AUTHOR=Mei Zhaojun , Hu Hong , Zou Yi , Li Dandan 

TITLE=The role of vitamin D in menopausal women’s health

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=Volume 14 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2023.1211896

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2023.1211896

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=Vitamin D (VD) is known to play an important role in the maintenance of calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. In recent years, there has also been a growing interest in VD for health issues beyond the bones. Menopausal women are at risk of reduced bone density and increased risk of fracture due to a decline in estrogen levels. There is also an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hyperlipidaemia due to impaired lipid metabolism. The menopausal and emotional symptoms due to menopause are also increasingly prominent. VD regulates the growth of vaginal epithelial cells and alleviates genitourinary tract problems in menopausal women. VD also modulates immune function and influences the production of adipokines. VD and its metabolites also have an anti-proliferative effect on tumour cells. This article reviews the role of VD in menopausal women's health, including the effects of VD on skeletal muscle, cardiovascular disease, Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), cancer and emotional symptoms, to provide a basis for further development of the role of VD in menopausal women's health.