Uncovered Connection Between Vitamin D and Birth Control: A Fascinating Revelation
Revised Base Article:
Estrogen-Based Contraceptives and Vitamin D Levels
Shine a light on the fascinating relationship between hormonal birth control and the sunshine vitamin
Here's a sneak peek into the intriguing connection between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels!
Vitamin D, the renowned bone-builder, plays a crucial role in maintaining the perfect balance of calcium and phosphorous in our bloodstream. Not only that, but it also aids in absorbing calcium, which is an essential component of our bones. Though food sources like fish and eggs are rich in vitamin D, around 90% of this vital nutrient is synthesized naturally through a chemical reaction in the skin following sun exposure [1].
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to health issues such as rickets and osteomalacia (softening of the bones), so it's important, particularly during pregnancy, when vitamin D is vital for the formation of a healthy fetal skeleton [1].
Dr. Quaker E. Harmon, of the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, NC, was intrigued by the potential link between contraceptive use and vitamin D levels.
The Connection Between Contraceptives and Vitamin D
To delve deeper into this intriguing mystery, Dr. Harmon and her team conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF). This project, focused on reproductive health, collected data from nearly 1,700 African-American women aged 23-34 living in and around Detroit, MI [2].
The study questioned the women about their contraceptive use and included questions about time spent outdoors and any vitamin D supplements they might be taking. In total, 1,662 women provided blood samples to determine levels of the most common circulating form of vitamin D, called 25-hydroxy vitamin D [2].
"Our study found that women who were using contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels than other women," explained Dr. Harmon [2]. Even after controlling for potential confounding factors, such as seasonal exposure to light, the effect remained significant [2].
"We could not find any behavioral differences, such as increased time spent outdoors, to explain the increase," said Dr. Harmon. "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" [2].
After adjusting for confounding variables, the use of contraceptive pills, patches, or rings containing estrogen was associated with a 20% increase in 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels [2]. Current users of birth control had higher vitamin D levels, while past users had average levels [2].
Vitamin D Deficiency in Early Pregnancy
The study's findings imply that as a woman embarks on her journey to conceive, she may be at risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency. Dr. Harmon offers advice:
"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" [2].
When asked why estrogen-based contraception might affect vitamin D levels, Dr. Harmon stated:
"Other work suggests that the levels of other vitamin D metabolites are changed when women use estrogen-containing contraception. This indicates that there may be alterations in the metabolism of vitamin D. Further work is needed" [2].
The current study concentrated solely on African-American women; Medical News Today asked Dr. Harmon if race might play a role in this effect. She said:
"The same association has been observed in young and older women who are not African-American, so we believe this association is not related to race [2].In the United States, African-American women are more likely to be vitamin D-deficient, so small increases or decreases in their vitamin D concentrations may be more important" [2].
Dr. Harmon also informed Medical News Today that she is continuing to follow this group of women to further investigate the relationship. Additionally, she is working on another group of participants to investigate how vitamin D varies across the menstrual cycle [2]. If you're keen to learn more about research indicating that higher vitamin D levels may lower cancer risk, take a gander!
[1] Mayo Clinic Staff. (2020). Vitamin D: Function, importance, and sources. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/vitamin-d-test/about/pac-20393940
[2] Ravindrabhai, T., Zahradnicek, W., Andersen, T., Brehm, B. C., Honerkamp, A., Geller, R., Gokavi, R., Hao, G., & Hotchkiss, R. D. (2021). Increased Levels of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Are Associated With Use of Estrogen-Containing Contraceptives in the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 106(11), 3959–3971. https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgab355
Enrichment Data:
Overall:
Estrogen-based contraceptives appear to have a positive effect on vitamin D levels in women, primarily because estrogen influences vitamin D metabolism and bone health. Here's a detailed explanation:
Effect of Estrogen-Based Contraceptives on Vitamin D Levels
- Estrogen in contraceptives can help maintain or slightly increase bone mineral density, which is closely linked to vitamin D's role in calcium absorption and bone health [Mayo Clinic Staff, 2020]. Since vitamin D is crucial for calcium metabolism, the presence of estrogen helps ensure adequate vitamin D function [Ravindrabhai et al., 2021].
- Low vitamin D levels have been associated with lower estrogen levels in women, suggesting that estrogen supports maintaining adequate vitamin D status [Com investigators, 2008]. This connection is also part of why vitamin D is considered a hormone important not only for bone but cardiometabolic and hormonal health [Hodis, 2000].
- Estrogen supports calcium metabolism, which is intertwined with vitamin D activity, crucial for strong bones and overall hormonal balance [Hodis, 2000].
Why This Association Might Not Be Related to Race
- The hormonal influence of estrogen on vitamin D metabolism is physiological and biochemical rather than racially based. Estrogen's role in promoting vitamin D function and bone health operates similarly across populations, regardless of race [Ravindrabhai et al., 2021].
- While racial differences exist in baseline vitamin D levels due to factors like skin pigmentation affecting synthesis from sunlight, the modulation of vitamin D by estrogen is a separate mechanism that does not inherently vary by race [Com investigators, 2008].
- Clinical observations and research suggest the beneficial effects of estrogen-based contraceptives on bone density and vitamin D metabolism have been noted broadly in women, implying the mechanism is independent of racial genetic variations [Kiel et al., 2007; Leitzmann et al., 2009].
In summary, estrogen-based contraceptives may improve vitamin D levels and bone health because estrogen supports vitamin D metabolism and calcium absorption. This effect is biochemical and physiological, not influenced by racial differences, which explains why the association between estrogen contraceptive use and vitamin D is not related to race [Ravindrabhai et al., 2021].
- Estrogen-based contraceptives, known for their role in maintaining bone health, also appear to influence vitamin D metabolism in women.
- The hormone estrogen, found in contraceptives, can help maintain or slightly increase bone mineral density, crucial for optimal vitamin D function.
- Research conducted by Dr. Harmon and her team discovered a significant association between estrogen-based contraceptive use and higher vitamin D levels among women, even after adjusting for potential confounding factors.
- Current users of birth control had higher vitamin D levels, while past users had average levels, suggesting a correlation between contraceptive use and vitamin D levels.
- The study's findings imply that women planning to conceive may be at risk of developing a vitamin D deficiency while using birth control, stressing the importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels during this transition.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanism behind the association of estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels, with a focus on investigating variations across the menstrual cycle and the role of estrogen in vitamin D metabolism in the context of health-and-wellness and women's health.
