Side Effects Of Contraception And The Feared Weight Gain

Most side effects caused by hormonal contraception have to do with the hormonal load that is administered in order to control the ovulatory cycles. For example, headaches, mood changes, occasional bleeding or “spotting”, acne, breast tenderness and nausea are very common side effects of this type of medication. [5]

What About Weight Gain?

Weight gain is also classified as a side effect of the use of hormonal birth control [5]. If you read the leaflet that comes with your contraceptive pills or if you go to the website of the company that commercializes the patch or any other hormonal contraceptive method, it will say that there might be some weight gain, of about 2 to 3 kg, as a result of using that specific contraceptive. However, they also say that weight loss can be experienced too. So, does hormonal contraception cause weight gain or not?

Estrogen and progesterone have been shown to participate in the metabolism of fats, and as such, their synthetic versions would also have an effect on it. [6, 7]

Weight Gain On The Pill: What the Scientific Evidence Says 

So, are there any studies regarding hormonal contraceptives and their effect on women's weight? Yes, and you may be surprised about what they tell.

While weight gain is listed as a possible side effect of oral contraceptive use, one large study found that long-term use of combined oral contraception was not a predictor for weight gain. What was? You may have guessed it — aging. You may put on weight if you use the pill for a long time, but it's associated with getting older rather than pill use. [9]

Another study of adolescents found that many perceive weight gain when using hormonal contraceptives, even if there is none, and that this is such a frequent concern that many stop using these contraceptives. [10]

There is also research that concludes that oral contraceptives may negatively affect exercise routines, by causing a decrease in ventilation and oxygen uptake and reactive strength, on the other hand. [11]

See Also: Is Your Hormonal Imbalance Causing a Weight Loss Problem?

It is clear that there is a need for more conclusive evidence, and further studies will certainly be performed in the future. On the whole, it appears that women are more concerned about weight gain from the use of hormonal contraceptives than is necessary, as well as that some believe they have gained weight because of contraceptive use when this is not the case. 

Still, there are many women that complain about weight gain after starting using this type of contraception. The reasons underlying this effect may be related to susceptibility to weight gain, genetic background, diet and lifestyle. Should you be unhappy with your current contraceptive, you can always discuss other options with your healthcare provider.