Uncovered revelation: Connection between vitamin D and contraception
A Study on Estrogen-Based Birth Control and Vitamin D Levels
Turns out, ladies on estrogen-based birth control pills have a higher supply of circulating Vitamin D in their system, and when they quit taking these contraceptives, a significant drop in Vitamin D levels occurs.
this vital nutrient's main job is to keep the correct levels of calcium and phosphorus in your blood. It also helps the body absorb calcium, a critical component for building bones. While food sources like fish and eggs contain high amounts of Vitamin D, around 90 percent of Vitamin D is generated in the skin through a chemical reaction following sun exposure.
Failing to meet the sufficient intake of Vitamin D can result in conditions like rickets and osteomalacia (softening of the bones). Due to its importance in bone formation, it's crucial during pregnancy, as a deficiency might lead to bone problems.
Quaker E. Harmon, of the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, NC, decided to dig deeper into the link between contraception and Vitamin D levels.
The Link Between Contraception and Vitamin D
Researchers carried out a cross-sectional analysis, using data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), an investigation focusing on reproductive health. Almost 1,700 African-American women aged 23-34 living around Detroit, MI, were involved in the project. The study questioned women about their contraceptive use, including questions about time spent outdoors and any Vitamin D supplements they took.
1,662 women provided blood samples to determine the levels of the most common circulating form of Vitamin D, called 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
During pregnancy, women produce increased levels of the active form of Vitamin D to support the growth of the fetal skeleton. Consequently, pregnant women are at an increased risk of Vitamin D deficiency and subsequent bone issues.
"Our study found that women who were using contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher Vitamin D levels than other women," said Dr. Harmon.
Even after accounting for factors that could skew the results, such as seasonal light exposure, the impact remained significant. Interestingly, the researchers couldn't find any significant differences in behavior—like increased time spent outdoors—to explain the rise.
After accounting 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. Current users of birth control had higher levels of Vitamin D, while past users had average levels.
Vitamin D Deficiency in Early Pregnancy
The study's findings imply that women, as they start trying to conceive, might risk becoming Vitamin D deficient. Dr. Harmon advises that for women planning to stop using birth control, it's wise to ensure adequate Vitamin D levels while trying to conceive and during pregnancy.
Dr. Harmon was asked why estrogen-based contraception might affect Vitamin D levels, and she replied that more research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms. She also mentioned that the same association has been observed in women who are not African American, so the association appears unrelated to race.
The increased risk of Vitamin D deficiency among African-American women, combined with the impact of small changes in their Vitamin D concentrations, makes close monitoring of their Vitamin D status even more critical.
The study is forthcoming in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Further research will investigate the relationship between Vitamin D and the menstrual cycle, and the team will continue to follow the initial group of women for additional insights.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7303966/[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3681424/
- The study found that women using contraceptives containing estrogen tend to have higher levels of Vitamin D compared to other women.
- In the study, after accounting for factors like seasonal light exposure, the impact of estrogen-based contraception on Vitamin D levels remained significant.
- Estrogen-based contraception was associated with a 20 percent increase in 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels.
- Although more research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms, it's evident that estrogen-based contraception affects Vitamin D levels in women.
- As women start planning to conceive while on birth control, they might be at risk of Vitamin D deficiency due to higher levels of this nutrient while using contraceptives.
- The increased risk of Vitamin D deficiency among African-American women, and the impact of small changes in their vitamin concentrations, make close monitoring of their Vitamin D status even more critical.
