Oral Contraceptives Raise Emotional Eating in 422-Woman Study, Easing in Cycle 2
Updated
Updated · Nautilus · Jun 17
Oral Contraceptives Raise Emotional Eating in 422-Woman Study, Easing in Cycle 2
3 articles · Updated · Nautilus · Jun 17
Summary
A 49-day study of 422 women found emotional eating rose during days when participants were taking active oral-contraceptive pills rather than inactive placebo pills.
Researchers linked the effect to estrogen and progestin, saying the hormones can stimulate appetite and reward pathways tied to cravings for binge-eating foods.
The increase was not universal, with the authors saying risk likely concentrates in women who already have other binge-eating vulnerabilities.
Emotional eating fell during the second contraceptive cycle, suggesting nightly self-monitoring used in the study may itself help curb the behavior.
The JAMA Network Open findings point to a potential side effect clinicians may need to discuss, while underscoring that oral contraceptives remain safe for many women.