Gaining weight is normal to a pregnant woman, but using contraceptives also contribute in weight gain. There are lots of choices from condoms, pills, the ring, implant, IUDs, injections and patches used in preventing pregnancy. Birth control is a fertility control to prevent the ovulation or meeting of the egg and sperm during sexual intercourse. But before using any of the contraceptives you must first discuss with your physician which is safe and suitable for you.
1. Appetite
Having a large appetite is one of the reason why people became fat. But in Yaz pills it’s one of the common side effects, its a birth control pill that contains two female hormones estrogen and progestin. This product increase the production of hormones for a month and prevents the release of egg during menstrual cycle, making the vaginal fluid thicker to prevent sperm from reaching the egg so as preventing fertilization. It also changes the lining of the womb/uterus to prevent the attachment of the fertilized egg and just let it pass out of the body.
2. Retention of Fluid
Also termed as Oedema which mainly occurs if fluid isn’t removed from the body tissues including the skin causing the body to react on hot weather, high salt intake or menstrual cycle hormones. Some women experience swelling of body parts like the hands, feet, ankles and weight fluctuations.
3. Culprits in Weight Gain
The primary contraceptive that can increase weight gain is the birth control shot (Depo-Provera) mainly for its content medroxyprogesterone (progestin/synthetic hormone) which is a female hormone that helps regulate ovulation and menstrual cycle.
This shot is done four times a year or every three months. Recent studies show that in the first six months of use, one out of four users gain 5% weight and continue gaining in every shot.
4. Changes in Lifestyle
If you choose a birth control method to despite of gaining weight, then you should avoid too much carbohydrates, starches, sweets and salt in your daily meal. Instead switch to a healthy meal. You can also monitor your calorie consumption by calculating it using an online calorie calculator. And lastly a regular exercise for 30-45 minutes from four to five days in a week.
5. The Key To Keeping Weight Off
There are many simple methods to losing pounds while on contraceptives. Try consulting your doctor about switching into a much better method and don’t choose any more implants or progesterone method.
Also lower the dose of estrogen pills that still contribute to gaining weight. Try other methods like a shot or combination of pills.
6. Other Solution
If you still encounter lots of problems and weight gain in your choice of birth control you might as well choose or ask your doctor for other non-hormonal birth control method like condoms, diaphragms, and IUDs.
Or you might consider the natural method of birth control and suggest it to your partner. And if in the near future you’re not expecting to have a child anymore, you can use a tubal ligation or vasectomy for a permanent solution.
