Does Birth Control Make You Gain Weight?
Some people may gain a little bit of weight when they start taking birth control pills, often a temporary side effect caused by fluid retention rather than an increase in body fat. Sometimes, people feel like they’ve gained weight even if the scale shows little or no change.
But a review of 49 studies couldn’t find enough evidence to link birth control pills with weight gain in most people. As with other possible side effects of the pill, any weight gain is generally minimal and usually goes away within 2 to 3 months as your body adjusts to the hormones.
With that said, everyone’s body responds differently to hormones. If you experience unwanted weight changes after starting birth control pills, consult your doctor. They can suggest an alternative hormonal contraception, including a different kind of birth control pill.
There are two types:
- Combination pills, which contain estrogen and progestin (synthetic progesterone)
- Progestin-only pills, also called the minipill
Most birth control pills use the same type of estrogen in various doses, but each brand may offer a different form of the hormone progestin. Side effects can vary depending on the type and dose of hormones in each pill.
Whichever one you try, allow at least 3 months to see if the side effects pass.
Why Birth Control Can Lead to Weight Gain
When birth control pills first hit the market in the early 1960s, they had much higher levels of estrogen and progestin. This lead to health complications, including high blood pressure and blood clots. High hormone doses could also increase appetite and fluid retention. As a result, weight gain and other side effects were more likely 50 years ago.
Today’s birth control pills have much lower hormone doses than before, but weight gain remains a common concern for many people. Although researchers haven’t proven that everyone gains weight on birth control, it’s still a potential side effect listed on drug labels, along with weight loss.
Here are some reasons why you might experience weight gain after starting birth control:
Birth control and fluid retention. Estrogen can lead to water retention, resulting in bloating or temporary weight gain. Natural hormonal fluctuations can cause a similar effect the week before your period, when you’re not on birth control.
Birth control and increased appetite. Progesterone (natural or humanmade) can make you hungrier. It may trigger binge or emotional eating in some people. Certain types of birth control might also make you more likely to crave sweets or other high-calorie foods, especially the progestin-only birth control shot.
Why Birth Control Can Lead to Weight Gain
When birth control pills first hit the market in the early 1960s, they had much higher levels of estrogen and progestin. This lead to health complications, including high blood pressure and blood clots. High hormone doses could also increase appetite and fluid retention. As a result, weight gain and other side effects were more likely 50 years ago.
Today’s birth control pills have much lower hormone doses than before, but weight gain remains a common concern for many people. Although researchers haven’t proven that everyone gains weight on birth control, it’s still a potential side effect listed on drug labels, along with weight loss.
Here are some reasons why you might experience weight gain after starting birth control:
Birth control and fluid retention. Estrogen can lead to water retention, resulting in bloating or temporary weight gain. Natural hormonal fluctuations can cause a similar effect the week before your period, when you’re not on birth control.
Birth control and increased appetite. Progesterone (natural or humanmade) can make you hungrier. It may trigger binge eating or emotional eating in some people. Certain types of birth control might also make you more likely to crave sweets or other high-calorie foods, especially the progestin-only birth control shot.
Birth control and your genes. Early research shows that genetic differences may make weight gain from birth control more likely in some people. But there’s no way to predict how your body will respond to hormonal contraception before you try it.
Birth control and age. Between the ages of 20 and 35, it’s typical to gain around 1-2 pounds per year as you get older. This often coincides with the time when many people start using birth control, making it tricky to figure out why you’re gaining weight.
Does the birth control shot make you gain weight?
The birth control shot has high amounts of progestin (the appetite-stimulating hormone mentioned earlier). And researchers have found that the progestin-only injection, Depo-Provera, does seem to boost body fat and lead to significant weight gain in some people.
- One study found that people who used Depo-Provera over the course of 1 year gained 5 pounds more than those who used a copper IUD, which doesn’t use hormones to prevent pregnancy. Experts think this is because the shot boosts appetite more than other kinds of contraception.
- Researchers have also found that people who used the birth control shot for 3 years gained an average of 11 pounds, compared to those in the study on combined birth control pills who didn’t gain any weight.
Here’s more about what science says about weight gain and the birth control shot:
- Teens tend to gain more weight on the shot than adults.
- Black people may be more likely than other races to gain weight on the shot.
- People who are underweight often gain weight after starting the shot.
- It may increase body fat and body mass index (BMI).
- It seems to boost cravings for high-calorie foods.
Does the birth control implant make you gain weight?
This matchstick-sized device goes under the skin of your upper arm. It releases a steady dose of progestin to prevent pregnancy for up to 3 years. Not everyone experiences body size changes while using it, but weight gain is the main reason why many people say they stop using the implant.
However, researchers have found that people often feel as though they’ve gained weight while using the implant, even if they haven’t. If you don’t like the way you feel while using it, let your doctor know -- they can remove it at any time.
Does an IUD make you gain weight?
An intrauterine device (IUD) is a type of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). There are two kinds of IUDs: copper and progestin-only. Like birth control pills, there’s no evidence that either will cause weight gain.
While the copper IUD doesn’t affect hormones, researchers have found that the progestin-only IUD (Mirena) may cause a slight increase in body fat and decrease in lean body mass. This small change in body makeup didn’t seem to affect body weight much.
Best Birth Control to Avoid Weight Gain
While the likelihood of gaining weight from hormonal birth control is low (except for the shot), your body’s response to contraception may vary compared to someone else’s.
If you want to prevent pregnancy but avoid side effects caused by hormonal birth control, you can choose hormone-free contraception, including:
- Copper IUD
- Barrier methods such as condoms or diaphragms
- Spermicides
- Prescription contraceptive gel (Phexxi)
If you’re sure you don’t ever want to get pregnant, permanent types of contraception include:
- Tubal ligation (for women and people assigned female at birth)
- Vasectomy (for men and people assigned male at birth)
Some forms of birth control are more effective than others, so talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of all your choices. They’ll help you find the best contraception for your lifestyle.
How to Lose Weight on Birth Control
There’s limited research on how birth control affects long-term weight loss, but some studies have found the following:
- In one small monthlong study, researchers had 19 young adults cut 500 calories from their daily diet. Those on combined birth control lost more weight and body fat than those not on hormonal contraception. More studies are needed to confirm these results.
- During an 18-month study, people with obesity ate 1,200-1,600 calories per day and exercised for 300 minutes per week. One group used combined hormonal contraception (the pill, patch, or vaginal ring) and the other group did not use hormonal contraception.
Both groups lost weight within the first 6 months. But by the end of the trial, only the birth control group had regained the lost weight.
Since there’s not a lot of research on whether birth control affects weight loss, here are some general tips to support a healthy body size:
Exercise regularly. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity most days of the week. This might include brisk walking, running, swimming, or any movement that gets your heart rate up. Add in 2 days a week of strength training. Make sure to work out all your major muscle groups.
Practice mindful eating. If birth control seems to make you hungrier, you may take in fewer calories if you eat slowly and opt for smaller portions on your plate. Consider filling up on plant-based snacks like fruits and vegetables instead of high-calorie or sugary snacks if you do get a craving in between meals.
Tap into your social network. You may have an easier time losing weight if you connect with folks striving for the same goal. Peer support might include your friends, family, or people in online support groups.
Manage your stress. Long-term stress is linked to weight gain for many reasons. For example, you may crave fatty or sugary foods more often when you’re stressed out. So whether you go for a nature walk, meditate, or practice deep breathing, build relaxation into your day.
Talk to your doctor. If you’re having trouble losing weight on your own, ask your doctor for help. They can change you to another type of birth control or go over healthy lifestyle changes. If you are overweight or have obesity, weight loss medication or surgery might be right for you.
Takeaways
Researchers haven’t found evidence that birth control pills, or most forms of hormonal birth control, cause significant weight gain. Only the birth control shot consistently leads to increases in body weight.
Still, weight gain and weight loss are listed as side effects of birth control. Talk to your doctor if you experience unwanted weight changes while on it. You can try another birth control pill or a different method of contraception.
Birth Control and Weight Gain FAQs
What birth control makes you gain weight?
Most forms of birth control aren’t associated with weight gain, except the progestin-only birth control shot (Depo-Provera). Studies show people who get the shot may gain around 5 pounds the first year they’re on it. You may gain more or less.
Is it hard to lose weight on birth control?
Research on birth control and weight loss is limited. However, one study found that combined hormonal contraception might make it more difficult for people with obesity to maintain weight loss. Larger studies are needed to figure out if this result is common.
Can birth control change body shape?
You may feel or look puffier if you put on water weight. Estrogen can also affect your fat cells and trigger your body to store more fat in your thighs, hips, and breasts even if your body weight doesn’t change much. Body shape changes may be less likely with progestin-only birth control.
What percent of people gain weight on birth control?
It depends on the type of birth control you’re on. In some studies, around 0.9% to 1.5% said they experienced weight gain on the pill. But researchers have found that up to 40% of people who use the birth control shot might stop using it because of side effects such as weight gain.
Will I lose weight if I stop taking birth control?
There’s no direct link between birth control and weight gain. But you may lose water weight or eat fewer calories if hormonal contraception boosts your appetite or makes you bloated.
Can you reverse weight gain from birth control?
There’s no evidence that birth control causes permanent changes in the body. If you do experience side effects due to hormonal contraception, such as weight gain, they should go away once you stop taking your birth control.
Why do people gain weight from birth control?
Birth control with estrogen in it can make you retain water, especially the first few months you take it. Contraception with high amounts of progestin (like the birth control shot) may boost your appetite and cause you to eat more calories than you would normally.
What birth control is best for no weight gain?
Most birth control methods have little to no impact on weight. But if you don’t like the way your body looks or feels when you take hormones, there are non-hormonal ways to prevent pregnancy, including condoms, a copper IUD, or permanent methods such as tubal ligation and vasectomy.
