Are you taking a vitamin D supplement? It might be time to start.

Among women of reproductive age, more than 40 percent are insufficient in vitamin D. Recent research claims that Vitamin D deficiency may be linked to infertility. According to the The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, women with sufficient vitamin D intake are more likely to become pregnant and/or produce high quality embryos if undergoing in vitro fertilization.

This is not a big surprise to us here at Center for Reproductive Health, as we tell many of our patients to make sure they are getting sufficient vitamin D and many other nutrients. We obtain vitamin D when we consume milk products or fortified orange juice, but even daily consumption does not add up to much. The best sources of vitamin D are the sun, beef liver and wild-caught salmon. Living in the Pacific Northwest, we have access to these nutritious foods, but typically need additional vitamin D to make up for the cloudy winter months.

Whether you’re in the midst of IVF treatment or trying to conceive, you should consider taking a supplement. You can get your vitamin D levels tested and then Dr. Robins or your primary care provider can suggest a regimen for you. Take action soon – Vitamin D is slow to be absorbed and sometimes it can take 6-12 months to normalize levels.

Men are at risk as well. Semen analyses in men with low vitamin D have shown lower motility (movement) of sperm. This can lead to struggling to conceive without assistance. In men with low vitamin D and normal semen analyses, pregnancy rates are lower than in men with normal vitamin D levels.

Ultimately, our goal is to help you get pregnant and have a healthy baby. While vitamin D is clearly important, you don’t want to lose sense of the big picture. Be aware of what you eat and how you live, so you can be as healthy as possible, not just for your baby, but for yourself and your growing future family. Center for Reproductive Health in Spokane, Washington has helped thousands of local families reach their goals of building a family. Free consultations are available for new patients. To make an appointment, call (509) 462-7070.