Discovered Connection: Vitamin D May Influence Efficiency of Birth Control Methods
Controlling Your Calcium Levels with Vitamin D... and a Little Birth Control Help
Got a hankering for bone health? Then you'll want to keep an eye on your vitamin D levels! Research indicates that the ladies on estrogen-based birth control pills are extra loaded up with this magical nutrient, while those who ditch the pill face a serious dip in their vitamin D stocks.
So, what's this all about? Well, vitamin D's primary purpose is to maintain the correct levels of calcium and phosphorus in your blood. It's the unsung hero that helps your body soak up the essential calcium for bone-building strength.
You can get your dose of D from a variety of sources: food-wise, consider fish and eggs; they're packing a punch. Or, just head outside and soak in some sun rays, as 90% of our vitamin D is produced right in our skin due to sunlight!
A deficiency in vitamin D? Best stay clear of rickets and osteomalacia (sounds scary, right? That's the softening of your bones!). Worse, during pregnancy, women produce boosted levels of the active form of vitamin D to support growing baby bones, making them at higher risk for deficiency.
But, how does our trusty contraception fit into all of this? Dr. Quaker E. Harmon of the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences decided to dig a little deeper into vitamin D levels and contraception.
Vitamin D + Contraception
Lo and behold, after analyzing data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids, the research showed that women on estrogen-based contraceptives generally had higher vitamin D levels compared to other women. Even after controlling for confounding factors, the association held strong!
"The current study looked solely at African-American women," Dr. Harmon shared. "However, the same association has been observed in young and older women who are not African-American."
So, what canwe do to make sure we keep our vitamin D levels on point as we transition from birth control to pregnancy? Dr. Harmon recommends taking a few simple steps to ensure proper vitamin D levels, especially during pregnancy.
- Supplementing: Prenatal vitamins that include vitamin D are a fantastic option. Don't forget to consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements, though!
- Dietary Changes: Up your intake of vitamin D-rich foods, such as fatty fish and fortified dairy products, or soak up some sunlight whenever possible.
- See Your Doctor: It always pays to have a chat with your healthcare provider about your individual vitamin D needs and the best approach for you.
- Women on estrogen-based birth control pills may have higher levels of vitamin D due to the influence of estrogen on the nutrient.
- Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining the correct levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood, aiding in bone health.
- Deficiencies in vitamin D can lead to health issues such as rickets, osteomalacia, and increased risk during pregnancy.
- Research led by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon shows that women on estrogen-based contraceptives have higher vitamin D levels compared to other women, regardless of ethnicity.
- To ensure proper vitamin D levels during pregnancy, consider taking prenatal vitamins that include vitamin D, increasing intake of vitamin D-rich foods, and consulting your healthcare provider.
- Understanding your individual vitamin D needs and the best approach can be discussed with your healthcare provider for a healthy and safe transition from birth control to pregnancy.
