Whenever we talk about contraceptives used by women, the same question arises related to a possible weight gain. This relationship has traditionally been linked to taking the contraceptive pill, although it is also associated with other contraceptive methods.
This is the case, too, of contraceptive patches, since they contain hormones such as estrogens and progesterone. If you are thinking of using this method or your gynecologist has recommended it, you have surely wondered if contraceptive patches make you fat. The truth is that there is no clear and 100% exact answer, although there have been multiple studies that allow us to draw some conclusions about the relationship between body weight and the use of contraceptive patches.
From UNCOMO, we tell you everything you need to know about this topic so that you are calm if you decide to use contraceptive patches and so that you have all the necessary information about this option.
Contraceptive patches: what are they?
The contraceptive patches are like a kind of band of about three centimeters and of beige color that are put on the skin of any area of the body – with the exception of the breasts -, so that they can discharge the estrogens and progesterone they contain there. The objective is that these hormones reach the blood, ovulation is inhibited and, consequently, pregnancy does not occur.
Contraceptive patch: advantages and disadvantages
- One of the advantages of this system is that you do not have to remember to take the pill every day, although you do have to change the patch every seven days for three weeks. Your menstrual period will start during your patch-free week and so on.
- Another great advantage of the contraceptive patch is that, if you use it correctly, it is 99% effective.
- The side effects of contraceptive patches are, according to studies, practically nil, which is a great benefit for your health.
- However, the price of contraceptive patches is higher than other contraceptive methods, which can be a problem for many people.
- Another disadvantage is that if you put the patch on the wrong way or it comes off your skin, you should see a doctor immediately, since you could get pregnant.
- Finally, it should be mentioned that the contraceptive patch does not avoid the transmission of sexual diseases, so you must be very careful.
Do contraceptive patches make you fat?
Many studies have focused on studying and analyzing the side effects of contraceptives in women, paying special attention to one of the questions that usually concern the most:Contraceptives make you fat or not?
As we have seen, contraceptive patches are no exception, since they contain hormones and work in a similar way to the contraceptive pill, a method that, in some cases, can lead to weight gain.
You should know that, in the studies that have been carried out to determine if contraceptive patches are fattening, it has been concluded that, in general, the use of this contraceptive method does not influence in the weight of the woman. That is, they would not be the direct or main cause of weight gain.
These are conclusions that have been revealed in the research carried out by scientists from the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Guayaquil, in which it was found that women, they did not gain weight by using this type of contraceptive, although getting fat was the main reason why they stopped using them.
However, it cannot be firmly affirmed that contraceptive patches are not fattening either, since studies are carried out observing the behavior and results of a certain and limited group of people and, in fact, other groups would also need to be observed according to different variables such as food intake and activity level, body fat and muscle mass to be able to make a comparison.
When can weight gain occur with contraceptive patches?
However, while research is not conclusive on the relationship between weight gain and the use of contraceptive patches, it is true that there are people who can gain weight with its use:
- Swelling: There are people who feel bloated with the use of contraceptive patches. This may be because your circulatory system is not working properly and is slowed down by hormones, although there can also be other causes such as a lack of exercise or an unhealthy diet. In this case, the increase in body volume is not due so much to fat, but to fluid retention.
- Diseases: people who have problems with sugar level or are diabetic may experience weight gain, since contraceptive patches cause insulin resistance and this generates an increase in fat in the body, concentrating especially on the hips and in the abdomen.
- Overweight: people who are overweight or obese are not recommended to use contraceptive patches or other hormonal methods, since the possible side effects can be noticeably accentuated.
From unCOMO, we hope that this information has been useful and beneficial to you. Always it is advisable that you consult with the doctor And that you do not use any hormonal method without a medical prescription, since in this way you can avoid side effects. If you notice any symptoms, do not hesitate to tell your doctor so that he can consider a change in contraceptive.
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