Do combined oral contraceptives cause weight gain?

Question

I started Lo Loestrin Fe ([a combined estrogen-progestin oral contraceptive pill](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_oral_contraceptive_pill)) about 4 months ago. The first month on it, I got my period. The second month, I did not. The third month I got it. Now, its my fourth month and I am supposed to start today but haven't. I have been to the doctors recently and also noticed that I gained 4 pounds. Do combined oral contraceptives cause weight gain?

Answer 1

Yes, they can. This is because you are basically tricking your body into thinking you are pregnant. That is why you miss your periods.

A period occurs when estrogen and progesterone levels drop dramatically, causing your body to slough off the lining in your uterus that was forming in preparation for becoming pregnant.

On any oral contraceptive, you are tricking your body into not releasing an oocyte or egg. This can be done by stopping the production of sex hormones (menopause), or by increasing the hormones (pregnancy).

Unfortunately, every woman is different. Just like every woman gains a different amount of weight while pregnant, every woman responds differently to oral contraceptives.

I tried to keep this explanation simple. Please, let me know if you have any more questions! :)