Since the 1950s, people have been debating whether or not birth control can affect your weight. The consensus today is that it can.
Many people assume that if you’re on birth control, you must be a little less active than usual. While this may be true for some formulations of birth control, it’s certainly not true for all of them. In fact, some studies show that women on hormonal birth control are actually more likely to be overweight than those on barrier methods.
Hormonal Birth Control And Weight Gain
If you’re interested in shedding some pounds, you may be tempted to try hormonal birth control. This is a common misconception. Hormonal birth control does not cause weight gain – in fact, it can help you to lose weight. There are different types of hormonal birth control available, so you may not need to take them all. As always, consult your physician to see which option is right for you.
Hormonal birth control promotes normal appetite by increasing the body’s levels of insulin. This is a hormone that encourages the body to store nutrients as fat. When you’re not getting enough calories or nutrients from food, your body may start storing them as fat simply to survive. The takeaway from this is that hormonal birth control can help you to lose weight.
One of the most popular forms of hormonal birth control is the pill. This is because the pills are easy to use and available in various forms (e.g., combined with aspirin for women with history of blood clots). When you’re taking the pill, it’s important to remember that the dosage should be the same as if you were actually pregnant. This is because the hormones in the pill can affect fetal growth. Additionally, some drugs are now available that allow you to take the pill less frequently (e.g., Ellipta, which is a combination of the pill and the hormone estradiol).
The Dangers Of Barriers
If you decide to go the barrier method route, you need to be aware of the risks that come with this strategy. First of all, hormonal birth control is not always compatible with the barrier method. For instance, the IUD (intrauterine device) is not recommended when you’re on the pill. The reason for this is that although the pill inhibits the body’s secretion of follicle stimulating hormone, it does not always do the same for the lutenizing hormone. Follicle stimulating hormone is responsible for stimulating the ovaries and preparing them to release an egg. The lutenizing hormone is responsible for maintaining the actual size of the ovaries – making it crucial for fertility. As a result, you cannot always rely on the barrier method to prevent pregnancy when you’re on hormonal birth control (source: drugs.com).
If you decide to go the barrier method route, make sure that you’re physically able to exercise regularly. It’s no secret that exercising improves the body’s ability to metabolize nutrients – meaning that you can lose weight even while on the pill. If you’re unable to exercise regularly, there’s always the option of using a menstrual cup to collect your menstrual blood. This way, you’ll get the nutrients you need while not having to worry about gaining weight (source: drugs.com).
As mentioned above, some doctors believe that using barriers together with hormonal birth control can be dangerous. After all, the IUD doesn’t allow for the free flow of eggs and sperm. This is because when you’re using the IUD, you’re essentially preventing fertilization from happening. In addition to this, the IUD has the potential to cause problems for women with endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to that of the endometrium is found outside the uterus. The IUD is known to clog up the fallopian tubes in patients with endometriosis. Finally, the IUD is not recommended for women who’ve had a previous ectopic pregnancy (when the embryo grows outside the uterus).
Which Strategy Is Best For You?
Ultimately, it depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to shed some pounds, hormonal birth control may be the way to go. Remember to read the instructions thoroughly and follow them exactly as prescribed. This will increase the likelihood of successful weight loss.
On the other hand, if you want to try for a baby, the pill may be a better option. This is because the pill promotes regular ovulation and increases the likelihood of fertilization. Additionally, if you’re on the pill and want to use the barrier method to prevent pregnancy, it’s imperative that you take into consideration a few things. First, make sure that you’re on a regular menstrual cycle. Second, if you decide to use the IUD as a form of birth control, do so a few months after your last menstruation. Finally, be sure to have a urine test done after you use the IUD to confirm that you’re not inadvertently pregnant (source: drugs.com). This test will ensure that your body does not still have eggs awaiting fertilization. In case you did become pregnant, the IUD would have to be removed immediately – otherwise, the baby could suffer from a health issue caused by the IUD (e.g., circulatory problems). In some cases, a blood test might need to be done to confirm that you’re not pregnant (source: drugs.com).
In conclusion, people have been debating whether or not birth control can make you lose weight for as long as the category itself has existed. Thanks to modern medicine, we now know the answer: yes, it can.
Many people assume that if you’re on birth control, you must be a little less active than usual. While this may be true for some formulations of birth control, it’s certainly not true for all of them. In fact, some studies show that women on hormonal birth control are actually more likely to be overweight than those on barrier methods.
If you’ve decided to try for a baby and are on the pill, the pill may be the way to go. If you’re interested in shedding some pounds, the pill does not always have to be your first choice. Hormonal birth control can help you to lose weight and is easy to use – and this is just the tip of the iceberg.