Side Effects of Taking Prenatal Vitamins When Not Pregnant

Prenatal vitamins are multi-vitamins with a rich combination of vitamins needed to improve the health of a mom-to-be and the baby.  

Healthcare providers recommend prenatal vitamins to help fill nutritional gaps among pregnant moms. In short, these are great when women are planning to get pregnant.  

However, there’s a trend recently centering on prenatal vitamins. Some women are taking prenatal vitamins when they are not pregnant. So, are there any side effects?  

Let’s clear all your doubts in this article –  

Why Are Women Taking Prenatal Vitamins When Not Pregnant?

Many women have become very health conscious recently and are trying whatever they can to boost their overall physical health. Typically, they go for organic food and supplements made using only natural ingredients. They are also looking for products without any synthetic additives or preservatives.  

However, taking prenatal vitamins doesn’t help when you aren’t pregnant.  

There are some unproven claims and myths about taking these vitamins. Some suggest that these would help you grow your hair thicker or get stronger nails.  

Some are also of the opinion that you must take as much nutrients as you can take. However, such vitamins do not affect your body unless you use them during pregnancy. In fact, taking these supplements when not pregnant can put your health at risk.  

So, When to Take Prenatal Vitamins?

It’s best not to take prenatal vitamins when not pregnant. But you can start your intake as soon as you are pregnant. You can also start taking them if you plan to have a baby. 

Here are some common recommendations that nutritionists and health experts suggest. You can take 400 micrograms of folic acid capsules every day until your pregnancy reaches 12 weeks.  

It helps prevent birth defects usually termed neural tube defects when taking folic acid tablets. You can also include them in your diet to stay safe from spina bifida.  

Also, you can continue to take them after pregnancy when you are breastfeeding. According to the WHO, breastfeeding women should continue to take vitamins.  

In fact, post-natal vitamins are important for the baby’s development. Different elements like folate, DHA, Vitamin D, DHA, and iodine are important for your baby’s health. These improve the baby’s processing skills, brain health, and visual acuity.  

Key Nutrients in Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins are rich in a few key nutrients that are specifically good for the physical health of pregnant women. The following are the key nutrients present in prenatal vitamins.  

Folic Acid – 400 to 800 mcg/day. It’s the common and recommended amount to help reduce the chances of neural tube defects.  

Iron – women often suffer from iron deficiency, especially during pregnancy. Through these supplements, they can take 27 mg/day (recommended amount) of iron every day.  

Other Nutrients – Other valuable nutrients available in multivitamins include Calcium, Omega-3 fatty acids, choline, and iodine. These are essential for maternal health and fetal development.  

Taking Prenatal Vitamins When Not Pregnant: Side Effects

If you are in perfect health, there’s no need to take prenatal vitamins. You can take multivitamins instead. But refrain from taking prenatal vitamins if you are not pregnant or not at least planning to get pregnant yet.  

There are several side effects of having these vitamins. Although those might seem mild, but not always, in some cases, these vitamins can worsen specific health concerns that appear during pregnancy.  

Here are some drawbacks to stay aware of if you are thinking of taking prenatal vitamins – 

1. Digestive Issues

Prenatal vitamins can cause digestive issues like constipation, nausea, bloating, stomach cramps, or gas. Digestive issues typically arise because of the presence of iron in the vitamin.  Eating fiber-rich food like vegetables and fruits is best to boost your stomach’s health. Drink enough water and ask your doctor to prescribe laxatives if necessary.  

2. Skin & Hair

Many who consumed prenatal vitamins when not pregnant have reported experiencing skin dryness, itchiness, easy bruising, and skin rashes. These vitamins often indirectly cause acne breakouts.  Prenatal vitamins with vitamin A can also cause dry skin.  

3. Mouth-related issues

When you start taking these vitamins, even without pregnancy, you may experience different mouth-related issues like metallic taste. It has different metals like iron, zinc, and copper, and once you start taking these supplements, it may affect your taste buds, giving you a metallic taste. Some consumers get an intense taste of iron while having prenatal vitamins.  

When you take these vitamins after brushing your teeth, your teeth might get affected. Some of these vitamins are chewy or gummy and stick to your teeth. Some of them also contain sugar 

4. Excessive Nutrient Intake

Taking prenatal vitamins when not pregnant can cause several health complications. A high level of folic acid can mask the deficiency of vitamin B-12. We have already mentioned that excessive iron intake can lead to digestive issues.  

5. Unnecessary Expense

Compared to regular multivitamins available, prenatal vitamins are quite expensive. If you are not pregnant, there’s no merit in spending too much money on prenatal vitamins that aren’t of any value to you.  

Disadvantage of Taking Prenatal Vitamins

Coming to the truth: the reason why prenatal benefits are so important is because they are loaded with nutrients. 

It has enough vitamins and nutrients to support two lives (the mom and the baby). So, if you take these vitamins when not pregnant, you consume more than your body demands. You are taking too many minerals, which can lead to certain health hazards, as explained above.  

We mentioned that excessive intake of folic acid can mask the deficiency B-12. It means that it will become harder for you to receive any treatment. Also, if you are facing digestive issues due to excess iron consumption through prenatal vitamins, it can lead to complications like diarrhea.  

However, there might be some benefits for people who have had bariatric surgery. Some teenagers who smoke or drink heavily might have some benefits from taking these vitamins. People who are at higher risk of suffering from malnutrition can take prenatal vitamins.  

Also, suppose you are in the early stages of planning your pregnancy. In that case, you can start your intake of prenatal vitamins (after all, they are prenatal vitamins and must be consumed before pregnancy).  

Try Alternatives to Prenatal Vitamins When Not Pregnant

If you are consuming prenatal vitamins only to gain thicker hair or better health, and not pregnancy, then stop it. It’s best to consume healthy food instead.  

Here are a few things you can try – 

Work on your Diet 

Balance out your diet and include food that provides you with necessary nutrients. You can go for balanced food, like foods high in folate. For example, leafy greens and beans are great. If you need to include food with more iron in your diet, go for red meat or fortified cereals.  

Take Multivitamins instead 

Prenatal vitamins contain nutrients at an extreme level, while regular multivitamins keep your health strong and healthy. So, aim for the necessary amount and opt for multivitamins instead of having prenatal vitamins. It’s best to consult your healthcare provider about your doses and how much you must eat. 

Consult with Healthcare Providers 

Before taking any supplements, it’s best to check if they are necessary or if they have any risks. Consult with your healthcare provider to help you understand your individual nutrition needs. Tailor your food and supplementary diet accordingly to keep yourself active and healthy.  

Conclusion

Prenatal vitamins are primarily for women who are pregnant or planning to conceive. If non-pregnant women consume these supplements, some nutrients skyrocket, affecting their health negatively.  

If you are to consume these vitamins, do so as per your healthcare provider’s prescriptions. Also, resort to healthy dietary habits and multivitamins when not pregnant. Did you find your answer? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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