How to Lose Birth Control Weight

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At-home methods to manage possible weight gain after going off the pill
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Gaining weight is a fairly common (and annoying) side effect of some methods of birth control. If you find yourself packing on the pounds after starting a new birth control routine, you might need to take some action. You can try exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet to help minimize the water weight your body may be retaining. You can also try talking to your doctor about your symptoms, or even switching to another form of birth control with fewer hormonal side effects.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Making Dietary Changes

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  1. One of the most common causes of added weight after beginning a birth control regimen is water weight, especially during the initial period when your body is still adjusting to the new medication. Eating a balanced diet can help you lose this water weight and lead a more healthy life in general. [1]
  2. A diet that’s high in fiber and lean protein may help you lose weight or increase your current weight loss. The diet may also help lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health. [3] Aim to eat 5.5 ounces (160 g) of protein and 0.7–1 ounce (20–28 g) of fiber every day.
    • High-fiber foods include raspberries, pears, apples, whole wheat grains, and broccoli. [4]
    • Lean protein foods include salmon and chicken breasts.
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  3. Sodium can increase your fluid retention and water weight, which leads to weight gain. In addition to drinking water to flush your system, avoid foods that are especially high in sodium like: [5]
    • Salted nuts
    • Canned food
    • Smoked or salted meat (such as bacon or ham)
    • Cold cuts
    • Soy sauce
    • Fast food items like chips or french fries.
  4. Increase your water intake . Though it may seem counterintuitive, one of the best ways to reduce water weight is by staying hydrated. Drinking plenty of water can help you shed water weight by keeping your fluid levels in balance. [6]
    • Women should drink at least 2.7 L (0.71 US gal) of water every day.
    • Avoid drinks that can dehydrate you, like alcohol.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Losing Weight Through Lifestyle Changes

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  1. Sleeping is one of the most important things you do to take care of your body––and it helps with weight loss too! Staying well-rested will lead to more calories burned, more fat lost, and even less late-night snacking. [7]
    • There are many other added bonuses to getting enough sleep including increased focus and concentration levels, higher energy levels, and better decision making skills.
  2. . It takes your brain about 20 minutes to catch up with your stomach. This means that you will actually be full before your brain is able to communicate that with you. If you eat more slowly, this will help you avoid overeating and it will give your brain more time to communicate your level of fullness to the rest of your body. [8]
    • If you struggle with this, try chewing your food more thoroughly. Chew each bite a certain several times before swallowing. It may help to count the bites at first until your body adjusts to eating more slowly.
    • Avoid eating when you're distracted — it's easier to overeat if you're not paying attention to what you're eating.
  3. Exercising will help you lose water weight by increasing your sweat levels, which means your body is expelling water. You will also shift some of your body’s water content into the muscles, rather than letting it remain outside the cells. Cardio and weight training are the best ways to lose weight. Try alternating your workouts between these two methods – cardio one day, weight training the next. [9]
    • Try doing some form of moderate to vigorous cardio exercise for at least 30 minutes 3 times per week. Running, cycling, rowing, and swimming are all forms of cardio you can do.
    • Do weight training exercises for 30 minutes 3 times a week, like weighted squats, deadlifts , and leg presses.
    • If you don’t currently exercise, try making a commitment to work out once a week and building from there.
  4. Weighing yourself frequently will allow you to observe weight changes and pinpoint potentially problematic behavior. People who weigh themselves more frequently are more in-tuned with changes in their weight, and are more likely to take preventative measures. [10]
    • Weigh yourself at the same time every day (preferably first thing in the morning) for the most consistent results.
    • It’s normal for your weight to fluctuate from day to day, especially during menstruation.
  5. In order to be able to report your symptoms accurately to your doctor, you should keep a journal that records all of the relevant details. Write down everything you eat each day, when you exercise and for how long, and how much you weigh. [11]
    • You can also use an app, like MyFitnessPal, to keep track of what you're eating and how much you're exercising.
    • There are also quite a few online tracking apps that allow women to enter information about their menstrual cycle, along with other symptoms related to their cycle.
    • This will be a handy tool to refer back to during a conversation with your doctor.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Talking to Your Doctor

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  1. Whenever you start a new medical treatment, you should always be vigilant about noticing any changes your body might undergo. Watch out for emotional and physical responses that may occur as a result of the new medication, as birth control methods commonly induce these types of side effects. Making note of these changes will help prepare you for a conversation with your doctor. [12]
    • Try to notice any mood swings, anxiety, physical pains, changes in appearance, weight gain, or other symptoms.
  2. Sometimes weight gain is associated with high levels of estrogen in birth control methods. If you experience weight gain while taking birth control precautions, you might want to consider switching to another method, or to a lower dose of estrogen. [13]
    • There are quite a few birth control pills that offer low doses of estrogen.
  3. You could also consider asking your doctor about an IUD or another kind of implant. These methods typically don’t contain any estrogen at all, and the effects of the birth control are localized to your reproductive area, rather than distributed throughout your entire body via your bloodstream. [14]
    • While the Depo-Provera shot also doesn’t contain any estrogen, weight gain is a very common side effect of this type of birth control.
  4. Some birth control methods affect a woman’s sensitivity to insulin. This means that calories obtained from digesting carbohydrates cannot be converted to energy for your body. Ask your doctor to check your insulin levels whenever you go in for a checkup (or make a specific appointment to check your insulin levels if you are concerned). [15]
    • Over time, insulin sensitivity can evolve into diabetes if proper precautions are not taken. Make sure that you eat a healthy diet and watch your insulin levels to prevent this from happening.
  5. If you are still struggling with weight gain after starting a new birth control method and trying to manage it on your own, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss the situation. You’ll need to outline any symptoms you’ve been having, explain what measures you’ve already taken on your own, and discuss possible solutions. [16]
    • Be sure to mention the weight gain you’ve been experiencing.
    • If you have any written records of your calorie intake or weight changes, bring it with you so that the doctor can look over it.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/weight-loss-tips/eating-rules-for-faster-weight-loss
      2. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/Healthyeating.aspx
      3. ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/making-one-change-getting-fiber-can-help-weight-loss-201502177721
      4. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/high-fiber-foods/art-20050948
      5. ↑ https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/guidelines_for_a_low_sodium_diet/
      6. ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256
      7. ↑ https://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/sleep-weight-loss
      8. ↑ https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/eating-slowly-and-weight-loss
      9. ↑ https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/13-ways-to-lose-water-weight
      1. ↑ https://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/how-often-you-should-weigh-yourself-for-weight-loss
      2. ↑ https://familydoctor.org/nutrition-keeping-a-food-diary/
      3. ↑ https://www.healthline.com/health/birth-control-effects-on-body
      4. ↑ https://www.healthline.com/health/estrogen-and-weight-gain
      5. ↑ https://www.verywell.com/progestin-only-birth-control-methods-906627
      6. ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/prediabetes-insulin-resistance
      7. ↑ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320058.php

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Gaining weight from taking birth control can be frustrating, but by making a few changes to your diet and lifestlye, you can lose those extra pounds. Since birth control causes you to retain water, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy to help you lose the water weight. You’ll also want to increase your water intake since staying hydrated can help with fluid retention. However, sodium can increase water weight, so avoid salted nuts, canned foods, cold cuts, and fast foods. In addition to your diet, make sure to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night since rest leads to more calories burned, more fat lost, and less late-night snacking. Also, aim to exercise at least 30 minutes on most days to sweat out excess water and spark your metabolism. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to use a weight journal, keep reading!

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