JAKARTA - For everyone, sexual life is not always at its peak. If you feel that your passion has decreased or your intimate relationship has been razed lately, you are not alone. A study in 2021 found that Americans from various age groups are now less likely to have sex than in previous years. In fact, the younger generation is listed as the group that most often has sexless lifestyles, aka life without sexual activity.
Many factors can be causes, such as fatigue, stress, sexual dysfunction, hormonal imbalance, or emotional problems. However, a biological factor that is often overlooked can also be the culprit, namely the lack of vitamin D.
Vitamin D, also known as taunvitamins,' has been more associated with bone health so far. However, recent research shows that this vitamin has an important role in sexual function, both in men and women.
Reporting from the Best Life page, a study published in The World Journal of Men's Health found that vitamin D can increase sperm motility (the ability of sperm to move or swim), support male fertility, and help the production of sex hormones through increased parity function.
Not only that, another study from the 2018 International Journal of Endocrinology involving 114 men found that those with higher vitamin D levels also had better testosterone levels and more optimal erectile functions.
Vitamin D increases blood flow to the genitals by repairing blood vessels and reducing inflammation, according to a report from the Cleveland Heart Lab.
Meanwhile, in women, vitamin D deficiency is also related to various sexual disorders. Research shows a low relationship between low levels of vitamin D and pain during intercourse, difficulty reaching arousal, and low libido.
In women, vitamin D is used by ovaries to maintain healthy sexual functions. However, there is no conclusive evidence that vitamin D changes the female sex hormone," explained Dr. Jeffrey Bland, immunologist and founder of Big Bold Health.
Although its immediate effect on the female sex hormone has not been confirmed, vitamin D's role in the ovarian function shows that its shortcomings can affect the quality of intimate relationships.
Not only has an impact on sexual function, but vitamin D also plays an important role in urological health, a medical area that includes reproductive organs, bladder, kidney, and urinary tract.
Several studies have found that men with low vitamin D levels are more susceptible to prostate enlargement, an overactive bladder, to urinary tract infection (ISK). A 2019 meta-review published in Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science concluded that vitamin D deficiency correlates with an increased risk of ISK in children and adults.
"Vitamin D affects the absorption and use of calcium. This has an impact on the amount of calcium thrown through urine, so a balanced intake of vitamin D is very important to maintain the health of the urinary tract," said Dr. Bland.
SEE ALSO:
To keep your sexual health in prime, you can increase your vitamin D levels in several ways:
1. Sunbathing in direct sunlight for 10'20 minutes a day
2. Consumption of vitamin D-rich foods such as salmon, sardines, egg yolk, beef liver, as well as fortified milk and Goodminton
3. Consumption of vitamin D supplements, especially if you live in a minimal Sunlight area or have a high risk of deficiency
According to the National Institutes of Health, the daily need for vitamin D for adults aged 19'70 years is 600 IU, while over 70 years of age is 800 IU. Consult with doctors before taking supplements, especially to determine the dose that suits your body's condition.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
