Initial Weight Gain From Birth Control Shot May Last, Researchers Say

Women who put on a few pounds shortly after beginning injections of birth-control drugs appear to be at greater risk of suffering from long-term weight gain, according to newly released research.

The shot, called depot medroxyprogesterone (DMPA) but better known by the brand name Depo Provera, is given once every three months and is popular with many women who want an easier, relatively inexpensive form of birth control than daily pills or skin patches.

A new study of about 195 women led by researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston found that patients who quickly gain more than five percent of their weight within six months of first receiving the DMPA shot are at increased risk of continuing to gain weight over time.

About one in four women in the study who were determined to be “early gainers” gained an average of 22 pounds over three years, compared to just 5.5 pounds gained by women who put on less than five percent of their weight soon after first getting the shot.

The study’s authors say their research findings mean women and their physicians should discuss and carefully consider the risks of weight gain before beginning DMPA treatment. In many cases, other forms of birth control may be a better fit for women.

Some Women at Greater Risks

The study found that women who were not already obese or who already had children were at increased risk of becoming an early gainer. Of the 117 women in the study who already had children, 37 became early gainers, compared to just 14 of 78 women who did not already have children. Also, of the 135 women who were not obese at the beginning of the study, 45 became early gainers compared to just six of the 60 women who were obese, the authors said.

Some women who gained more than five percent of their weight after beginning DMPA shots said they felt an increased appetite, which could explain the higher risks of weight gain. However, the study’s authors said they found no link between the amount of calories the women ate and their long-term weight gain.

DMPA may affect certain hormones which are responsible for regulating metabolism, which could better explain the weight gain, the researchers said.

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