Uncovered connection between vitamin D and contraceptives in interesting findings
Discovering the Connection Between Estrogen-Based Contraceptives and Vitamin D Levels
Turns out, ladies on estrogen-based birth control pills experience higher vitamin D levels in their circulation compared to those not on the pill. Conversely, when they stop taking these contraceptives, a significant drop in vitamin D levels occurs.
You might be wondering why this happens. Well, vitamin D, like an old friend, helps maintain the perfect balance of calcium and phosphorus in your blood and aids in calcium absorption—essential for those strong bones of yours. Interestingly, foods packed with vitamin D like fish and eggs aren't the only sources. A whopping 90 percent of vitamin D is actually produced in your skin after sun exposure through a chemical reaction.
Lack of vitamin D can lead to harmful conditions such as rickets and osteomalacia (softening of the bones). Given its vital role in forming bones, it's particularly important during pregnancy.
Intrigued by this connection, Dr. Quaker E. Harmon, from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, NC, decided to investigate any changes in vitamin D levels associated with taking oral contraceptives.
Investigating Vitamin D and Contraception
The researchers carried out an analysis using data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), a project focused on reproductive health. They studied almost 1,700 African-American women aged 23-34 living in and around Detroit, MI.
The study questioned women about their contraceptive use, including the amount of time spent outside, and any vitamin D supplements they took. In total, 1,662 women provided blood samples to check levels of the most common circulating form of vitamin D, known as 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
"Our study found that women who were using contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels than other women," stated Dr. Harmon. Even after accounting for potential confounding factors, such as seasonal exposure to light, the effect remained significant. "We could not find any behavioral differences to explain the increase," she added.
"After making adjustments for confounding variables, the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was associated with 20 percent higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D." At the same time, current users of birth control had higher vitamin D levels compared to past users.
Vitamin D Deficiency in Early Pregnancy
The study's findings mean that as a woman trying to conceive, she might be at risk of vitamin D deficiency due to a drop in levels when she stops using birth control. To prevent this, Dr. Harmon advises:
"For women planning to stop using birth control, it is worth taking steps to ensure that vitamin D levels are adequate while trying to conceive and during pregnancy."
When asked why estrogen-based contraception might affect vitamin D levels, Dr. Harmon explained:
"Other work suggests that the levels of other vitamin D metabolites are changed when women use estrogen-containing contraception. This suggests that there may be alterations in the metabolism of vitamin D. Further research is needed."
The current study only focused on African-American women. Although the same association has been observed in women from different racial backgrounds, Dr. Harmon notes that African-American women are more likely to be vitamin D-deficient, making small increases or decreases in vitamin D concentrations more significant.
Dr. Harmon continues to follow this group of women to further explore the relationship. Additionally, she is working on another group of participants to investigate how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle.
While further research is needed, it's worth considering the impact estrogen-based contraceptives may have on your vitamin D levels, especially when planning a pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider to stay informed!
- Surprisingly, women on estrogen-based contraceptive pills have higher vitamin D levels compared to those not on the pill, and a significant drop occurs when they stop taking these contraceptives.
- Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of calcium and phosphorus in your blood and aiding in calcium absorption, which is essential for strong bones.
- Lack of vitamin D can lead to harmful conditions like rickets and osteomalacia, and it's particularly important during pregnancy.
- A study by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon from the National Institutes of Health found that women using contraception containing estrogen had 20 percent higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
- For women planning to stop using birth control, it is advisable to ensure vitamin D levels are adequate while trying to conceive and during pregnancy to prevent deficiency.
- Further research is needed to understand how estrogen-based contraceptives might affect vitamin D levels, particularly in relation to women's health, nutrition, and overall health-and-wellness.
