Hidden relationship discovered between vitamin D and contraceptive methods
Shedding Light on the Connection Between Contraceptives and Vitamin D
Delving into a recent study, researchers discovered an intriguing link between estrogen-based birth control pills and vitamin D levels in women. Women using these contraceptives showed higher quantities of circulating vitamin D, whereas those who stopped using these contraceptives faced a significant drop in vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal calcium and phosphorous levels in the blood, and it also aids in the body's absorption of calcium, a vital component of bones. Food sources rich in vitamin D include fish and eggs; however, approximately 90 percent of our vitamin D is produced in the skin through exposure to sunlight.
Deficiency in vitamin D can result in rickets and osteomalacia, which cause the softening of bones. Considering the significance of vitamin D in bone formation, it is particularly important during pregnancy.
Intrigued by this potential link, Dr. Quaker E. Harmon, from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, NC, decided to investigate any associations between changes in vitamin D levels and the use of oral contraceptives.
Vitamin D and Contraception
To do so, the researchers performed a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), a comprehensive evaluation of reproductive health. The SELF project included 1,662 African-American women living in and around Detroit, MI, aged 23-34.
The study asked women about their contraceptive use, time spent outside, and any vitamin D supplements they took. By analyzing the blood samples from these women, the researchers were able to determine levels of the most common circulating form of vitamin D, called 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
"Our study found that women who were using contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels than other women," revealed Dr. Harmon. Even after considering confounding factors, such as seasonal exposure to light, the effect remained significant.
"We could not find any behavioral differences such as increased time spent outdoors to explain the increase," Dr. Harmon added. "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 a 20 percent higher level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
During pregnancy, women produce increased levels of the active form of vitamin D to support the growth of the fetal skeleton. Consequently, pregnant women have an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency and, consequently, a heightened risk of developing bone problems.
When trying to conceive or during pregnancy, ensuring sufficient vitamin D levels is essential. For women who plan to stop using birth control, maintaining adequate vitamin D levels is indeed worthwhile.
Dr. Harmon reiterated, "Our study found that women who were using contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels than other women." Further research is needed to understand the complex interplay between estrogen, vitamin D, and other factors influencing vitamin D levels.
- The study conducted by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon focused on the connection between contraceptives containing estrogen and vitamin D levels in women, revealing that those using these contraceptives had higher vitamin D levels.
- In the comprehensive evaluation of reproductive health known as the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), researchers found that women using contraceptives containing estrogen had a 20% higher level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
- As vitamin D plays a crucial role in bone formation, particularly during pregnancy, ensuring adequate vitamin D levels for pregnant women is essential to reduce their risk of developing bone problems.
- Considering the significance of vitamin D deficiencies and their impact on women's health and wellness, maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels should be a priority for women who plan to stop using birth control.
- When investigating vitamin D and contraception, scientists discovered that women who cease using contraception containing estrogen are likely to experience a drop in their vitamin D levels.
- In the context of nutrition and women's health, understanding the complex interplay between estrogen, vitamin D, and other factors that influence vitamin D levels is essential for promoting optimal health-and-wellness.
