Bladder overactivity and vitamin D

Few studies about vitamin D and its relation to bladder overactivity and incontinence have been done despite the association between vitamin D and muscle weakness and coordination. The only two I have found show a correlation with decreasing vitamin D levels and female pelvic floor disorders incl. urinary incontinence(1) and risk of onset of overactive bladder.(2) Especially with age. The studies have been made on women only, but there is no reason to believe men should differ in this respect.

Another study has also shown that bladder cells (“bladder epithelium and stromal cells along with vascular endothelial cells”) contain vitamin D receptoirs (as most of the other cells of the body also do) and that treatment with vitamin D analogues “inhibits basal and androgen-stimulated human bladder cell growth and enhances their apoptosis” and “prevent[s] starvation-induced cell phenotype modification”.(3) All factors thought to cause overactive bladder.

Thus different lines of evidence point at low vitamin D levels being a possible causative agent. As CPPS show distinct seasonality with summertime improvement, the studies are interesting and one can hope vitamin D levels will be studied in CPPS sufferers.

On a personal note I have been treating myself with vitamin D since 2008 (after noting the distinct seasonality of my symptoms) and have noted a distinct remission of all CPPS problems

Andra bloggar om CPPS, kroniskt bäckenbottensmärtsyndrom, kronisk abakteriell prostatit, NIHIIIb, överaktiv blåsa, värme, sommar, D-vitamin, inkontinens.
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(1) Badalian SS, Rosenbaum PF. Vitamin D and pelvic floor disorders in women. Obstet gynecol 115(4):795-803, 2010.
(2) Dallosso HM, McGrother CW, Matthews RJ, Donaldson MM. Leicestershire MRC incontinence study group. Nutrient composition of the diet and the development of overactive bladder: a longitudinal study in women. Neururol urodyn 23:204-210, 2004.
(3) Crescioli C et al. Human Bladder as a Novel Target for Vitamin D Receptor Ligands. J Clin Endocrin Metabol 90(2):962-972, 2005.