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Female Hormones - Oral Contraceptives
Nutrients
Depleted by Female Hormones
Oral Contraceptives
Nutrients Depleted
Magnesium9
Symptoms of deficiency may develop within weeks and include anorexia, nausea,
vomiting, lethargy, and weakness. Severe deficiency may take months to appear
and is associated with muscle cramps, irritability, heart irregularities, and
mental confusion.10,12,13,14
Vitamin B12
(Cobalamin)5
Deficiency is associated with anemia, neurologic symptoms like tingling (pins
and needles) or diminished sensory perception, sore tongue, weakness,
irritability, confusion, impaired memory, and personality
changes.10,12,14
Vitamin B2
(Riboflavin)1
Symptoms of deficiency are sore throat, lesions of the oral cavity, including
cracks at the corners of the mouth, inflammation of the skin, and other skin
changes.10,11,12
Vitamin B6
(Pyridoxine)2,3,4
Symptoms of deficiency can develop in a relatively short period of time. They
include confusion, irritability, depression, inflammation of the mouth and
tongue, reddened lips, cracks at the corners of the mouth, and anemia. Over the
long term, low levels of this vitamin may lead to artherosclerosis (cholesterol
plaques) along blood vessel walls, which contributes to the development of heart
disease.10,11,14
Vitamin B9 (Folic
Acid)1
Effects of deficiency include increased incidence of certain birth defects.
Prolonged deficiency leads to anemia and possibly heart
disease.10,11,12
Vitamin C
(Ascorbic Acid)6,7
Symptoms associated with vitamin C deficiency include dry hair, gum disorders,
increased susceptibility to infections, and slow wound healing. Extreme
deficiency leads to scurvy, a condition characterized by anorexia, anemia,
swollen and bleeding gums, fatigue, and lethargy. Scurvy rarely occurs these
days because of the wide availability of vitamin C from dietary
sources.10,11,12,14
Zinc8
Signs and symptoms of deficiency include loss of appetite, fatigue, growth
retardation, skin and nail changes, diminished libido, impotence, increased
susceptibility to infection, poor wound healing, and loss of sense of
smell.10,12,14
Editorial Note
The selected depletions information presented here identifies
some of the nutrients that may be depleted by certain medications. The signs and
symptoms associated with nutrient deficiency may also indicate conditions other
than nutrient deficiency. If you are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms
mentioned, it does not necessarily mean that you are nutrient deficient.
Nutrient depletion depends upon a number of factors, including your medical
history, diet, and lifestyle as well as the length of time you have been taking
the medication. Please consult your healthcare provider; he or she can best
assess and address your individual healthcare needs, and determine if you are at
risk for nutrient depletions from these medications as well as others not listed
here. References
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1. | Roe, DA. Drug-Induced Nutritional Deficiencies. Second Edition.
Westport, CT, Avi Publishing, pp.261-267, 1985. |
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2. | Lumeng, L. et al. Effect of oral contraceptives on plasma concentration
of pyridoxal phosphate. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 27:326, 1974. |
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3. | Goodhart, R.and Shils, M, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and
Disease. Philadelphia, Lea and Febiger, 1980. |
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4. | Adams, PW, et al. Influence of oral contraceptives, pyridoxine (vitamin
B-6) and tryptophan on carbohydrate metabolism. Lancet 1:759,
1976. |
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5. | Wertalik, LI, et al. Decreased serum B-12 levels with oral
contraceptive use. JAMA 221:1, 337, 1972. |
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6. | Rivers, JM. Oral contraceptives and ascorbic acid plasma levels. Am.
J. Clin. Nutr. 28:550, 1975. |
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7. | McLeroy, VJ. and Schendel, HE. Influence of oral contraceptives on
ascorbic acid concentrations in healthy, sexually mature women. Am. J. Clin.
Nutr. 26:191, 1973. |
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8. | Halsted, JA. et al. Plasma-zinc and copper in pregnancy and after oral
contraceptives. Lancet 2:278-279, 1968. |
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9. | Olatunbosun, DA. et al. Effect of oral contraceptives on serum
magnesium levels. Int. J. Fertility 19(4):224-226, 1974. |
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10. | Fauci, A. ed. et. al. Harrison's Principles of Internal
Medicine. Fourteenth Edition. New York, Mc-Graw-Hill Companies Health
Professional Division, 1998. |
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11. | International Life Sciences Institute, Present Knowledge in
Nutrition. Seventh Edition. Washington, DC, ILSI Press,
1996. |
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12. | National Research Council, Recommended Dietary Allowances. Tenth
Edition. Washington, DC, National Academy Press, 1989. |
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13. | Institute of Medicine, Dietary Reference Intakes. Washington,
DC, National Academy Press, 1997. |
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14. | Kirschmann, G. and Kirschmann, J. Nutrition Almanac. Fourth
Edition. McGraw-Hill, 1996.
Copyright © 2000 Integrative Medicine
Communications
The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the
accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application,
use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury
and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability,
negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard
to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any
drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is
not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the
information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized
healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package
inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and
contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed
herein.
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