What will the contraceptive pill do to my weight?

Birth control pills are not licensed treatments for weight loss, but some women do find that certain pills aren’t as likely to cause weight gain, or they lose weight while they’re on certain other pills.

So establishing the ‘best’ contraceptive pill for weight loss essentially comes down to what works best for you. There aren’t many conclusive studies that have been conducted to analyse how each of the major contraceptive pills impact weight.

However, there may be certain pills which are more likely to cause weight loss than others. Fourth generation pills were introduced to combat a lot of side effects associated with older birth control pills, or at the very least reduce their severity. For some women, fourth generation pills are the best option of birth control for weight loss. Pills such as Yasmin are all fourth generation contraceptive pills created to cause no weight gain.

While some women respond better to fourth generation pills, weight gain is still a reported side effect associated with them. Some women notice they lose weight on certain pills, some gain weight - and some see no changes at all. Fourth generation pills are also associated with a slightly higher risk of blood clots. The increase is very small, as is the overall risk of developing a blood clot associated with the pill, but it’s worth keeping in mind.

Is there a ‘best’ birth control pill for acne, or a ‘best’ birth control for both acne and weight loss? Some women who suffer from acne may be prescribed hormonal contraceptives to help get their symptoms under control. There are currently no contraceptives approved to treat both acne and weight loss in India.

Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to say decisively whether there is one single best birth control to avoid weight gain. Finding a contraceptive pill that doesn’t cause weight gain in India is difficult because they all affect women in different ways. Everyone responds differently to hormonal contraceptives, and it’s often a case of trying different pills before you find a birth control that doesn’t personally cause you weight gain.

It’s important to maintain regular communication with your doctor that prescribes your contraception, especially if you’re seeking a pill without weight gain as a noticeable side effect. You may have other side effects you’re keen to avoid - like acne, for example. Talk to your doctor about what you’d most like to avoid, and they can work with you to find the best pill.

If you’re thinking about stopping the pill, you may have wondered whether coming off the pill makes you lose weight. This is a common concern for many women. But the answer isn’t so easy because just as introducing additional hormones into the body can result in a number of changes and side effects, stopping the pill can also affect you in certain ways as you adjust.

For example, coming off the pill will see your periods return to normal relatively quickly - within a month or two. (That is, if the pill affects your periods to begin with).

If you have questions or concerns about taking the pill and your weight, we have answers. If you think switching pills might help with your weight, or any other issue you’re concerned about with contraception, we have the information you need. Read more about contraception here.