Medimun Health and Medical Blog

Depo-Provera, an injection given for the use of birth control, has been well known to cause some women to gain excessive weight during it’s use, sometimes of up to 60 lbs. or more. But researchers say they have now isolated those most likely to gain more then a few pounds, in an effort to improve birth control for the coming generations.

The University of Texas researchers found that women who already struggled with abdominal fat were more genetically prone to obesity-related conditions, as well as consequences of that excess weight. But they were also more likely to gain excessive weight when given certain birth controls that were higher in hormones, and had a harder time losing it despite diet and exercise.

The finding has been able to eliminate any misconceptions that many had about all women being at risk of weight gain on Depo-Provera. It will also allow doctors to better assess whether a woman would be better suited for an inserted device, a patch, or a pill to meet their birth control needs.

The study followed women ages 16 and 33, but there are no expected difference for women who are older. Further research is planned to be conducted to find out more about the specific side effects of birth control.