The Role of Vitamin D and Physical Activity in Endometriosis: Implications for Pain Relief, Physical Function and Reproductive Health- A Literature-Based Review

The Role of Vitamin D and Physical Activity in Endometriosis: Implications for Pain Relief, Physical Function and Reproductive Health- A Literature-Based Review DOI: https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.54.70766Keywords endometriosis, Physical activity, pelvic pain, reproductive health, lifestyle, vitamin DAbstract Purpose of research. The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of vitamin D and physical activity in the management of endometriosis, with particular emphasis on their effects on pain reduction, physical function, and reproductive health in affected women. Research materials and methods. A literature-based review was conducted using major scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The analysis included original studies, randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses focusing on vitamin D status, supplementation, and physical activity interventions in women with endometriosis. Basic results. Vitamin D exhibits immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and anti-angiogenic properties mediated through the vitamin D receptor (VDR), which is widely expressed in reproductive tissues. Lower serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D may be associated with increased risk and severity of endometriosis; however, clinical evidence regarding pain reduction remains inconsistent. Physical activity, including aerobic exercise and mind–body interventions such as yoga, has been shown to reduce pain, improve quality of life, and positively influence psychological well-being through anti-inflammatory and neuroendocrine mechanisms. Emerging evidence suggests that optimizing vitamin D levels, combined with regular physical activity, may produce synergistic effects, particularly in improving physical performance, reducing inflammation, and supporting bone health. Conclusions. Vitamin D and physical activity may serve as safe and effective complementary strategies in the management of endometriosis. Their integration into a personalized, multidisciplinary approach may improve patient outcomes; however, further high-quality studies are required to establish standardized clinical guidelines. References 1. Tomasz Zaremba: [email protected], Surgical oncology resident in Narodowy Instytut Onkologii im. Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie, W. K. Roentgena 5 Street, 02-781 Warsaw, Poland 2. Jacek Zaremba: [email protected], Thoracic surgery specialist in Instytut Gruźlicy i Chorób Płuc, Płocka 26 Street, 01-138 Warsaw, Poland 3. Agata Smolarczyk: [email protected], Doctor of dental medicine in Denticus, Starowiejska 42 Street, 26-900 Kozienice, Poland 4. Agata Świątek: [email protected], Intern doctor in Szpital Św. Wojciecha COPERNICUS Podmiot Leczniczy Sp. z o.o., Jana Pawła II 50 Street, 80-462 Gdansk, Poland 5. Oleksandr Kuzmenko: [email protected], Anesthesiology specialist in Baryshivka Central District Hospital, Vulytsya Kyyivsʹkyy Shlyakh, Baryshivka, Kyiv Oblast, 07-501, Ukraine Downloads Published How to Cite Issue Section License Copyright (c) 2026 Aleksandra Głowacka, Aleksandra Kurek, Dominika Domińczak, Sofiia Ivanchuk, Patryk Górecki, Anhelina Kaminskaya, Tetiana Savchak, Hubert Feretycki, Aladdin Salama, Shafea Abdulla This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Stats Number of views and downloads: 99 Number of citations: 0