Q: Is it true that certain contraception can make you fat?
Answered by: Dr Suhaimi Bin Isa, Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G), Pantai Hospital Ampang (PHA)
Family planning pill one of the methods of contraception. It is the most popular oral pill and easily available in the pharmacy. It is effective if it is taken meticulously and it has a long safety record. Weight gain is the main concern for almost all patients when it comes to contraception. If weight gain is true, that it is one of the least side effects, but it offers more benefits. One shouldn’t consider the small part of the side effects rather than its original objective which is contraception.
Newer generation of family planning pills that we called low dose combined oral contraceptive pills. Because of its nature contains low dose hormone, therefore it has very minimal side effects including weight gain. In fact, new generation pills, a very small percentage of users claimed weight gained while taking them.
Other hormone methods e.g. implants or injectables have higher risk of weight gain compared to low dose hormone. We must remember that, after delivery a lot of women retained some weight due to fat deposit during pregnancy. Some women may complain of breakthrough bleeding & headache as they are on pills. They are rare side effects on vein thrombosis, stroke, cardiovascular disease.
Taking contraceptive pill has more benefits than the side effect it has. Some of the benefits are:
- It reduces menstrual blood flow and it regulates menstrual cycle
- It also reduces of benign ovarian tumor,
- It reduces pelvic inflammatory disease
- Low dose pills help improve skin condition. E.g. If low dose pills taken more than 6-month, acne condition will improve.
- Low dose pills also improve premenstrual syndrome such as mood swings
- It also reduces risk of colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer.
Conclusion, there is no side effect of weight gain in new low dose pills.
But, if there is, benefit of taking pills is more than the side effect (weight gain). It’s safe and has been proven for many decades.
