According to a new study, vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of urinary incontinence in women.
A study led by Dr. Samuel Badalian of SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and recently published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, says urinary incontinence is one of many diseases of the pelvic floor that are aggravated by low levels of vitamin D.
The study, which included more than 1,800 adult women, showed that 82% of participants had low vitamin levels. However, those who had pelvic floor disorders and / or incontinence had significantly lower levels than the other groups.
The study showed that elevated levels of vitamin D are definitely associated with a lower risk of developing pelvic sexual disorders, and the risk of urinary incontinence in elderly women is 45% lower among women with sufficient vitamin content. The researchers said that further studies on the use of vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of pelvic floor disorders are strictly justified.
The term "pelvic floor disorders" refers to a number of health problems that occur when the muscles and connective tissue in the pelvic region are weakened or injured by pregnancy, vaginal delivery, surgery, disease, aging, and other factors. Nearly a third of women experience problems with the pelvic region, some of whom point to their lives.
Prolapse of the pelvic organs, which occurs when the pelvic muscles are too weak to hold the organs in place, is one of the most common diseases of the pelvic floor among women. Prolapse often leads to urinary incontinence, which occurs when the bladder “falls” from its normal position.
Researchers said the importance of vitamin D in preventing prolapse, incontinence, and other pelvic floor diseases is related to its role in maintaining muscle.
Although vitamin is primarily associated with bone strength and health, it also proved to be extremely important for the development of muscle tissue and the maintenance of strong elastic connective tissue.
The Syracuse study is the last of many to highlight the importance of vitamin D in women's overall health. A 2008 study by the University of Pittsburgh concluded that women with low vitamin levels were 70% more likely to suffer hip fractures than those with a sufficient level.
In addition, it is known that maintaining vitamin D levels helps prevent bacterial infections during pregnancy, and vitamin adequacy is closely related to the prevention and destruction of depression.
Vitamin D is even associated with the prevention of breast cancer and other types of cancer in women. In a study conducted by the German Cancer Research Center in 2008, it was concluded that women with extreme deficits had a significantly higher risk of developing breast cancer than patients with adequate levels. In addition, a four-year clinical study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that improving nutritional status of calcium and vitamin D significantly reduces the risk of cancer in postmenopausal women.
