Unearthed connection between vitamin D and contraceptive methods revealed
Revised Article:
Vitamin D and Contraceptives: Unraveling the Connection
Hey there! Let's chat about an interesting finding related to birth control pills and vitamin D. Researchers discovered that women who use estrogen-based contraception have higher vitamin D levels, whereas stopping these contraceptives can cause a significant drop in vitamin D levels. Here's what you need to know about it.
Vitamin D, often referred to as the "sunshine vitamin," plays a key role in maintaining the correct calcium and phosphorus levels in your blood. It helps your body absorb calcium, an essential component of bones. Foods like fish and eggs are rich in vitamin D, but most of your vitamin D is produced in your skin after being exposed to sunlight.
Lack of vitamin D can lead to health issues like rickets and osteomalacia (softening of the bones). Since vitamin D is vital for bone formation, it's particularly important during pregnancy.
Curious about the link between contraceptives and vitamin D levels? Dr. Quaker E. Harmon, from the National Institutes of Health, decided to investigate this topic.
The Relationship between Vitamin D and Oral Contraceptives
Harmon and her team conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF). They focused on almost 1,700 African-American women aged 23-34 living near Detroit, MI. The study collected information about contraceptive use, time spent outdoors, and vitamin D supplements.
In total, 1,662 women provided blood samples to determine their 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels, the most common circulating form of vitamin D.
Interestingly, the study found that women who used contraceptives containing estrogen had higher vitamin D levels compared to other women. After accounting for factors like seasonal exposure to light, the link remained significant.
"We couldn't find any behavioral differences such as increased time spent outdoors to explain the increase," said Dr. Harmon. "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 20 percent higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D. Current users of birth control had higher vitamin D levels, while past users had average levels.
Vitamin D Deficiency in Early Pregnancy
These findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, raise concerns about vitamin D deficiency in women who are trying to get pregnant. Harmon recommends taking steps to ensure adequate vitamin D while trying to conceive and during pregnancy.
Medical News Today asked Harmon about the potential reasons for this relationship. She explained that the specific reasons are not yet known, but there may be alterations in the metabolism of vitamin D when women use estrogen-containing contraception.
The current study focused only on African-American women. Harmon stated that similar findings have been observed in non-African-American women, suggesting that this association might not be linked to race. In the United States, African-American women are more likely to be vitamin D-deficient, so even small changes in their vitamin D levels can be significant.
Harmon plans to continue following this group of women to further investigate the relationship. She is also working on another group of participants to explore how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle.
For a closer look at research showing that higher vitamin D levels may lower cancer risk, check out our article!
- The connection between contraceptives and vitamin D levels is an intriguing topic, as researchers have discovered that women using estrogen-based contraception often have higher vitamin D levels.
- Variations in vitamin D levels can have significant implications for women's health, particularly during pregnancy, as vitamin D is crucial for bone formation.
- The study conducted by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon and her team revealed that using contraceptives containing estrogen is associated with 20 percent higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D, a common circulating form of vitamin D.
- The implications of this finding are striking, as it suggests that discontinuing the use of estrogen-based contraceptives may lead to a significant drop in vitamin D levels, which could potentially contribute to deficiencies.
- These findings underscore the importance of women maintaining adequate vitamin D levels, especially when trying to conceive or during pregnancy, and the role that health-and-wellness and nutrition play in promoting women's health.
- The relationship between contraceptives and vitamin D levels warrants further investigation, with ongoing studies aiming to uncover the exact reasons for this relationship and its potential impact on women's health.
