How to Understand Whether Birth Control Pills Cause Weight Gain

If want to take birth control pills for pregnancy prevention, you may be concerned that they'll alter your weight. Do oral contraceptive drugs cause weight gain?

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Are you considering taking birth control pills for pregnancy prevention? Using oral contraceptive drugs has both benefits and risks which should be weighed carefully before making the decision to commit to this form of birth control.

2. One area of concern for women when considering birth control is whether oral contraceptive drugs cause weight gain. While many women report experiencing weight gain when they take birth control pills, the current research doesn’t support an association between oral contraceptive use and increased weight. In fact, the majority of studies have failed to show any significant association between taking birth control pills and weight gain. Previous studies that did show weight gain in women who take birth control pills were carried out when birth control pills contained higher doses of hormones.

3. If the current lower dose oral contraceptive drugs don’t cause an increase in weight, why do so many women feel that they gain weight when they take birth control pills? One explanation is that the hormones found in birth control pills cause temporary fluid retention which can make clothing fit tighter and even cause some fluctuations in the scale. Women often perceive that their breasts are fuller when they’re taking oral contraceptives which can make some pill users feel as if they’ve experienced weight gain. When these changes take place, some women are quick to stop oral contraceptive drugs and are note that the fullness and fluid retention subside causing them to believe birth control pills promote weight gain.

4. Although according to studies, most women don’t experience real weight gain on oral contraceptive drugs, the hormones in birth control pills affect each individual differently. While some people experience nausea on the pill, others have an increased appetite which could be an indirect cause of weight gain. Some studies have suggested that women with insulin resistance may have increased appetites when they take birth control pills and may experience weight gain due to increased food intake.

5. If you happen to be one of the unfortunate people who experiences weight gain on oral contraceptive drugs, what can you do? One option is to ask your doctor about using a pill formulation with the lowest dose of estrogen possible to help reduce fluid retention and limit any effects on appetite. In terms of insulin resistance, following a low carbohydrate diet may also help to prevent weight gain if you choose to take birth control pills. Limiting salt intake can also help reduce fluid retention.

6. These are all important issues you should discuss with your doctor if you’re considering taking oral contraceptive drugs and are concerned about their effects on your weight. Keep in mind that taking birth control pills carries with it other risks including a slightly increased risk of breast cancer as well as an increased risk of blood clots and elevations in blood pressure. Make your decision carefully.