Gaining weight after birth control pills is mentioned as a common side effect of hormonal contraception. Many women are concerned that the pills will trigger a sudden weight gain in the most problematic areas of the body, such as the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. Is there a relationship between the use of birth control pills and weight gain? Get to know the gynecologist's opinion on this subject.

Gaining weight after birth control pills in clinical trials

Contraceptive pills are wrongly viewed as the primary and only cause of weight gain in women using this method of contraception. A number of clinical studieshave found no significant increase in body weight among women using the contraceptive pill . A large study based on numerous scientific studies on the side effects of hormonal contraception concluded that these drugs are unlikely to cause weight gain.

Doesbirth control pillscauseweight gain ? Opinions on this subject are divided among women using oral contraception. There are some ladies who say that the pills caused them to gain significant weight, but there are also opposite opinions - that the pills cause weight loss.

What's the truth about birth control pills and gaining weight?

Scientific evidence contradicts theories that birth control pills made you gain weight.

Increase in appetite and fluid retention during the use of birth control pills

You can also hear the opinion that pills are not the direct cause of weight gain, but the increase in appetite and water retention caused by them. Scientists also looked at this issue.

The results of many clinical trials have shown that oral hormonal agents have an effect on the relief of numerous symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, which include an increase in appetite or fluid retention. Meanwhile, contraceptive pills are often blamed for the occurrence of these side effects. It turns out that not only do they not cause the symptoms described, and can even reduce their severity.

Read also: Protective pills for hormonal contraception - do they work and when is it worth taking?

Worth knowing

What contraceptive pills do not make you gain weight?

Oral contraceptive pills vary in estrogen dose. Currently, the most popular and most often recommended are low-dose preparations - the so-called ultralight contraception. Preparations with a lower amount of estrogens do not cause troublesome side effects in women, such as the aforementioned excessive weight gain.

Why am I getting fat on birth control pills?

With age, most women slightly increase their body weight - a phenomenon that is independent of the use of oral contraceptive pills and has nothing to do with them. Improper diet and lack of physical activity may be considered to be the main causes of the observed weight gain.

To minimize the risk of gaining weight while taking hormonal pills, take care of the daily amount of physical activity. Cardio sports are especially recommended, as they accelerate fat metabolism and improve the overall condition of the circulatory system (e.g. stepper, cross trainer, stationary bike). It is worth adding that exercise is an important element of prophylaxis in the prevention of venous diseases - and these diseases are often observed in women taking birth control pills. A balanced diet that limits fat and sugar also plays a huge role in maintaining a he althy weight.

Physical activity while using oral contraceptives not only prevents weight gain, but also protects against vein diseases and eliminates cellulite, which often occurs in women taking hormonal pills.

Worth knowing

Weight loss or weight loss - what are the side effects of birth control pills?

The phenomenon of weight gain while using hormonal contraception is mainly based on theoretical assumptions that are not confirmed in practice, and are even completely contradictory. Inaccuracies can be noticed already at the stage of reading the information leaflet of the contraceptive pills. There we find information that the pills can cause both weight gain and weight loss. Both claims are not supported by scientific evidence.

Read also: Contraception methods for men

What to do in case of excess weight while using the contraceptive pill?

It is important that the patient always informs her gynecologist about the observed side effects of the pills, including weight gain. This will allow you to choose a different contraceptive.

Each woman reacts differently to administered medications. While in many clinical studies it has not been shown that it is just hormonal contraceptiveswere mainly responsible for the increase in body weight, sometimes we meet with patients who gain weight in the first months after taking the oral contraceptive pill. Even though such a situation occurs very rarely, we should always consider switching to another preparation that we are taking so far, or completely abandoning contraception based on estrogen-progestogen preparations.

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Pregnancy