Medically reviewed by Sophia Yen, MD, MPH – Written by Pandia Wellness Editorial Team. Updated on Dec 18, 2020

Does Nativity Control Cause Weight Gain?

Birth control pills won't decrease appetite or improve a adult female's metabolism. Withal, some birth control pills can act equally a diuretic, which decreases water retention in women who would otherwise retain water or bloat. We've seen hormones give women the munchies. But each person is different.

Millions of women in the U.S. take hormonal birth control to forbid unintended pregnancy and alleviate adverse health atmospheric condition and side effects. In that location are many different types of birth control, and every woman will respond differently to each one. For hormonal contraceptive methods, there are a few nativity control side effects that women need to be aware of before starting the pill, such every bit water retention, and bloating.

bloated women

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

Non-hormonal nascency control methods will not affect someone'southward weight. Just some hormonal contraceptives can cause many dissimilar side furnishings.

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

Copper IUDs and bulwark methods will non cause side effects commonly associated with more pop hormonal birth control products.

What is the primary reason birth command causes weight gain?

In most cases, birth control can promote water memory, which increases the number on the scale and also gives the appearance of backlog weight. In some cases though, nativity control pills can likewise increase appetite and crusade a woman to consume excess calories, leading to weight gain. If birth command pills are causing water retentiveness, stopping the pills volition reverse this side upshot and lead to weight loss.

Which types of nascence control are responsible for weight proceeds side effects?

pills pregnancy test

Birth control pills prevent ovulation and play a trick on the body into thinking it is already meaning. Excess estrogen in birth control pills is the primary vehicle for preventing ovulation and making the torso think it has already conceived.  But estrogen causes the body to retain h2o which 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 h2o a adult female volition retain while taking the pill.

Most birth control pills contain between 30 and 50 micrograms of estrogen and will promote higher levels of water retentiveness than pills with lower levels. For women who are concerned well-nigh water memory and weight gain, they can benefit from a depression-dose estrogen pill, containing around 20 micrograms of estrogen.

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

IUD

It's also important to note that individual differences volition business relationship for weight gain when taking birth control. Some women are more than prone to h2o retentivity than others, and birth control can worsen this natural tendency. Once a woman starts her catamenia while on birth command, notwithstanding, water retentivity will subside.

The birth control shot is designed to last for three months. As a result, birth control shots can cause the about meaning amounts of weight gain from retained water. Women who are already prone to water retention may desire to steer articulate of nascency command shots and go with low-dose estrogen pills, or not-hormonal birth control instead.

What types of birth control stimulate appetite?

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

Certain nascence control pills increase insulin levels. Loftier levels of insulin crusade any calories obtained from carbohydrates to be converted into fat cells. Women who already have aberrant glucose metabolism are at high-risk of experiencing this side outcome.

The types of hormonal birth command that are the biggest culprits for appetite stimulation are, again, pills with higher levels of estrogen. Low dose estrogen pills practice not cause significant increases in appetite and insulin levels. For women who do experience weight gain on the pill, the average weight gained is 4.4 pounds within 12 months on a progestin-but pill.

Besides, if a woman experiences pregnant weight proceeds afterwards taking the pill, the birth command isn't necessarily to blame. It's possible that another wellness issue is causing weight gain, and it's crucial that women speak to their physician if this happens. Cushing's Syndrome, thyroid disorders, and diabetes tin crusade sudden, unexplained weight proceeds.

Tin birth control promote weight loss?

There are no scientific studies that has proved a link between nativity control and weight loss. In that location are some birth control with a diuretical effect, such as Yaz, this means that the pill will make you pee more than and you are decumbent to h2o retention y'all might feel you lost weight.

Best birth control pill for weight loss

The birth command pill Yasmin is the but birth control pill that has this effect. Information technology is not marketed as a weight loss pill, and women tin simply look to lose maybe a pound or two in backlog water. As ever, making smarter diet choices and exercising are the merely ways to prevent weight gain or promote weight loss.

With period cravings, information technology can be like shooting fish in a barrel to eat all the food in the world. Of course, you lot can eat the chocolate, merely it is all about residual. We have some peachy succulent snacks that can help you beat the catamenia munchies. Pandia Health is all about helping yous alive your healthiest, most fulfilling life—snacks included!

How to prevent gaining weight on birth control?

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

copper IUD

The Depo-Provera shot is the hormonal birth control that usually has the side effect of weight gain. With this method, you also demand to get to the doc every few months for another shot. If you are someone who wants a more "set it and forget it" option, the implant or an IUD may exist a better option for yous.

If y'all're curious well-nigh hormonal birth control pills that practise not cause h2o retention, it's important to speak to your doctor to explore your contraceptive options.

We desire women to feel #PandiaEmpowered, non feeling down about themselves considering of the stress the idea of weight gain can cause. Birth command is liberating, and we encourage you to own your sexual health and wellness.

women empowered

While weight proceeds may cause stress, the benefits of birth command are plentiful. With birth control, you tin make your #PeriodsOptional and yous are decreasing your chances of an unexpected pregnancy if you are sexually active. Birth command should give you peace of listen and Pandia Health is hither to help with that!

Frequently Asked Questions nigh Weight Gain and Birth Control

Why does hormonal birth control cause weight gain?

The bulk of birth control pills incorporate betwixt 30 and 50 micrograms of estrogen. Consequently, that promotes college levels of h2o retention than pills with lower levels of estrogen.

Why do you gain weight on birth control?

The most common reason: water retention. That said, some birth control tin can increase your ambition which leads to consuming excess calories—thus causing weight proceeds.

How to get rid of h2o retention from nascence control?

For women concerned with water retentiveness from weight gain, they should try low-dose estrogen pills and steer clear of birth control shots. Everyone'south body is unlike, and then information technology may take trying unlike types of nascency control to discover the best fit.

How to foreclose gaining weight on birth control?

Taking a lower dose estrogen pill and eating a balanced nutrition tin aid with managing gaining weight on nascence control.

How much weight tin you gain on nascence control?

For women who practice experience weight gain on the pill, the average weight gained is iv.4 pounds inside 12 months on a progestin-just pill.

Disclaimer: The above information is for full general informational purposes only and is NOT a substitute for professional medical communication. Always seek the advice of your doctor/primary care provider before starting or changing handling.