Birth Control Weight

Birth control weight gain is an issue that is very important to a lot of people. There have been a lot of issues regarding weight gain and birth control pills which is why studies have been made to find out if there is really a relationship between weight gain and birth control pills.

Recent researches made on low dose or low estrogen pills have indicated a significant but minimal impact on weight. In few women, birth control weight gain could be possible but isn't really an alarming situation. Based on some studies, only 5-10 percent of women who are taking birth control pills actually gained a few pounds. The birth control weight gain could be because of fat deposition and fluid retention in the body. Some women are sensitive to these compared to others.

In a research made, it was found out that oral contraceptive pills can alter the body's water metabolism. Both the hormones estrogen and progesterin that are present in the pills can lead to fluid retention. However, it is just a cyclic and temporary effect that usually begins in the first month of taking the pill. This is because of an increase of sodium levels in the blood, which is the main reason for the water retention in the body. The estrogen found in the pills can cause a gain in weight due to increased hip, breast or thigh tissues, which usually happens months after taking the pills. This can also lead to breast tenderness, discomfort with contact lenses, and swollen ankles and up to five pounds of weight gain.

Pills that are known to cause permanent weight gain and an increase in appetite are the progestin-dominant pills. Examples of these progestin-dominant pills are Norethindrone, Norethindrone Acetate, Ethynodiol Diacetate, Levonorgestrel, Norgestrel, Desogestrel, Norgestimate and Drospirenone. Depression caused by pills can also lead to birth control weight gain and increase in appetite. Also, there are many reasons why women gain weight that are not related to the use of pills.

Combination pills that contain low dose of estrogen and desogestrel type of progestin can lead to little birth control weight gain compared to those pills that contain norethindrone such as Ortho Novum. This is mainly due to lesser insulin resistance that is brought about by progestin pills. Examples of pills with low estrogen levels are Mircette, Loestrin, Loestrin Fe, Estrostep Fe, Levlen, Alesse, Ovral and Norlestrin.

If you experience the symptoms of fluid retention or weight gain while taking the pills, consult your health care provider so that you will know which oral contraceptives are suitable for you.

If birth control weight gain is really a problem and switching to another contraceptive method is not a good choice, you can always do alternative activities in order to minimize weight gain while using the pill. You can establish an exercise plan for you to perform regularly or you can go to the gym if you have time. Also, a balanced and healthy diet is always crucial. To help control water retention, you can reduce the salt intake in your diet. If none of these will work, visit your health care provider so that they can help you determine which program is right for you to minimise any birth control weight gain and other birth control side effects.