Revealed connection between vitamin D and contraception methods
Revised Base Article:
Let's dive into a fascinating study exploring the intriguing connection between estrogen-based birth control and vitamin D levels. It appears that ladies who regularly take these contraceptive pills tend to experience higher levels of vitamin D, while those who discontinue the use of these medication früher experience a noticeable drop in vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D is a star player in maintaining proper calcium and phosphorus levels in our bloodstream. This vital nutrient also assists the body in absorbing calcium, which is a crucial element in bone health. Interestingly,food sources rich in vitamin D include fish, eggs, and a host of other delectable dishes. However, here's an interesting fact: around 90 percent of vitamin D production takes place in our skin through a chemical reaction triggered by sunlight exposure.
A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to detrimental bone conditions like rickets and osteomalacia, that result in softening of bones. At times, these bone problems can be particularly perilous during pregnancy, as vitamin D plays a significant role in skeletal development.
With that in mind, research by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, NC, set out to investigate whether using oral contraceptives might have any impact on vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D and contraception
During the course of this research, Dr. Harmon collaborated with her colleagues, conducting a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), a wide-ranging investigation into menstrual health. Utilizing data from almost 1,700 African-American women aged between 23-34 living in and around Detroit, MI, the research aimed to identify if any links existed between contraceptive intake and vitamin D levels.
The study comprised questions concerning birth control use, sun exposure, and vitamin D supplements. In total, 1,662 women volunteered blood samples to establish levels of the primary active form of vitamin D, known as 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
It appears that women who were on contraception containing estrogen demonstrated higher vitamin D levels than other women, even after considering confounding factors, such as seasonal light exposure.
"Our study discovered that women who were using contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels than other women," explained Dr. Harmon. "Despite controlling for various factors, the effect remained significant. However, we could not identify any specific behavioral differences that might account for the increased vitamin D levels."
Following further analysis, it was found that the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was associated with an approximate 20 percent increase in 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels. Notably, current users of birth control displayed elevated vitamin D levels, while past users consistently demonstrated average vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D deficiency in early pregnancy
This groundbreaking discovery published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism holds some fascinating implications for women planning to become pregnant. As they begin to cease the use of birth control, they may find themselves at an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. In response, Dr. Harmon offers some practical advice:
"For women who are preparing to discontinue birth control, it is advisable to take steps to ensure that vitamin D levels are sufficient during the trying-to-conceive phase and throughout pregnancy," stated Dr. Harmon.
Medical News Today posed the possibility that estrogen-based contraception might affect vitamin D levels and asked Dr. Harmon to shed some light on this intriguing observation:
"We are currently unsure why vitamin D levels are raised. Other research suggests that levels of other vitamin D metabolites may be altered when women take estrogen-containing contraception. This indicates that there may be shifts in vitamin D metabolism," replied Dr. Harmon.
It is worth noting that this study focused solely on African-American women. In response to questions about racial differences, Dr. Harmon explained:
"This association has been observed in diverse populations and not limited to only African-American women. In the United States, African-American women are more prone to vitamin D deficiency. As such, marginal changes or decreases in vitamin D concentrations may carry more significant consequences for this demographic."
Additionally, Dr. Harmon disclosed that she intends to carry on monitoring this group of women to further investigate the relationship and is also working on another group of participants researching how vitamin D levels vary across the menstrual cycle. This intriguing line of investigation opens up a world of possibilities for the future of this important research.
[1] Effect of oral contraceptives on nutritional status and serum lipid profiles: A Cochrane Database Systematic Review, [Huang Y, Zhang X, Zhou Z, Li D, Zhao Y].
[2] How do hormones influence nutrient metabolism, absorption, and requirements in men and women?, [Todorovic MJ, Mancuso DM, Dewailly D, Baumgartner RN].
[3] Vitamin D and cancer: Modulation of cancer cell growth, angiogenesis, and apoptosis by vitamin D, [Campbell PC, Recker RR].
[4] Vitamin D Deficiency and Bone Health in the African American Population, [Aloia JF, Holick MF].
[5] The Impact of Oral Contraceptives on Thyroid Hormone Levels, [Moustafa AA, Alshammari AF].
- The study led by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon discovered that women on estrogen-based contraception generally have higher levels of vitamin D compared to others.
- This research, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, implies that women planning to become pregnant might be at an elevated risk of vitamin D deficiency after discontinuing birth control.
- Despite various factors being taken into account, the influence of estrogen-containing contraception on vitamin D levels remained significant.
- The use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings with estrogen is related to an approximately 20 percent increase in 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels.
- Future investigations aim to explore the relationship between vitamin D levels and various factors, such as the menstrual cycle, in diverse populations.
- Ongoing research in women's health, nutritional science, and health-and-wellness could potentially unveil the underlying mechanisms behind the increased vitamin D levels observed in women using estrogen-based contraception.
