Weight change with oral contraceptive use and during the menstrual cycle. Results of daily measurements.

Although weight gain is among the most common complaints of women using oral contraceptives (OC) and a frequent reason for discontinuation, studies demonstrate little basis for this perception. We explored this issue by analyzing the daily weights of 128 women during four cycles of triphasic OC use. The mean weight at the end of the fourth cycle of use was the same as baseline weight (average weight change, 0.0 pounds). The largest proportion of women, 52%, remained within 2 pounds (0.9 kg) of their starting weight, and 72% of women had either no weight change or a loss. Over each menstrual cycle, regular but minor weight shifts were observed, with the mean weight rising by one-half pound (0.2 kg) during the first weeks of each cycle and falling by the same amount during the last few days. These results emphasize the lack of association of OC use with weight gain but OC may be blamed at least in part, based on cyclic fluctuations. Counseling should emphasize weight gain as a misperception and stress the fact that a highly effective and safe form of contraception should not be ruled out or discontinued because of concern about weight.