Unveiling the connection between vitamin D and contraception: a novel discovery.
Dishing the Tea on Vitamin D and Contraception
Turns out, chicks on estrogen-based birth control pills got more Vitamin D in their circulation game. Shed that unwanted sunshine-deprived D-deficiency once you ditch those BC pills, but don't expect a rise in those levels upon first ditching the pills.
So, what's the deal with this sun-soaked Vitamin D anyways? Its primary task is keeping your calcium and phosphorus levels dank in your bloodstream. It also does the legs work of helping your body absorb calcium, which is crucial for maintaining strong bones. But, here's a fun fact: most of your Vitamin D comes from your skin producing it through a chemical reaction after catching some rays. Fish, eggs, and a handful of other foods also pack a punch of Vitamin D.
What happens when you're low on D? Yep, you guessed it: rickets and osteomalacia (softening of the bones). And if you're carrying a baby, it's especially important to keep those levels up due to increased demand during pregnancy.
Curious about the connection between this hormonal birth control and Vitamin D levels? Researchers decided to dig deeper.
They looked at data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), a reproductive health investigation involving nearly 1,700 African-American women aged 23-34 living in and around Detroit, MI. The ladies shared details about their contraceptive use and how much time they spent catching some rays. A whopping 1,662 women even gave blood samples to check their Vitamin D levels.
The results? Women using estrogen-based contraception tended to have higher Vitamin D levels than those not using the pill, patch, or ring. Even after considering potential confounding factors, the differences remained significant. Researchers couldn't find any behavioral changes to explain the boost in levels, noggin-scratching over what's causing the link between estrogen-based contraception and Vitamin D levels.
What's the lowdown on this hormonal contraception and Vitamin D connection? Estrogen messes with Vitamin D receptor expression and vitamin D metabolism, possibly explaining the higher levels. But, more research is needed to figure out the exact nitty-gritty.
Here's the kicker: if you're planning on ditching your hormonal contraception and trying to knock up, keep an eye on your Vitamin D levels. Once you stop using those pills, patches, or rings, there's a chance you could become deficient in this crucial nutrient, strongly impacting bone health during pregnancy.
Now that we've learned the lowdown on the connection between hormonal contraception and Vitamin D, get out there and catch some rays (or enjoy a serving of fish and eggs) to keep those bones strong and healthy. Happy sunbathing (or eating, whatever floats your boat)!
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5902549/[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5828393/[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3903674/[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4725662/[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6006067/
- Women on estrogen-based birth control may experience higher Vitamin D levels due to science-backed connections between hormones and the absorption of this vital nutrient.
- During pregnancy, women must ensure they maintain adequate Vitamin D levels to avoid deficiencies that could lead to complications like rickets or osteomalacia.
- Apart from sunlight, women can obtain Vitamin D through various foods like fish, eggs, and others, ensuring a well-rounded health-and-wellness diet and overall women's health.
- Some women's health vitamins and multi-vitamin supplements may include Vitamin D, serving as a solution for those with deficiencies or insufficient dietary intake.
- Researchers have linked estrogen-based contraception to higher Vitamin D levels, although more investigation is needed to fully comprehend the connection and its potential impact on women's health.
- Women intending to discontinue hormonal contraception should consider monitoring their Vitamin D levels and address any deficiencies to support bone health during future pregnancies.
