Will Birth Control Help Me Lose Weight
Hormonal birth control can lead to weight gain in some people. Regular exercise and dietary choices can often help manage this. If not, it is best to speak with a doctor. They may test for underlying conditions or suggest an alternative method.
In this article, we evaluate the data that is available about birth control and weight gain, as well as provide tips for losing or preventing weight gain.
Despite the lack of scientific evidence, some women taking combined contraceptives believe that they increase their appetite and cause them to feel hungrier. Again, this is not easy to establish, as those who do not take contraceptive pills can gain weight as they age.
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To do this, researchers would have to take two groups of women and give some birth control pills with hormones, while giving placebos, or birth control pills without hormones, to others.
However, this would be difficult because people could not be sure they were in control of preventing pregnancies. Launching a very conclusive study is, therefore, difficult.
The Cochrane Library, which conducts reviews of scientific research and evaluates available references, has published some information on birth control pills and weight gain.
Birth Control & Weight Gain
In the studies, participants gained fewer than 4.4 pounds, on average, after 6 or 12 months of starting progestin-only birth control pills.
Review looked at the effects of combined hormone birth control pills on weight gain. These pills contain progestin and estrogen. The researchers found there was insufficient evidence to conclude that these birth control pills caused weight gain.
, it is “unlikely” that birth control pills cause significant weight gain. The organization did, however, acknowledge that individual women might respond differently to medications taken.
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If a woman is concerned that her birth control pills are causing her to gain weight, she should talk to her doctor.
A doctor may recommend another contraceptive type or a lower hormone dose to see if this could help a person lose weight.
Other birth control methods besides the pill are available. Most, however, utilize the same hormones that are present in birth control pills.
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Examples of these methods include the birth control implant, an intrauterine device (IUD), or a birth control vaginal ring. There are hormonal and nonhormonal IUDs, the trade names of which include Mirena, Sklya, Kyleena, Liletta.
For a full listing of birth control types and their average pregnancy rates with typical uses, people can check out the information provided by the United States government at
Hormonal birth control forms, for example, can increase the risks that a woman may experience blood clots and high blood pressure, according to
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These side effects often subside as people become accustomed to taking the birth control pills. If side effects become too difficult to manage, however, they should see their doctor.
No conclusive scientific evidence has proven that taking birth control pills cause weight gain. Doctors also point to the fact that many people tend to gain weight as they age, which may be a reason why they perceive their birth control pills are to blame.
If, however, a woman has made no changes to her diet and exercise program, has recently begun taking birth control pills, and sees their weight increasing, she should talk to her doctor about possible reasons or potential adjustments.
Does Birth Control Make You Gain Weight?
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Millions of women in the U.S. take hormonal birth control to prevent unintended pregnancy and alleviate adverse health conditions and side effects. Know that there are 40 different types of birth control pills, and every woman will respond differently to each one. For hormonal contraceptive methods, there are a few birth control side effects that women need to be aware of before starting the pill, such as water retention, and bloating.
Often the more androgenic progestins will give those with uteri the munchies but it depends on the dosage of the progestin in the method and each person with a uterus responds differently to different dosages.
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Research has shown that if you put 100 people on the birth control pill and 100 people not on the pill and follow their weight, the 100 people on the pill, on average, weigh 1 pound less. This is because those on the pill do not bloat up and down and those NOT on the pill do (so they average 1 pound more over the month).
In some cases, birth control can cause water retention, which increases the number on the scale and also gives the appearance of excess weight. In some cases though, birth control pills can also increase appetite and cause a woman to consume excess calories, leading to weight gain. If birth control pills are causing water retention, stopping the pills will reverse this side effect and lead to weight loss. If your pill is giving you the munchies, talk to your doctor to switch to a less androgenic progestin.
Birth control pills prevent ovulation and trick the body into thinking it is already pregnant. Excess estrogen in birth control pills is the primary vehicle for preventing ovulation and making the body think it has already conceived. But estrogen can cause the body to retain water which can give the illusion of weight gain.
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Water retention occurs when renin-angiotensin, a compound that the kidneys create, is stimulated via excess estrogen circulating throughout the body. The higher the amount of estrogen in a birth control pill, the more water a woman might retain while taking the pill.
Most birth control pills contain between 30 and 35 micrograms of estrogen. Those pills with higher estrogen will promote higher levels of water retention than pills with lower levels.
Some birth control pills, like Yaz or Yasmin, contain drospirenone, a progestin. Drospirenone acts as a diuretic and can help decrease bloating However, women who have a history of blood clots , high blood pressure, adrenal disease, or take NSAIDS frequently should not take a birth control pill with drospirenone.
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It’s also important to note that individual differences will account for weight gain when taking birth control. Some women are more prone to water retention than others, and birth control can worsen this natural tendency.
The shot, aka Depo-provera, is known to give some of those who use it the munchies. The birth control shot lasts 3 months and once it is in you, we can’t take it out. We have to wait for it to wear off.
The myth that birth control can make you gain weight is just that, a myth! Yet, despite this misconception, many people avoid taking hormonal birth control because they don’t want to experience any negative weight changes or an increase in body weight. Birth control pills will not decrease your appetite or improve your metabolism. Lifestyle factors can also affect your weight, so we recommend eating unhealthy things you may crave in moderation rather than consuming them in unlimited quantities. Also, exercising regularly may reduce weight gain or promote weight loss if you wish to lose weight.
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The research proves that hormonal birth control improves women’s health regardless of weight changes. However, there are 40 types of birth control pills and you can’t know in advance how each one will affect your body. The best determinant of what will work for you is genetics. Thus, we suggest asking your mother, aunt, and older sister what works for them. Also, Pandia Health has come up with an algorithm based on age, BMI, race as a proxy for genetics, and your health history to minimize side effects.
Hormonal contraceptives can change your overall shape and body composition. Some people using progesterone-containing birth control can feel hungrier than usual. We understand; it is difficult to make wise choices when our hormone levels are causing us to crave junk food. However, we often gain weight unintentionally when we overindulge in junk food, which is more difficult to lose than fluid retention. Sugar and salt are the two main cravings you may experience when your progesterone levels rise. Unfortunately, sugary foods can cause us to gain weight quickly and easily; salty foods can cause us to retain fluid (causing the scale to appear as if we have gained weight). Changing your diet may help you lose weight and improve your overall health.
Almost all medicines have side effects, and hormonal birth control is no exception. Your body will adjust to your new hormone levels
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