Medically reviewed by Sophia Yen, Doctor, MPH – Written by Pandia Health Editorial Team. Updated on December 18, 2020

Does Birth Control Cause Weight Gain?

Millions of women in the U.Southward. have hormonal nascence control to forbid unintended pregnancy and alleviate adverse health conditions and side effects. There are many different types of nativity control, and every woman will respond differently to each ane. For hormonal contraceptive methods, there are a few birth control side effectsthat women demand to exist aware of earlier starting the pill, such as water retention, bloating, and weight gain.

bloated women

The good news is that the majority of people do not experience weight proceeds from birth command. For most people, the combined pill, patch, and band do non crusade weight gain and the hormonal IUD is unlikely to cause weight gain either. The implant and the shot may contribute to weight gain in some people, and pills with higher estrogen levels tin can lead to an increase in appetite which leads to gaining weight.

What are the different types of hormonal birth control that can potentially cause weight gain?

Not-hormonal birth control methods will non affect someone's weight. But some hormonal contraceptives can cause many different side furnishings.

  • The nativity control pill
  • Hormonal IUD
  • Birth control patches
  • Birth command shots
  • The vaginal ring

Copper IUDs and barrier methods will not crusade side effects commonly associated with more than popular hormonal nativity control products.

Can birth control cause weight gain?

Unfortunately, there is a slight connexion betwixt weight gain and starting hormonal nascency control. Non every woman will feel this side result, but excess weight tin can cause other health problems and also bear upon someone's self-esteem. It'southward important to exist enlightened of the risks.

What is the primary reason birth control causes weight proceeds?

In about cases, nascence control can promote water memory, which increases the number on the scale and as well gives the appearance of backlog weight. In some cases though, nascency command pills can also increase ambition and cause a woman to eat excess calories, leading to weight proceeds. If birth command pills are causing water retention, stopping the pills will reverse this side effect and pb to weight loss.

Which types of nascence command are responsible for weight gain side effects?

pills pregnancy test

Birth control pills prevent ovulation and play a trick on the body into thinking it is already pregnant. Excess estrogen in birth control pills is the primary vehicle for preventing ovulation and making the trunk retrieve information technology has already conceived.  Just estrogen causes the trunk to retain h2o which tin can give the illusion of weight gain.

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 than water a woman will retain while taking the pill.

Nigh birth control pills contain between 30 and fifty micrograms of estrogen and volition promote higher levels of water retention than pills with lower levels. For women who are concerned near water retention and weight gain, they can benefit from a low-dose estrogen pill, containing effectually twenty micrograms of estrogen.

Some nascency control pills, like Yaz, contain drospirenone, a progestin component. Drospirenone acts as a diuretic, and won't cause a woman to retain h2o. Nonetheless, women who have a history of claret clots, high claret force per unit area, adrenal disease, and have NSAIDS frequently should not take Yaz.

IUD

It'south likewise important to note that individual differences volition business relationship for weight gain when taking birth control. Some women are more prone to h2o retention than others, and birth control can worsen this natural tendency. In one case a adult female starts her period while on birth control, however, h2o retention volition subside.

The nascence control shot is designed to concluding for three months. As a upshot, nativity control shots tin cause the most meaning amounts of weight gain from retained water. Women who are already decumbent to water retention may want to steer articulate of nascence control shots and go with depression-dose estrogen pills, or non-hormonal birth control instead.

What types of nativity control stimulate appetite?

Some nativity control pills tin can cause women to feel hungrier than usual, which can pb to excess calorie consumption and weight gain. Unlike water retentiveness, this type of weight gain is much harder to get rid of and is more than permanent. It can exist incredibly hard to brand smart diet choices when a person is experiencing cravings for calorie-dumbo foods thanks to hormones.

Sure nascence command pills increase insulin levels. Loftier levels of insulin cause whatsoever calories obtained from carbohydrates to be converted into fat cells. Women who already have abnormal glucose metabolism are at high-run a risk of experiencing this side effect.

The types of hormonal birth control that are the biggest culprits for appetite stimulation are, once more, pills with higher levels of estrogen. Low dose estrogen pills do not cause meaning increases in ambition and insulin levels. For women who do feel weight gain on the pill, the average weight gained is four.iv pounds within 12 months on a progestin-only pill.

Also, if a woman experiences significant weight gain after taking the pill, the birth control isn't necessarily to blame. It's possible that another health outcome is causing weight proceeds, and it's crucial that women speak to their physician if this happens. Cushing's Syndrome, thyroid disorders, and diabetes tin can crusade sudden, unexplained weight proceeds.

Can nativity control help women lose weight?

Birth control pills won't decrease appetite or improve a woman's metabolism. Still, some birth control options can forestall water retention and also human action as a diuretic, which can give women who would otherwise retain h2o a slimmer appearance.

Best birth control pill for weight loss

The birth command pill Yasmin is the only birth control pill that has this effect. It is not marketed as a weight loss pill, and women tin only expect to lose perhaps a pound or two in excess water. Equally always, making smarter diet choices and exercising are the only ways to forbid weight proceeds or promote weight loss.

With period cravings, it can be easy to consume all the food in the world. Of class, you can eat the chocolate, merely it is all about balance. We take some great succulent snacks that can assist you lot beat the period munchies. Pandia Health is all about helping you live your healthiest, most fulfilling life—snacks included!

How to prevent gaining weight on nativity control

For women who are concerned about water retentiveness, bloating, and weight gain while on birth control, they should try low-dose estrogen pills and steer clear of birth control shots. A woman may need to try a few different types of pills earlier finding ane that works for her lifestyle and physiology. Some women may not like the side effects of hormonal nativity control and may demand to stick with bulwark methods or use a non-hormonal IUD.

copper IUD

The Depo-Provera shot is the hormonal birth control that commonly has the side effect of weight gain. With this method, you also need to go to the doctor every few months for another shot. If yous are someone who wants a more "set information technology and forget information technology" option, the implant or an IUD may be a better option for y'all.

If you're curious nigh hormonal nascency command pills that do non cause water retention, it'due south important to speak to your doctor to explore your contraceptive options.

Nosotros want women to feel #PandiaEmpowered, not feeling down virtually themselves because of the stress the thought of weight proceeds can crusade. Birth command is liberating, and nosotros encourage you to ain your sexual wellness and wellness.

women empowered

While weight gain may cause stress, the benefits of birth control are plentiful. With birth control you tin can brand your #PeriodsOptional and you lot are decreasing your chances of an unexpected pregnancy if y'all are sexually active. Birth command should give you a peace of heed and Pandia Wellness is here to help with that!

Frequently Asked Questions about Weight Proceeds and Nascence Control

Why does hormonal nativity control cause weight gain?

The majority of nascency command pills contain betwixt 30 and 50 micrograms of estrogen. Consequently, that promotes higher levels of water retention than pills with lower levels of estrogen.

Why do you gain weight on birth control?

The most mutual reason: water retention. That said, some birth control can increase your appetite which leads to consuming backlog calories—thus causing weight proceeds.

How to get rid of water retention from nascency control?

For women concerned with water retention from weight gain, they should effort low-dose estrogen pills and steer clear of nativity control shots. Everyone'south body is dissimilar, so it may have trying dissimilar types of birth control to notice the best fit.

How to prevent gaining weight on birth control?

Taking a lower dose estrogen pill and eating a balanced nutrition tin assist with managing gaining weight on birth command.

How much weight tin yous gain on birth control?

For women who exercise feel weight gain on the pill, the boilerplate weight gained is 4.4 pounds within 12 months on a progestin-only pill.

Disclaimer: The in a higher place information is for general informational purposes but and is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor/principal care provider before starting or changing treatment.