Do birth control pills make you gain weight?

The birth control pills They are a very safe method to prevent unwanted pregnancies, as long as they are taken appropriately, following the instructions indicated in the package insert and those provided by the gynecologist. To understand how they act on the female body, it is important to know that these pills contain hormones that, on the one hand, prevent mature eggs from being released from the ovaries, thus avoiding possible fertilization when having sexual relations and, on the other hand, another, they thicken the cervical mucosa, which blocks the sperm and does not allow the sperm to fertilize the eggs. In addition to this, there is also a reduction in the thickness of the lining of the uterus, which would prevent the fertilized egg from being attached to the uterus.

As we have mentioned, there are many questions that may arise around taking oral contraceptives, but without a doubt one of the most frequent is whether their consumption makes you fat or promotes weight gain. Well, as expert gynecologists say, It cannot be said that taking the pill makes you gain weight. nor does it increase body fat, since as the numerous studies that have been carried out have shown, this is not a change that is observed in all women who begin to consume it. Furthermore, currently, oral contraceptives have a very low amount of estrogen in relation to when they began to be marketed, and due to the high levels of hormones available, at that time weight gain was observed in the women who took them.

On the other hand, experts point out that what birth control pills can cause is a increased fluid retention and a possible increase in appetite, which can translate into feeling a little more bloated than normal and a slight temporary weight gain, although this will be much more related to lifestyle habits than to taking contraceptives themselves. In addition, they ensure that this fluid retention that can be confused with weight gain is considerably reduced during the 7 days of rest and that the accumulated fluids are eliminated during menstruation.

Once the question of whether birth control pills make you gain weight or not is clarified, it is important that you know what are the tried and true side effects that you can experience if you start taking them. However, you should keep in mind that these do not always appear in all women and that they can vary in intensity depending on the composition of the pills in question and your particular physical characteristics. The possible side effects of oral contraceptives are the following:

Nausea: In many cases, this can be controlled if the pill is taken during lunch, dinner, or with a light meal before going to bed. Headaches. Breast tenderness. Humor changes. Acne. Bleeding between periods: This can happen during the first two or three cycles and is generally not a serious situation. Now, in the event that the bleeding is abundant or lasts more than two days, it will be essential to go to the gynecologist.

In general, these types of side effects usually disappear after about 2 or 3 months of taking contraceptives, but if they do not subside after this time or occur in a severe and intense form, it will be advisable to consult with your gynecologist to check you and advise you about whether you should change pills or opt for another type of contraceptive method.

In the event that you have started taking the pill and notice that you have gained weight since then, we advise you to take into account the recommendations which we show you below:

Be aware, as we have explained in the previous section, that the side effects of contraceptives disappear after 3 months of consumption, but they can last up to 6 months. So be patient and if you are convinced that you have gained weight because of them, wait for this period to pass and see if your weight stabilizes. It is important that you do not confuse weight gain with fluid retention that can cause you in the first months. If you suffer from this condition, you will notice some parts of your body that are more swollen than normal, such as your legs, feet or belly, as well as some symptoms such as cramps, heaviness and discomfort. If fluid retention persists after the third month, it is advisable to go to the doctor, as you may need another type of pill. In many cases, weight gain is motivated by unhealthy lifestyle habits and not by taking contraceptives. In this sense, it is important to do self-criticism and think about whether the diet we are following is appropriate to maintain our ideal weight or, on the contrary, favors the increase in body fat. It is essential to carry a balanced diet, low in fat, sugars and sodium every day to avoid gaining a few extra kilos. In the following article, we show you the best way to lose weight and gain health at the same time. Likewise, a healthy diet should be combined with regular physical exercise and a sedentary lifestyle should be put aside.

And if after all, the pill does not convince you or you would like to try another type of contraceptive method, do not hesitate to consult with your gynecologist to assess which is the best option for you and take into account the alternatives that we discover in the article How to choose a contraceptive method.

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