Review article
https://doi.org/10.31895/hcptbn.20.1-2.2
The role of vitamins in women's reproductive health
Pavo Perković
; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Valentina Rahelić
orcid.org/0000-0002-2579-560X
; Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia; University of Applied Health Sciences, Zagreb, Croatia; University North, Department of Food Technology, Koprivnica, Croatia
Tomislav Perković
orcid.org/0000-0003-0548-334X
; Vuk Vrhovac University Clinic for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Rumora Samarin
orcid.org/0000-0002-8213-0436
; Department of Food Quality Control, University of Zagreb Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, Zagreb, Croatia
*
Sanja Klobučar
orcid.org/0000-0002-0287-4735
; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia; Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Dario Rahelić
; Vuk Vrhovac University Clinic for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia; Catholic University of Croatia School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia; Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek School of Medicine, Osijek, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Reproductive health is a key component of overall health of the female population, as it aff ects quality of life, social and family dynamics, and community health. Proper functioning of the reproductive system is essential for fertility, successful pregnancy, and the development of healthy off spring. However, many factors can negatively impact reproductive function, with a woman’s nutritional status – including vitamin intake – being particularly important. Vitamins, as essential micronutrients, play crucial roles in numerous biological processes and are vital for women’s reproductive health. Defi ciencies or imbalances in certain vitamins can lead to various reproductive disorders, such as reduced fertility, increased risk of miscarriage, and pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, premature birth, and low birth weight, as well as adverse eff ects on foetal health. Vitamin A plays a crucial role in regulating the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and proper ovarian function; its defi ciency can increase the risk of infertility and anovulation. Lack of vitamin D can negatively aff ect egg quality and embryo health, while adequate levels may help prevent polycystic ovary syndrome. B vitamins, especially folic acid, are essential for fertility and pregnancy. Folic acid defi ciency can cause defects in foetal nervous system development, while suffi cient intake improves pregnancy chances and reduces the risk of miscarriage and other omplications. Vitamins C and E, known for their antioxidant properties, protect cells from oxidative stress, which can harm egg and sperm quality and thus fertility. Vitamin E also supports endometrial health and may improve fertility. Despite the numerous known positive eff ects of vitamins on women’s reproductive health, further research is needed to determine optimal dosages and usage, in order to develop specifi c guidelines tailored to individual women’s needs for the prevention and treatment of reproductive diseases.
Keywords
vitamins; reproductive health; women
Hrčak ID:
337623
URI
Publication date:
1.7.2025.
Visits: 121 *