Estradiol-Levonorgestrel

Oral contraceptive use can cause folic acid depletion.

Women using oral contraceptives were found to have significantly lower serum magnesium levels in a controlled study. In a preliminary study, blood levels of magnesium decreased in women taking an oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel. Although the importance of this interaction remains somewhat unclear, supplementation with 250 to 350 mg of magnesium per day is a safe and reasonable supplemental level for most adults.

A review of literature suggests that women who use oral contraceptives may experience decreased vitamin B1, B2, B3, B12, C, and zinc levels. Oral contraceptive use has been associated with increased absorption of calcium and copper and with increased blood levels of copper and vitamin A. Oral contraceptives may interfere with manganese absorption. The clinical importance of these actions remains unclear.

A review of literature suggests that women who use oral contraceptives may experience decreased vitamin B1, B2, B3, B12, C, and zinc levels. Oral contraceptive use has been associated with increased absorption of calcium and copper and with increased blood levels of copper and vitamin A. Oral contraceptives may interfere with manganese absorption. The clinical importance of these actions remains unclear.

A review of literature suggests that women who use oral contraceptives may experience decreased vitamin B1, B2, B3, B12, C, and zinc levels. Oral contraceptive use has been associated with increased absorption of calcium and copper and with increased blood levels of copper and vitamin A. Oral contraceptives may interfere with manganese absorption. The clinical importance of these actions remains unclear.

A review of literature suggests that women who use oral contraceptives may experience decreased vitamin B1, B2, B3, B12, C, and zinc levels. Oral contraceptive use has been associated with increased absorption of calcium and copper and with increased blood levels of copper and vitamin A. Oral contraceptives may interfere with manganese absorption. The clinical importance of these actions remains unclear.

A review of literature suggests that women who use oral contraceptives may experience decreased vitamin B1, B2, B3, B12, C, and zinc levels. Oral contraceptive use has been associated with increased absorption of calcium and copper and with increased blood levels of copper and vitamin A. Oral contraceptives may interfere with manganese absorption. The clinical importance of these actions remains unclear.

A review of literature suggests that women who use oral contraceptives may experience decreased vitamin B1, B2, B3, B12, C, and zinc levels. Oral contraceptive use has been associated with increased absorption of calcium and copper and with increased blood levels of copper and vitamin A. Oral contraceptives may interfere with manganese absorption. The clinical importance of these actions remains unclear.

In a double-blind trial of oral contraceptive users with cervical dysplasia, supplementation with very large amounts (10 mg per day) of folic acid improved cervical health. Women with cervical dysplasia diagnosed while they are taking oral contraceptives should consult a doctor. Mega-folate supplementation should not be attempted without a doctor’s supervision, nor is there any reason to believe that folic acid supplementation would help people with cervical cancer.

In controlled studies, the addition of 300 IU per day of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) did not improve the bone-preserving or fracture-preventing effects of hormone replacement with estradiol plus a progestin (a synthetic form of progesterone) in postmenopausal women without osteoporosis. However, in a controlled study of osteoporotic women, only those receiving both hormone replacement and vitamin D had increases in bone density of the hip; no improvement occurred in the hip with hormones alone. More research is needed to determine conclusively when vitamin D is important to add to hormone replacement.

In a group of 37 postmenopausal women treated with conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone for 12 months, urinary zinc and magnesium loss was reduced in those women who began the study with signs of osteoporosis and elevated zinc and magnesium excretion. The clinical significance of this interaction remains unclear.

Studies have shown that grapefruit juice significantly increases estradiol levels in the blood. One of the flavonoids found in grapefruit juice is quercetin. In a test tube study, quercetin was found to change estrogen metabolism in human liver cells in a way that increases estradiol levels and reduces other forms of estrogen. This effect is likely to increase estrogen activity in the body. However, the levels of quercetin used to alter estrogen metabolism in the test tube were much higher than levels found in the body after supplementing with quercetin.

There is evidence from test tube studies that another flavonoid in grapefruit juice, naringenin, also has estrogenic activity. It has yet to be shown that dietary or supplemental levels of quercetin (or naringenin) could create a significant problem.

Eight cases reported to the Medical Products Agency of Sweden suggest that St. John’s wort may interact with oral contraceptives and cause intramenstrual bleeding and/or changes in menstrual bleeding. One reviewer has suggested that St. John’s wort may reduce serum levels of estradiol. It should be noted, however, that only three of the eight Swedish women returned to normal menstrual cycles after stopping St. John’s wort. Women taking oral contraceptives for birth control should consult with their doctor before taking St. John’s wort.

Menstrual blood loss is typically reduced with use of oral contraceptives. This can lead to increased iron stores and, presumably, a decreased need for iron in premenopausal women. Premenopausal women taking oral contraceptives should have their iron levels monitored and talk with their prescribing doctor before using iron-containing supplements.