With the popularity of the birth control pill on the rise, many myths exist about the side effects that result when taking the pill. This video addresses a popular myth that taking the pill causes weight gain. The video explains what the birth control pill is, the different types of birth control pills, how the pill works and if long-term weight gain can result from using the pill.
This video was made by Health Science 4DM3 students: Raisa Ahmed, Jasmine Aulakh, Leena Anis and Beth Cohen
Copyright McMaster University 2017.
For more informative and fun videos please check out McMaster University’s Demystifying Medicine Seminar Series Website:
References:
1. Youngwomenshealth.org. (2017). Medical Uses of the Birth Control Pill | Center for Young Women’s Health. [online] Available at: [Accessed 16 Oct. 2017].
2. Hall, K., White, K., Reame, N. and Westhoff, C. (2010). Studying the Use of Oral Contraception: A Review of Measurement Approaches. Journal of Women’s Health, 19(12), pp.2203-2210.
3. Freeman, S. (2017). How the Birth Control Pill Works. [online] Hormones and the Pill – How the Birth Control Pill Works | HowStuffWorks. Available at: [Accessed 23 Oct. 2017].
4. Stachenfeld, N.S., Silva, C., Keefe, D.L., Kokoszka, C.A. and Nadel, E.R. 1999. Effects of oral contraceptives on body fluid regulation. Journal of Applied Physiology, 87(3), pp.1016-1025.
5. Stachenfeld, N.S., Dipietro, L., Palter, S.F., Nadel, E.R. 1998. Estrogen influences osmotic secretion of AVP and body water balance in postmenopausal women. American Journal of Physiology, 247(1), pp.187-195.
6. Stachenfeld, N.S., 2008. Sex hormone effects on body fluid regulation. Exercise and sport sciences reviews, 36(3), pp.152.
7. Forsling, M.L., Stomberg, P., Akerlund, M. 1982. Effect of ovarian steroids on vasopressin secretion. Journal of Endocrinology, 95, pp.147-151.
8. Coney, P., Washenik, K., Langley, R.G., DiGiovanna, J.J., Harrison D.D. 2001. Weight change and adverse event incidence with a low-dose oral contraceptive: two randomized, placebo- controlled trials. Contraception. 63(3), pp. 297-302.
9. Moore, L.L., Valuck, R., McDougall, C., Fink, W. 1995. A comparative study of one-year weight gain among users of medroxyprogesterone acetate, levonorgestrel implants, and oral contraceptives. Contraception, 52 (4), pp. 215-219.
10. Reubinoff, B.E., Berry, E., Grubstein, A., Schenker, J.G., Meirow, D., Brzezinski, A. 1995. Effects of low-dose estrogen oral contraceptives on weight, body composition, and fat distribution in young women. Fertility and Sexuality, 63(3), pp. 516-521.
11. Ramos, R., Apelo, R., Osteria, T., Vilar, E. 1989. A comparative analysis of three different dose combinations of oral contraceptives. Contraception, 39(2), pp. 165-1771
12. Woutersz, T.B., Korba, V.D. 1988. Five year, multicenter study of a triphasic, low- dose, combination oral contraceptive. International Journal of Fertility, 33, pp. 901-907.
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I take all but I didn't get period
Yes because i also gain so much weight😭😭😭😭
That explains why I gained 45 pounds in a month when I went on the pill and I been fat ever since. That's how it went on so fast. It is water weight. It wasn't from food because the pill made me nauseous and I didn't feel like eating.
I am a very active person so I’m always working out always dieting it’s just a part of my lifestyle I won’t say dieting just eating healthy so I’ve been off of control for one month and I’m like wow why am I getting so skinny and then I realize birth control must do something to our bodies because I’m doing basically the same thing. My cheat days are not affecting me the way they were before I work out like really hard I’m very active and I knew before something was weird. I felt like as hard as I’m working out. Why do I have to watch what I eat so I’m convinced these make you fat which is weird because I never like gain weight but I always stay the same weight
i really did made me gain weight unfortunately, but with agoge diet, the weight gain is not too much 🙂
Lol . She's just tell me what the book say but she didn't ask the people who actually took birth control like me… Not only did it cause weight gain and also cause hair loss. I've been on a pill for 7 years, I've gained 30 lb within those 7 years it was like my body was always swollen. When I first started taking birth control I'll wait about 150 lbs, and it was like I was slowly put on weight no matter how much I exercise and change my diet I would not lose this weight but I used to always be skinny, not only that but a few weeks after me starting birth control my hair began to fall out, and since no one warned me that birth control can cause hair loss I've been taking this for 7 years and lost a lot of hair. But I've been off the pill for 3 weeks now my weight is going down a lot I'm slimming down really fast, there's new growth going back on my head. If I had the choice between picking getting fat and having hair loss or not having heavy periods by taking birth control or whatever else they could use for such as not being able to get pregnant I would have chose to stay my way and keep my hair.
Ladies, if you’re thinking of using the pill, or are already using it, please educate yourself more about the side effect as it’s more common than you might think / communicated by gynae.
Here’s a good video explanation (worth your time, I promise, and no I’m not paid to promote this video in any way): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMkW-qKgig4.
For context, I was using the pill for 7 years & everything was good when I was on it. However, when I stopped using it last year, I went to a depression (almost cost me my job, marriage and life) and somehow developed PCOS and didn’t have natural period for 1 year+. I was so pissed that my gynae in Singapore didn’t inform me of this possible side effect. I knew that I might get pimples / gain weight, but I thought severe side effect will only hit maybe 1% of those who used the pill. After talking to so many of my friends, it turned out that everyone that I know personally that used the pill for long term (at least 1 year) experienced some level of weight gain & depression after.
I’m not saying that the pill is bad – it definitely serves its purpose of preventing pregnancy & help to regulate hormone. I felt great when I was on it. I just didn’t know that I’ll get depressed & it’ll be really difficult to get pregnant after. I want you ladies to be informed, so you can make an informed decision and won’t regret after.
It also causes vitamin deficiencies. Your anxiety, depression or mood swings could be caused by low B vitamins.
I know someone who got "weight gain" but the puffiness was actually inflammation.
U gain weight because of estrogen
I tried to make my own diet, but it didn't work. I went to Agoge diet and let them create diet plan for me. I am delighted with the result…
Honestly, I never had problems with my weight. I could eat whatever I wanted and still maintain normal weight, but a lot of junk food really affected my health. Diet plan from Agoge Diet contains delicious and nutritionally rich foods your body, brain and heart will love. It's definitely worth trying.
Website called Agoge Diet is the best for your body transformation. I lost 20kg by following their diet plan (I also had cheat meals) and training plan.
I was on Visanne for a couple months. Gained 50 lbs. Still trying to lose the weight 2 years later, very traumatized as my body is LITTERED with stretch marks. Forever scarred now sigh
Thank you. Now I feel relieved!!
Yeah but this is not accurate for everyone. If you are not tolerant to the pill, it can cause an hormonal imbalance, which leads to mood swings and hormonal related fat storage. So yeah, it will lead to fat gain arount the belly button and side thighs AND retention, meaning unable to lose the weight through exercise and appropriate diet. There's studies about this, and we study this in med school so I don't know where did you get your info from.
The video says it does not cause long term weight gain. Sorry fatties its all on you.
But I don’t want to loss my water weight, I’m skinny.
What this video fails to mention is that the variance is very high when it comes to weight gain among women. This means that while the average woman does not gain a significant amount of weight long-term, there are very many women who gain lots of weight and many who lose weight. Also, the composition of the body changes too and it is a well-documented fact that it is harder to build muscle while on birth control. I think it can be a great solution to many health problems people have, but it is important to mention this too.
Explorer812
I’ve been on bc pills for 9 months and I’ve gained weight… I was 136 and now I’m 151 and I’m not doing anything different… I’ve just now gotten used to the symptoms which were horrible nausea and headaches for me. And a doctor who doesn’t care to even check me out or my background of health problems… so that’s a risk… And I want a choice but I’m getting to the point of is it really worth it? I guess anything is as long as your not pregnant. But it’s just not fair… The last few years I’ve been really watching my weight and I went from 170 to 130. And was so proud of myself and now I just feel like why should I even try to loose weight again… I’m between a rock and a hard place…
“birth co-c-c-c-control”
I only took one birth control in my life don't even remember the pill name.. started crying all the time AND wanting to eat every damn thing.. got off of that and went back to normal..
I wish I could gain weight from birth control
I have pcos and i gained 4 kgs im so stressed
Ugh nooooooooOoOooO I’m about to take that pill for acne 🥺😭,but your video is very informative 🙂
Answer= 1:36
Very helpful!! Starting the pill in a few weeks and was looking to find a video on the subject! Yours was the most clear and direct!!!
Girl read right 😂
Well I feel better about this I was concerned about my weight gain
This was a very great and informative video. Please make more to help us understand more.
Thank you for this video!