Can Birth Control Implants Cause Weight Gain?

Birth control implants may seem like a great alternative to birth control pills and condoms at first, but are they really worthwhile and safe? Can birth control implants cause weight gain that you do not want or need? Keep reading to learn more so that you can make the right choice for your body and your health if you do not want to become pregnant.

The IUD Birth Control Method

An IUD is a popular device that is used to prevent pregnancy, but there are actually two types of IUDs available. One type of IUD will release just a low dose of the progestin hormone. So if you go with the Skyla or Mirena IUD, you will be getting a dose of additional hormones throughout your body. On the other hand, there is another kind of IUD that does not have any hormones, and this is called ParaGard. However, both types are implanted into a woman’s uterus, and they both promise to have minimal side effects on the rest of your body.

When studies have been conducted to determine the effects of these IUD devices, and to determine whether these birth control implants cause weight gain, the results show that there was actually no weight changes amongst women who used both types of IUDs. So whether you use the IUD with hormones or without hormones, there should not be a significant difference in your weight.

The Implant Birth Control Method

Another birth control option for women today is the implant, which is known as Nexplanon. This product is designed to release a low dose of progestin hormone as well, but there are not as many studies yet because it is so new. However, early research has shown that roughly 5% of the women who decided to get the implant actually ended up having it removed because they were concerned about the weight that they started to gain.

Despite this small amount of research, if you want to give the implant a try, you certainly can because the weight changes actually do not appear to be any different than what you would find amongst women who use other birth control methods, including those without hormones.

Before you decide upon the birth control method that is right for you, make sure to talk to your doctor first, and to ask if birth control implants cause weight gain. In this way, you can prevent pregnancy without undoing your hard work at the gym.