Unveiled connection between vitamin D and contraceptive methods revealed
Women on Estrogen-Based Birth Control May Have Higher Vitamin D Levels
Ladies, you might wanna pay attention to this. A study found that those on estrogen-based birth control pills tend to have more vitamin D floating around in their bodies. On the flip side, if you ditch the pills, your vitamin D levels may plummet.
Vitamin D is a bone workhorse, maintaining the right balance of calcium and phosphorus in your blood. It also helps your body absorb calcium, which, you guessed it, is essential for keeping your bones strong. Fun fact: vitamin D is mostly made in your skin when it gets some sunshine action.
Fish and eggs are also loaded with the good stuff. However, a whopping 90% of our vitamin D comes from sun exposure. When it comes to vitamin D deficiency, it can lead to rickets—a condition that softens bones in kids—and osteomalacia, which causes adult bone pain and tenderness.
During pregnancy, vitamin D plays a crucial role in the development of the baby's bones. That's why it's important to keep those levels up, especially if you're planning to conceive.
Dr. Quaker E. Harmon of the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences decided to dig deeper into these findings. She and her team analyzed data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids. This project involved almost 1,700 African-American women aged 23-34 living in or around Detroit, MI. The women were asked about their contraceptive use, sunlight exposure, and any vitamin D supplements they took.
The researchers found that women on estrogen-based contraception tended to have higher levels of vitamin D. Even after accounting for factors like seasonal sunlight exposure, this effect remained significant. The estrogen-using ladies had an average increase of 20 percent in their vitamin D levels compared to the others.
However, it's important to note that we're still in the dark as to why estrogen-based contraception affects vitamin D levels. Dr. Harmon suggests that estrogen might mess with vitamin D metabolism, but we'll need more research to confirm this.
Now, if you're planning to discontinue your birth control, make sure to check your vitamin D levels. A deficiency during pregnancy could lead to problems with your bones. So, stock up on that sunshine or hit up your local vitamin store—your bones (and future baby) will thank you!
As for whether race plays a role in this finding, Dr. Harmon believes it's not related to race. However, African-American women are more likely to be deficient in vitamin D, so even small changes could be significant.
The research was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Dr. Harmon is also continuing to follow the women in the study to learn more about the relationship between estrogen-based contraception and vitamin D levels. She's also working on another group of participants to investigate how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle.
Sources:
- Vitamin D production in humans. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8935707/
- Vitamin D and bone health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278764/
- Vitamin D and immune function. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3624219/
- Vitamin D deficiency and pregnancy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4016376/
- Vitamin D deficiency and racial differences. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2788237/
- This study suggests that women on estrogen-based birth control might have higher vitamin D levels, which is vital for maintaining strong bones and absorbing calcium, both essential for women's health.
- In contrast, if women stop using birth control, they might experience a drop in vitamin D levels, potentially leading to deficiencies that can cause bone problems, especially during pregnancy.
- A documented 90% of our vitamin D comes from sun exposure, but multi-vitamins for women's health and wellness can help fill any gaps in nutrient intake, especially for those avoiding sun exposure or experiencing deficiencies due to birth control discontinuation.
- Cultural attitudes and practices towards sun exposure, nutrition, and women's health may play a role in vitamin D levels, making it crucial to maintain a balanced diet and supplement regimen for optimal health and wellness.
- The science behind the relationship between estrogen-based contraception and vitamin D levels is not yet fully understood, but further research is being conducted to deepen our understanding of this connection, particularly across different menstrual cycles.
- As the study continues, women are encouraged to consult their healthcare providers to monitor their vitamin D levels, ensuring adequate intake for overall health, strong bones, and a healthy pregnancy if planning to conceive.
