Can You Lose Weight While On Birth Control Pills

It’s most likely water weight from your body adjusting to new hormones. It should go away after a few months. And if it’s more than a few pounds, it may be due to lifestyle changes.

Most studies don’t support the theory that birth control causes weight gain (with the exception of the Depo-Provera shot). But weight gain

These are only theoretical scenarios for someone on birth control — they haven’t been proven. It’s tricky research to conduct, since women tend to gain weight as they age, which makes it difficult to pinpoint a direct link to birth control.

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A 2016 review of research on progestin-only birth control found that half the studies were “low-quality.” On average, women in the studies gained less than 4.4 pounds within 6 to 12 months of starting a progestin-only pill.

The researchers also looked at combined progestin and estrogen pills and concluded there wasn’t enough evidence that birth control pills cause weight gain.

In a 2019 study comparing weight gain in women using hormonal vs. nonhormonal methods, researchers found enough data to suggest hormonal birth control could lead to weight gain. But they concluded that more research is needed.

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High levels of estrogen can lead to water retention and increased hunger (major side-eye to the OG birth control pills of the 1950s and ’60s).

The very first birth control pill, released in 1960, had 150 micrograms of estrogen. But most pills now aren’t high enough in estrogen to cause weight gain (they contain only 20 to 50 micrograms of estrogen).

Most studies that look at the relationship between weight gain and hormonal birth control methods don’t support the weight gain claims. Most of the time, women gain water weight but not body fat.

The Facts About Obesity And Birth Control Pills

The “Depo shot” or “birth control shot” is an injectable birth control method that doesn’t require you to remember to take a pill every day. Yay!

The not-so-yay aspect is that this form of birth control causes many women to gain weight. It’s one of the most common reasons women stop using the shot.

And we’re not just talking about water weight. A 2009 study revealed that some women using the injection added a few pounds, while others went up a few dress sizes. Not every woman experienced weight gain, though.

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Another 2009 study found that who weren’t considered clinically obese before receiving the injection were more likely to gain weight than women who were.

And those using the Depo shot who did not have obesity at the start of the study were more likely to have obesity after 3 years than those using nonhormonal methods.

The precise causes of weight gain are unclear. One possibility is that the shot causes an increase in appetite and water retention, similar to the effects of steroids. It’s also possible that the shot reduces estrogen levels too much, resulting in weight gain similar to what happens to women nearing menopause.

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Birth control implants release a synthetic form of progesterone called progestin. It prevents ovulation and thickens your cervical mucus to make it harder for sperm to reach an egg.

A 2016 study found no connection between birth control implants and weight gain. But it also suggested that being told to expect potential weight gain led women to think they had gained weight, even if they hadn’t. The power of suggestion!

It’s more likely that you’ve gained weight for a reason other than hormonal birth control. Don’t worry — this is a judgment-free zone.

How To Lose Weight On The Pill

Is it Shamrock Shake season? Are you snacking later in the day due to stress? It’s easy to overlook dietary changes and not realize how much you might be eating out or snacking.

When you’re stressed, your body produces cortisol, the stress hormone. Increased cortisol levels boost insulin production and lower your blood sugar, resulting in cravings for foods with sugar and fat.

If your metabolism is behind the gains, a simple trip to the doctor’s office for blood work could help you get to the root of it.

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Maybe you decided to drop your gym membership and haven’t stuck to the at-home workouts you were planning on. Or maybe you switched jobs and you’re sitting at a desk more than you’re used to.

Sitting for too long can lead to weight gain and other issues. Try wearing an activity tracker like a FitBit. It’ll remind you when it’s time to move.

If you’ve been lifting weights, you’re probably increasing your muscle mass. That means you probably feel the same size and your clothes still fit, but you weigh more.

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If birth control is the culprit, remember that the weight gain is most likely the result of your body hanging on too tightly to water. Your body will adjust to the hormones over time.

Drinking water can reduce bloating. On your next trip to the bathroom, inspect your urine’s color. If it’s light or pale yellow, then your hydration is A+. If it’s dark yellow, it’s time to chug some H

If you’ve been having more dates with Ben and Jerry lately, it may be helpful to count calories for a while to shed the pints… er, pounds.

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Not all foods are created equal. Calorie counting is one way to be more in-tune with what you’re ingesting, but making healthy food swaps can make a difference too.

Some foods are more nutrient-dense, which means you’ll naturally feel full longer after eating them. Skip added sugars, salt, and saturated fats. The less processed the food, the better.

The CDC recommends getting 150 minutes of exercise every week. That may seem like a lot if your favorite hobby is binge-watching “The Mandalorian.” But it’s only 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

What To Expect When Getting Off Birth Control

Some physical activity is better than none. Just get moving. If you’re up for a challenge, try dancing, swimming, running, or Zumba or check out a local alternative fitness studio to try an aerial class.

There are major benefits to getting a good night of sleep. But you may not realize that not getting enough sleep can increase your chances of gaining weight. Research has shown lack of sleep alters chemical signals that affect your appetite and your brain’s reward system.

If you’re concerned that your birth control pills are affecting your weight, you can always talk to your doctor. There may be a different pill or another method that would be better for you.

The Best Birth Control Options For Avoiding Weight Gain

Some minor water retention is common in the early weeks and months of using a new hormonal birth control method, but most methods don’t cause significant weight gain.

If you’re taking the Depo-Provera shot, weight gain is a more likely side effect. Chat with your doctor if you’re unhappy with your contraceptive method for any reason.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.

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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.

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.

Will Long Term Birth Control Make Me Gain Weight?

The Cochrane Library, which conducts reviews of scientific research and evaluates available references, has published some information on birth control pills and 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.

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, 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.

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.

Birth Control Weight Gain

Other birth control methods besides the pill are available. Most, however, utilize the same hormones that are present in birth control pills.

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

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Hormonal birth control forms, for example, can increase the risks that a woman may experience blood clots and high blood