Contraception does not cause weight gain, say experts

New guidance states there is 'no evidence' that taking contraception will make women gain weight

Many women are reluctant to take contraception for fear of weight gain (istock)

Women have no reason to fear that taking contraception will make them gain weight, according to experts.

The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) have released new guidance which debunks the myth that weight gain is a common side effect of contraceptive use, a perception often cited by women as a reason for not using contraception.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the FSRH conclude that there is no evidence that intrauterine contraception (the IUD and IUS), the implant, the progestogen-only pill or combined hormonal contraception (the combined pill, the patch and the vaginal ring) cause significant weight gain.

Rather, women of reproductive age tend to gain weight over time, regardless of their use of contraception, it states.

The organisation also states that the use of hormonal contraception helps with heavy, painful periods.

Dr Sarah Hardman, director of the Clinical Effectiveness Unit of the FSRH, said: “In studies, women gain on average a similar amount of weight over time whether they are using hormonal contraception or not.

“In other words, women may gain some weight during use of a contraceptive method, but so, on average, do women who are not using contraception.“

“The studies don’t rule out the possibility that some women might gain some extra weight when they are using the contraceptive injection, but we don’t know for certain. It should be said that we do see lots of women who don’t put on weight while they are using the injection.”

Average weight gained during the use of contraceptive pills, the implant and the hormonal coil is “modest” and not significantly different to weight gained when not taking contraception, Dr Hardman added.

The information has been shared in an effort to ensure women have the correct information to avoid unplanned pregnancies.

Dr Hardman emphasised the different experiences of women when using contraception and encouraged them to discuss the available options with their contraceptive provider if one method is not suitable.

Public Health England has reported that rates of obesity are increasing among women of reproductive age.

According to their findings, around 19 per cent of women of reproductive age in England are obese, 3.6 per cent are severely obese, and of these obese women 5.3 per cent will become pregnant each year.