Discovered Connection: Vitamin D and Contraceptives Possibly Interrelated
Peeping Into the Link Between Vitamin D and Birth Control
Turns out, women on estrogen-based birth control pills have elevated vitamin D levels compared to their counterparts. Conversely, those who discontinue these contraceptives experience a noticeable drop in vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D, predominantly known for maintaining calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood, also enables the body to absorb calcium – a crucial component for building strong bones. Food sources like fish and eggs are loaded with vitamin D, but a whopping 90% of this essential nutrient is produced by our skin through sun exposure.
Deficiency in vitamin D may lead to problems like rickets and osteomalacia, making it particularly important during pregnancy due to the growth of the fetal skeleton. Dr. Quaker E. Harmon, from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, sought to uncover any links between vitamin D levels and oral contraceptives.
Vitamin D and Contraception
Dr. Harmon and her team analyzed data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids, a research project on reproductive health. They focused on nearly 1,700 African-American women aged 23-34 hailing from Detroit, MI. The study inquired about contraceptive use, including sun exposure and vitamin D supplements.
In total, 1,662 participants offered blood samples to determine levels of the primary circulating form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxy vitamin D. The study revealed that women using contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels. After adjusting for factors like sunlight exposure, the impact remained significant.
Dr. Harmon explained, "We could not find any behavioral differences such as increased time spent outdoors to explain the increase. Our findings suggest that contraceptives containing estrogen tend to boost vitamin D levels, and those levels are likely to fall when women cease using contraception."
After adjusting for confounding variables, the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was associated with an approximate 20% higher level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D. Current users of birth control had elevated vitamin D levels, while past users showed average vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D Deficiency during Early Pregnancy
Research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism suggests that as women plan to become pregnant, they risk developing a vitamin D deficiency. To ensure optimal bone health and fetal development, Dr. Harmon advises, "For women who are planning to stop using birth control, it is worth taking steps to ensure that vitamin D levels are adequate while trying to conceive and during pregnancy."
Medical News Today inquired about the underlying cause for this correlation. Dr. Harmon explained, "We do not know why vitamin D levels are higher. Other work suggests that the levels of other vitamin D metabolites are changed when women use estrogen-containing contraception. This suggests there may be alterations in the metabolism of vitamin D. Further work is needed."
While the study focused on African-American women, Dr. Harmon explained that similar associations have been observed in other racial and age groups. It's crucial to address the high incidence of vitamin D deficiency in the African-American community, as small increases or decreases in vitamin D concentrations can have significant implications.
Dr. Harmon is continuing to follow the group of women in her study and plans to investigate the relationship further. She is also working on another research group to examine how vitamin D levels vary across the menstrual cycle.
- In the study led by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon, it was found that women using contraception containing estrogen had higher levels of vitamin D.
- After stopping the use of these contraceptives, women experienced a drop in their vitamin D levels.
- Women planning to become pregnant should ensure their vitamin D levels are adequate, as research suggests they may be at risk of developing a deficiency while stopping birth control.
- The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, focused on nearly 1,700 African-American women aged 23-34 in Detroit, MI.
- The association between vitamin D levels and estrogen-containing contraception has been observed in various racial and age groups.
- Further work is needed to understand the underlying cause for this correlation, as it may imply alterations in the metabolism of vitamin D.
