Does Progesterone Cause Weight Gain?

Progesterone is a hormone that regulates ovulation and menstruation. It’s made by the ovaries and adrenal glands.

Synthetic progesterone is a medication. People can take progesterone for several reasons including:

• Irregular periods

• Endometriosis

• Uterus protection during hormone replacement therapy

• Fertility treatments

• Preventing preterm labor and premature birth

• Pregnancy prevention

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Progesterone medication is available in many forms, including pills, injections, and intrauterine devices (IUDs). Like all medications, progesterone can cause side effects. You may have heard that progesterone can cause weight gain. But what does the research really say? Here’s what you should know about how progesterone can affect your weight. 

Does progesterone make you gain weight?

Maybe. Many people report gaining weight while taking progesterone. 

Research around weight gain and progesterone is inconsistent. Some studies have found that people gain weight while taking progesterone. Other studies haven’t shown this same side effect. 

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For example, one study that followed teenagers taking contraception for 18 months showed that those taking progesterone-based birth control gained more weight than those taking other types of birth control. But another study found that teens using Nexplanon, a progesterone-based IUD, weren’t more likely to gain weight compared to those using other forms of birth control.

A large review of available research noted that there’s little evidence that progesterone-only birth control leads to weight gain. The review noted those who did gain weight typically gained only a small amount of weight.

So right now, there’s no definitive evidence that progesterone-based birth control leads to weight gain. Some people taking progesterone may gain weight. But there’s no evidence that everyone who takes progesterone will gain weight. And unfortunately, there’s no way to know how progesterone will impact your weight. 

What factors contribute to weight gain while taking progesterone?

People taking progesterone may gain weight. But weight gain may also be due to other factors.

Being less active

You’re more likely to gain weight if you’re less active.

People taking progesterone may need to be less active because of their medical conditions. For example, if you’re receiving progesterone injections to prevent preterm labor, your care team may also ask you to limit your activity. 

Other people who are taking progesterone may have a medical condition that keeps them from being as active as they want to be. For example, people with endometriosis can experience a lot of pain, which limits their ability to stay active. 

Hormone changes

Some people taking progesterone may experience changes in their overall hormone levels, which can lead to weight gain.

For example, progesterone is sometimes used as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause. And menopause is also a time when people experience weight gain in part due to the natural hormone changes. 

People may also take progesterone as part of IVF treatments. Some studies show that weight gain during IVF treatments is common. But this side effect is often said to be due to the other medications used for ovarian stimulation, and not progesterone.

Tips to help manage weight while taking progesterone

Whether progesterone directly affects weight or not, you may still feel anxious about starting progesterone therapy. But there are things you can do to maintain a comfortable weight while taking progesterone. 

Be mindful when eating

Mindful eating is a practice that encourages you to be fully present and aware of your senses while you eat. Rooted in mindfulness, this is a more thoughtful approach to eating (versus judgmental). And it places focus on the experience of your senses while eating. And it isn’t about weight loss. Mindful eating is about listening to your body and honoring its needs. This will keep you attuned to changes in your appetite while taking progesterone. 

Move more

Exercise isn’t just good for your body, it’s good for the mind. Aim to work your way up to 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. This could be a brisk walk for 30 minutes, 5 days a week. Or you could spread 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity — such as swimming laps — throughout your week.

Rest

Getting enough sleep is important for your well-being. Sleep is an important part of weight management. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Not sleeping enough may affect your appetite and activity level. And this may prevent you from staying at a weight that feels best for you.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Tracy Norfleet, MD, FACP

Dr. Tracy Norfleet is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, health expert, and physician leader with over 20 years of experience practicing adult medicine. Dual-certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Tracy possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in both traditional medical practices and innovative lifestyle interventions for chronic disease management and reversal.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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