By Marissa
As midsummer temperatures rise and the sun stays out for what seems like the whole day, I know I’m not alone when I say that all I want to do is relax in the sun. Absorbing the sun’s rays sounds ideal, but this daydream can turn into a nightmare if you don’t feel confident wearing your bathing suit.
The good news is that you DON'T need to worry about your birth control causing weight gain. A TON of research has been done on whether the pill and other methods of birth control contribute to weight gain in women. And guess what? The pill, patch, ring, implant, and IUD do not cause weight gain in women. (One exception is that a minority of women who get the shot gain some weight.) Besides NOT causing weight gain, here are some other benefits of taking the pill that may surprise you:
- Birth control pills may alleviate cramps and cause lighter bleeding during your monthly period. Let’s be real - there’s nothing worse than cramps. The pain and discomfort can make it hard to get out of bed, let alone get through the day. If this isn’t bad enough, the addition of heavy bleeding can set you over the edge. This is where the pill can be the solution – it can make these symptoms less severe and make it possible to go about your normal routine without pain.
- If you choose to use extended-cycle or continuous-cycle pills, you can have fewer periods or no periods at all. Some types of birth control can eliminate the hassle of having your period all together. This might be a good choice for you if you travel frequently, are seriously involved in a sport, or if you just don’t want to deal with the side effects of your period. Either way, these pills are safe to use!
- It can clear up your skin. Taking birth control to treat acne may not be your primary reason for taking it, but we’re certainly not complaining. The science behind it may be a little confusing, but it can result in less severe acne.
- As the title suggests, weight gain is not a common side effect with low dose birth control pills used today. It’s true that the side effects of birth control vary from person to person, but don’t let the fear of gaining weight impact your decision to take birth control or not. After all, your decision to take birth control pills should focus on your safety and protection.
When it comes to hormonal birth control methods, everyone's body will react a little differently, but extensive research has been done to make sure it is safe and effective for you to use. The important thing is that you shouldn't let the fear of gaining weight impact your decision to take birth control or not. After all, your decision to start a birth control method should focus on your health and future.