Discovering a Fascinating Connection Between Vitamin D and Birth Control Supplements
Estrogen-Based Birth Control & Vitamin D Levels
Fascinating new research uncovers a connection between estrogen-based birth control and vitamin D quantities in women. Women taking these contraceptive pills have higher vitamin D levels, while those who stop using them experience a significant drop.
Vitamin D: elevates calcium and phosphorous levels in the blood, aids the body in calcium absorption crucial for bone health. Sources high in vitamin D include fish and eggs, but 90% of it is produced in the skin after being exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to conditions like rickets and osteomalacia, softening of bones. It's especially important during pregnancy to ensure proper bone formation.
Researchers led by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, investigated any changes in vitamin D associated with oral contraceptives.
Vitamin D & Contraception
The researchers used data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF) - a reproductive health investigation involving almost 1,700 African-American women aged 23-34 living around Detroit, MI. Women were asked about contraceptive use, time spent outdoors, and any vitamin D supplements taken.
In total, 1,662 women provided blood samples, testing levels of the most common form of vitamin D (25-hydroxy vitamin D). Pregnant women produce increased levels of active vitamin D to support fetal bone development, increasing their risk of deficiency and related bone problems.
"Our study found that women using contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels than other women."
Dr. Quaker E. Harmon
Controlling for factors like seasonal exposure to light, the difference remained significant. "We couldn't find any behavioral differences to explain the increase," explained Dr. Harmon. "Our findings suggest that contraceptives containing estrogen tend to boost vitamin D levels, and those levels are likely to fall when women cease using them."
After controlling for confounding variables, current users of estrogen-based contraceptives displayed 20 percent higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D. Past users held average vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D Deficiency in Early Pregnancy
Recently published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, this research highlights a potential risk for women attempting pregnancy. Dr. Harmon advises:
"For women planning to stop using birth control, it is worth taking measures to ensure vitamin D levels are sufficient while trying to conceive and during pregnancy."
However, questions remain unanswered. For example, why does estrogen-based contraception affect vitamin D levels and how does this impact different racial groups?
While vitamin D deficiency is more common in African-American women, experts suggest racial differences in the relationship are minimal. Currently, research focuses on understanding its variation across the menstrual cycle and different racial demographics.
- Estrogen-based birth control pills elevate vitamin D levels in women, causing a significant drop when discontinued.
- Vitamin D, essential for bone health, aids in calcium absorption and increases calcium and phosphorous levels in the blood.
- Sources high in vitamin D include fish, eggs, and sunlight, yet 90% of it is produced in the skin after sunlight exposure.
- Deficiencies in vitamin D can lead to conditions like rickets and osteomalacia, softening of bones, and it's crucial during pregnancy for proper bone formation.
- Dr. Quaker E. Harmon led a study investigating any changes in vitamin D associated with oral contraceptives using data from the SELF study, a reproductive health investigation.
- Current users of estrogen-based contraceptives displayed approximately 20 percent higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D after controlling for confounding variables.
- This research, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, suggests a potential risk for women attempting pregnancy who plan to stop using birth control.
- Questions remain unanswered regarding why estrogen-based contraception affects vitamin D levels and how this impact varies across racial groups, with current research focusing on understanding its variation across the menstrual cycle and different racial demographics.
