Weight gain after stopping birth control pills: Does it really happen?

The first operate of contraception drugs is to stop being pregnant, however they provide extra advantages. They will regulate menstrual cycles, making them extra predictable and decreasing signs resembling irregular bleeding, heavy intervals, and menstrual cramps. Ladies could even expertise reduction from interval cramps in the event that they take contraception drugs on a health care provider’s advise. However some individuals could also be apprehensive in regards to the uncomfortable side effects of contraception drugs. Weight acquire after stopping contraception drugs is a standard concern. Allow us to discover out if there’s a connection between contraception drugs and weight acquire.

What are contraception drugs?

Contraception drugs, also referred to as oral contraceptives or just the tablet, are medicines which might be taken orally to be able to stop being pregnant. They comprise artificial hormones that suppress ovulation, the method by which an egg is launched from the ovary, and regulate a lady’s menstrual cycle, explains gynaecologist and IVF professional Dr Shobha Gupta. Normally, these hormones are progestin and oestrogen. They will weaken the liner of the uterus, which makes it much less beneficial for the implantation of a fertilised egg, and thicken the cervical mucus, which makes it tougher for sperm to succeed in the egg. Should you use them as prescribed, contraception drugs might be very efficient, says the professional.

Typically, contraception drugs are additionally prescribed to deal with circumstances resembling polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

When ought to ladies cease taking contraception drugs?

The choice to discontinue taking contraception drugs ought to be private. It might be influenced by numerous components resembling life-style modifications, private well being considerations, and household planning goals. When a lady is able to have a toddler, she could determine to cease taking contraception drugs. Nevertheless, some ladies expertise uncomfortable side effects from contraception drugs, resembling complications, nausea, breast tenderness, temper swings, or adjustments in libido, says the professional.

Why do some ladies acquire weight after stopping contraception drugs?

There are a lot of research that discover the connection between contraception drugs and weight acquire. A 2020 research revealed within the Weight problems journal discovered that the tablet with estrogen and progestin may trigger a rise in physique fats in individuals attempting to shed some pounds. As per a evaluate revealed in The Cochrane Library on common, research contributors gained lower than 2 kg after 6 or 12 months of utilizing a progestin-only tablet.

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However there are additionally research that show in any other case. In keeping with a 2014 research revealed within the Journal of Ladies’s Well being, oral contraceptives are usually not related to quick time period weight change in overweight ladies.

Weight acquire is a posh difficulty, and whereas some ladies could expertise weight adjustments after stopping contraception drugs, it isn’t a common prevalence, says Dr Gupta. It’s primarily due to water retention or hormonal fluctuations. Any weight adjustments that do happen are sometimes minor and may fluctuate broadly from individual to individual.

What are the components that will contribute to weight acquire after contraception?

Weight acquire is a possible facet impact of some types of contraception, though not everybody experiences it. A number of components could contribute to weight acquire:

1. Hormonal adjustments

Mixture contraception drugs comprise artificial hormones like estrogen and progestin. These hormones can have an effect on urge for food, so some ladies could need to eat greater than they normally do. This will result in increased calorie consumption and potential weight acquire.

2. Fluid retention

Hormonal contraceptives may cause fluid retention in some individuals. This will likely result in momentary weight acquire attributable to elevated water retention within the physique, says the professional.

3. Modifications in metabolism

Hormonal adjustments induced by sure contraception strategies can alter metabolism. This will probably have an effect on how the physique processes energy and shops fats.

4. Particular person variations

Not everybody reacts the identical method to hormonal contraceptives. Components resembling genetics, life-style, and pre-existing metabolic circumstances can affect how a lady’s physique responds to contraception and whether or not weight acquire occurs.

5. Kind of contraception

Totally different types of contraception could have various results on weight. For instance, progestin-only strategies just like the Depo-Provera shot are extra strongly related to weight acquire in comparison with mixture contraception drugs, says the professional. Some hormonal intrauterine units (IUDs) comprise progestin and should result in weight acquire.

6. Life-style components

Modifications in life-style habits, resembling weight-reduction plan and train patterns, may also contribute to weight acquire after contraception. For instance, if somebody turns into much less bodily energetic or adopts much less wholesome consuming habits after stopping contraception, they could be extra prone to acquire weight.

If you’re involved about weight acquire after stopping contraception drugs, it could be finest to give attention to total well being and well-being. This will likely embrace sustaining a balanced weight-reduction plan, staying bodily energetic, managing stress ranges, and in search of help from medical doctors if wanted.