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A common question to starting birth control among many young women — can birth control cause weight gain. While there are countless methods of birth control in existence, it becomes hard to deny that one of the largest side effects of the hormonal variations available is an increase of water retention.

There are dozens of studies show that the pill, the ring, the patch, and the IUD don’t make you gain weight or lose weight.

It’s rare, but some women do gain a little bit of weight when they start taking birth control pills. It’s often a temporary side effect that’s due to fluid retention, not extra fat.

If you happen to be one of those few women who put on pounds, talk to your doctor. She may suggest a different type of birth control pill. Why? Because all pills are not the same.

There are two types:

• Combination pills, which contain estrogen and progestin

• Progestin-only pills.

Most birth control pills use the same type of estrogen in various doses, but each brand of pill may offer a slightly different type of the hormone progestin, at different doses. The result? Potentially different side effects.

Whichever one you try, give it at least 3 months for any side effects to pass.

Everyone’s body is different, so birth control affects everyone a little differently. But birth control shouldn’t cause problems in your everyday life — it’s there to help you. So If you have birth control weight gain and it bothers you, or if you notice other side effects that you don’t like, talk with a nurse or doctor here at A-All Women Care. We may be able to help you find another type of birth control that works better for you. Many people try a few different methods of birth control before finding one that works well for them.

Once you stop using your birth control method, any side effects you had will fade within a few months and your body will eventually go back to the way it was before you started using it.

And remember, if you stop using birth control, you’ll be at risk for pregnancy. So if you want to go off birth control and you don’t want to get pregnant, make sure you use another method of birth control (like IUD or diaphragms).

Ask us about the various birth control options, if you’re concerned which birth control can cause weight gain.