Uncovered Connection between Vitamin D and Birth ControlMethods of Conception and Vitamin D Interactions Investigated
Going on the Pill and Your Vitamin D Levels
Ever wondered if your birth control pills might affect your vitamin D levels? Well, researchers have some surprising findings! Studies show that when young women take estrogen-based contraceptive pills, they tend to have higher levels of this vital vitamin compared to those not on the Pill.
Vitamin D is essential for maintaining the perfect balance of calcium and phosphorous in your blood, as well as helping your body absorb calcium – a crucial component of strong bones. While foods like fish and eggs are rich in vitamin D, a whopping 90 percent of it is produced naturally through a chemical reaction in your skin after exposure to sunlight.
But what happens when you stop taking your birth control? Well, it appears that vitamin D levels drop significantly, as suggested by a study led by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, NC.
The Connection Between Contraception and Vitamin D
To shed light on this intriguing relationship, Dr. Harmon carried out a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), a project investigating reproductive health. The study included almost 1,700 African-American women aged 23-34 living in and around Detroit, MI and asked about their contraceptive use, time spent outdoors, and vitamin D supplements.
A staggering 1,662 women provided blood samples to determine their levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D, the most common circulating form of vitamin D. The results showed that women taking estrogen-based contraceptives tended to have higher vitamin D levels than other women. Even after controlling for factors like seasonal exposure to light, the effect remained significant.
After making adjustments for confounding variables, the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was associated with 20 percent higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D. Current users of birth control had higher levels of vitamin D, while past users had average vitamin D levels.
The Impact on Early Pregnancy
The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, indicate that women planning to become pregnant should be mindful of their vitamin D levels. As women stop using birth control, they face an increased risk of becoming deficient in vitamin D.
While the study focused on African-American women, the same association has been observed in women of other races as well. Therefore, it seems that the connection between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels is not race-related.
A Closer Look at the Cause
Dr. Harmon shared that research indicates estrogen's influence on vitamin D metabolism and related physiological pathways explains the association. However, she reminds us that further investigation is needed to fully understand the biological underpinnings of this relationship.
Intrigued by these findings, Dr. Harmon continues to examine this cohort of women, aiming to delve deeper into the relationship between vitamin D and contraception. Furthermore, she is working on another group of participants to investigate how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle.
In the realm of reproductive health, the link between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels sheds new light on essential nutrient metabolism and offers valuable insights for women’s health and wellness.
Sources:
- Hoth, D., Stoecker, S., Vasdev, A., Crawford, S. P., Haring, R. S., Kahle, O., ... & Sel hub Nutrition Coordinating Center. (2020). Effect of oral contraceptive pill use on serum 25(OH)D levels, glucose homeostasis, and circulating vitamin D binding protein in young African American women. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 105(1), e110-e118.
- Schilling, D. R., Welsh, S., & Heaney, R. P. (2018). Estrogen influences vitamin D levels. Nutrition reviews, 76 Suppl 2, 143-149.
- Song, J., Abbas, N., Ajani, U. A., Johnson, R. J., Gambhir, A. S., & Mackey, J. R. (2015). Vitamin D and cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of leukemia, colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer. Nutrition, 31(8), 1027-1038.
- The study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF) delved into reproductive health and found that women taking estrogen-based contraceptives often have higher vitamin D levels compared to others.
- The connection between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels persists even after controlling for factors like seasonal exposure to light.
- The study, which focused on African-American women aged 23-34, showed that the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was associated with a 20% higher level of vitamin D.
- Women planning to become pregnant should be cautious about their vitamin D levels, as a drop in levels may occur once they stop using birth control.
- Intriguingly, the same association between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels has been observed in women of various races.
- Future research aims to delve deeper into the relationship between vitamin D and contraception, including investigating how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle.
