Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026

Anogenital Distance and Perineal Measurements of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) Quantification System
Published on: September 20, 2018
Vitamin D status in women with pelvic floor disorder symptoms
Candace Y Parker-Autry1, Alayne D Markland, Alicia C Ballard
1Division of Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 619 19th Street South, 176-F, Suite 10382, Birmingham, AL 35249, USA. cautry@uabmc.edu
Introduction And Hypothesis:
Our aim was to characterize the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] status with pelvic floor symptom distress and impact on quality of life.
Methods:
A retrospective chart review was performed in women with a 25(OH)D level drawn within 1 year of their gynecology/urogynecology visit. Validated questionnaires including the Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory (CRADI)-8 and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) were used. Multivariate analyses characterized pelvic floor disorder (PFD) symptom differences among women by vitamin D status.
Results:
We studied 394 women. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) 25(OH)D levels were higher in women without than with PFD symptoms (35.0 ± 14.1 and 29.3 ± 11.5 ng/ml, respectively (p < 0.001)]. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was 51% (136/268). CRADI-8 and IIQ-7 scores were higher among women with vitamin D insufficiency (p = 0.03 and p = 0.001, respectively). Higher IIQ-7 scores were independently associated with vitamin D insufficiency (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Insufficient vitamin D is associated with increased colorectal symptom distress and greater impact of urinary incontinence on quality of life.
Related Concept Videos
Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
Connective Tissue Cell Types
Fat cells (adipocytes), smooth muscle cells (myoblasts), and bone cells (osteoblasts) are some connective tissue cell types. Some immune system cells...
Menopause
