Uncovered connection between Vitamin D and contraceptive methods explored
Researchers have discovered that women taking estrogen-based birth control pills exhibit higher levels of circulating vitamin D, while those who stop using these contraceptives experience a significant drop in vitamin D levels. This finding emphasizes the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels, particularly during pregnancy.
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining appropriate calcium and phosphorous levels in the blood and facilitating the absorption of calcium, an essential component of bones. Foods rich in vitamin D include fish and eggs; however, around 90% of the vitamin is produced in the skin through a chemical reaction upon exposure to sunlight. deficiency can result in rickets and osteomalacia (softening of the bones). Given that vitamin D is vital for bone formation, it is essential during pregnancy.
The National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, NC, investigated any changes in vitamin D levels associated with the use of oral contraceptives. The study involved more than 1,600 African-American women living in and around Detroit, MI, aged 23-34. Women were asked about their contraceptive use and questions about spending time outdoors and any vitamin D supplements they took.
The study found that women using contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels than other women. The effect remained significant even after controlling for confounding factors, such as seasonal exposure to light. The researchers could not find any behavioral differences to explain the increase in vitamin D levels.
After making adjustments for confounding variables, the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was linked to 20% higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D. Current users of birth control had higher vitamin D levels, while past users had average vitamin D levels.
As a woman plans to become pregnant, there is a risk of vitamin D deficiency. Dr. Quaker E. Harmon advises that women considering stopping birth control should take steps to ensure adequate vitamin D levels during this period. The study's findings raise the need for monitoring and ensuring adequate vitamin D status in pregnant women.
When asked why estrogen-based contraception might affect vitamin D levels, Dr. Harmon said, "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 that there may be alterations in the metabolism of vitamin D. Further work is needed."
Dr. Harmon added that race may not play a significant role in this effect, as the same association has been observed in women who are not African-American. In the United States, African-American women are more likely to be vitamin D-deficient, so small increases or decreases in their vitamin D concentrations may be more important.
Dr. Harmon plans to continue investigating the relationship between vitamin D and contraception in this group of women and work on another group of participants to investigate how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle.
There is ongoing research showing that higher vitamin D levels lower cancer risk, which underscores the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels in general.
- Women taking estrogen-based birth control pills have higher levels of circulating vitamin D, while those who stop using these contraceptives experience a significant drop.
- The National Institutes of Health found that women using contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels than other women.
- After making adjustments for confounding variables, the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was linked to 20% higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
- As a woman plans to become pregnant, there is a risk of vitamin D deficiency, and Dr. Quaker E. Harmon advises that women considering stopping birth control should take steps to ensure adequate vitamin D levels during this period.
- The study's findings highlight the need for monitoring and ensuring adequate vitamin D status in pregnant women.
- Dr. Harmon plans to investigate the relationship between vitamin D and contraception in various groups of women, and also aims to research how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle.
