Vitamin D connection found in birth control methods
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Estrogen-Based Birth Control and Vitamin D Levels: A Surprising Connection
Ever wondered if your birth control pill might be messing with your vitamin D levels? Well, it turns out it just might! Research reveals that women on estrogen-based contraceptive pills have higher circulating vitamin D levels, while those who stop using these treatments experience a notable drop in their D levels.
Vitamin D, you know, is the star player in managing correct calcium and phosphorus levels in the bloodstream. It aids the body in absorbing calcium, a crucial component for bone strength. Interestingly, many food sources, like fish and eggs, are loaded with vitamin D, but the majority (approximately 90%) of our vitamin D intake comes naturally through sunlight exposure.
But what happens when we don't get enough - or our levels drop? Deficiencies can lead to issues like rickets and osteomalacia, which soften our bones. Since vitamin D is essential for bone development, particularly during pregnancy, let's dive deeper into how estrogen-based contraceptives might be impacting things.
Enter Dr. Quaker E. Harmon, of the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, NC. She investigated any connections between contraceptive use and vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D and Contraception
For this study, Harmon analyzed data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), an investigation of reproductive health. From nearly 1,700 African-American women aged 23-34 living in Detroit, MI, Harmon discovered that women using estrogen-based contraception had significantly higher vitamin D levels compared to other participants, even after controlling for factors like seasonal light exposure.
"Our study found that women who were using contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels than other women," said 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 adjustments for confounding variables, the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was associated with approximately 20 percent higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D. Current users of birth control had higher vitamin D levels, while past users had average vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D Deficiency in Early Pregnancy
As women start trying to conceive, the period of highest risk for vitamin D deficiency arises. Dr. Harmon encourages women planning to stop birth control to ensure vitamin D levels are sufficient during this time and throughout pregnancy.
Create a nutrition plan rich in vitamin D sources like fish, eggs, and fortified dairy, and consider supplements as recommended by a healthcare provider. Safe sun exposure can also contribute to healthy vitamin D levels, but remember to prioritize the use of sun protection for overall skin health.
The Whole Picture
While estrogen-based contraceptives don't directly impact vitamin D levels, long-term use can lead to nutrient depletion, potentially impacting overall health, including during pregnancy. Proper management through supplements and a balanced diet is crucial for maintaining adequate vitamin D levels and overall wellness.
Work is underway to further explore the relationship between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels, with a focus on understanding the underlying mechanisms. Stay tuned for more insights on this fascinating link in the future!
~ Your Friendly Assistant
- Women on estrogen-based contraceptive pills might experience higher vitamin D levels compared to those who stop using these treatments.
- Vitamin D, a crucial nutrient for bone development and calcium absorption, can come from food sources like fish and eggs, as well as sunlight exposure.
- Deficiencies in vitamin D can lead to issues like rickets and osteomalacia, where bones become soft.
- A study by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon discovered that women using estrogen-based contraception had significantly higher vitamin D levels compared to other participants.
- The use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was associated with approximately 20 percent higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
- For women planning to stop birth control, ensuring sufficient vitamin D levels during the high-risk period of early pregnancy and throughout pregnancy is crucial, and can be facilitated through a balanced nutrition plan, supplements, and safe sun exposure.
