Can progesterone for birth control & menopause cause weight gain?
This article was reviewed by Julia Switzer, MD, FACOG.
Does Progesterone Cause Weight Gain? What to Know
If you’ve recently started on birth control or menopausal hormone therapy and feel like you’ve gained a little weight, you’re certainly not alone. We often associate both of these regimens with weight gain.
A common thread here is that both of these treatments contain hormones like estrogen and progesterone. You may be curious if hormones like progesterone cause weight gain.
The short answer is that progesterone itself is unlikely to cause weight gain. Instead, other factors that influence weight may be at play, including hormone fluctuations, other medical conditions, and lifestyle habits.
Below, we’ll break down what we know about progesterone and weight gain. We’ll also discuss factors that can contribute to weight gain while you’re using progesterone and cover ways to manage your weight while taking it.
What Is Progesterone?
Along with estrogen, progesterone is one of the main female hormones. It’s important for many aspects of women’s health, particularly when it comes to periods and pregnancy.
Progesterone is produced in the corpus luteum of the ovaries and in the placenta during pregnancy. It’s also made in the adrenal glands.
During the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, which happens after ovulation, progesterone thickens the lining of your uterus, called the endometrium. This helps to prepare it for the potential implantation of a fertilized egg.
In pregnancy, progesterone maintains the endometrium, is important for establishing the placenta, and helps prepare for lactation.
Synthetic versions of progesterone, called progestins, are used for a variety of purposes. For example, synthetic progesterone is often included in:
- Hormone-based contraceptives, such as birth control pills and some IUDs
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- Fertility treatments
Progesterone therapy may also be used to help manage irregular periods, such as in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It may also help to address pain and other symptoms that occur due to endometriosis.
Does Progesterone Cause Weight Gain?
Now the million-dollar question: Does progesterone cause weight gain? While progesterone may lead to some weight gain, it’s not likely to be significant.
A 2016 review looked at the results from 22 studies of women using progestin-only birth control methods. Overall, it included data from more than 11,000 women.
The reviewers found little evidence that progestin-only birth control significantly increased weight. On average, women gained fewer than 4.4 pounds over six to 12 months.
Much of the research in this area focuses on oral contraceptives. However, one study found no difference in weight gain in women using progestin-only IUDs or implants.
Other research has looked at weight gain in women using HRT containing progestins. One study of postmenopausal women using progestin-containing HRT found it wasn’t linked to weight gain, increases in BMI, or changes in blood sugar levels.
Another study of postmenopausal women using combined HRT, which contains both synthetic estrogen and progesterone, concluded that 12 months of use had no significant effects on weight or on blood pressure.
The bottom line here is that progesterone doesn’t appear to directly cause significant weight gain. However, it’s possible that other things could be contributing to weight changes while you’re on progesterone.
What Could Cause Weight Gain While Using Progesterone?
There are a variety of factors that could contribute to weight gain while you’re using progesterone.
Progesterone Side Effects
Side effects of progesterone may play a role in weight gain.
For example, higher levels of progesterone can lead to water retention. Fluid retention can lead to slight weight fluctuations and swelling, including abdominal bloating, making it seem as if you’ve gained weight.
Progesterone can also reduce gastrointestinal motility, or the process by which food moves through your digestive tract. Slowed motility can also contribute to bloating.
You may also find you have more or stronger food cravings while using progesterone. Research suggests women eat more during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle when progesterone levels are higher.
Increases in appetite or cravings can boost the number of calories you take in, leading to weight gain.
Hormonal Changes
The effects of broader hormonal changes could also lead to weight gain. Take menopause, for example.
During the transition to menopause, called perimenopause, natural progesterone and estrogen production decrease. This leads to many menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.
These hormonal fluctuations can also contribute to changes in weight and body composition.
For example, menopause is associated with an increase in belly fat and overall body fat, as well as a reduction in fat-free body mass, such as muscle and bone. It’s also linked with the accumulation of fat cells under the skin and around the organs.
Research suggests that HRT, which supplements missing estrogen and progesterone, may help prevent some of the changes in body weight and composition associated with menopause.
Medical Conditions and Medications
A variety of medical conditions can also cause weight gain. Some examples include:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is caused by a hormonal imbalance where you have higher-than-normal androgen levels. This can lead to irregular periods, infertility, weight gain, and insulin resistance.
- Hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid makes too little thyroid hormone. Because thyroid hormone regulates how your body uses energy, too little of it can cause weight gain.
- Long-term stress. Chronic stress is associated with long-term exposure to cortisol, your body’s main stress hormone, which can contribute to weight gain. Stress can also lead to changes in fat storage and appetite, potentially leading to weight gain.
Certain medications also have weight gain as a potential side effect. A few well-known examples include:
- Antidepressants, which can be used to manage mental health disorders like depression and anxiety
- Diabetes drugs like insulin and sulfonylureas
- Beta-blockers, a type of drug used to treat high blood pressure
- Corticosteroids, which are used to lower inflammation in the body
Lifestyle Habits
Lastly, certain lifestyle factors can contribute to weight gain while you’re using progesterone,including:
- Low levels of physical activity
- Taking in more calories than you burn
- Eating foods that are high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and added sugars
- Not getting enough sleep
- High amounts of stress
How to Manage Weight While Taking Progesterone
If you’ve been worrying about weight gain while on progesterone, know that there are steps you can take to help maintain a healthy weight.
Get Enough Physical Activity
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend adults aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity each week.
Brisk walking, recreational swimming, dancing, and yardwork are examples of moderate-intensity activities. Vigorous-intensity activities include running, swimming laps, or taking a high-energy aerobic fitness class.
The guidelines also recommend doing muscle-strengthening activities, such as weightlifting and resistance training, two or more days a week.
If you’re in perimenopause or have already reached menopause, exercise is also important for bone health. This is because low hormone levels, specifically estrogen levels, can lead to bone loss.
Some evidence suggests physical activity can help prevent osteoporosis or reduce the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Eating a nutrient-dense diet isn’t only great for your overall health and well-being, but it can also help prevent weight gain. A healthy diet generally focuses on:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Proteins like poultry, fish, nuts, and beans
- Fat-free and low-fat dairy products
- Healthy plant oils
- Beverages like water, tea, and coffee
It’s also important to limit your intake of:
If you’re looking to lose weight, you’ll need to create a calorie deficit, meaning you burn more calories than you take in.
Low-calorie diets typically involve eating 1,000 to 1,500 calories each day to promote weight loss. However, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider to see what’s safe and healthy for you.
Get Enough Sleep
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most adults should get seven or more hours of sleep each night. This is important, as research has linked not getting enough sleep to an increased risk of weight gain.
A few strategies to help you sleep better include maintaining a regular bedtime and wake-up schedule, creating an ideal sleep environment, and not using screens before bedtime.
Reduce Stress
As mentioned earlier, chronic stress is linked to weight gain, so try to find ways to lower your stress levels with activities like relaxation techniques, yoga, and meditation.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for stress reduction. You may find yoga doesn’t help with stress, but curling up with a good book or hanging out with friends and family does. At the end of the day, do what’s most effective for you.
Check in With Your Healthcare Provider
If you’re worried a medical condition or medication is causing weight gain, make an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your concerns.
Weight Gain on Progesterone: In Summary
Progesterone is a female hormone made naturally by your body. Synthetic progesterone, called progestin, may be used in birth control, HRT, and to treat medical conditions like PCOS and endometriosis.
Some women experience weight gain while using progesterone. However, this is typically modest and is often not due directly to progesterone. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Progesterone side effects like fluid retention and appetite changes are more likely to contribute to perceived weight gain.
- Other factors, such as broader shifts in hormone balance, medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle factors, can also contribute to weight gain while taking progesterone.
- Maintain a healthy weight while on progesterone by getting regular physical activity, eating a nutritious diet, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress.
- Everyone’s different. Some people may never put on a pound while taking progesterone, while others may gain several. There’s no tried-and-true way to predict whether or not you’ll gain weight with progesterone.
If you’re taking progesterone and have noticeable shifts in your weight, reach out to your healthcare provider. They can work with you to determine what may be causing your weight fluctuations and develop a plan to help manage them.
- Related: How Are Sleep and Weight Loss Connected?
- Related: How to Lose Weight During Menopause
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This article originally appeared on ForHers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.