Women taking the combined oral contraceptive pill may be more prone to emotional overeating, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. The research, conducted by scientists in the US and Canada led by Kelly L. Klump from Michigan State University, investigated the relationship between combined oral contraceptives and binge eating. Previous studies have indicated a connection between cyclical changes in ovarian hormones, particularly during the luteal phase when estrogen decreases and progesterone rises, and alterations in food intake.
The study tracked 422 women using combined oral contraceptives for 49 days. Researchers measured emotional eating, defined as overeating or binge eating in response to negative emotions, rather than clinically diagnosed binge-eating episodes. The findings revealed that participants reported significantly higher levels of emotional eating when taking active hormone pills compared to placebo pills. This effect was consistent across two pill cycles and persisted even when accounting for negative emotional states like low mood and stress.
Active pills in the combined contraceptive contain both estrogen and progestin, mimicking the hormonal environment of the post-ovulation phase of the menstrual cycle, a period previously associated with increased binge eating. The study's results suggest that the combination of these hormones, rather than either one individually, may be linked to increased eating behaviors. Researchers also observed a slight reduction in emotional eating over time, which they suggest could be attributed to self-monitoring behaviors that can help mitigate binge eating.
However, the study has limitations. The researchers did not directly measure participants' hormone levels, meaning conclusions about hormonal influences are inferred. As an observational study, it cannot definitively prove that the pill directly causes increased eating behavior. Furthermore, residual hormonal effects from active pills might persist into inactive pill days, potentially masking the full extent of the observed differences. The participant group was also predominantly young women, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
The combined pill is a widely used form of contraception globally, prescribed for both pregnancy prevention and the management of conditions such as heavy periods, endometriosis, and acne. The study authors indicate that further research is necessary to identify which women might be most susceptible to these effects and to explore whether alternative contraceptive methods could mitigate the risk.