OHSU research shows oral contraceptives not responsible for weight gain

Education
1848099
1848099

ContraceptivesAccording to research conducted at the Oregon National Primate Research Center at Oregon Health & Science University, the commonly held belief that oral contraceptives cause weight gain appears to be false. The results of the study are published online and will appear in next month’s edition of the journal Human Reproduction
 
“A simple Google search will reveal that contraceptives and the possibility that they may cause weight gain is a very highly debated topic,” said Alison Edelman, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, and lead author of the study.
 
“Issues surrounding weight are hard to study in humans, and the research thus far has been insufficient to demonstrate whether or not oral contraceptives cause weight gain or loss. But this is an extremely important question as concern about weight gain is one of the main reasons why women may avoid or discontinue birth control, which in turn places them at greater risk for an unplanned pregnancy.”
 
The complete OHSU media release is available online.


OHSU Communications
503 494-8231