Unearthed connection discovered between vitamin D and contraception
Ladies on Birth Control Pills Might Be Packing More Vitamin D
Seems like there's a little extra sunshine in the bodies of women using estrogen-based birth control pills! A recent study has discovered that these ladies have higher levels of vitamin D compared to those not on the contraceptives. Quite the opposite happens when a woman stops taking them - she experiences a significant drop in vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D plays a significant role in maintaining the right balance of calcium and phosphorous in the blood and aids in the absorption of calcium, an essential mineral for strong bones. Food sources rich in vitamin D are fish, eggs, and sunlight (which accounts for 90% of vitamin D production).
A deficiency in vitamin D can result in bone ailments like rickets and osteomalacia, softening of the bones, especially during pregnancy when calcium requirements are higher. This is why vitamin D is crucial for a healthy pregnancy as it is vital for the formation of a baby's skeleton.
Dr. Quaker E. Harmon from the National Institutes of Health decided to delve into this intriguing connection between vitamin D and contraceptives.
Vitamin D and Contraception: A Mixed Bag
Dr. Harmon and her team conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF). The study involved nearly 1,700 African-American women between the ages of 23 to 34 living in and around Detroit, MI. The research asked women about their contraceptive use and any exposure to sunlight, as well as any vitamin D supplements taken.
Out of the 1,662 women who provided blood samples, the team measured levels of the most common circulating form of vitamin D, called 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
The study results revealed that women using contraceptives containing estrogen had 20% higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D compared to other participants, even when accounting for factors like seasonal exposure to light.
Dr. Harmon explained, "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."
Vitamin D Deficiency in Early Pregnancy
The researchers published their findings in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. As a woman starts trying to become pregnant, she may be at risk of vitamin D deficiency due to decreased contraceptive use. Dr. Harmon believes that steps should be taken to address this issue, "Given these findings, it is recommended that women planning for pregnancy make sure their vitamin D levels are adequate before trying to conceive and during pregnancy."
So, the next question is - why does estrogen-based contraception influence vitamin D levels? Dr. Harmon suggests further research may shed light on this question.
Interestingly, the study did not find evidence of a relationship between race and this effect. Dr. Harmon and her team are currently following this group of women to further explore the relationship and are also working on another group to investigate how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle.
The takeaway - if you're a woman on birth control pills, you might be increasing your chances of getting your daily dose of vitamin D. And, as you start trying to conceive, be mindful of your vitamin D levels to avert potential deficiencies and ensure a healthy pregnancy!
Source: Medical News Today; Enrichment Data: Estrogen-based contraceptives can influence hormone metabolism and possibly vitamin D levels through mechanisms involving SHBG production and effects on liver enzymes and the gut microbiome.
- Cultural implications could arise from the understanding that estrogen-based contraceptives might impact vitamin D levels, potentially altering dietary recommendations and health practices among women.
- Women's health researchers are now intrigued by the link between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels, hoping to find solutions to prevent nutrient deficiencies that may affect women during pregnancy.
- Multi-disciplinary approaches in health-and-wellness, including nutrition science, may be essential to understand the long-term effects of estrogen-based contraceptives on vitamin D levels in women.
- Women's vitamins that include vitamin D would be particularly beneficial for women on estrogen-based contraceptives, helping to ensure they meet their daily nutrient requirements and maintain healthy calcium levels.
- The recent study on vitamin D and estrogen-based contraceptives highlights the importance of science-based decision-making for women's health, as it relates to the best ways to manage their vitamin D levels.
- This newfound knowledge brings further questions on the interplay between hormones, nutrition, and the microbiome in the gut, driving the continuous pursuit of knowledge in the field of women's health and health-and-wellness research.
