Revealed connection between vitamin D and contraception: a fascinating discovery
Women taking estrogen-based birth control pills may have higher levels of circulating vitamin D, while those who cease using such contraceptives may experience a significant drop, according to a recent study.
Responsible for maintaining correct calcium and phosphorous levels in the blood, vitamin D is crucial for the body's absorption of calcium, an essential component of bones. Food sources high in vitamin D include fish and eggs; however, approximately 90% of the vitamin is produced in the skin after exposure to sunlight.
A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to complications such as rickets and osteomalacia (softening of the bones). Given vitamin D's significance in bone formation, it is particularly important during pregnancy.
To investigate possible changes in vitamin D levels associated with oral contraceptives, researchers from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, NC, examined data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), an investigation of reproductive health. The project involved nearly 1,700 African-American women aged 23-34 from Detroit, MI.
The study collected information on contraceptive use and questions regarding time spent outside, vitamin D supplements, and other relevant factors. Blood samples were obtained from 1,662 women to measure levels of the most common circulating form of vitamin D, called 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
The team found that women using contraception containing estrogen had higher vitamin D levels compared to others. Even after adjusting for confounding factors, the association remained significant, with estrogen-based contraceptive users exhibiting 20% higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
While the study solely focused on African-American women, researcher Dr. Quaker E. Harmon believes the association is not related to race. She is continuing to follow this group of women to further understand the relationship and is investigating how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle in another group of participants.
The findings emphasize the need for women who are planning to stop using birth control to ensure their vitamin D levels are sufficient while trying to conceive and during pregnancy, lowering the risk of developing complications.
The relationship between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels is complex and influenced by individual factors such as calcidiol metabolism, which may vary due to various factors including ethnicity and genetics. More research is needed to fully understand this connection and its implications for reproductive health and overall well-being.
- Although vitamin D is produced in the skin after sun exposure, food sources like fish and eggs are also important, especially for women who may have deficiencies.
- Given the significance of vitamin D in bone formation, particularly during pregnancy, it's crucial for women to ensure they have sufficient levels regardless of contraceptive use.
- A recent study conducted by researchers from the National Institutes of Health found that women using estrogen-based contraceptives had higher levels of vitamin D compared to others, regardless of race.
- The research emphasizes the importance of maintaining healthy vitamin D levels, not just for bone health but also for overall health-and-wellness and women's health.
- As ethnicity and genetics can influence calcidiol metabolism, the connection between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels is complex and requires further investigation.
- The study on African-American women serves as a starting point for understanding this relationship and its impact on reproductive health, with more research needed to fully elucidate the implications.
