Could Birth-Control Shot Weight Gain Last?

Women who put on pounds immediately after receiving a birth control shot could be at risk for long-term weight gain. A study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology finds that unhealthy weight gain can be predicted based on the first several months after starting injections of depot medroxyprogesterone (DMPA).

The birth control shot, better known by the brand name Depo Provera, is given by injection once every three months. Researchers discovered that women who gained more than 5 percent of their initial body weight within 6 months of starting Depo Provera continued to gain as time went on. On average, the “early gainers” put on about 22 pounds over three years.

The study, which included white, black and Hispanic women, also identified other risk factor associated with the shot. Researchers also reported that women who were not obese to begin with and had children prior to starting the shots were at a higher risk of being early gainers. Women who reported an increased appetite after Depo Provera injections also put on pounds. However, there was no association between study participants’ increased calorie intakes and their long-term weight gain.

Dr. Abbey Berenson, the senior researcher on the study, advised women who quickly gain weight on the contraceptive to speak to their doctors about another form of birth control.

AUTHOR: Annette Hulbert