Unearthed connection between vitamin D and contraceptives in new research findings
Discovering the Link Between Estrogen-Based Birth Control and Vitamin D Levels
Turns out, ladies popping estrogen-laden birth control pills have higher vitamin D levels. On the flip side, those who ditch these contraceptives may experience a significant drop in vitamin D.
The primary job of vitamin D is to keep the right balance of calcium and phosphorus in your blood. It also helps your body absorb calcium, a vital component of bones. Vitamin D can be found in an assortment of foods, such as fish and eggs, but a whopping 90% of it is produced naturally in your skin through exposure to sunlight.
Deficiency in vitamin D can lead to some nasty issues like rickets and osteomalacia (softening of bones). Since it's essential for bone formation, particularly during pregnancy, having enough vitamin D is crucial.
Curious about the relationship between this sunshine vitamin and contraceptives, Dr. Quaker E. Harmon from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, NC, decided to dig deeper.
Vitamin D and Contraception
Dr. Harmon and her team analyzed data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), an investigation into women's reproductive health. Focusing on around 1,700 African-American women from Detroit aged 23-34, the study asked about contraceptive use, time spent outdoors, and any vitamin D supplements.
In total, 1,662 women provided blood samples to measure their vitamin D levels. During pregnancy, women produce more active forms of vitamin D to support the growth of the fetal skeleton, increasing their risk of deficiency and related bone problems.
"Our study found that women using contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels than other women," said Dr. Harmon. Even after accounting for seasonal sunlight exposure and other factors, this connection remained significant.
"We couldn't find any behavioral differences like increased time spent outside to explain the increase," Dr. Harmon added. "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 considering factors, the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was associated with 20 percent higher levels of vitamin D. Current users had higher levels, while past users averaged normal vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D Deficiency in Early Pregnancy
These findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, indicate that women trying to conceive may face the risk of vitamin D deficiency. Dr. Harmon advises:
"For women planning to stop using birth control, it's worth taking steps to ensure that vitamin D levels are adequate while trying to conceive and during pregnancy."
Intrigued by this connection, we asked Dr. Harmon why estrogen might affect vitamin D levels. She responded, "We don't know for sure, but other work suggests that 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 research is needed."
While the study focused exclusively on African-American women, Dr. Harmon believes this association isn't tied to race. "The same association has been observed in women who aren't African-American," she explained. "In the U.S., African-American women are more likely to be deficient in vitamin D, so even small increases or decreases in their vitamin D concentrations may be more critical."
Dr. Harmon is continuing to follow this group of women to study the relationship further and researching another group to investigate how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle. Keep an eye out for more findings!
Interested in learning about research suggesting higher vitamin D levels may lower cancer risk? Check it out!
Enrichment Data:
Overall:
Association Between Estrogen-Based Contraceptives and Vitamin D Levels
Using estrogen-based contraceptives could deplete vitamin D, affecting bone health and immune function. Although the direct link between these contraceptives and vitamin D levels isn't well-studied, their broader nutrient depletion might indirectly impact vitamin D levels.
During Pregnancy:
In pregnancy, maintaining adequate vitamin D levels is essential for maternal and fetal health. Vitamin D supports fetal bone development and maternal immune function. If estrogen-based contraceptives contribute to vitamin D depletion, this might potentially increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy. Still, the direct causal relationship between hormonal contraceptives and deficiency specifically during pregnancy requires further research.
Considerations for Pregnancy:
- Supplementation: Pregnant individuals with a history of vitamin D depletion may benefit from vitamin D supplements, but medical advice is essential.
- Monitoring: Regular monitoring of vitamin D levels during pregnancy is crucial, especially if there's a history of hormonal contraceptive use.
- Balanced Diet and Lifestyle: A balanced diet rich in vitamin D sources (e.g., fatty fish, fortified dairy products) and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help mitigate the risk of deficiency.
Summary:
While the relationship between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels isn't fully understood, long-term use of these contraceptives may lead to potential vitamin D depletion. Pregnant women who have used these contraceptives should be aware of the possible vitamin D deficiency risk and consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance on maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels during pregnancy.
- The use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was associated with a 20 percent higher level of vitamin D.
- Women using contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels than other women, a finding that remained significant after accounting for seasonal sunlight exposure and other factors.
- Those who ditch estrogen-laden birth control pills may experience a significant drop in vitamin D levels, potentially leading to risks of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy.
- Dr. Harmon's study focused on approximately 1,700 African-American women from Detroit aged 23-34, analyzing data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF) to investigate the relationship between vitamin D and contraceptives.
- In total, 1,662 women provided blood samples to measure their vitamin D levels, and the use of contraceptives containing estrogen was found to increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy.
- Current users of estrogen-based contraceptives generally had higher vitamin D levels, while past users averaged normal vitamin D levels, emphasizing the potential impact of contraceptive use on nutrient levels and women's health.
