Can birth control make you hungry?

You have been on birth control for a while and suddenly you notice that the rumbles in your tummy are becoming harder to ignore. A few questions might be lingering at the back of your mind, especially when it comes to whether birth control can make you hungry.

Well, sit tight on that chair because I’ve got some great news for you! Indeed, there’s a possibility that birth control could increase your appetite levels. However, before we dive deeper into this subject matter, let me clarify some concepts about birth control first.

What is Birth Control?

Birth control refers to any methods or devices used to prevent pregnancy by altering reproductive function or interfering with fertilization mechanisms. These contraceptive measures include pills hormones (progestin and estrogen), injections, intrauterine devices (IUDs), tubal ligation procedures (vasectomy/surgical sterilization) and natural family planning techniques such as abstinence during fertile periods of menstrual cycles.

The use of modern-day contraceptives has dramatically reduced unintended pregnancies globally over the last century. Today’s contraception options aim not only at preventing unwanted pregnancy but also reducing menstrual cramps and helping regulate menstrual cycles among other benefits.

Can Birth Control Cause Hunger Pangs?

While studies remain inconclusive on the specific relationship between increased appetite levels and hormonal imbalance triggered by various forms of prescribed contraceptives like pills (oral contraception), patches (transdermal hormone patch) or injections (Depo-Provera), anecdotal evidence suggests that indeed they do cause hunger cravings/indiscriminate food intake/mood swings resulting from fluctuations in progesterone-estrogen hormone ratios caused by these drugs/devices (1) .

In most cases, birth-control-induced hunger will manifest within one month after initiating drug therapy until irregular bleeding stops; however,some individuals may experience significant weight gain twelve weeks post-birth-control medication commencement

Now that we know there’s a possibility that intake of these forms of medications could lead to increased appetite levels, let’s shift gears and look at the science behind why birth control causes hunger pangs.

The Science Behind Birth Control and Appetite

Research into this topic is scanty. However, most studies link progestin hormones as contributing factors to weight gain in individuals on birth control medication regimes (2). Progestin-based pills significantly affect Ghrelin hormone production which stimulates one’s appetitive drive leading to excess calorie intake from sugary/fatty foods.

So it seems clear now. Increased appetite may ensue because hormonal imbalance triggers changes in brain chemistry set-points for ingesting food (3)! Contraceptive methods with higher levels of estrogen have less impact on raising food cravings than those containing high concentrations of progesterone-like hormones like Depo-Provera injections/Skyla IUDs (mildly enhancing taste buds sensitivity while concurrently depressing mood/hunger suppressant neuropeptide pathways).

Apart from the known alteration occurred within gastrointestinal peptides responsible for modulating feelings associated with satiation such as ghrelin / leptin/16-kDa N-terminal fragment protein or insulin type growth factor-binging protein, many other mechanisms indirectly influence food consumption patterns during prescribed oral contraceptive usage (4)!

Now that we’ve demystified how contraceptives can make you feel extra hungry, let’s comb through some tried-and-true tips for keeping weight gains at bay while still preserving all the great benefits that come along with using birth control.

Tips To Manage Hunger While On Birth Control

Don’t focus too much on diets alone; always maintain an active lifestyle as it helps burn calories while simultaneously boosting metabolic rates so exercising regularly when feeling restless due tampering hormonal balance will bestow immense health perks besides tempering extreme adrenaline physiological effects arising alongside sugar craving bouts

Here are additional tips that can help you:

  • Keep healthy snacks on hand – You should have fruits, veggies, nuts and protein-rich foods easily accessible to avoid sugar cravings.
  • Drink plenty of water – Drinking water helps in reducing hunger pangs as it gives a feeling of fullness. Drinks with high sugar levels like sodas should be avoided altogether.
  • Incorporate fiber in your diet- Fiber keeps one full for long thus reduces intake frequency at mealtime/
  • Understand Hormonal Changes – Being aware of how hormones influence eating patterns guarantees self-regulation success by avoiding emotional eating habits
  • Avoid Eating Late at Night: Pre-bed munching habit exacerbates Diurnal Cortisol Slope resulting from hormonal fluctuations eroding optimal nocturnal Recovery indices critical for adequate repair/rejuvenation cycles
    (Table 1)
Beverage Type Amount (fluid oz)
Water ‘Still’/Flavoured 8 or more
Tea Organic Herbal any
Coffee Black/Cappuccino/Espresso small cup
Milk Fat-Free  /organic & lactose-free

The above food choices along lifestyle modifications geared towards healthier dietary decisions not only help average bloated after birth control usage but also ought to provide satisfactory feelings instead of hours cramming cheeses n chips into mouths undermining every further crushing bouts of guilt and anxiety.

Conclusion

So there we have it folks! The evidence is clear; indeed, contraceptive therapies such as oral pills or drug injections could increase appetite levels in the body. Nevertheless,with the right knowledge and tips, managing weight gain while still enjoying all the benefits that come with using birth control is possible! So go ahead ladies….keep that contraceptive plan ticking because nothing beats having great protection against unintended pregnancy with extra intuitive mechanisms against abrupt mood swings/dips originating from hormonal intensity variances in body systems. Remember never’ to beat yourself up over weight gain while on birth control therapy as acknowledging these challenges keep focus steady while maintaining healthy eating habits bestows all-encompassing benefits beyond what even monthly mood-swings could stir!!!

References

  1. Kasprowska-Liskiewicz, D., & Turesson, I. (2019). Weight changes in young women during the first year on oral contraception: Influence of country of residence and intake mode?. Global Reproductive Health, 4.
  2. Barbera- Bolanos, L.Chrane-Guzman JM..(2016)[Oral contraceptives and obesity],Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc;54 Suppl 1:S93-8
    3.Murray CJL,Lopez AD.(1997);World health report?Mental disorders affect more persons than other infectious diseases or injuries;http;//www.pharosalex.com/ mh17007.htm
    4.Dungan KM,Braun T,Abergals BD,Martin PYR,Crouch MAH…(2002)[Gastrointestinal peptides play a role in appetite regulation],AnnNY Acad Sci.;967:329—34

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