How Vitamin D Levels Impact Vaginal Health

By Denise John, PhD

Your vagina has its very own microbiome. When it’s balanced, it is home to a diverse population of microbes that includes many Lactobacillus species, like L. crispatus, L. gasseri, L. iners, and L. jensenii. These bacteria produce lactic acid, creating the optimal pH for the vagina—a moderately acidic range of 3.8 to 4.5. This pH prevents the overgrowth of harmful microbes that can lead to various infections.

An imbalance of Lactobacillus species is largely associated with an imbalance in vaginal and urinary tract health. What’s often overlooked: Research shows that vitamin D may help balance the vaginal microbiome. Higher vitamin D levels may help maintain a greater abundance of Lactobacillus compared to lower levels, creating a healthy vaginal pH.

Vaginal Cells, Vitamin D, and Lubrication

Similar to the tissue in our mouths, the vaginal wall is made of muscle covered in a mucus membrane, which contains epithelial cells. Vaginal epithelial cells are like a home to vaginal microbiota—they provide protection, nutritional support, and synergistic benefits. And they contribute to vaginal lubrication.

As these cells shed and replenish themselves, they help maintain a healthy vaginal environment. But when they’re not properly restored, it can lead to a vaginal imbalance and vaginal dryness. Research shows that vitamin D may help vaginal cells regenerate and improve lubrication. Vitamin D may rapidly increase the number of vaginal cells, potentially preventing or limiting vaginal atrophy, which is particularly prevalent in women during menopause and after.

THE WELLNESS SHOP

This article is for informational purposes only, even if and regardless of whether it features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. The views expressed in this article are the views of the expert and do not necessarily represent the views of goop.

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