Can birth control pills cause food cravings?

Dear Reader, 

Regardless of what cravings you’re having (weird or otherwise), science is less clear on the cause of them. Research suggests cravings can be influenced by sex hormones, like those that are in some birth control pills. However, this same science has yet to figure out whether there’s a connection between birth control pill use and food cravings. Read on to learn about what is known about cravings, sex-specific differences in taste perception, and the relationship between birth control and weight gain!  

Where do food cravings come from? 

Food cravings are separate from appetite. Appetite is regulated by specific hormones and bodily mechanisms while cravings, on the other hand, can happen even when you’re not hungry. Cravings can be influenced by: 

• Protein intake: If you’re not eating enough protein, you may experience dramatic changes in blood sugar levels and severe cravings.  
• Visual cues: Seeing the food easily accessible and in front of you may make you more prone to craving it.    
• Stress: Your body may interpret upsetting thoughts, fatigue, and other types of stress as threats and cause your adrenal glands to release cortisol. This sends a message to your liver that your body needs glucose (sugar). Your body will first use available sources of sugar. If the stressor continues, sugar levels become depleted, and you might find yourself craving sweets and carbs—the types of food easily converted to glucose.  

Why do you crave specific foods? 

Everyone has different cravings. Just as there are different reasons for them, there are also various reasons you crave specific foods. In fact, research suggests that there’s a component of food preferences related to sex assigned at birth. Estrogen, a sex hormone, is involved in the perception of different tastes, including bitter, sweet, umami, and fatty acids. This means that people who are assigned female at birth (AFAB) might have specific responses to taste. It also means that there might be stronger food cravings during the menstrual cycle, when estrogen levels fluctuate. Cravings for certain food types have been found to be more intense during ovulation and the luteal phase, when estrogen levels rise.  

What impact does birth control have on food cravings? 

When someone takes hormonal birth control, their natural hormones are suppressed and replaced with synthetic ones. Though research has found that taking oral contraceptives doesn’t alter what something tastes like, it’s not clear whether birth control can influence food cravings. 

What else should you know about birth control? 

Rumors have flown about birth control causing people to gain weight, however, this is a myth that’s been debunked! Research has shown that combined oral birth control pills (with both estrogen and progestin) and the minipill (with just progesterone) don't cause weight gain. The only exception to this is the Depo-Provera injection. This is because it contains a large dose of progesterone, which stimulates appetite. If you notice you’re gaining weight without meaning to or for an unknown reason, it could be a sign of an underlying health condition, and it might be best to speak with a health care provider. 

If you’re concerned about changes in your food cravings, appetite, or potential side effects of your birth control, consider discussing your observations with a health care professional. They may be able to help you get to the root of what’s causing the changes you’ve noticed. 

Hope this helps!