Unveiled connections: Vitamin D's role in birth control exploration
Women taking estrogen-based birth control pills were found to have higher levels of circulating vitamin D, while those who stop using these contraceptives may experience a significant drop in vitamin D levels, according to a study led by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Vitamin D primarily maintains the correct balance of calcium and phosphorous in the blood and aids in the body's absorption of calcium, an essential component of bones. Most vitamin D is produced in the skin through a chemical reaction triggered by sunlight, with food sources like fish and eggs being relatively high in this nutrient.
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to health issues like rickets and osteomalacia (softening of the bones), making it particularly important during pregnancy. To examine any potential connections between oral contraceptives and vitamin D levels, the researchers analyzed data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF) using nearly 1,700 African-American women living in and around Detroit, MI, aged 23-34.
Women were asked about their contraceptive use, outdoor time, and any vitamin D supplements they took. In total, 1,662 women provided blood samples to measure levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D, the most common circulating form of the vitamin.
The study found that women using contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels compared to other women. Even when accounting for factors such as seasonal exposure to light, the effect remained significant. Dr. Harmon explained that no behavioral differences, such as increased time spent outdoors, could explain the increase in vitamin D levels associated with estrogen-based contraceptives.
After adjustments for confounding variables, the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was linked to 20 percent higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D. Past users of birth control had average vitamin D levels, and current users of birth control had higher vitamin D levels.
The findings published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism have implications for women planning to become pregnant, as they might run the risk of developing vitamin D deficiency when they stop using contraception. Dr. Harmon suggests that women planning to stop taking birth control should consider taking steps to ensure adequate vitamin D levels before and during pregnancy.
While the study focused solely on African-American women, Dr. Harmon indicated that the same association has been observed in non-African American women, suggesting that race may not play a significant role in this effect. Dr. Harmon is continuing to monitor this group of women to further investigate the relationship between contraception and vitamin D levels and is also working on another group of participants to study vitamin D variations throughout the menstrual cycle.
In summary, the study suggests that estrogen-based contraceptives may boost vitamin D levels and warns women who are trying to become pregnant to maintain adequate vitamin D levels to support bone health and fetal development. Women should consult their healthcare providers for advice on vitamin D supplementation before and during pregnancy.
Medical News Today reached out to Dr. Harmon to learn more about the potential mechanisms linking estrogen-based contraception and vitamin D levels. Further studies are needed to understand the underlying reasons behind these associations.
- The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, suggests that estrogen-based contraceptives may lead to higher vitamin D levels in women.
- This elevated vitamin D level on contraceptives could potentially impact women's health, especially during pregnancy, as vitamin D deficiency can cause bones-related health issues like rickets and osteomalacia.
- Consequently, women planning to become pregnant should be cautious when stopping birth control to ensure they maintain adequate vitamin D levels, perhaps through consultation with their healthcare providers and consideration of vitamin D supplementation.
- Not limited to African-American women, the study findings indicate a similar association between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels observed in non-African American women, suggesting that race might not significantly influence this effect.
- Future research will further explore the relationship between contraception and vitamin D levels, as well as investigate vitamin D variations throughout the menstrual cycle, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying reasons behind these associations.
- The health-and-wellness community, in considering this newfound knowledge, should encourage women to prioritize proper nutrition and vitamin D intake as part of their women's health and wellness routines.
