6 month periods
  • Set a daily reminder to take a vitamin D supplement if recommended by your doctor, and log it in the app. Also track sun exposure and vitamin D-rich foods consumed to understand your total vitamin D intake
  • Create a quarterly check-in to review vitamin D levels with your healthcare provider and track symptom changes over time. Use the app to maintain a symptom diary that you can share with your doctor to assess whether vitamin D supplementation is having any effect on your fibroid symptoms

This review summarizes current research on vitamin D and uterine fibroids but does not constitute medical advice. The findings are promising but not yet conclusive—vitamin D supplementation is not an approved treatment for fibroids. If you have uterine fibroids or suspect you might, consult with your healthcare provider before starting any supplements. Do not stop or change any prescribed fibroid treatments based on this information. Vitamin D supplementation should only be started under medical supervision, especially if you have kidney disease, heart disease, or take certain medications. This information is for educational purposes only.