Can being overweight affect how my birth control pills work?

Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine

Birth control pills generally work just as well in obese or overweight women. However, they may be less forgiving in overweight or obese women if they are taken imperfectly. Patch birth control may be less effective in women who weigh more than approximately 200 pounds.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Birth Control

Do you want to prevent pregnancy? Do you want to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)? Those are the primary factors in deciding which type of birth control method you use. You have many options of birth control including condoms, birth control pills, the patch, the vaginal ring, the IUD, hormone shots and implants, as well as sterilization. Make your decision based on factsincluding the failure rates for each type. And make sure you use the birth control method correctly each timeto avoid unplanned pregnancy.

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