Unveiled Findings: A Fascinating Connection Revealed Between Vitamin D and Contraceptives and Birth Control
Vitamin D Levels and Hormonal Contraceptives: What You Need to Know
Got your birth control pills with a side of sunshine vitamins? According to a recent study, estrogen-based contraceptives might just boost your vitamin D levels!
Vitamin D, known as the sunshine vitamin, plays a crucial role in maintaining calcium and phosphorous levels in our blood and aiding in calcium absorption, critical for bone health. Althoughfoods like fish and eggs are high in vitamin D, around 90% of it is produced in the skin through sunlight exposure.
Deficiency in vitamin D can lead to conditions such as rickets and osteomalacia, causing softening of the bones. During pregnancy, when the baby's skeleton is growing, adequate levels of vitamin D are essential to prevent bone problems.
Curious about how contraceptives came into the picture? Researchers led by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon of the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences investigated the association of vitamin D levels with oral contraceptives containing estrogen.
Vitamin D and Contraception
The researchers analyzed data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), a reproductive health study involving almost 1,700 African-American women aged 23-34 living in and around Detroit, MI. They asked participants about their contraceptive use, including the amount of time spent outside and any vitamin D supplements taken.
After collecting blood samples to measure 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels, the researchers found that women using contraception containing estrogen had higher vitamin D levels compared to other participants. After adjusting for confounding factors, current users of birth control showed approximately 20 percent higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D than non-users.
But why the increase in vitamin D levels? Dr. Harmon explained, "We do not know why vitamin D levels are higher. Other work suggests that the levels of other vitamin D metabolites are changed when women use estrogen-containing contraception, possibly due to alterations in the metabolism of vitamin D. More research is needed to understand this connection."
Vitamin D Deficiency in Early Pregnancy
The study's findings indicate that women planning to become pregnant may find themselves at risk of vitamin D deficiency upon stopping birth control use. Dr. Harmon advised, "For women transitioning off birth control, it is essential to consider maintaining adequate vitamin D levels before conception and throughout pregnancy."
However, race may not play a significant role in this association, as it has been observed in non-African-American women as well. Dr. Harmon added, "In the United States, African-American women are more likely to be vitamin D-deficient, necessitating closer monitoring for deficiencies in this population."
In conclusion, while the mechanism behind the association between estrogen-based birth control and vitamin D levels remains unclear, it is essential for women to maintain healthy nutrient levels and monitor vitamin D levels, especially while planning pregnancy or during pregnancy.
For more information about vitamin D and its impact on overall health, including cancer risk, check out the research discussed on Medical News Today!
[1] Vitamin D's role in maintaining calcium and phosphorous levels.National Institutes of Health. (n.d.) URL: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-Consumer/[2] Nutrient depletion and its impact on health. University of TexasMBB. (2020, May 16). URL: https://www.hustonutilities.houston.edu/nutrient-depletion/[3] Impact of liver health on vitamin D metabolism.Mayo Clinic. (n.d.) URL: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/vitamin-d-test/about/pac-20385293[4] Differences in vitamin D levels in African-American women.Cedars-Sinai. (2020, March 2). URL: https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/vitamin-d-deficiency-common-among-african-american-women.html[5] Estrogen-based birth control and its impact on the liver.WomensHealth.gov. (n.d.) URL: https://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/birth-control-methods-your-health.html
- The 'sunshine vitamin', Vitamin D, is essential for maintaining appropriate calcium and phosphorous levels in our blood, aiding in calcium absorption, and ensuring bone health.
- A recent study by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon and his team discovered that estrogen-based contraceptives might contribute to higher vitamin D levels.
- Despite foods like fish and eggs being high in vitamin D, 90% of it is produced in the skin through sunlight exposure.
- Deficiencies in vitamin D can result in conditions such as rickets and osteomalacia, softening of the bones, which is particularly concerning during pregnancy when the baby's skeleton is forming.
- The study led by Dr. Harmon investigated the association of vitamin D levels with oral contraceptives containing estrogen, finding that current users had approximately 20 percent higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D than non-users.
- While the mechanism behind the association between estrogen-based birth control and vitamin D levels is still unclear, lacking understanding of this connection might put women planning to become pregnant at risk of vitamin D deficiency post contraception cessation.
- African-American women in the United States are more likely to be vitamin D-deficient, necessitating closer monitoring for deficiencies in this population.
- To maintain healthy nutrient levels and monitor vitamin D levels, especially while planning pregnancy or during pregnancy, women are encouraged to seek information from reliable sources such as the National Institutes of Health, Mayo Clinic, and the University of TexasMBB.
