The Benefits of Vitamin D Testing: A Hidden Key to Hormonal and Period Health

Why Vitamin D Matters for Women With Painful Periods

If you live with painful periods, fatigue, or mood swings, you may have been told “your tests are normal” or that discomfort is “just part of being a woman.” But there’s growing evidence that one overlooked nutrient – Vitamin D – could be playing a bigger role in your menstrual health than you think.

Known as the “sunshine vitamin,” Vitamin D does far more than strengthen bones. It influences immune balance, hormone regulation, mood, and energy – all areas directly linked to period health. Yet deficiency is widespread in the UK, especially in autumn and winter (Public Health England, 2016).

Getting your Vitamin D levels tested is a powerful step. Instead of guessing, you’ll know whether a deficiency is contributing to your cramps, exhaustion, or low immunity – and how to correct it.

What Vitamin D Does for Your Body and Cycle

Vitamin D helps regulate calcium and phosphate, essential for healthy bones, teeth, and muscles. But its role extends further:

• Supports immune health – reducing inflammation, a key driver of menstrual pain.
• Stabilises mood and energy – deficiency is linked to depression and fatigue (Ganji et al., 2020).
• Influences hormone balance – research shows Vitamin D affects ovarian function and may reduce PMS and dysmenorrhoea (painful periods) (Chen et al., 2023).

In other words, low Vitamin D can mimic or worsen many of the same symptoms women already struggle with during their cycles.

Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency in Women

Vitamin D deficiency often goes unnoticed. But many women report symptoms that overlap with hormonal imbalance and menstrual issues, such as:

• Persistent fatigue and low energy
• Seasonal mood swings or depression
• Achy bones, stiff joints, or muscle weakness
• Frequent colds or flu
• Hair thinning and dry skin
• Difficulty sleeping
• More intense cramps or PMS

👉 If these sound familiar,

especially if your periods are debilitating – it may be time for a Vitamin D test. 

Who’s Most at Risk of Deficiency?

Certain groups are more likely to have low Vitamin D (PHE, 2016; NHS, 2023):

• Women with darker skin (need longer sun exposure for Vitamin D synthesis)
• Those who cover most of their skin outdoors
• People living in northern climates (UK winters are especially challenging)
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Those over 65
• Women working indoors or night shifts
• People who are significantly overweight

If you fall into one of these groups and also experience painful periods or fatigue, Vitamin D testing is especially important.

Why Testing Is Better Than Guessing

It’s tempting to buy supplements and hope for the best. But Vitamin D testing gives you clarity:

• Know your baseline – Are you low, sufficient, or optimal?
• Personalise your intake – Tailor your supplements to your actual needs.
• Track progress – Retest to see if your strategy is working.

Without testing, you risk taking too little to see results – or in rare cases, too much, which can have side effects.

How to Optimise Vitamin D Levels

Sunlight

Sunlight is the main natural source of Vitamin D3. Research suggests around 13 minutes of midday sun three times a week is enough for Caucasian adults in summer, while women with darker skin may need longer (NIH, 2010; PHE, 2016).

Food Sources

• Oily fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines)
• Egg yolks
• Fortified cereals and plant milks
• Mushrooms exposed to UV light

Diet alone rarely provides enough, especially in colder months.

Supplements

That’s why supplements are often recommended. Look for:

• Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) – proven more effective than D2 (Tripkovic et al., 2012).
• Liquid or oil-based forms – better absorbed than tablets.
• Clean formulations – free from unnecessary fillers and preservatives.

At The Wellbeing Edit, we recommend Vitamin D3 in Nigella Oil soft gels – vegan-friendly, easily absorbed, and supportive of bone, immune, and hormonal health.

Vitamin D and Painful Periods: What the Research Shows

Recent evidence has linked Vitamin D supplementation to improvements in menstrual pain.

A 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis found that Vitamin D supplementation significantly reduced pain scores in women with primary dysmenorrhoea (Chen et al., 2023). The effect was strongest with higher weekly doses, highlighting its potential role in managing period pain.

Other studies suggest Vitamin D helps by reducing inflammation, supporting muscle function, and influencing hormone balance, all of which are involved in painful periods (Bae and Kim, 2024).

This doesn’t mean Vitamin D is a magic cure – but it’s a powerful piece of the puzzle that is too often overlooked.

Taking Charge of Your Period Health With Vitamin D

If you’re struggling with period pain, fatigue, or mood swings, don’t let another “normal” test dismiss your symptoms. Testing your Vitamin D is simple, empowering, and could reveal one of the hidden triggers behind your pain.

The best part? With targeted supplementation, many women notice improvements in just weeks – from lighter cramps to better energy.

👉 Want to uncover all the hidden triggers behind painful periods?

Download What’s Silently Fuelling Your Period Pain? Your 7-Step Hidden Triggers Checklist and take the first step towards restoring balance. 

FAQs About Vitamin D and Period Health

Can Vitamin D help with painful periods?

Yes. Evidence shows Vitamin D can reduce the severity of menstrual cramps by modulating inflammation and muscle function (Chen et al., 2023).

How do I know if I need testing?

If you struggle with fatigue, low mood, frequent illness, or worsening cramps, testing is a smart step. Many women in the UK are deficient, especially in autumn and winter (PHE, 2016; NHS, 2023).

Is Vitamin D3 better than Vitamin D2?

Yes. Studies show Vitamin D3 is more effective at raising blood levels than D2 (Tripkovic et al., 2012). Look for D3 in liquid or oil-based forms for best absorption.

References

Bae, J.M. and Kim, N.H., 2024. Vitamin D supplementation for patients with dysmenorrhoea: systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 16(7), 1089. Available at: https://mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/7/1089

Chen, Y.C., Chiang, Y.F., Lin, Y.J., Huang, K.C., Chen, H.Y., Hamdy, N.M., Huang, T.C., Chang, H.Y., Shieh, T.M., Huang, Y.J. and Hsia, S.M., 2023. Effect of Vitamin D supplementation on primary dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Nutrients, 15(13), 2830. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10343446/

NHS, 2023. Vitamin D. Available at: https://nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/

Public Health England (PHE), 2016. PHE publishes new advice on Vitamin D. Available at: https://gov.uk/government/news/phe-publishes-new-advice-on-vitamin-d

Tripkovic, L., et al., 2012. Comparison of Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 95(6), pp.1357–1364. https://sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916523028204?via%3Dihub