Effect of Vitamin D analog supplementation on levator ani strength and plasma Vitamin D receptor expression in uterine prolapse patients

Abstract

Uterine prolapse is a pathological condition that can negatively impact women's quality of life. It is caused by weakening of the pelvic floor muscles. Function of levator ani muscle and other striated muscles is thought to be influenced by Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D exerts its biological effects by adhering to Vitamin D receptors (VDRs) present in striated muscles. We aim to analyze the effect of Vitamin D analog supplementation on levator ani muscle strength in uterine prolapse patients. This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-post design on 24 postmenopausal women diagnosed with grade III and IV uterine prolapse. Vitamin D levels, VDR, levator ani muscle, and hand grip muscle strength were measured before and after three months of Vitamin D analog supplementation. We found that Vitamin D level, VDR serum level, levator ani muscle strength, and hand grip muscle strength all significantly increase (p < 0.001) following Vitamin D analog supplementation. The correlation coefficient between levator ani muscle and handgrip muscle strength was 0.616 and with p value of 0.001. To conclude, Vitamin D analog supplementation can significantly increase levator ani muscle strength in uterine prolapse patients. We propose that determining Vitamin D level in postmenopausal women and replenishing its deficiency with Vitamin D analog supplementation might aid in preventing POP progression.