Do birth control pills cause weight gain?

  • The Pill

This is a common thought. But studies have shown that the effect of the birth control pill on weight is small — if it exists at all.

Instead, you may be retaining more fluid, which can make you feel as if you’ve put on weight, particularly in your breasts, hips and thighs. The estrogen in birth control pills does affect fat (adipose) cells, making them larger but not more numerous.

More FAQs

What are over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pills?

Getting the birth control pill over the counter means you can buy it without ever talking to a health care provider or visiting the pharmacy counter. You can get the pill right off the shelf at the drug store and other retail locations, probably next to the condoms and the lube. The only difference between getting the birth control pill over the counter and getting it with a prescription is...

Can I use birth control pills to delay or stop my period?

Yes. Birth control pills were once only packaged as 21 days of active hormone pills and seven days of inactive pills. While you take the inactive pills, menstrual-like bleeding occurs. Today you have many more options — from regimens with 24 days of active pills and four days of inactive pills to regimens that are all active pills. Some extended-cycle pill regimens have active hormone pills every day for three...

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