Vitamin D's potential role in birth control mechanisms revealed.
Vitamin D and Birth Control: What You Need to Know
Getting your daily dose of Vitamin D is essential for maintaining the correct calcium and phosphorous levels in your blood, as well as aiding your body in absorbing calcium - a crucial component of bones. Apart from foods like fish and eggs, around 90% of your vitamin D comes from sunlight exposure.
However, new research suggests that women on estrogen-based birth control pills have higher vitamin D levels compared to those not taking these contraceptives. Dr. Quaker E. Harmon, a researcher from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, NC, delved into this topic in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Vitamin D and Contraception
Dr. Harmon and her team conducted a study focused on African-American women in Detroit, MI, aged between 23 and 34. They gathered data on the women's contraceptive use, including questions about their time spent outdoors and any vitamin D supplements they took. They gathered blood samples from 1,662 participants to measure their 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels, the most common circulating form of Vitamin D.
Interestingly, the study found that women taking estrogen-based contraceptives tended to have higher vitamin D levels than their counterparts. Even after controlling for confounding factors such as seasonal light exposure, the effect remained significant. This suggests that contraceptives containing estrogen tend to boost vitamin D levels.
After adjusting for confounding variables, current users of birth control containing estrogen had 20 percent higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D compared to others. Past users showed average vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D Deficiency in Early Pregnancy
Given these findings, women who are trying to become pregnant but have discontinued birth control may be at risk of Vitamin D deficiency. To mitigate this, Dr. Harmon advises planning a few steps to ensure vitamin D levels are sufficient before conceiving and during pregnancy.
Researchers acknowledge that they don't fully understand why estrogen-based contraceptives might affect vitamin D levels. Further studies are necessary to investigate this relationship, including analyzing any potential alterations in vitamin D metabolism in response to hormonal changes.
The study concentrated on African-American women, but Dr. Harmon believes the association is not related to race. In the United States, African-American women have a higher likelihood of Vitamin D deficiency, so small increases or decreases in their vitamin D concentrations can have significant implications.
Dr. Harmon is also continuing to research this group of women to delve further into the relationship between Vitamin D and hormonal contraceptives and is working on another group to explore how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle.
As we continue to learn more about the intricate relationship between vitamins, minerals, and hormones, it's crucial to prioritize overall health, especially during crucial life stages such as pregnancy. Consult your healthcare provider to ensure adequate vitamin D levels and thrive!
Sources:1. Vitamin D Receptor2. Nutrient Depletion and Hormonal Contraceptives3. Vitamin D during Pregnancy
- The study discovered that women taking estrogen-based contraceptives typically have higher vitamin D levels than those not on these medications, even when adjusting for confounding factors.
- Women planning pregnancy but discontinuing birth control might be at risk of vitamin D deficiency due to this research, highlighting the importance of maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels prior and during pregnancy.
- As the relationship between vitamins, minerals, and hormones becomes better understood, it is crucial for women to prioritize health and nutrition, particularly during significant life stages such as pregnancy.
- In the United States, African-American women have a higher likelihood of vitamin D deficiency, but Dr. Harmon believes the association between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels is not race-specific.
- Further scientific research is necessary to better comprehend why and how estrogen-based contraceptives might affect vitamin D levels, including assessing any possible modifications in vitamin D metabolism due to hormonal changes.
- Dr. Harmon is conducting additional research on African-American women to delve further into the relationship between vitamin D and hormonal contraceptives and is working on another group to investigate how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle.
