--- title: Does vitamin D status change during the menstrual cycle and is it linked to PMS or PMDD? description: The active form of vitamin D rises 13 to 26 percent across the menstrual cycle, but the basic form does not change much. Whether vitamin D is linked to PMS or url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/vitamin-d-status-and-the-menstrual-cycle-a-systematic-review-2017/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Does vitamin D status change during the menstrual cycle and is it linked to PMS or PMDD? Systematic review, 2017 # Does vitamin D status change during the menstrual cycle and is it linked to PMS or PMDD? The active form of vitamin D rises 13 to 26 percent across the menstrual cycle, but the basic form does not change much. Whether vitamin D is linked to PMS or PMDD remains unclear, with some studies finding a link and most finding none. Moderate study design Women aged 18-45 with regular cycles, irregular cycles, or PMS/PMDD across 12 studies (4009 women total) ## What they did Systematic review of 12 studies published between 1980 and 2016 that measured vitamin D at different points in the menstrual cycle. Most studies were conducted in the US. Some measured vitamin D repeatedly in the same women over time; others measured different women once. ## What they found The active form of vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) rose 13 to 26 percent from early follicular to late luteal phase, with some studies showing even larger rises during the follicular phase (up to 128 percent). The basic form (25-hydroxyvitamin D) showed no changes across the cycle. Three studies found no association between vitamin D concentration and PMS or PMDD; one study found lower vitamin D among women with PMS than controls. Two cross-sectional studies found inverse associations between vitamin D and irregular menstrual cycles. ## What it means for you While vitamin D changes during your cycle, it is unclear whether this affects PMS or PMDD. More and larger studies are needed. The reviewed studies were small and used different methods, making comparison difficult. 12 studies reviewed 4009 women total across all studies 13 to 26% rise in active vitamin D across cycle ## About the study Original title Vitamin D Status and the Menstrual Cycle: A Systematic Review Authors Anita Subramanian, Alison D. Gernand Journal The FASEB Journal Year 2017 Study design Systematic review What was tested None; observational studies of vitamin D levels at different cycle phases Read the paper [doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.786.12](https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.786.12) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Vitamin D](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-vitamin-d/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Review, 2015 What do we know about PMS and PMDD and how are they treated? Review, 2016 How common are PMS and PMDD, and what are the best treatments? Study, 2025 Could taking a combination of vitamins and minerals help with PMS and PMDD symptoms? Systematic review, 2025 Do nutritional interventions help with emotional symptoms of PMS? Review, 2024 What are the most effective treatments for PMDD? Cohort study, 2023 Is PMDD a valid medical diagnosis? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗