DMPA can change body composition and increase fat mass.
This compares with birth control pills that can affect body weight, mostly because of fluid retention.
Not all women gain weight with DMPA.
JGI / Jamie Grill / Getty Images
Some factors increase the chances and influence who may be more likely to gain more weight.
This article looks at what the studies show aboutaverageweight gain and who is most likely to experience it.
The degree of weight gain, however, can vary widely.
Some women add a few pounds while others might add a few clothing sizes.
It’s helpful to begin with a look at the research on Depo-Provera and weight gain.
Changes in Weight and Body Composition
One comprehensive study looked at weight changes in women using DMPA.
The study tracked 703 White, Black, and Hispanic women over a 36-month period.
It did not find significant differences between these groups.
There was no weight gain among users of the birth control pill.
Some 50% of these women were likely to develop obesity after three years.
When they stopped taking Depo-Provera, any further weight gain depended on what birth control method they used next.
People who used the pill gained weight within the next six months, on average about a pound each.
People who used a diaphragm or other birth control without hormones lost about a pound each.
Several studies have found similar results when studying Depo-Provera and weight gain.
Across 12 months, weight remained stable for those with an IUD.
Recap
Depo-Provera, or DMPA, is widely used for birth control.
Women who use the method often stop their shots because of weight gain.
Most of the weight gained while using DMPA is acting like from additional fat mass.
Researchers point to two effects that DMPA may have that could lead to weight gain.
One is DMPA treatment reduces estrogen levels.
The other is that DMPA hasglucocorticoideffects.
The human body makes steroids such as cortisol in response to stress and other signals.
Weight gain is common when people are given similar glucocorticoids such as prednisone.
This is often the case for people with asthma,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or autoimmune disorders.
But how can you know if you will gain a few pounds, or see even bigger weight gains?
About 25% of the 240 people in the study met this definition.
Those who had early weight gain were more likely to gain even more weight.
On average, their weights rose steeply with longer use of DMPA.
With early weight gain, the average increase was 0.78 pounds per month going forward.
For those without early weight gains, it was only 0.18 pounds per month.
Researchers aren’t sure why some people who take Depo-Provera are more likely to gain weight.
It may be because of hormonal shifts or steroid effects during DMPA use.
It may be due to increased appetite.
Some people gain weight quickly after starting DMPA and these people appear likely to gain more weight overall.
People living with obesity before beginning DMPA are less likely to gain weight.
However, this doesn’t always work.
It recorded both their intake of calories and the specific nutrients they ate.
It found that despite their weight gain, the amount of food they were eating didn’t change much.
But eating less of certain healthy nutrients like fiber was linked to more weight gain.
Summary
Depo-Provera (DMPA) is an effective and widely used form of birth control.
But most studies confirm that weight gain is common among people who use it.
DMPA is likely to cause more weight gain than other birth control methods like the pill or an IUD.
There are a number of possible reasons why DMPA may lead to weight gain.
It may have to do with changes in hormone levels.
People who gain weight early after starting their shots may add the most pounds.
Those who are leaner before taking DMPA also appear to gain more weight.
A Word From Verywell
Choosing your method of contraception is a highly personal decision.
For some women, the benefits of convenience may far outweigh anypossible side effects.
Not everyone gains weight on Depo-Provera.
Talk to your healthcare provider about how to best keep your weight down while taking DMPA.
Weight gain with Depo-Provera is due mainly to increases in visceral (inner abdominal) fat.
Switching from Depo-Provera to a non-hormonal form ofbirth controlmay partially reverse weight gains in some women.
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