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Can The Use Of Nuvaring Cause Weight Gain?

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Posted on Wed, 22 Jun 2016
Question: Hi, I have been using Nuvaring for almost 2 years. I have noticed some weight gain, about 23 lbs. Been dieting and exercising 90 minutes 5 days a week only lost 3 pound in 5 weeks. Could Nuvaring be the cause of the weight gain>
doctor
Answered by Kathy Shattler (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Hello Welcome XXXX!

Detailed Answer:
To answer your question, most definitely Nuvaring may be involved in your excessive weight gain. The effects on weight and appetite are individual, increasing or decreasing weight depending on the individual's metabolism, diet and lifestyle habits.

This is the same for all oral contraceptives, the effects may vary depending on who is taking them.

It is thought that oral contraceptives increase insulin resistance which may affect how nutrients are metabolized. It is suggested that the following nutrients be increased when taking these contraceptives: magnesium, folic acid, riboflavin and pyridoxine although I usually have my symptomatic patients take 100 mg of magnesium and a B-complex pill. This is not to say it will solve the weight gain problem.

Since edema may often be a problem and part of the weight gain, I generally ask my clients to restrict their sodium in their diet to 2300 mg/day, but to keep hydrated with 8-10 glasses of water per day.

In conclusion, to answer your question, Nuvaring may be the cause or significant factor in your sudden weight gain.

Yours in good health, XXXXXXX J. Shattler, MS,RDN

Please rate and close this question if I have satisfactorily answered you. Good luck to you and you might want to check out other non-hormonal birth control aides if this become a continuous problem, such as a diaphragm.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Follow up: Kathy Shattler (19 minutes later)
Thanks for your help, it's greatly appreciated. Yesterday was my last day using Nuvaring. My goal is to lose the 23 lbs I've gained. Should I stay off the contraceptives for a while, and see if some of the weight comes off. Or would it be wise to start on an OC today?
doctor
Answered by Kathy Shattler (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer: XXXXXXX this is an individual decision

Detailed Answer:
Realize that if you stay off of OC for a bit to give your body a break to see if that puts an end to the gradual weight gain, remember to use another form of protection.

Stopping an OC that might have contributed to weight gain will not necessarily do anything to take off the weight already gained, but only to stop the gain that is occurring.

Not all women react to OCs with weight gain and not all women react the same to differing forms of contraceptives. It might be wise to use alternative non-hormonal forms of contraception for a bit to see if nuvaring was responsible for the pounds inching on. That might help make up your mind as to whether to try another form of hormonal based OC.

Some clients stick strictly to diaphragms ( minding to change the size if their weight changes), creams, condoms solely because of the problems you are having. This, as I said, is a personal decision.
XXXXXXX Shattler, MS,RDN


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Naveen Kumar
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Answered by
Kathy
Kathy Shattler

Dietitian & Nutritionist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 901 Questions

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Can The Use Of Nuvaring Cause Weight Gain?

Brief Answer: Hello Welcome XXXX! Detailed Answer: To answer your question, most definitely Nuvaring may be involved in your excessive weight gain. The effects on weight and appetite are individual, increasing or decreasing weight depending on the individual's metabolism, diet and lifestyle habits. This is the same for all oral contraceptives, the effects may vary depending on who is taking them. It is thought that oral contraceptives increase insulin resistance which may affect how nutrients are metabolized. It is suggested that the following nutrients be increased when taking these contraceptives: magnesium, folic acid, riboflavin and pyridoxine although I usually have my symptomatic patients take 100 mg of magnesium and a B-complex pill. This is not to say it will solve the weight gain problem. Since edema may often be a problem and part of the weight gain, I generally ask my clients to restrict their sodium in their diet to 2300 mg/day, but to keep hydrated with 8-10 glasses of water per day. In conclusion, to answer your question, Nuvaring may be the cause or significant factor in your sudden weight gain. Yours in good health, XXXXXXX J. Shattler, MS,RDN Please rate and close this question if I have satisfactorily answered you. Good luck to you and you might want to check out other non-hormonal birth control aides if this become a continuous problem, such as a diaphragm.