So you recently gained a few pounds and want to fit back into your skinny jeans. You might wonder whether that will be possible while you take your birth control. That's a tough question for some women to answer because the hormones in the birth control pill trigger cravings and hunger, but not every woman experiences those sensations.
Common Side Effects
Birth control pills have a long list of common side effects, one of the most common of which is weight gain, according to FamilyDoctor.org. That does not necessarily mean that all women who go on the pill will gain weight. Birth control pills have varying amounts of hormones depending on the type of hormones used and how the pill works. Some birth control pills are scheduled for a 28-day menstrual cycle, while others are scheduled for a three-month cycle. Obviously the 28-day pills contain fewer hormones than the three-month pills.
Birth Control and Your Weight
Despite the bad rap birth control pills have been given about weight gain, MayoClinic.com states that birth control pills have little to no effect on weight gain. While many women report weight gain, it might not be fat. Certain birth control pills might make you retain more water, also known as fluid retention, specifically around your breasts, hips and thighs. MayoClinic.com also notes that some women might add muscle from pills that contain the male hormone testosterone.
Dieting On the Pill
Since most of the weight women complain about is only water weight, according to MayoClinic.com, birth control pills should have no impact on the progress of your diet. When you start a diet, the goal is to lose body fat, not water. If you follow a diet to lose only water weight, you're not going to accomplish much of a weight loss and will regain the water weight once you resume your normal dieting habits.
Considerations
If you're afraid of gaining weight, even just water weight, birth control pills might not be the best option for you. You can choose a different birth control method that uses fewer hormones such as an intrauterine device, or IUD, or condoms. Male and female condoms are available in most drug stores and pharmacies.
