Many medications can alter the storage of certain nutrients in a person's body, and birth control pills are no exception. Oral contraceptives deplete the body's supply of many vitamins and minerals, but they may also increase the levels of certain vitamins and minerals. Although you can take measures yourself to prevent a vitamin or mineral deficiency from occurring while taking birth control medications, always talk to your doctor if you have specific questions or concerns regarding this issue.
Nutrients Decreased
Women who take birth control pills metabolize vitamin B6 differently than do women who do not. As a result, women who take these medications have a different form of vitamin B6 in their blood. Birth control pills may deplete the body of vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, zinc and other B vitamins. Women who have a low intake of these vitamins or have problems with vitamin absorption are at the greatest risk of experiencing a deficiency when taking birth control pills.
Nutrients Increased
Although birth control pills may decrease the amount of several vitamins and minerals, the medication increases the amounts of others. Blood vitamin A levels are typically higher in women who use birth control pills. Plasma copper levels are also typically elevated. This raised copper level may be related to decreased vitamin C levels, but more research needs to be done to confirm that.
Iron
Although birth control pills do not directly cause iron levels to increase, women who are on birth control medications may lose less blood during menstruation than do women who are not on this medication. As a result, women taking birth control medications may need less iron than would other women their age. However, women taking birth control pills who get iron through their diet or a regular multivitamin typically do not need to worry about getting too much.
Considerations
You can prevent vitamin or mineral depletion from your birth control pills by making a few simple dietary and lifestyle changes. Focus on eating foods that will maximize your nutrition, including plenty of fruit and leafy green vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, lean meats and fish. Monitor your daily intake of each vitamin and mineral and other nutrients to ensure you are getting enough. Although birth control pills may deplete the body of certain vitamins or minerals, women who take birth control pills do not have different nutritional requirements than those who do not. No special vitamin supplementation is necessary, but taking a daily multivitamin supplements specifically designed for women of your age group may prove beneficial.
Warning
Although multivitamin supplements should not negatively interact with your birth control medication, it is always a good idea to talk to your doctor before taking one of these supplements. Notify your doctor of all of your current brands of supplements and medications, including your birth control. Your doctor can then check for potential interactions between all the medications and supplements to prevent you from experiencing any negative or serious effects.
