Why does contraception make you fat

Because women tend to store more fat in their breasts, hips and thighs, these areas can expand the most. So while the pill may not be leading to long-term weight gain, some women could still find that their clothes fit differently. Fluid retention may also help to explain why some women report that the pill increases their cup size. There have been very few studies into the effect — understandably, most research tends to focus on breast cancer rather than size — but back in the s a couple of Swedish scientists decided to take a look.

To find out, the team tracked the monthly cycles of 65 healthy women who either were on the pill, used to take it, or had never taken it.

They found that not only did pill users have significantly larger breasts overall, but they were especially large at certain times of the month. Women who had previously been on the pill had an average-sized bust. Exactly how this happens remains a mystery. For example, the burst of growth that happens each month, and is necessary to maintain a constant size, could be lasting a bit longer.

This would lead to more tissue overall — and explain the heightened cancer risk. As one Reddit user put it , no birth control at all is likely to lead to 25 to 35 pounds kg of weight gain over the course of nine months.

This story is part of the Health Gap , a special series about how men and women experience the medical system — and their own health — in starkly different ways. Whenever someone starts taking birth control pills, it is important they consider the risks and benefits. Hormonal birth control forms, for example, can increase the risks that a woman may experience blood clots and high blood pressure , according to WomensHealth.

These side effects often subside as people become accustomed to taking the birth control pills. If side effects become too difficult to manage, however, they should see their doctor. No conclusive scientific evidence has proven that taking birth control pills cause weight gain. Doctors also point to the fact that many people tend to gain weight as they age, which may be a reason why they perceive their birth control pills are to blame.

If, however, a woman has made no changes to her diet and exercise program, has recently begun taking birth control pills, and sees their weight increasing, she should talk to her doctor about possible reasons or potential adjustments.

There are four hormonal IUDs available in the US, and a person can speak with their doctor about which may best suit them. Read on for more. Different types of birth control can delay or stop periods, depending on how a person uses them.

Learn about types of birth control that stop periods…. Plan B may work less effectively in people above a certain BMI, but people can still take it to reduce the chance of pregnancy. Plan B One-Step is an over-the-counter emergency contraceptive pill for people with female reproductive organs.

Read more here. This is actually backed by science, and may explain why weight gain is still the most commonly reported side effect of The Pill. The result? Many people believe this to be the reason that we can feel a little fluffy around the edges whilst on the contraceptive pill.

When you go on the contraceptive pill, your hormone levels change, and this can affect your gastrointestinal tract. Annoyingly, this can cause bloating and constipation in the early stages of starting The Pill, however it usually settles down after a couple of weeks.

If you do feel like you are gaining weight on The Pill, or experiencing uncomfortable gastrointestinal effects, then be sure to discuss it with your doctor and assess your options. The Pill Subscription. Fertility Consultation. The implant and the shot may contribute to weight gain in some people. A common belief people have about hormonal birth control is that it will cause weight gain Concern about side effects like weight gain keeps some people from using hormonal birth control 4.

People who report gaining weight while using hormonal birth control such as the pill and the shot are more likely to stop using it Unfortunately in some cultures, there is harmful pressure to conform to standards that may not be realistic. Even scientific measures such as body mass index BMI cannot adequately classify who is healthy or not. As it relates to birth control, some people may fear weight gain, some may desire it, and others may not consider it important at all.

Changes in hormone levels during puberty and menopause can impact body composition. Starting from puberty , estrogen causes body fat to be deposited on the chest, thighs, hips and butt 8. The hormonal changes that occur during and after menopause cause an increase in body fat, particularly around the abdomen 8,9. Some people experience an increase in weight around menopause, but this is believed to be related to aging more so than hormonal changes 8,9.

Hormones also likely impact food intake over the menstrual cycle. Food intake decreases during the follicular phase the first half of the cycle when estrogen is the dominant hormone until ovulation release of an egg from the ovary , then increases during the luteal phase the second half of the cycle when progesterone is dominant 8.

Combined hormonal contraceptives are birth control methods that contain two hormones estrogen and progestin and include most pills, the patch, the ring, and some shots.

Progestin-only contraceptives contain just a form of progestin hormone and include the implant, most intrauterine devices IUDs , a shot, and certain pills.

There is not enough evidence to say that combined hormonal contraceptives cause weight changes, but if they do, the change in weight is likely small In people using progestin-only contraceptives, most studies do not show an increase in weight or body fat, but some do show a small increase Some people will gain weight on birth control, and some people may be more prone to weight gain than others.

Hormonal contraceptives have a number of uses in addition to protection from unwanted pregnancy. They are also used to treat or reduce symptoms of PCOS , endometriosis , heavy , irregular , or painful periods , and anemia. Fear of gaining weight may keep someone from starting birth control, or could lead to them using it incorrectly or inconsistently, or could cause them to stop using it altogether.

This could leave someone without effective protection from unwanted pregnancy or without treatment for a condition. Talking to a healthcare provider can help you consider the possible risks and benefits of taking hormonal birth control.