The use of contraceptives does not directly lead to weight gain, but it increases fluid retention, which can make the woman more bloated, as well as increasing the chances of cellulite appearing.
Therefore, the best way to avoid this effect of the pill is through a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Normally, the higher the concentration of hormones in the pill, the greater the water retention. In the case of contraceptive injections, which are taken every 3 months, weight gain due to water retention may be greater, leading to swelling, breast tenderness and irregular bleeding. In this case, the woman must perform more intense physical activities to avoid the feeling of bloating. See what the most common side effects of contraceptives are.
How to use
To avoid the feeling of bloating after using contraceptive pills, some measures can be taken depending on the type of contraceptive, such as:
- Oral contraceptives: To take the pill without becoming bloated, you must exercise regularly. Just half an hour of walking daily can increase blood circulation and, consequently, reduce fluid retention;
- Contraceptive injections: In the case of injections, it is recommended to carry out physical exercise that increases the heart rate and ensures more physical fitness for 1 hour a day, at least 5 times a week, such as running or spinning.
In addition, women can resort to lymphatic drainage or pressotherapy sessions once a week, as they improve blood circulation and stimulate the elimination of excess fluids from the body. Find out what the benefits are and when to do pressotherapy.
What to eat to reduce bloating
As fluid retention is common in women who use contraceptives, it is recommended that they start eating a diet rich in diuretic foods, as this makes it possible to eliminate excess fluid from the body. Therefore, it is recommended that fruits and vegetables rich in water and potassium be consumed on a daily basis, such as celery, spinach, leeks, watermelon, apples and melons.
It is important to drink plenty of fluids during the day to reduce the feeling of bloating, as well as teas with diuretic properties, this way it is possible to increase urine production and eliminate the sodium accumulated in the body, reducing swelling.
See the video below for more details on what to eat to reduce swelling caused by water retention:
