Does Ortho Tri-Cyclen Make You Gain Weight?

Myths

Technically speaking, Ortho Try-Cyclen does not make you gain weight. The level of hormones in Ortho Try-Cyclen is much lower than in traditional birth-control pills, and should not affect appetite or activity level. According to scientific studies, Ortho Try-Cyclen does not cause your body to turn food into fat at a different rate or make it more difficult for you to lose weight. However, the pill causes other changes in your body that may make it appear as if you have gained weight.

Fluid Retention

Many women retain additional fluid when taking Ortho Try-Cyclen, making it appear that they have gained weight. The estrogen in Ortho Try-Cyclen may cause the fat cells in some women to expand in size, but not to increase in number. This expansion is actually fluid retention, but may it may appear to be weight gain.

Muscle Gain

While estrogen in Ortho Tri-Cyclen may make the fat cells larger, progesterone may cause muscle gain in some women. Progesterone can have a very mild effect similar to testosterone, causing a slight muscle increase. This effect only occurs in some women, and is very minor. It's usually just enough increase in muscle size to make it appear as though there has been a slight weight gain.