Unveiled finding links vitamin D and birth control methods.
Switchin' Up Vitamin D: A new study reveals that the use of estrogen-based birth control pills could bump up a woman's vitamin D levels—because estrogen triggers an increase in a protein known as vitamin D-binding protein (DBP), which leads to a rise in total vitamin D concentrations in the blood. Yet, this boost in total vitamin D may not necessarily mean a jump in the active, free vitamin D.
The role of vitamin D is all about maintaining proper calcium and phosphorous levels in the blood and aiding the body in absorbing calcium—a crucial mineral for bones. Plentiful sources of vitamin D can be found in foods like fish and eggs, but around 90 percent of this essential nutrient is produced through a chemical reaction in the skin after sun exposure.
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to health issues such as rickets and osteomalacia (softening of the bones). Because of its role in bone formation, vitamin D is of significant importance during pregnancy. Researchers set out to investigate any potential associations between vitamin D and oral contraceptives, focusing on African-American women.
The study, led by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon of the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, analyzed data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), using nearly 1,700 women living in and around Detroit, MI, aged 23-34. Participants answered questions about their contraceptive use and time spent outdoors, and gave blood samples to measure levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D, the primary circulating form of vitamin D.
Dr. Harmon and her team found that women using estrogen-based contraception had significantly higher vitamin D levels than other study participants. This effect remained significant even after controlling for confounding factors like seasonal exposure to light. However, they couldn't find any behavioral differences—such as increased time spent outdoors—to explain the increase, suggesting that estrogen-based contraceptives could directly affect vitamin D levels.
After adjusting for confounding variables, the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was associated with a 20 percent increase in 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels. The current study solely focused on African-American women, but Dr. Harmon believes that this association is not limited to race. As African-American women are more likely to be vitamin D-deficient, even minor changes or decreases in their vitamin D concentrations may be significant.
The researchers are continuing to follow this group of women to further explore the relationship between vitamin D and estrogen-based contraception. They are also working on another study to investigate how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle.
For women planning to stop using birth control, it's worth taking steps to ensure adequate vitamin D levels while trying to conceive and during pregnancy. Further research is needed to fully understand the interplay between estrogen-based contraception, vitamin D metabolism, and binding dynamics, and how this may impact the health implications of vitamin D status in women of different races.
- The study focusing on African-American women discovered that estrogen-based contraception can lead to higher vitamin D levels, with this association potentially not being limited to race.
- Researchers observed that despite the higher total vitamin D concentrations in the blood due to the use of estrogen-based contraception, the active, free vitamin D levels may not see a significant jump.
- In the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), more than 1,600 women, aged 23-34, were analyzed to investigate any potential associations between vitamin D and oral contraceptives.
- The active ingredients in contraceptive pills, patches, or rings that contain estrogen were found to boost 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels by 20 percent after accounting for confounding variables.
- Women who plan to stop using birth control should consider taking necessary measures to maintain appropriate vitamin D levels while trying to conceive and during pregnancy, as further research is needed to uncover the full impact of estrogen-based contraception on vitamin D metabolism and binding dynamics.
- While more research is underway to explore the relationship between vitamin D and estrogen-based contraception throughout the menstrual cycle, it's important to prioritize the overall health and well-being of women, particularly regarding women's health, nutrition, and cultural perspectives related to health-and-wellness.
