Uncovered connection between vitamin D and contraceptive methods revealed

Hey there!

*Vitamin D Levels and Birth Control:

Apparently, researchers have discovered that women taking estrogen-based birth control pills have higher vitamin D levels compared to those not on the contraceptive. Pausing their birth control use, however, can trigger a significant drop in their vitamin D levels.

What's the job of Vitamin D:

This essential nutrient largely takes care of the balance between calcium and phosphorus in your blood. It aids in absorbing calcium, a key component for building strong bones.

You can get vitamin D through foods like fish and eggs, but an impressive 90% of it is naturally produced in your skin after being exposed to sunlight.

Vitamin D Deficiency:

A lack of vitamin D can lead to conditions like rickets (affecting kids) and osteomalacia (affects adults, causing soft bones). Since vitamin D plays a crucial role in building bones, it's particularly important during pregnancy.

Dr. Quaker E. Harmon, of the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, NC, decided to investigate if there's any connection between contraceptive use and vitamin D levels.

Vitamin D and Contraception:The research team carried out an analysis on data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF)—an investigation into reproductive health. Nearly 1,700 African-American women living in and around Detroit, MI, aged 23-34 were involved in the project.

The study asked women about their contraceptive use, included questions related to their outdoor time, and considered if they took any vitamin D supplements.

In total, 1,662 women gave blood samples to measure their vitamin D levels.

Dr. Harmon revealed that women using contraception containing estrogen generally had significantly higher vitamin D levels. Even after considering factors that might confound results, such as seasonal exposure to sunlight, the correlation remained significant.

Interestingly, the participants who didn't take birth control had average vitamin D levels.

Researchers found that the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was associated with a 20% increase in vitamin D levels.

Early Pregnancy and Vitamin D Deficiency:

These findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, raise concerns that women starting to try to conceive might have deficiencies in vitamin D.

Dr. Harmon suggests that women who stop using birth control should make sure their vitamin D levels are adequate as they plan for pregnancy and during pregnancy itself.

We asked Dr. Harmon why estrogen-based contraception affects vitamin D levels, and she explained that it might be due to changes in the metabolism of vitamin D. Further study is required to confirm this hypothesis.

Dr. Harmon also mentioned that her team is continuing to follow the group of women to better understand the relationship and is working with another group to investigate how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle.

MNT also asked Dr. Harmon if race could play a role in the effect. She indicated that the same association has been observed in women not of African-American descent, therefore, suggesting this association isn't related to race. In the United States, African-American women are more likely to be vitamin D-deficient, making even small increases or decreases in their vitamin D concentrations significant.

The balance between calcium and phosphorus in your blood is largely managed by the essential nutrient Vitamin D.
A lack of vitamin D can lead to conditions like rickets and osteomalacia, particularly during pregnancy, making it crucial for women's health.
Research has shown that women taking estrogen-based birth control pills have higher vitamin D levels than those not on the contraceptive, but ceasing birth control use can significantly lower vitamin D levels.
Although multi-vitamins for women can help maintain health and nutrition, it's important to note that vitamin D deficiencies might still occur due to external factors like season and lifestyle.
The science behind the connection of contraceptive use and vitamin D levels is still under investigation, with further research required to confirm the hypothesis of changes in the metabolism of vitamin D caused by estrogen-based contraception.
Given the concern of potential vitamin D deficiencies during early pregnancy, it is suggested that women planning to conceive or already pregnant should ensure their vitamin D levels are adequate, as low levels can have significant implications for their health and the health-and-wellness of their baby.