Exploration of a potential connection between vitamin D and contraceptives revealed
Revised Article:
Getting your daily dose of sunshine might not be the only way to keep those vitamin D levels in check! A recent study shows that taking estrogen-based birth control pills could boost your vitamin D levels. On the flip side, quitting these contraceptives could lead to a significant drop in this essential nutrient.
Vitamin D, often nicknamed the "sunshine vitamin," plays a vital role in maintaining the ideal balance of calcium and phosphorous in your bloodstream. It also helps your body absorb calcium, a key component of bones. Most of our vitamin D comes from foods like fish and eggs, but around 90% of it is produced naturally in our skin after some sunbathe time[1][3].
Deficiency in vitamin D can lead to the bone diseases rickets in children and osteomalacia (softening of the bones) in adults. Being vitamin D-deficient is especially dangerous during pregnancy, as it can increase the risk of developing bone problems for both mother and child.
To dig deeper into the connection between vitamin D and contraception, researchers led by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences decided to investigate any changes in vitamin D levels associated with taking oral contraceptives.
Vitamin D and contraception: A closer look
The researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), which focuses on reproductive health. The study involved almost 1,700 African-American women aged 23-34 living in and around Detroit, MI[2].
The women were asked about their birth control use, including questions about how much time they spent outside and if they were taking any vitamin D supplements. In all, 1,662 women provided blood samples to measure their levels of the most common circulating form of vitamin D, called 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
The study found that women who were taking contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels than other women. Even after accounting for factors like seasonal light exposure and vitamin D supplementation, this effect remained significant.
"Our study found that women who were using contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels than other women," said Dr. Harmon. "We could not find any behavioral differences such as increased time spent outdoors to explain the increase. Our findings suggest that contraceptives containing estrogen tend to boost vitamin D levels, and those levels are likely to fall when women cease using contraception."
After adjusting for confounding variables, the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was associated with 20% higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D[2].
Vitamin D deficiency in early pregnancy
The study's findings mean that as a woman starts trying to become pregnant, she could be at risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency. To avoid any complications, Dr. Harmon suggests that women who plan to stop using birth control should take steps to ensure their vitamin D levels are adequate while trying to conceive and during pregnancy.
Medical News Today asked Dr. Harmon why estrogen-based contraception might affect vitamin D levels, and she said: "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. This suggests that there may be alterations in the metabolism of vitamin D. Further work is needed."
The study looked specifically at African-American women, but Dr. Harmon explained that the same association has been observed in women who are not African-American. She also mentioned that she is continuing to follow the study group to further investigate the relationship and is working on another group of participants to investigate how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle.
While there is still much to learn about how estrogen-based contraception affects vitamin D levels, it's essential to prioritize maintaining your vitamin D levels, especially if you use birth control containing estrogen. Consult your healthcare provider to discuss supplementation options, ensure adequate sun exposure, consume vitamin D-rich foods, and maintain a balanced diet.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6321553/[2] https://www.jcem.org/article/S0022-3240(19)31226-6/fulltext[3] https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-vitamin-d/art-20365283
The above article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.
- Given the new study, it seems that estrogen-based birth control pills may help address womens' multi-vitamins and nutrient deficiencies, particularly regarding vitamin D, as it can boost these levels.
- The "sunshine vitamin," vitamin D, plays a significant role in womens' health and nutrition, aiding bone health and the absorption of calcium.
- However, quitting estrogen-based contraceptives could potentially lead to deficiencies in vitamins, such as vitamin D, which could pose risks, especially during pregnancy.
- Although the study focused on African-American women, similar associations have been observed in women from other demographic backgrounds, indicating a potential effect on womens-health for a broader population.
- Science has uncovered a relationship between estrogen-based contraception and vitamin D levels, but further research is necessary to fully understand the mechanisms behind this connection.
- To maintain womens-health-and-wellness and ensure proper nutrient intake, it's crucial to consult healthcare providers, consider supplementation, seek adequate sun exposure, consume vitamin D-rich foods, and follow a balanced diet.
