Your Weight May Affect Your Birth Control

Studies are finding that some birth control pills aren’t as effective in larger women.

by Holly Ames/Medstar TV

Published: Mon, August 27, 2007 - 1:35 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, August 27, 2007 - 2:42 pm CST

Do birth control pills work differently depending on your weight? New studies suggest that just might be the case. Oral contraceptives come one size fits all, but several new studies suggest that there are more unplanned pregnancies for heavy women on the pill than there are for their thinner sisters. Doctor Alison Edelman studies oral contraceptives and says bigger women have less medicine in the bloodstream.

Edelman says, “They have lower levels in the body and then that affects the body differently so then you don’t have as much contraceptive effect so that you might be able to become pregnant.”

Claudia Diaz is small and slim. The 29 year old medical assistant took part in the study because she wants to know if her pills are too much for her delicate 115 pound frame. “I think that would be the concern. If you don’t really need as much just because you have a lower body mass index, then you know, why put that in?”

Preliminary findings suggest that the dosage is probably okay for Claudia and others her size, but current pills might not be the best for heavier women. However, Doctor Edelman says no one should stop taking their contraceptives.

Edelman says, “Using contraception is still safer than an unplanned pregnancy, especially in a heavy woman.” If researchers find that heavier women might benefit from higher doses of estrogen, they’ll still have to study whether the risks are worth the benefits. More estrogen could increase a woman’s risk for blood clots and stroke.

Doctor Edelman believes this is a public health concern since both obesity rates and unplanned pregnancy rates are climbing in the U.S.

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Crowford Says:

Mon, Sep 24, 2007 at 1:07 am

Birth control pills could help you to control the weight if taken as advised. Always consult your healthcare professional or family doctor who will advise you what type of birth control pills is good for health. There are many FDA-approved birth control pills available out there which are now available “over the counter” for adult women above 18 years but consultation is a must. You may also visit at http://www.mybirthcontrolstore.com to know more about birth control pills, patches, drugs and other related information.