Black Women Gain more Weight with Contraceptives

A latest study states that black women who use intrauterine devices (IUD) or hormonal implants for contraception are more prone to gaining weight compared to other women, Reuters Health reported.

Around 427 women participated in the research and were given four different types of long-term contraception at no cost.

The method of using the contraception influenced the weight, the study found. However, on an average the participating women gained weight when they used hormone implants or injections rather than IUD.

But, according to the study author Dr. Jeffrey Peipert of Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, hormone implants, IUDs or injections can't be blamed for the weight gain.

"Anecdotally, many doctors have had patients coming in and saying, I'm gaining weight and I think it's my contraceptive method and I want to stop using it,'" he said. "People don't realize that the norm, while it may not be good, (is to) gain weight over time, and it may or may not be your method."

The study found that the variations in weight differ with age and race. But, black women were the ones who gained more weight.

"There are many other factors that are involved in weight maintenance, weight gain or loss other than contraception. And these other factors probably are more important than the contraceptive method," Dr Peipert explained.

He said that if some researchers are to be believed then slowing down of metabolism or desire to eat more may be because of progestin.  

"As a result of pregnancy, women tend to gain a lot more weight than they do from a contraceptive method," he said. "My take-home message is, don't blame the contraceptive method."