There are several factors that can compromise the effectiveness of your birth control. One of these is weight. Living with overweight or obesity can affect the absorption and metabolism of drugs and hormones.There are concerns that obesity could undermine the protective benefit of certain hormonal contraceptives including the pill,Nexplanon, shots, andthe patch. While it is reassuring that reviews of studies have not found significant effects other than with the patch, these reviews also note that there are few high-quality studies.To ensure your birth control method is as effective as possible, there are a few things that you can do
There are several factors that can compromise the effectiveness of your birth control. One of these is weight. Living with overweight or obesity can affect the absorption and metabolism of drugs and hormones.
There are concerns that obesity could undermine the protective benefit of certain hormonal contraceptives including the pill,Nexplanon, shots, andthe patch. While it is reassuring that reviews of studies have not found significant effects other than with the patch, these reviews also note that there are few high-quality studies.To ensure your birth control method is as effective as possible, there are a few things that you can do
Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)
Saturn Stills / Science Photo Library / Getty Images
Intrauterine devices (IUDs)such asParaGardcopper IUD and levonorgestrel-releasing IUDs are a very effective means of birth control in those with excess weight.However, there may be a higher risk of the IUD falling out if your BMI is 40 or higher.
Researchsuggests that IUDs may be the safest and most effective means ofbirth control for people assigned female at birth living with obesity. Hormonal IUDs may also help reduce the risk ofendometrial cancerandhyperplasia, conditions patients with obesity are more susceptible to.
Depo-subQ Provera 104Tek Image / Getty ImagesThere is a newer version of the original Depo Provera shot known asDepo-subQ Provera 104. This non-permanent form of birth control has 31% less hormone that the previous version and, as a result, a lower incidence of adverseside effects.It newer version is injected beneath the skin as opposed to in the muscle. Shots are delivered quarterly, or every 12 to 14 weeks.Depo-subQ Provera 104 was shown to be effective in those with obesity intwo different studies.However, the one major downside is that the drug is known to causeweight gain, a major consideration if you are already struggling with weight control.Another consideration is that it can take an average of nine and 10 months to fully restore fertility once treatment is stopped. For those with higher weights, it may take even longer.The traditional version of the Depo Provera shot is also an option if you have obesity.Depo-Provera Overview
Depo-subQ Provera 104
Tek Image / Getty Images
There is a newer version of the original Depo Provera shot known asDepo-subQ Provera 104. This non-permanent form of birth control has 31% less hormone that the previous version and, as a result, a lower incidence of adverseside effects.
It newer version is injected beneath the skin as opposed to in the muscle. Shots are delivered quarterly, or every 12 to 14 weeks.
Depo-subQ Provera 104 was shown to be effective in those with obesity intwo different studies.However, the one major downside is that the drug is known to causeweight gain, a major consideration if you are already struggling with weight control.
Another consideration is that it can take an average of nine and 10 months to fully restore fertility once treatment is stopped. For those with higher weights, it may take even longer.
The traditional version of the Depo Provera shot is also an option if you have obesity.
Depo-Provera Overview
Barrier Birth Control Methods
Jules Selmes and Debi Treloar / Dorling Kindersley Collection / Getty Images
A barrier birth control method is a device that physically blocks sperm from entering the opening of the uterus. These contraceptives tend to be less effective than IUDs or hormonal methods, so they need to be used correctly to provide the best protection. Failure is most often associated with improper or inconsistent use rather than a problem with the product itself.
Barrier birth control options include external condoms,internal condoms,spermicides,the sponge,diaphragms, and thecervical cap.
Tubal LigationTetra Images / Getty ImagesTubal ligationis a permanent method of birth control. Often referred to as “having your tubes tied,” it is a surgical procedure designed to close off the fallopian tubes. Once the procedure is performed, it is highly unlikely that the sperm will be able to reach the egg, It is one of several surgical sterilization techniques.While there is no evidence that your weight will compromise the effectiveness of a tubal ligation, the surgery itself is often more difficult to perform. In this population, the surgery might take slightly longer and require more anesthesia.Tubal sterilization surgeries are often done laparoscopically. Compared to open surgery, laparoscopic surgery is associated with less risk such as infection in those with obesity.Options for Tubal Ligation
Tubal Ligation
Tetra Images / Getty Images
Tubal ligationis a permanent method of birth control. Often referred to as “having your tubes tied,” it is a surgical procedure designed to close off the fallopian tubes. Once the procedure is performed, it is highly unlikely that the sperm will be able to reach the egg, It is one of several surgical sterilization techniques.
While there is no evidence that your weight will compromise the effectiveness of a tubal ligation, the surgery itself is often more difficult to perform. In this population, the surgery might take slightly longer and require more anesthesia.
Tubal sterilization surgeries are often done laparoscopically. Compared to open surgery, laparoscopic surgery is associated with less risk such as infection in those with obesity.
Options for Tubal Ligation
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Robinson JA, Burke AE.Obesity and hormonal contraceptive efficacy.Womens Health (Lond). 2013;9(5):453–466. doi:10.2217/whe.13.41Lopez LM, Bernholc A, Chen M, Grey TW, Otterness C, Westhoff C, Edelman A, Helmerhorst FM.Hormonal contraceptives for contraception in overweight or obese women.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Aug 18;(8):CD008452. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008452.pub4Reifsnider E, Mendias N, Davila Y, Bever Babendure J.Contraception and the obese woman.J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2013;25(5):223–233. doi:10.1111/1745-7599.12011Schneider ME.Beware hormonal IUD expulsion in obese women. MdEdge 2017.American Cancer Society.Endometrial cancer risk factors.Batur P.Female contraception. Cleveland Clinic.Shabanzadeh DM, Sørensen LT.Laparoscopic surgery compared with open surgery decreases surgical site infection in obese patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Ann Surg. 2012 Dec;256(6):934-45. doi:10.1097/SLA.0b013e318269a46b
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Robinson JA, Burke AE.Obesity and hormonal contraceptive efficacy.Womens Health (Lond). 2013;9(5):453–466. doi:10.2217/whe.13.41Lopez LM, Bernholc A, Chen M, Grey TW, Otterness C, Westhoff C, Edelman A, Helmerhorst FM.Hormonal contraceptives for contraception in overweight or obese women.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Aug 18;(8):CD008452. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008452.pub4Reifsnider E, Mendias N, Davila Y, Bever Babendure J.Contraception and the obese woman.J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2013;25(5):223–233. doi:10.1111/1745-7599.12011Schneider ME.Beware hormonal IUD expulsion in obese women. MdEdge 2017.American Cancer Society.Endometrial cancer risk factors.Batur P.Female contraception. Cleveland Clinic.Shabanzadeh DM, Sørensen LT.Laparoscopic surgery compared with open surgery decreases surgical site infection in obese patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Ann Surg. 2012 Dec;256(6):934-45. doi:10.1097/SLA.0b013e318269a46b
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Robinson JA, Burke AE.Obesity and hormonal contraceptive efficacy.Womens Health (Lond). 2013;9(5):453–466. doi:10.2217/whe.13.41Lopez LM, Bernholc A, Chen M, Grey TW, Otterness C, Westhoff C, Edelman A, Helmerhorst FM.Hormonal contraceptives for contraception in overweight or obese women.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Aug 18;(8):CD008452. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008452.pub4Reifsnider E, Mendias N, Davila Y, Bever Babendure J.Contraception and the obese woman.J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2013;25(5):223–233. doi:10.1111/1745-7599.12011Schneider ME.Beware hormonal IUD expulsion in obese women. MdEdge 2017.American Cancer Society.Endometrial cancer risk factors.Batur P.Female contraception. Cleveland Clinic.Shabanzadeh DM, Sørensen LT.Laparoscopic surgery compared with open surgery decreases surgical site infection in obese patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Ann Surg. 2012 Dec;256(6):934-45. doi:10.1097/SLA.0b013e318269a46b
Robinson JA, Burke AE.Obesity and hormonal contraceptive efficacy.Womens Health (Lond). 2013;9(5):453–466. doi:10.2217/whe.13.41
Lopez LM, Bernholc A, Chen M, Grey TW, Otterness C, Westhoff C, Edelman A, Helmerhorst FM.Hormonal contraceptives for contraception in overweight or obese women.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Aug 18;(8):CD008452. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008452.pub4
Reifsnider E, Mendias N, Davila Y, Bever Babendure J.Contraception and the obese woman.J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2013;25(5):223–233. doi:10.1111/1745-7599.12011
Schneider ME.Beware hormonal IUD expulsion in obese women. MdEdge 2017.
American Cancer Society.Endometrial cancer risk factors.
Batur P.Female contraception. Cleveland Clinic.
Shabanzadeh DM, Sørensen LT.Laparoscopic surgery compared with open surgery decreases surgical site infection in obese patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Ann Surg. 2012 Dec;256(6):934-45. doi:10.1097/SLA.0b013e318269a46b
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