Unveiled Connection: Vitamin D's Potential Role in Birth Control Regulation
Revised Base Article:
Estrogen-based birth control and its impact on Vitamin D levels
You know that chickens need calcium and phosphorus to lay eggs, right? Well, our bones need a similar combo: calcium and vitamin D. That's right, good ol' vitamin D blesses our bodies by helping us absorb calcium, building strong bones, and warding off diseases like rickets and osteomalacia. Most of our D comes from sunlight exposure (approximately 90%), but fish, eggs, and fortified foods are decent sources too. However, troubles loom for those who aren't soaking up the sun regularly or load up on these dietary options.
Now, here's the twist. Researchers recently discovered that women on estrogen-based birth control pills have pleasantly higher circulating vitamin D levels. Those who decide to quit the pills, on the other hand, may witness a significant drop in their D levels. So, if you're considering pregnancy, there's a chance you could face a vitamin D deficiency.
Enter Dr. Quaker E. Harmon of the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, NC. He decided to drill down on the connection between vitamin D levels and oral contraceptives, focusing on the study of environment, lifestyle, and fibroids (SELF), which surveyed nearly 1,700 African-American women aged 23-34 from Detroit, MI.
The study hasn't lied about it: vitamin D and contraception
The SELF investigation gathered data on participants' birth control use, time spent outdoors, and supplement intake. Through blood samples, the team measured the levels of the most common circulating form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxy vitamin D, in each woman.
It seems that, when using estrogen-based contraception, women tended to have higher vitamin D levels compared to their counterparts. What's intriguing is that the effect persisted even after adjusting for factors like seasonal light exposure differences.
"We couldn't track any behavioral distinctions, like increased outdoor time, to explain the boost," said Dr. Harmon. "Our findings indicate that contraception with estrogen promotes vitamin D levels, and, when women cease using contraception, their levels may drop."
After controlling for confounding variables, the study uncovered that the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen correlated with a 20% higher level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D. Meanwhile, current users of birth control had higher vitamin D levels, while past users exhibited average D levels.
Watch out for vitamin D deficiency during early pregnancy
This new research, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, indicates that women trying to conceive could potentially face a vitamin D deficiency when they stop using birth control. Dr. Harmon recommends ensuring that D levels are adequate not only when trying to conceive but also during pregnancy.
But just why would estrogen-based contraception influence vitamin D levels, and could race be a factor? Dr. Harmon explains, "Other evidence suggests that the levels of other vitamin D metabolites may change with estrogen-containing contraception. This suggests that there might be alterations in the metabolism of vitamin D. More research is needed."
For now, the study focused solely on African-American women. Regarding race's role, Dr. Harmon stated that the association appears consistent across different populations. In the US, African-American women are more prone to vitamin D deficiency, so even small changes in D concentrations can raise concerns.
Dr. Harmon also hinted at continuing her investigation of this relationship as well as exploring the relationship between vitamin D and the menstrual cycle.
So, stock up on your calcium-rich foods, strut around in the sunlight, and keep that lovely vitamin D supply thriving! And if you're pondering starting a family, remember to consult your physician about your vitamin D levels as you prepare for this exciting journey.
[1] "Role of Estrogen in Bone Health," Orthopaedic Trauma Association, http://www.ottrauma.org/for-patients/publications/role-of-estrogen-in-bone-health/[2] "Hormones & Immune Function," The Endocrine Society, https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/new-releases/2018/hormones-immune-function[3] "Vitamin D," MedlinePlus, https://medlineplus.gov/vitamind.html[4] "Vitamin D Metabolites," National Institutes of Health, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234802/[5] "Why Vitamin D Matters," National Institutes of Health, https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/[6] "Vitamin D Deficiency during early pregnancy," Medical News Today, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326123[7] "Vitamin D & Cancer Risk," Medical News Today, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326144[8] "Estrogen Deficiency and Bone Density," National Institutes of Health, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3441928/
- The study of environment, lifestyle, and fibroids (SELF) has highlighted a connection between vitamin D levels and oral contraceptives, particularly for women using estrogen-based contraception, which often leads to higher vitamin D levels compared to non-users.
- A potential concern for women considering pregnancy arises from the discovery that they may experience a significant drop in their vitamin D levels upon ceasing estrogen-based birth control usage.
- The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, revealed that the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen correlated with a 20% higher level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
- Dr. Harmon recommends ensuring that D levels are adequate not only when trying to conceive but also during pregnancy, as a vitamin D deficiency could potentially arise during early pregnancy due to the stoppage of hormonal birth control.
- The association between vitamin D and estrogen-based contraception appears consistent across different populations, but further research is needed to understand the root causes and possible alterations in the metabolism of vitamin D.
- African-American women are more prone to vitamin D deficiency in the US, and even small changes in D concentrations can raise concerns, emphasizing the importance of monitoring vitamin D levels and addressing any deficiencies when considering conception and during pregnancy.
