Estrogen-Based Contraceptives Linked to Higher Vitamin D Levels in Women
Discovered connection between vitamin D and contraceptive methods revealed
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have discovered that women using oral contraceptives containing estrogen possess higher levels of circulating vitamin D. Conversely, women who discontinue these contraceptives face a significant drop in vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D primarily regulates the appropriate balance of calcium and phosphorous in the blood and supports the body's ability to absorb calcium, a vital element of bone structure. Food sources such as fish, eggs, and sunlight-induced skin synthesis are considerable sources of vitamin D.
The study, led by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon of the NIH's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, investigated any correlations between oral contraceptive use and vitamin D levels, using data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF). The project involved nearly 1,700 African-American women aged 23-34 living around Detroit, MI.
Researchers confirmed significantly higher vitamin D levels among women using estrogen-based contraceptives, even after accounting for potential confounding factors such as seasonal exposure to light. This suggests that contraceptives containing estrogen may boost vitamin D levels, with said levels likely to decrease upon discontinuation.
According to Dr. Harmon, current users of birth control showed higher vitamin D levels, while past users demonstrated average vitamin D levels. After accounting for confounding variables, the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen resulted in approximately 20% higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
Given these findings, women planning to stop birth control use should take measures to ensure adequate vitamin D levels during preconception and pregnancy. As this study focused solely on African-American women, further research is necessary to understand how this association may apply to other racial groups.
Dr. Harmon is continuing her investigation of this group of women and working with another participant group to examine how vitamin D levels vary across the menstrual cycle. When asked about a potential link between race and this effect, Dr. Harmon stated: "The same association has been observed in young and older women who are not African-American, so we believe this association is not related to race."
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to conditions like rickets and osteomalacia (softening of the bones), particularly during pregnancy when the increased production of the active form of vitamin D is required to support the growth of the fetal skeleton. Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels during pregnancy is essential to ensure proper bone development for the baby.
Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms responsible for the observed association between estrogen-based contraception and vitamin D levels across different racial groups, as well as the potential implications for overall bone health and pregnancy outcomes.
- Women who use estrogen-based contraceptives may have higher levels of vitamin D, a nutrient crucial for maintaining bone structure and regulating calcium levels.
- Research on African-American women aged 23-34 in Detroit, MI, found that those using estrogen-based contraceptives had significantly higher vitamin D levels compared to those who discontinued use.
- Current users of birth control showed higher vitamin D levels, while past users demonstrated average levels, with estrogen-based contraceptives resulting in approximately 20% higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
- As women planning to stop birth control use should take measures to ensure adequate vitamin D levels during preconception and pregnancy, further research is necessary to understand how this association may apply to other racial groups.
- The same association between estrogen-based contraception and vitamin D levels has been observed in young and older women of different racial backgrounds, suggesting this association may not be related to race.
- Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy can lead to conditions like rickets and osteomalacia, which cause softening of the bones, emphasizing the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels for proper fetal skeleton growth and overall bone health.
