Researchers studied 92 women going through menopause to understand why some experience worse symptoms than others. They measured vitamin D levels and a hormone called AMH that relates to egg health. The study found that women with lower vitamin D and lower AMH levels had more severe hot flashes, mood changes, sleep problems, and other menopause symptoms. The findings suggest that maintaining healthy vitamin D levels and checking hormone levels might help reduce how uncomfortable menopause is for some women.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether vitamin D and certain fertility hormones are connected to how severe menopause symptoms are in women
  • Who participated: 92 women from fertility clinics in Iraq, ranging from younger women (ages 20-40) to women going through or past menopause
  • Key finding: Women with lower vitamin D and lower AMH hormone levels reported significantly worse menopause symptoms like hot flashes, mood problems, and sleep issues compared to women with normal levels
  • What it means for you: If you’re experiencing tough menopause symptoms, checking your vitamin D level might be worth discussing with your doctor. Low vitamin D appears to make symptoms worse, so supplementation could potentially help—but talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot in time of 92 women and compared their hormone levels to their menopause symptoms. Women filled out a detailed questionnaire rating 11 different menopause symptoms on a scale from 0 (not happening) to 4 (extremely severe). Symptoms included hot flashes, heart discomfort, sleep problems, joint pain, mood changes, and bladder issues. Researchers then took blood samples and measured four key markers: vitamin D, AMH (a hormone related to egg quality), FSH, and LH (hormones that control the menstrual cycle). They compared younger women (ages 20-40) to women in menopause to see how these hormone levels changed with age.

This approach is useful because it shows relationships between hormone levels and symptoms at a specific point in time. By comparing younger women to menopausal women, researchers could see how these markers naturally change as women age. Understanding these connections helps doctors potentially predict who might have worse symptoms and who might benefit from vitamin D or hormone support.

The study included a reasonable number of participants (92 women) and used standardized blood tests (ELISA method) to measure hormones accurately. However, this was a snapshot study rather than following women over time, so we can’t be completely sure about cause-and-effect relationships. The study was conducted at specific fertility centers in one region, so results might not apply equally to all populations. The researchers did compare menopausal women to younger controls, which strengthens the findings.

What the Results Show

The main finding was a clear negative correlation—meaning as vitamin D and AMH levels went down, menopause symptoms got worse. Women with low vitamin D reported significantly more severe hot flashes, heart discomfort, depression, irritability, bladder problems, and muscle/joint pain compared to women with normal vitamin D levels. Similarly, women with lower AMH levels (a marker of ovarian aging) experienced more intense symptoms across the board. The study showed that vitamin D levels were also connected to age, depression scores, and body weight—women who were older, heavier, or more depressed tended to have lower vitamin D.

The research also found that vitamin D deficiency was linked to higher depression scores and higher body mass index (BMI) in menopausal women. The hormone FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) was elevated in menopausal women, which is expected during menopause, but the study focused mainly on how vitamin D and AMH related to symptom severity. These secondary findings suggest that vitamin D might play a broader role in overall health during menopause, not just in reducing hot flashes.

Previous research has suggested that vitamin D plays a role in bone health and mood during menopause, and this study adds to that evidence by showing a specific connection to symptom severity. The finding about AMH is consistent with what scientists know about ovarian aging—as AMH drops, it indicates the ovaries are aging and producing fewer eggs. This study brings these two areas together, suggesting that both vitamin D and ovarian aging markers are important for understanding menopause symptoms.

This study has several important limitations. First, it’s a snapshot in time rather than following women over months or years, so we can’t prove that low vitamin D causes worse symptoms—only that they occur together. Second, the study was done in one region of Iraq, so results might not apply to all women worldwide due to differences in genetics, diet, and sun exposure. Third, the study didn’t randomly assign women to different vitamin D levels to test whether supplementation actually helps—it only measured existing levels. Finally, the study didn’t account for other factors that might affect symptoms, like medications, stress levels, or exercise habits.

The Bottom Line

If you’re experiencing moderate to severe menopause symptoms, ask your doctor to check your vitamin D level. If it’s low, vitamin D supplementation may help reduce symptom severity (moderate confidence based on this research). Discuss with your healthcare provider whether checking AMH or other hormone levels makes sense for your situation. Lifestyle changes like regular exercise, stress management, and a balanced diet should be part of any menopause management plan (high confidence based on general health evidence).

Women currently experiencing menopause or approaching it should pay attention to these findings, especially if they’re having significant hot flashes, mood changes, or sleep problems. Women with a family history of early menopause might want to monitor their vitamin D levels. This research is less relevant for younger women not yet in menopause, though maintaining good vitamin D levels is healthy for everyone. Men should not apply these findings to themselves.

If vitamin D deficiency is the issue, it typically takes 4-8 weeks of supplementation to see improvements in menopause symptoms, though some women notice changes sooner. Hormone levels take time to rebalance, so patience is important. If symptoms don’t improve after 8-12 weeks of vitamin D supplementation, talk to your doctor about other options.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily menopause symptoms (hot flashes, mood, sleep quality) on a scale of 1-10 and log your vitamin D supplement intake. Note the date you started supplementation to see if symptoms improve over 8-12 weeks.
  • If your doctor confirms low vitamin D, start taking a vitamin D supplement as recommended (typically 1000-2000 IU daily for adults, but follow your doctor’s advice). Also increase sun exposure safely (10-30 minutes daily) and eat vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified milk.
  • Use the app to create a weekly symptom check-in where you rate your top 3 menopause symptoms. Set a monthly reminder to log your vitamin D supplement adherence. After 3 months, review your symptom trends to see if they’ve improved. Share this data with your doctor at your next visit to discuss whether supplementation is helping.

This research suggests a connection between vitamin D levels and menopause symptoms, but it does not prove that vitamin D supplementation will reduce your symptoms. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements or making changes to your menopause treatment plan. This study was conducted on a specific population and may not apply equally to all women. If you’re experiencing severe menopause symptoms, depression, or other health concerns, seek professional medical advice. This article is for educational purposes and should not replace personalized medical guidance from your doctor.