The Effects of Vitamin D on Sexual Function and Hormones in Women with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is the most common and challenging complication among women with multiple sclerosis (MS). Despite investigations into the impact of taking vitamin D on sexual function (SF), findings have not definitively recommended its use. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on SF and sex hormones among women with MS. Methods: This triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 62 married women with MS and vitamin D deficiency. They were recruited from a specialized clinic for neurology in Tehran City, Iran, between August 2017 and February 2018. The subjects were randomly allocated to experimental or control groups (n=31/each group). Subjects in the experimental and control groups, respectively, received two 2000-IU vitamin D and two placebo tablets daily for 12 consecutive weeks. Serum levels of sex hormones and their SF were evaluated before and after the intervention. The SF assessment was performed using the female SF index. The obtained data were analyzed using an independent samples t-test, paired t-test, Fisher exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, and the chi-square test in SPSS software, version 22. The significance level was determined at <0.05. Results: The findings revealed no significant difference between the two groups regarding sex hormones, Vitamin D, and SF levels before the intervention. The study results indicated that taking vitamin D supplementation for 12 weeks significantly impacts the improvement of SF and sex hormones (P<0.05). Conclusion: Twelve weeks’ consumption of vitamin D supplementation may improve SF and sex hormones among women with MS.

Keywords

• multiple sclerosis
• sexual dysfunction
• vitamin d
• randomized controlled trial
• women