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Will I gain weight on birth control pills?

Weight gain is a common complaint of women taking birth control pills. But research shows that most women gain little, if any weight because of the birth control pills. In general, the number of women on the pill who gain weight is equal to the number of women who lose weight. But for some women, this can be a factor in gaining weight.

The combination of hormones (estrogens and progestins) found in some birth control pills can lead to weight gain. These hormones can cause fluid retention, increased body fat, and a bigger appetite in some women. Changes in eating habits, lack of exercise, and some medical conditions can also affect body weight whether or not you take birth control pills.

Some birth control pills are less likely to cause weight gain. They include Brevicon, >Necon 0.5/35, >Tri-Norinyl, Triphasil, >Ortho Cyclen, >Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and the progestin-only minipills (Micronor, >Nor-QD, and >Ovrette).

If you're worried about gaining weight, remember to cut back on calories and get more exercise. Talk to your health care provider about switching to another birth control pill if you think it's possible that your pill is causing weight gain.

Sources:
Contraceptive Technology. Ardent Media, 1998.
Dickey, R.P. Managing Contraceptive Pill Patients. EMIS Inc., 1998.
Brill, S.R. "Contraception," Medical Clinics of North America, 84 (2000).
Rosenberg, M. "Weight Changes With Oral Contraceptive Use and During the Menstrual Cycle. Results of Daily Measurements," Contraception, 58 (1998).
Health. “Birth Control Pills”. http://www.mayoclinic.com. Mayo Clinic Health. Last accessed 11/15/2006.

This answer prepared 9/8/2000.
This information updated 11/15/2006.