Weight gain on the combined pill--is it real?

Weight Changes in Clients on Hormonal Contraceptives in Zaria, Nigeria

“…11,12 The combined oral contraceptives were least likely, among the hormonal contraceptives, to lead to weight gain as has been reported previously. 4,5 Clients using Norplant were more likely to gain weight than those using the combined oral contraceptives, but when compared to other methods of contraception, Norplant was not significantly associated with weight gain. Some previous reports also did not find any significant association between Norplant use and weight gain.…”

“…8,10 There was no significant difference in the proportion of clients and controls that gained weight as reported previously. 4,12,14 The injectable contraceptives were associated with greater likelihood of weight gain and lower likelihood of weight loss as compared to the intrauterine contraceptive device. This is in keeping with some reports that have found greater likelihood of weight gain in clients using the injectable contraceptives as compared to other methods, 5,9 although other researchers have reported no association between the injectable contraceptives and weight gain, as compared to other methods.…”

“…1,2 Both weight gain and weight loss may occur with hormonal contraceptives. Weight gain, weight loss, or no change in weight may occur with oral contraceptives, [3][4][5] injectable contraceptives, [6][7][8][9][10][11][12] and progestogen contraceptive implants. [13][14][15] Clients using the Norplant subdermal implants in Zaria have previously been reported to gain a mean of 0.3kg after one year of use, and 1.1kg after five years, or lose a mean of 0.2kg after three years.…”

“…3 Oral contraceptives containing lower doses of hormones are less likely to be associated with weight gain. 3,4 Weight gain among users of depo medroxyprogesterone acetate is only slightly less in clients who were initially overweight. 8 Cyclofem, which is a monthly combined oestrogen and progestogen injectable contraceptive, is associated with greater weight gain among those who initially were underweight.…”

“…8,17 Both weight gain and weight loss are associated with poorer physical and psychological well being 18,19 particularly in adolescents and young adults who are usually pre-occupied with body image. 4,20 Weight loss may be associated with increased incidence of minor side effects of oral contraceptives such as menstrual cramps and menstrual irregularities, nausea, and breast discomfort, which have been reported to occur more frequently in underweight women. 3,21 The incidence of amenorrhoea has been found to be higher in overweight than in underweight women or those of normal weight.…”