Unveiled connection between vitamin D and birth control hormones
Cracking the Connection Between Vit D and Hormonal Contraception
Vitamin D, the star player in maintaining steady calcium levels and aiding bone health, has been found to get a boost from estrogen-based birth control pills, while women who stop using these contraceptives might experience a significant drop in vitamin D levels.
Known for managing calcium and phosphorous levels in the blood, vitamin D plays an essential role in absorbing calcium which is vital for strong bones. Rich sources of this nutrient include fish, eggs, and sunlight. However, around 90% of our Vit D production takes place through a chemical reaction in our skin after sun exposure.
Deficiency in vitamin D can lead to rickets and osteomalacia – the softening of our bones. Considering vitamin D's crucial role in bone formation, its significance during pregnancy cannot be overstated.
Enter Dr. Quaker E. Harmon of the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, NC. Intrigued by the potential link between vitamin D levels and oral contraceptives, Dr. Harmon embarked on a study involving nearly 1,700 African-American women aged 23-34, living in and around Detroit, MI. The cross-sectional analysis aimed to unravel any associations between contraceptive use, sunlight exposure, supplement intake, and vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D and Contraception
During the study, participants disclosed their contraceptive use while answering questions about their sun exposure habits and any supplements they consumed. Blood samples were taken to measure the most common circulating form of vitamin D, namely 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
The findings revealed that women using estrogen-based contraception experienced higher vitamin D levels compared to other women. Even after considering various confounding factors, the effect remained significant. Surprisingly, the researchers couldn't pinpoint any behavioral differences – like increased outdoor time or supplement use – to explain the rise.
Post-analysis, the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was associated with a 20% higher level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D. Current users of birth control had higher vitamin D levels, while past users showed average levels.
Vitamin D Deficiency in Early Pregnancy
The study's results, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, raise concerns about vitamin D deficiency among women planning to conceive or become pregnant, prompting Dr. Harmon to advise women ceasing birth control to ensure their vitamin D levels are sufficient during the pre-conception and pregnancy stages.
So, why does estrogen-based contraception bump up vitamin D levels? Dr. Harmon believes changes in vitamin D metabolites might be responsible, hinting at alterations in the metabolism of vitamin D. Further research is needed to pin down the exact mechanisms.
As the study focused solely on African-American women, questions about race-related factors arose. Dr. Harmon clarified that while the association has been observed in other racial groups, the heightened risk of vitamin D deficiency among African-American women makes small changes or drops in their vitamin D concentrations more significant.
Dr. Harmon also hinted at future collaborations to delve deeper into the relationship between vitamin D and the menstrual cycle while continuing to track the initial study participants.
- The connection between vitamin D and hormonal contraception is a subject of ongoing scientific inquiry due to the boost vitamin D receives from estrogen-based birth control pills.
- A study led by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon of the National Institutes of Health revealed that women using estrogen-based contraceptives exhibit higher vitamin D levels compared to non-users, even after considering confounding factors.
- The study conducted among African-American women showed that current users of birth control had higher vitamin D levels, while past users showed average levels, suggesting a potential role of estrogen-based contraceptives in addressing multi-deficiencies related to vitamins.
- This research highlights the significance of monitoring vitamin D levels during the pre-conception and pregnancy stages among women who plan to or recently ceased birth control use, given the potential implications for women's health and the health-and-wellness sector.
- The study's discovery of the relationship between contraceptives and vitamin D levels warrants further investigation into the metabolic pathways and nutritional implications in the context of the science of nutrition.
- Considering the increased risk of vitamin D deficiency among African-American women, understanding and addressing the implications of this connection is essential for the overall improvement of women's-health and women's vitamins.
