Vitamin D (VD) is a fat-soluble steroid hormone with essential physiological functions beyond calcium and bone metabolism. In recent years, its role in women’s reproductive health has gained attention, influencing ovarian function, follicular development, endometrial receptivity, and steroid hormone regulation. VD deficiency has been linked to reproductive disorders such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and infertility. Studies indicate that up to 40–50% of healthy pregnant women have insufficient VD levels, which may contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes and reduced fertility. With growing evidence connecting VD to reproductive health, this review examines its molecular and endocrine mechanisms in fertility, endometriosis, and PCOS. It explores VD’s therapeutic potential and its implications for improving clinical approaches and future research in reproductive medicine. Maintaining adequate VD levels is crucial for ovarian function, immune modulation in reproductive tissues, and overall fertility. Its deficiency is associated with insulin resistance, hormonal imbalances, and inflammatory processes, which contribute to reproductive pathophysiology. Establishing reference values for VD in reproductive medicine is essential for optimizing fertility treatments and improving clinical outcomes. This review synthesizes current research on VD’s role in reproductive health and highlights the need for further investigation into its therapeutic applications.

Vitamin D (VD) is a fat-soluble steroid hormone with crucial physiological functions beyond calcium and bone metabolism. In recent years, the role of VD in women’s reproductive health has garnered significant attention. It has been implicated in ovarian function, follicular development, endometrial receptivity, and the regulation of steroid hormone production. VD deficiency has been associated with a range of reproductive health disorders, including Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and infertility. Studies indicate that up to 40-50% of healthy pregnant women exhibit deficient serum VD levels, which may be linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes and impaired fertility. VD plays a key role in regulating ovarian function, promoting proper follicular development, and modulating the immune response in reproductive tissues. Its deficiency has been linked to insulin resistance, hormonal imbalances, and inflammatory processes, all of which contribute to the pathophysiology of reproductive disorders. This review synthesizes current research on VD's therapeutic potential in managing these disorders and enhancing fertility outcomes, emphasizing the importance of maintaining adequate VD levels for optimal reproductive health. Understanding the reference values for VD in reproductive medicine is essential for optimizing fertility treatments and improving clinical outcomes in women with reproductive health disorders.

To explore the role of health literacy in surgical decision making in a predominately Hispanic population, we designed a mixed-methods approach to assess patient’s literacy and explore what drives their choices for their healthcare. Understanding these factors will guide physicians to improve patient education, engagement and provide equitable care. In this IRB-approved study, English- and Spanish-speaking patients offered urogynecology surgery at our tertiary center were recruited. Participants completed the Short Assessment of Health Literacy (SAHL), a demographic survey, and a semi-structured interview to gain insight into their medical decision-making process. Data were analyzed using chi-square and t-tests, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Grounded theory guided qualitative analysis of interview transcripts. Among 62 participants, most patients (90.3%) had sufficient health literacy. Mean SAHL scores did not differ between those electing for surgery and those declining. While Hispanic patients did tend to have lower SAHL scores (16.3) than non-Hispanic patients (17.1) ( p = 0.04), the average still suggested adequate literacy. Interviews revealed that patients electing surgery often cited comfort with their physician ( p = 0.01), definitive treatment (p = < 0.01), and friends’ experiences ( p = 0.04) as influential factors. The influence of personal faith was brought up by nineteen participants (13 electing for surgery, 6 declining surgery, p = 0.11). Our research revealed that our patient population tends to have adequate health literacy. Interviews revealed themes that influence choices, such as trust in their physician and patient’s faith. Further investigation into the role that social factors play will be critical for better understanding patient surgical decision making.

The aim of this study is to establish the ideal clinician's approach to nutritional bicytopenia in the context of adequate micronutrient supplementation. We present the case of a 27-year-old patient living with obesity, subjected for months to a very low-calorie diet and adequate supplementation with complementary vitamins and minerals, evaluated and treated for bicytopenia with irondeficiency anemia and lymphocytopenia. The use of meal replacement supplements as nutritional sources replacing food items requires medical supervision as they can have consequences on the patient's micronutrient balance. Classically, and frequently, iron-deficiency anemias have been identified as the most common condition in these restrictive nutritional regimens. However, alterations in the white cell line are more frequent than believed and may be associated with multiple nutritional deficiencies including folic acid and vitamin B12. The diagnostic approach becomes complex when the most common nutritional causes are hidden by replacement supplements. The patient achieved an increase in hemoglobin after treatment (12.3 g/dL), recovering from anemia. When approaching nutritional cytopenias, the primary takeaway should always be the thinking process. Every patient with bicytopenia must be studied particularly meticulously, and the good clinician is forced to address it and reach the most likely diagnosis within the common and the rare.