Discovered Connection between Vitamin D and Birth Control Hormones
Vitamin D Levels and Birth Control Pills: According to a study by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon, researchers found that women taking estrogen-based birth control pills have higher quantities of circulating vitamin D. Conversely, women who stop taking these contraceptives may experience a significant drop in vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D's role is primarily to maintain the correct calcium and phosphorous levels in the blood and help the body absorb calcium, an essential component of bones. Vitamin D is primarily produced in the skin through a chemical reaction after exposure to sunlight, and foods like fish and eggs are rich in this vitamin.
Interestingly, the study found that women using contraception containing estrogen tended to have higher vitamin D levels, even after adjusting for confounding factors like seasonal exposure to light. Current users of birth control had higher vitamin D levels, and past users had average vitamin D levels, indicating a correlation between the use of estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels.
"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." - Dr. Quaker E. Harmon
The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, raises concerns about women becoming deficient in vitamin D when they start trying to become pregnant, as higher vitamin D levels during pregnancy are crucial for the growth of the fetal skeleton. To ensure adequate vitamin D levels while trying to conceive and during pregnancy, women who are planning to stop using birth control may want to take steps to increase their vitamin D intake.
However, the reasons why estrogen-based contraception might affect vitamin D levels are not entirely clear. Further research is needed to investigate the detailed mechanisms behind this association. The study focused solely on African-American women, but the same association has been observed in other racial groups as well.
- Women taking womensvitamins specifically formulated to address nutrient deficiencies, especially those containing Vitamin D, may help maintain appropriate vitamin D levels.
- In some cultural health-and-wellness practices, increased focus is placed on ensuring women receive adequate vitamin D intake due to potential deficiencies caused by issues like seasonal light exposure or contraceptive use.
- A multi-vitamin, including Vitamin D, can be beneficial for women in maintaining their general health and nutrition, especially in cases of hormonal influences that might impact vitamin D levels.
- Nutritionists and doctors often recommend womens-health vitamins to address nutrient deficiencies that might arise from various factors, one of which being the use of contraceptives containing estrogen.
- The science of womens-health and nutrition suggests that health-and-wellness routines need to carefully consider how factors like contraceptive use can affect essential nutrients, such as Vitamin D, and thus women's overall health.
- It's essential for women to recognize the potential impact that different life stages and factors like hormonal contraceptive use can have on their vitamin D levels and take steps to ensure they maintain optimal levels, particularly during pregnancy.
