Unveiled connection between vitamin D and contraceptives discovered
Women taking estrogen-based birth control pills exhibit higher levels of circulating vitamin D, according to a recent study. Conversely, those who stop taking these hormonal contraceptives may experience a significant drop in vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining proper calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood and aiding the body's absorption of calcium, an essential component of bones. Foods such as fish and eggs are high in vitamin D, but the majority of it is produced naturally in the skin through a chemical reaction stimulated by sunlight exposure.
A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to health issues like rickets and osteomalacia, the softening of bones. Given its significance in bone formation, vitamin D is especially vital during pregnancy. Researchers from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences decided to investigate the relationship between oral contraceptives and vitamin D levels.
Approximately 1,700 African-American women living in and around Detroit, MI, aged 23-34, were part of the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), an investigation into reproductive health. The study gathered data on the women's contraceptive use, spending time outdoors, and any vitamin D supplements they took. Blood samples were collected to determine levels of the most common circulating form of vitamin D, known as 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
The study's findings revealed that women using contraception containing estrogen had higher vitamin D levels compared to other women. After considering confounding factors, the difference remained significant. The researchers noted that they couldn't find any behavioral differences to explain the increase, suggesting that estrogen-based contraception may boost vitamin D levels, which then decrease when contraception is discontinued.
Based on their findings, the researchers discovered that the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was associated with 20 percent higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D. Furthermore, current users of birth control had higher vitamin D levels, and past users showed average vitamin D levels.
These findings—published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism— indicate that women planning to stop using birth control may face the risk of becoming deficient in vitamin D while trying to conceive and during pregnancy. Dr. Quaker E. Harmon, a researcher involved in the study, advises these women to take steps to ensure adequate vitamin D levels before pursuing conception and throughout pregnancy.
The study was limited to African-American women, and questions remain about the potential race-related factors influencing these findings. However, Dr. Harmon emphasized that the same association has been observed in women of different racial backgrounds. Given the higher rate of vitamin D deficiency among African-American women in the United States, even small changes in vitamin D concentrations can have important implications for their health.
Dr. Harmon is continuing to investigate this relationship and plans to follow the group of women to gather further insights. Additionally, she is working on another study to explore how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle.
Further studies have suggested that estrogen-based contraceptives may affect vitamin D metabolism by upregulating the production of vitamin D-binding protein or altering hepatic enzyme activity. However, the implications for vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy are complex. While certain contraceptives may elevate vitamin D levels temporarily, vitamin D deficiencies can still be widespread and severe, particularly among women, regardless of contraceptive use.
Pregnant women who have limited sun exposure or other risk factors are generally advised to supplement with vitamin D to ensure proper maternal and fetal health. The protective effects of estrogen-based contraceptives on vitamin D status may not be sufficient or sustained after discontinuation prior to conception. Overall, ensuring adequate vitamin D levels is crucial, even in the context of estrogen-based contraceptive use, to prevent adverse maternal and fetal health outcomes.
- As women taking estrogen-based birth control pills exhibit higher levels of circulating vitamin D, understanding the role of nutrients like vitamins in women's health is essential.
- The study on reproductive health, the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), found that contraception containing estrogen is associated with an increase in 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels.
- Furthermore, the findings indicate that women planning to stop using birth control may face the risk of vitamin D deficiencies while trying to conceive and during pregnancy.
- The association between contraceptives and vitamin D levels has been observed in women of different racial backgrounds, including African-American women, who have a higher rate of vitamin D deficiency in the United States.
- However, the implications for vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy are complex, and ensuring adequate levels is crucial to prevent adverse health outcomes for both mothers and fetuses.
- Given the significance of proper nutrition in women's health and wellness, pregnant women who have limited sun exposure or other risk factors may need to supplement with vitamins like vitamin D to maintain appropriate nutrient levels.
