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Navigate: > > Birth control/Weight gain

Posted on: 10/23/2007

Question

does birth control make you gain weight? if so is there birth control available for people who are big as it is and dont need to gain anymore weight...? thanx

Answer

Most birth control methods are what we call "weight neutral"--basically if you do a study with a lot of women who are using that birth control method, the average woman does not gain nor does she lose weight. This includes the birth control pill--it is a myth that taking the pill will means that you are likely to gain weight. However, each woman is individual in her response to medication so it is possible for the birth control pill to cause some women to gain weight, just as it is possible for some women to lose weight when taking the pill.

The one birth control method that definitely tends to cause some weight gain is DepoProvera. The average woman using DepoProvera tends to gain around 5 lbs. during the first year using the method. The weight gain per year drops to 2-3 lbs. with each additional year of use. The way that it causes weight gain is by stimulating the appetite so women can avoid the weight gain side effect by watching what they eat and getting more exercise.

If you have additional questions or are wondering how these birth control methods will really affect you, I would make an appointment with your medical provider to discuss it.

Answered By:
Irene Lin , M.D.

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