The connection between birth control and weight loss has been long-standing and somewhat controversial. Some research has found that taking birth control pills can increase weight loss, while other studies have shown that it can have the opposite effect. It seems that the answer may lie in the particular type of birth control that you’re taking. Here’s what you need to know.
The Link Between Birth Control And Weight Loss
There are various types of birth control, each with its own set of pros and cons. The pill, for example, is extremely popular because many people find that it’s easy to use and has a high success rate. The pill allows women to avoid becoming pregnant within a specific time frame, which is why it’s typically prescribed for that reason. Not only that, but some types of the pill have been found to have weight loss properties. Specifically, they can help with fat reduction, boosting metabolism, and calming appetite.
In contrast, the IUD (intrauterine device) is considered to be one of the most effective kinds of long-term birth control, as it prevents pregnancy for up to a year. One of the main concerns with the IUD is that it can affect female mobility, causing painful intercourse and heavy menstrual bleeding. Not to mention that it’s a fairly invasive procedure and not everyone is happy with the idea of it.
The Different Roles Of The Pill And IUD In Terms Of Weight Loss
While the pill and IUD have opposite effects in regard to pregnancy prevention, they work in the same way with weight loss. That is, they reduce your body’s estrogen levels, which, in turn, leads to reduced appetite and fat burning. Essentially, the pill and IUD are both considered to be anti-estrogenic birth control, which means that they shrink your uterus and help you to lose weight.
How Does The Pill Help With Weight Loss?
As mentioned above, some types of the pill have been found to have weight loss properties. This is mainly because they contain an estrogen antagonist – molecules that prevent estrogen from binding to receptors in the body and causing certain reactions. Specifically, it’s been found that the pill reduces the activity of the agouti gene, which regulates body weight. In other words, it reduces appetite and causes you to lose weight. As a result, some people have speculated that the pill might help with treating diabetes and heart disease.
What About Other Types Of The Pill?
The pill is a broad term and refers to both progesterone-only and combined (progesterone and estrogen) pills. In general, the progesterone-only pill has been found to increase body fat and food intake, while the combined pill has been shown to reverse this effect. This is because the progesterone-only pill does not contain estrogen, and, thus, has no effect on appetite or weight loss. As a result, it’s been found that the progesterone-only pill might not be the best option for weight loss, especially in the long term.
When Do You Lose Weight On The Pill?
As mentioned above, the pill has been found to reduce appetite and cause weight loss. So, when do you start to lose weight on the pill? You start losing weight right away, as soon as your doctor starts you on the pill. In other words, there’s no need to make any dietary changes or exercise routine to begin with because the pill will do all that for you. The only catch is that you’ll need to take the pill for the rest of your life to maintain your weight loss. However, once you get used to the idea of taking a pill everyday, it can be a painless way to maintain a healthy weight and avoid serious health problems.
The Link Between IUD And Weight Loss
Interestingly enough, the IUD is often referred to as a’safe’ birth control option because it doesn’t seem to have the same effect on body fat as other forms of birth control. Specifically, it’s been found that the IUD increases energy expenditure and the activity of brown fat in animals. Although scientists aren’t sure about the connection between IUD use and human energy expenditure and brown fat, it’s been hypothesized that the IUD might help humans to lose weight in a similar way to how it helps other animals to lose weight.
Does The IUD Have Any Advantages?
The IUD has some fairly obvious advantages, the most important of which is that it’s highly effective at preventing pregnancy. Indeed, many consider the IUD to be one of the most popular and effective forms of long-term birth control because, as mentioned above, it prevents pregnancy for up to a year. Additionally, some studies have found that it might even be able to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. However, there are some disadvantages to the IUD, the most important of which is that it can affect female mobility, causing painful intercourse and heavy menstrual bleeding. Not to mention that it’s a fairly invasive procedure and some people are concerned about its long-term effects.
Do Oral Contraceptives Cause Weight Gain?
Although the pill and IUD have opposite effects in terms of weight loss, there’s one type of oral contraceptive that has been found to cause weight gain. Specifically, it’s been found that women who take contraceptive pills containing levonorgestrel (LNG) experience significant weight gain, most likely because LNG increases the appetite of those who take it. In fact, some research has found that long-term use of this type of pill can even cause diabetes. Although this is a controversial topic, many people shy away from using this type of pill because of its suspected role in weight gain.
Is There Any Evidence That The Pill Might Be Linked To Diabetes?
One of the most serious and well-known side effects of the pill is that it can cause diabetes. Indeed, there have been various studies that have shown a correlation between diabetes and the pill. Specifically, it has been found that women who take the pill are more likely to develop diabetes than those who don’t. Additionally, there’s also evidence that the pill can cause polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance. Not to mention that long-term use of the pill can even cause changes in the brain that make it easier for those with Alzheimer’s to get the disease. Although it’s very rare, individuals who take the pill daily and also have an undiagnosed case of diabetes might experience a serious adverse reaction, such as vision loss, due to the combined effects of the two.
Is There Any Evidence That The IUD Increases Your Risk Of Cancer?
The IUD is considered to be a cancer-causing device because it has been found to promote the growth of cancer cells in lab tests. Specifically, it’s been found that the IUD makes cells more receptive to certain hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, which, in turn, makes them more likely to develop into cancerous tumors. In other words, the IUD has the potential to cause cancer in women who take it.
What About The Link Between Birth Control And Heart Disease?
As mentioned above, many people believe that the pill has the potential to be very beneficial in terms of treating diabetes and heart disease. This is mainly because it reduces high blood pressure and cholesterol levels and also has the effect of relaxing blood vessels. Specifically, it has been found to reduce the risk of heart disease by 23% and to improve the functioning of those with heart disease. Although these findings have not been proven to be directly related to birth control, they are often cited as an example of how the pill might be able to benefit people with cardiovascular disease.
Is There Any Way To Prevent Heart Disease Or Cancer From Occurring Due To The Pill?
Since the pill can cause serious health problems, many people want to know if there’s anything they can do to prevent these problems from occurring. Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of advice available. One possibility is that people could try going on a diet or exercise routine in an effort to reduce their weight. Additionally, they could consider using a progesterone-only pill or changing their birth control method to an IUD. Ideally, they would try to do both. In terms of weight loss, the pill isn’t the best option and, in many cases, people might need to go on a diet to reduce their weight. Alternatively, they could try changing their birth control method to the IUD or progesterone-only pill.