Androgens and hirsutism score of overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome improved after vitamin D treatment: A randomized placebo controlled clinical trial

Background & aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D treatment on androgen levels and hirsutism scores in overweight women with PCOS. Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted at King Abdullah University Hospital in Irbid, Jordan. Overweight Jordanian females aged 18-49 years with vitamin D deficiency and PCOS (n = 60) were assigned to two groups: the treatment group (n = 30) who received 50,000 IU per week of vitamin D-3 and the control group (n = 30) who received a placebo. Results: After receiving the treatment for 12 consecutive weeks, the levels of total testosterone, parathyroid hormone, free androgen index, and hirsutism score were significantly decreased (P < 0.001), and the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), sex hormone binding globulin, and phosphorus were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Furthermore, significant changes were observed in ovarian volume and follicle numbers and size ultrasonography, and in the regularity of the menstrual cycle (P < 0.001). In the placebo group, no significant changes were observed in either androgen levels, hirsutism score, or menstrual regularity. Conclusion: Vitamin D-3 at a treatment dose of 50,000 IU per week improved 25(OH)D levels and decreased the hirsutism scores and androgen levels of overweight women with PCOS. These results could mean increased fertility and better reproductive health for overweight women with PCOS; the use of vitamin D-3 as a treatment for these patients should be further investigated. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated that weekly treatment with 50,000 IU of vitamin D-3 can improve 25(OH)D levels and decrease hirsutism scores and androgen levels in overweight women with PCOS. These results may lead to increased fertility and better reproductive health for these patients.