Unveiled connection: Vitamin D could potentially influence birth control effectiveness
From Pills to Sunshine: Estrogen-Based Birth Control and Vitamin D Levels
Getting enough vitamin D is crucial for maintaining the right balance of calcium and phosphorous in your blood, and allowing your body to absorb calcium, a key component of bones. Foods such as fish and eggs are rich in vitamin D, but around 90% of it is produced naturally in your skin after being exposed to sunlight.
Lack of vitamin D can cause health issues like rickets and osteomalacia (softening of the bones), which is especially problematic during pregnancy due to the increased demand for this essential vitamin during fetal bone development.
Dr. Quaker E. Harmon of the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, NC, was intrigued by the possible link between contraceptives and vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D and Contraception: The Big Question
To investigate further, Dr. Harmon and her team analyzed data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), a research project focusing on reproductive health in African-American women aged 23-34 and living around Detroit, MI. The participants were asked about their contraceptive use, sunlight exposure, and use of any vitamin D supplements.
Blood samples were taken from 1,662 women to determine their vitamin D levels, specifically that of 25-hydroxy vitamin D, the most common circulating form of vitamin D in the body.
Dr. Harmon's research found that women taking estrogen-based contraceptives tend to have higher vitamin D levels than non-users. Even after accounting for seasonal light exposure and other potential confounding factors, the association remained significant.
"Our study found that women who were using contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels than other women," Dr. Harmon explained.
A Sharp Rise During Contraception Use
After adjusting for confounding variables, the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was associated with a 20% increase in 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels. Current users of hormonal birth control had higher vitamin D levels, and past users had average levels.
These findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, highlight that women planning to conceive or become pregnant should ensure they have adequate vitamin D levels. While the exact reason behind the link between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels remains unknown, Dr. Harmon believes it could be due to alterations in vitamin D metabolism.
Beyond Race: A Broader Impact
While this study focused on African-American women, Dr. Harmon notes that similar associations have been observed in women of different races, suggesting that the connection may not be influenced by race. However, African-American women are at a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency, making even small increases or decreases in vitamin D concentrations significant.
Dr. Harmon continues to follow this group of women to explore the relationship between estrogen-based contraception and vitamin D levels further. Additionally, she plans to investigate vitamin D levels across the menstrual cycle in another group of participants.
While it's worth noting that the relationship between estrogen-based contraception and vitamin D levels is not fully understood, it's essential for women to maintain adequate vitamin D levels, especially during pregnancy. Consulting a health care provider for advice on maintaining vitamin D levels or supplementation is highly recommended.
- The study focusing on reproductive health in African-American women found that women taking estrogen-based contraceptives often have higher vitamin D levels compared to non-users.
- The findings of Dr. Harmon's research showed a 20% increase in 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels among current users of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen.
- Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels is crucial, especially for women planning to conceive or become pregnant, as a deficiency can lead to health issues like rickets and osteomalacia.
- The link between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels could be due to alterations in vitamin D metabolism, as per Dr. Harmon's hypothesis.
- Beyond its impact on African-American women, similar associations between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels have been observed in women of different races.
- To gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between estrogen-based contraception and vitamin D levels, Dr. Harmon plans to investigate vitamin D levels across the menstrual cycle in another group of participants.
