Discovered Connection between Vitamin D and Contraceptive Methods Explored
Vitamin D and Contraception: A Hidden Connection
Take a dip into the surprising world of estrogen-based birth control pills and their impact on vitamin D levels. Research has deemed that women on these pills possess higher vitamin D levels, while those ditching their pills see a significant drop in vitamin D levels.
Know what vitamin D is all about? This powerhouse vitamin helps regulate calcium and phosphorus levels in your bloodstream and assists in the absorption of calcium, crucial for bone health. Apart from fortified foods, like fish and eggs, around 90% of our vitamin D intake comes directly from the sun's rays.
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to painful conditions like rickets in children and osteomalacia (softening of the bones) in adults. Given that vitamin D plays a pivotal role in bone development, it's especially significant during pregnancy.
Curious to find out more about vitamin D and contraception? Researchers from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, led by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon, set out to examine the connection.
Investigating a Relationship: Vitamin D and Contraception
The researchers undertook a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF)—an investigation into reproductive health. They gathered information from around 1,700 African-American women aged 23-34 living in and around Detroit, MI.
Participants were asked about their contraceptive use, time spent outdoors, and vitamin D supplement intake. Blood samples were collected from 1,662 women to determine their levels of the primary circulating form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
Notably, during pregnancy, women produce more active forms of vitamin D to accommodate the fetus's skeletal growth. This puts pregnant women at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency and associated bone problems.
“Our study found that women who used contraception containing estrogen had higher vitamin D levels compared to other women,” stated Dr. Harmon.
Deficiency Risks in Early Pregnancy
This recently-published research in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism implies that women planning to conceive might risk becoming deficient in vitamin D as they stop using birth control. As Dr. Harmon advises, "It's essential for women planning to stop birth control to take steps to ensure adequate vitamin D levels during conception and pregnancy."
When adjusted for confounding variables, current users of estrogen-based contraceptives saw 20% higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D. Interestingly, past users showed average vitamin D levels.
The researchers could not attribute the increase in vitamin D levels to specific behaviors, hinting that the contraceptives themselves might boost vitamin D levels. The researchers are planning to follow this group of women further, as well as looking into another group to understand how vitamin D levels vary throughout the menstrual cycle.
Although more research is warranted, understanding the mechanisms behind this connection may prove vital for maintaining optimal vitamin D levels and ensuring optimal health for women. Keep your eyes glued to the horizon for exciting updates in this compelling area of study.
[2] Rizzoli, R. (2011). Vitamin D metabolism in cancer susceptibility, prevention, and treatment. Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology, 127 Suppl 1, S137-S144.
[5] Krishnaswamy, M., Telemo, P. A., & Kowey, Priscilla (2011). The vicious cycle of vitamin D deficiency and obesity. Nutrition, 27 Suppl 1, S55-S58.
- The study conducted by researchers from the National Institutes of Health found that women using contraceptives containing estrogen had higher levels of vitamin D compared to other women.
- During pregnancy, women produce more active forms of vitamin D to accommodate the fetus's skeletal growth, increasing their risk of vitamin D deficiency and associated bone problems.
- Researchers are planning to follow the group of women further and look into another group to understand how vitamin D levels vary throughout the menstrual cycle.
- Understanding the mechanisms behind the connection between contraception and vitamin D levels may prove vital for maintaining optimal vitamin D levels and ensuring optimal health for women.
- Women planning to conceive might risk becoming deficient in vitamin D as they stop using birth control, and it's essential for them to take steps to ensure adequate vitamin D levels during conception and pregnancy.
- Apart from cultural and societal factors, the use of certain vitamins like vitamin D supplements, multi-vitamins, and adequate nutrient intake are crucial components of women's health and overall health-and-wellness, particularly in relation to women's vitamins and nutrition during pregnancy.
