Uncovered connection between vitamin D and contraception: new findings
Sunlight, Hormones, and Bones: A Surprising Connection
Vitamin D, a nutrient vital for maintaining the right balance of calcium and phosphorous in your blood, and aiding in calcium absorption, plays a crucial role in bone health. Foods like fish and eggs are rich sources of vitamin D, but most of it is naturally produced in the skin after exposure to sunlight.
A recent study by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon from the National Institutes of Health has uncovered an intriguing connection between vitamin D levels and estrogen-based contraceptives.
Vitamin D and Birth Control
The researchers analyzed data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), a reproductive health investigation involving nearly 1,700 African-American women in Detroit, MI, aged 23-34. They asked about contraceptive use and questioned participants about their sun exposure and vitamin D supplements.
Blood samples from 1,662 women were taken to measure levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D, the most common circulating form of vitamin D.
The findings revealed that women taking contraceptives containing estrogen had significantly higher vitamin D levels compared to other participants. Even after adjusting for various factors, such as seasonal light exposure, the effect remained significant.
"Our study found that women using contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels than other women," explained Dr. Harmon. "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 controlling for confounding variables, the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was associated with 20 percent higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
Current users of birth control had higher levels of vitamin D, while past users had average vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D Deficiency in Early Pregnancy
These findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, highlight the potential risk of vitamin D deficiency as a woman starts trying to conceive or become pregnant.
Dr. Harmon advises, "For women who are planning to stop using birth control, it is worth taking steps to ensure that vitamin D levels are adequate while trying to conceive and during pregnancy."
Dr. Harmon couldn't pinpoint the exact reason why estrogen-based contraceptives might affect vitamin D levels. However, she noted that other research suggests the levels of other vitamin D metabolites might be altered when women use estrogen-containing contraception, indicating possible metabolic changes.
This study focused on African-American women only. Dr. Harmon emphasized that the same association has been observed in women from different racial backgrounds, implying that the connection isn't racially linked.
Dr. Harmon is also conducting further research on this group of women to explore the relationship deeper and is working on another group of participants to examine how vitamin D levels vary across the menstrual cycle.
Although more research is needed, it appears that estrogen-based contraceptives may benefit bone health indirectly by boosting vitamin D levels. However, women transitioning off contraceptives should pay close attention to their vitamin D status to ensure proper nutrition for their bones and overall prenatal wellness.
- Recognizing the importance of vitamin D in maintaining bone health, the study of women's health and nutrition becomes crucial, particularly in relation to multi-vitamins and health-and-wellness.
- The connection between contraceptives and vitamin D levels warrants attention, as the study found a 20 percent increase in 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels among current users of estrogen-based contraceptives.
- Highlighting a potential risk for vitamin D deficiency, this finding underscores the importance of adequate vitamin D for womens-health, both in early pregnancy and while trying to conceive.
- As estrogen-based contraceptives may bolster women's-vitamins, including vitamin D, it is essential for those transitioning off contraceptives to examine their vitamin D status for optimal bone and overall prenatal health.
- Though further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between contraceptives, vitamin D, and womens-health, the current study's findings support the notion that estrogen-based contraceptives may positively impact bone health indirectly through increased vitamin D levels.
- In the broader context of cultural diversity, it is important to note that the same association between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels has been observed in women of different racial backgrounds, suggesting that this connection is not racially linked.
