Vital connection between vitamin D and contraception disclosed
Swapping Pills for Sunshine? Link Between Contraceptives and Vitamin D Levels
Is popping a birth control pill the same as soaking up some sun? Recent findings suggest a connection between hormonal contraceptives and vitamin D levels in women.
Vitamin D, the sunlight nutrient, is essential for maintaining the right calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood, and helps the body absorb calcium for strong bones. While foods like fish and eggs have vitamin D, around 90% of it is produced in the skin following exposure to sunlight.
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets and osteomalacia (softening of the bones), and it's particularly crucial during pregnancy. Dr. Quaker E. Harmon, of the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, NC, noticed the curious link and decided to investigate.
The Sun and the Pill
Dr. Harmon conducted a study on 1,662 African-American women living in Detroit, aged 23-34. The researchers found a correlation between the use of contraceptives containing estrogen and higher vitamin D levels. Time outdoors or vitamin D supplements didn’t seem to explain the increase.
When adjustments were made for factors like seasonal light exposure, the link between estrogen contraception and higher vitamin D levels remained significant. Current users of birth control had higher vitamin D levels, while past users saw average levels.
After use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen, women had 20% higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
The study highlights that women planning to conceive or during pregnancy need to be aware of their vitamin D levels, as estrogen-based contraception may lead to higher levels, which could become a concern during pregnancy. But why is that?
Dr. Harmon mentions that it's still unknown why estrogen-based contraception might affect vitamin D levels. Other research suggests that the levels of other vitamin D metabolites change when women use estrogen-containing contraception, indicating potential metabolic alterations.
Race Factor
The study looked at solely African-American women, but Dr. Harmon assures that this association isn't related to race. In the United States, African-American women are more likely to be vitamin D-deficient, so small increases or decreases in their vitamin D concentration might have a more significant impact.
The study is part of a larger research effort, and Dr. Harmon continues to follow the women to examine the relationship further. Additionally, she's working on another group of participants to study how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle.
Although the link isn't absolutely, positively confirmed, it's worth noting the possible connection between estrogen-based contraception and vitamin D levels. If you're planning to conceive, it may be wise to pay attention to your vitamin D levels to ensure they're adequate during pregnancy.
- In women, hormonal contraceptives that contain estrogen may be associated with increased levels of vitamin D, a nutrient vital for maintaining bone health.
- The study on 1,662 African-American women found that current users of estrogen-based contraception had 20% higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D compared to past users.
- Despite the correlation, it's still unclear why estrogen-based contraception might affect vitamin D levels, and further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms.
- Women planning to conceive or during pregnancy should be aware of their vitamin D levels when using estrogen-based contraception, as higher levels could potentially pose a concern during pregnancy.
- The connection between estrogen-based contraception and vitamin D levels is not limited to any particular race; however, African-American women are more likely to be vitamin D-deficient, making small changes in their vitamin D concentration more significant.
- Ongoing research aims to investigate the relationship further and study how vitamin D levels vary across the menstrual cycle to provide additional insights into women's health, nutrition, and health-and-wellness.
