Discovered association between vitamin D levels and birth control methods investigated
Sun-Kissed Bones: The Link Between Hormonal Birth Control and Vitamin D
Hey there! Ever wondered if your birth control pill could influence your bones? It just might, thanks to its relationship with vitamin D. Researchers found that using estrogen-based contraceptives can boost a woman's vitamin D levels, while ditching them could result in a significant drop. Let's dive into this fascinating interplay between hormones and vitamins.
Vitamin D, a sun-friendly nutrient, plays a vital role in maintaining your body's calcium and phosphorus balance. It aids in absorbing calcium, an essential component for strong bones. Most of our vitamin D comes from the sun (about 90%), with foods like fish and eggs making up the rest.
Some ladies may face complications like rickets or osteomalacia (softening of bones) due to vitamin D deficiency, especially during pregnancy. That's because vitamin D is crucial for the formation of bones and its active form supports the growth of the fetal skeleton.
Intrigued by this link, medical researcher Dr. Quaker E. Harmon from the National Institutes of Health set out to investigate any changes in vitamin D levels associated with oral contraceptives. She analyzed data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF) and found some intriguing results.
Vitamin D and Contraception
The study included almost 1,700 African-American women living around Detroit, Michigan, aged 23-34. Researchers asked participants about their contraceptive use, time spent outdoors, and vitamin D supplements. In total, 1,662 women provided blood samples to measure their 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels, the most common circulating form of vitamin D.
The study revealed that women using estrogen-containing contraception had significantly higher vitamin D levels compared to other women, even after taking other factors into account.
"Our study found that women who were using contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels than other women," said Dr. Harmon.
As women stopped using such contraceptives, their vitamin D levels decreased proportionately. In fact, estrogen-based contraception was associated with 20% higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
Vitamin D Deficiency in Early Pregnancy
These findings, published this week in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, mean women planning to become pregnant might face a heightened risk of becoming deficient in vitamin D.
"For women who are planning to stop using birth control, it is worth taking steps to ensure that vitamin D levels are adequate while trying to conceive and during pregnancy," said Dr. Harmon.
As for why estrogen-based contraception might affect vitamin D levels, Dr. Harmon suggests estrogen may enhance the expression of vitamin D-binding protein (DBP), responsible for transporting vitamin D in the bloodstream, resulting in higher measured levels of vitamin D. Additionally, estrogen could influence the expression of genes involved in vitamin D metabolism, potentially affecting the activity of enzymes like 25-hydroxylase.
Further investigation is needed to understand the exact mechanisms behind this relationship, and whether it applies to women of different races. But for now, it's a good idea for women planning to conceive to make sure their vitamin D levels are in check before embarking on their pregnancy journey.
Stay informed and healthy! 🌞☀️💪🏼
- The link between hormonal birth control and Vitamin D reveals that estrogen-based contraceptives can boost a woman's vitamin D levels, while ceasing their use might cause a significant drop.
- In the study conducted by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon from the National Institutes of Health, women using estrogen-containing contraception were found to have significantly higher vitamin D levels compared to other women.
- As women stopped using such contraceptives, their vitamin D levels decreased proportionately, with estrogen-based contraception associated with 20% higher levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D.
- With these findings, women planning to become pregnant might face a heightened risk of becoming deficient in vitamin D, emphasizing the need to ensure adequate vitamin D levels while trying to conceive and during pregnancy.
- In fitness-and-exercise, health-and-wellness, and women's health communities, discussions about the impact of multi-vitamins, specifically women's vitamins, on proper nutrition are increasingly important, especially in light of vitamin D deficiencies.
- As scientific research continues to uncover the intricate connections between hormones, nutrients, and cultural factors like women's health, it is crucial for both everyday individuals and healthcare professionals to stay informed on these fascinating interplays.
