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Depo Provera and Weight Loss
By WLR Dietitian
Q: I’ve been having the Depo Provera contraception
injection for the last nine years. Over this time, and despite
several diets, I’ve gained 4½ stone. My family planning nurse
has told me the weight gain has nothing to do with the
injection and I should simply eat less. However, I find it
difficult to stick to a diet in the long term as there are
times when I feel constantly hungry and I’ve even considered
coming off the injection. Should I be trying harder or is the
injection a factor?
A: According to the Family Planning Association, the
Depo-Provera injection can result in weight gain as the
hormone used increases appetite. However, this is not always
the case. One study has shown that around two-thirds of women
who use Depo Provera contraception gain weight,
20% lose weight, and 10% have no change in their weight. Exactly how
much weight is gained varies tremendously but some studies show that
almost half of women using Depo Provera gain more than 5lb after one
year of use, with some gaining more than 10lb.
Having said this, as your family planning nurse has explained, a
continued weight gain amounting to 4½st really can’t be attributed
solely to the Depo Provera injection. On average, you have been gaining 7lb a
year. It might sound a lot, but in fact, you only need to have 70
calories more than you need each day to put on this amount of weight
in a year! And this can easily be done simply by having one biscuit,
an extra couple of tablespoons of rice or pasta, a little more
muesli or a slightly larger glass of wine each day.
I suggest you use the WLR food diary to record exactly what you are
eating and how many calories you’re having each day. After a week,
seeing everything listed may help you to work out where you can make
some simple changes to your diet – for example, cutting out the odd
snack or having slightly smaller portions.
You also need to find ways to control your appetite. The easiest
way to do this is to eat regularly and opt for plenty of fibre-rich
foods. Choosing carbs with a low glycaemic index will also help to
keep blood sugar levels steady with the result that you’ll be less
likely to snack.
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