Contraception use greatly effects vitamin D levels among women. While using contraceptives is associated with higher levels of vitamin D, even higher among black women - stopping them can greatly decrease vitamin D levels.
Say what?
Women using contraception containing estrogen is the key to having higher vitamin D levels.
The vitamin D deficiency is likely to happen when the pills are stopped and women are trying to conceive. It is in their best interest to take steps to receive adequate levels of vitamin D when trying to conceive and keep solid levels during pregnancy. There is a link to low vitamin D levels in pregnancies in the winter and Type I diabetes. Vitamin D3 helps to prevent a woman from getting a flu or virus in pregnancy.
The results suggest an interaction between "normal" and "high" estrogen levels and a woman's vitamin D levels. Women who went off birth control had significantly lower levels of vitamin D and they may need supplementation during conception and pregnancy.
The relationship between estrogen levels and vitamin D levels is greater in African American women who usually have darker skin pigments. The process to make vitamin D is harder in darker skinned people. This study focused on a group of African American women aged 23-24 living in Detroit, MI and the surrounding areas where most women of color had low vitamin D concentrations in the blood.
The study found that estrogen use was associated with 20% higher vitamin D levels. The most important thing to take note of about this particular study is the importance of maintaining healthy vitamin D levels while trying to conceive especially for women of color.
Most healthy individuals have vitamin D insufficiency and deficiencies. Many are young women.
Vitamin D levels are easy to check and covered by most insurances. Correcting insufficiencies and deficiencies is the best cost effective measure to prevent depression. Ask your provider to check your vitamin D3 levels at your next office visit.
Vitamin D levels should range between 70-100.
Second Nature Care Vitamin D protection
In our area, I recommend that patients take 5000 iu. of Vitamin D3 from Xymogen between October and April. Xymogen's formula is soy-free.
Improve your Sex Life with Vitamin D
Injectable Vitamins
Vitamin C and Stroke Prevention