This 2013 study, part of the Contraceptive CHOICE Project, evaluated weight changes over 12 months among 427 women using progestin-only contraceptives: etonogestrel (ENG) implant, levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), compared to copper IUD users. Mean weight changes were 2.1 kg (ENG implant), 1.0 kg (LNG-IUS), 2.2
This 2014 prospective study by Dal’Ava et al. compared body weight and composition changes over 12 months between women using depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and those using a copper intrauterine device (IUD). The study found that DMPA users experienced a significant increase in body weight and fat mass, while lean
This 2015 article from The Journal of Family Practice addresses concerns about weight gain associated with hormonal contraceptive use. It concludes that while many women perceive weight gain as a side effect, most forms of hormonal contraception—particularly combined oral contraceptives (COCs)—do not cause significant weight gain. However, depot medroxyprogesterone acetate
