Discovered connection between vitamin D and contraceptive methods explored
Hey there! Let's talk about a fascinating study that recently surfaced, focusing on the interplay between estrogen-based contraceptives and vitamin D levels in women.
Vitamin D, an essential nutrient, plays a significant role in maintaining the body's calcium and phosphorus levels. It also assists in absorbing calcium, which is crucial for bone health. Interestingly, over 90% of vitamin D is produced in our skin after exposure to sunlight, while some food sources like fish and eggs are also high in this vitamin.
Now, drop this – a team of researchers, led by Dr. Quaker E. Harmon from the National Institutes of Health, decided to investigate if there's any correlation between using oral contraceptives and vitamin D levels.
The team dug into data from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids (SELF), an investigation of reproductive health that included approximately 1,700 African-American women living in and around Detroit, aged 23-34. The researchers asked the women about their contraceptive use, time spent outdoors, and any vitamin D supplements they took.
What they found was intriguing: Women who used contraceptives containing estrogen had significantly higher levels of vitamin D compared to others. This correlation remained even after considering confounding factors like seasonal exposure to light.
Dr. Harmon shared, "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."
Curious about the numbers? For those using estrogen-based contraceptives, levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D, the most common circulating form of vitamin D, were about 20% higher.
Remember, though, this study only looked at African-American women. Dr. Harmon clarified that a similar association has been observed in women of different races as well.
Now, you might wonder, why does estrogen-based contraception affect vitamin D levels? Well, the exact reason behind this is unclear. There's some research suggesting that the metabolism of vitamin D may be altered with estrogen, but the team warns that further investigation is needed before we can fully understand the connection.
Lastly, if you're planning to become pregnant or stop using birth control, Dr. Harmon advises ensuring your vitamin D levels are sufficient. Given that poor vitamin D levels can increase the risk of bone problems during pregnancy, it's essential to maintain a balanced diet or perhaps consider supplements if necessary.
Interestingly, other research has shown that higher vitamin D levels are linked to a lower risk of cancer. Fascinating, right? Keep the conversation going if you have more questions or thoughts! 😊
- In the investigation of reproductive health named SELF (Study of Environment, Lifestyle, and Fibroids), the team focused on vitamin D levels among women who used oral contraceptives.
- Dr. Quaker E. Harmon and his team discovered that women who used contraceptives containing estrogen had significantly higher vitamin D levels compared to others.
- It was found that levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D, the most common circulating form of vitamin D, were about 20% higher in women using estrogen-based contraceptives.
- The research was limited to African-American women, but a similar association between estrogen-based contraception and vitamin D levels has been observed in women of different races.
- More research is needed to understand the exact reason behind the connection between estrogen-based contraception and increased vitamin D levels.
- To ensure bone health and prevent complications during pregnancy, Dr. Harmon advises maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels for women planning to become pregnant or stop using birth control.
