Why do people gain weight when taking birth control pills?

Patient's question:

How many times can you take birth control pills in a year? Do birth control pills cause weight gain? I wasn't as fat before, and my diet hasn't changed much, but I don't know why I'm getting fatter and fatter. Is it because the birth control pills contain hormones? First follow-up question: And now I'm getting fatter, it's mostly around my stomach, with a lot of belly fat. Can I take weight loss pills to lose weight? Besides taking weight loss pills, how can I lose weight healthily? Second follow-up question: I don't have much time to exercise. Can I use dieting as a way to lose weight? Will it be effective? The so-called dieting just means eating less fat-containing

Doctor's answer:

Side effects of oral contraceptives: Nausea and vomiting may occur for 2-3 weeks when you first start taking them (you can gradually get used to it). Low-dose birth control pills may cause vaginal bleeding while you are taking them. After taking birth control pills for a long time, menstrual flow may decrease significantly or even cease completely. Since oral contraceptives primarily work by suppressing ovulation to achieve contraception, some people may experience amenorrhea (no menstrual period) or infertility after stopping the pills due to excessive suppression of ovulation.
Just stick to losing weight and don’t take them again next time. Weight loss requires controlling your diet and exercising more. Reduce your intake of staple foods, moderately increase vegetables, fruits, and tubers, and eat fewer fried and high-sugar foods. Breakfast is a must, but eat lightly or skip dinner. Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day—activities like running, brisk walking, swimming, hiking, playing sports, or squats are all good options.

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