17 million women take birth control in the United States. Sure, the pill is affective and convenient, however, few think about what it can do to their bodies and even less think about what it does to their gains in the gym. Since birth control fools your body into thinking it’s pregnant this can alter your hormones, cause weight gain, alter sex drive and even influence protein synthesis.
According to “Fitness Rx,” a study done by Texas A&M found that women taking oral contraception showed a reduced response to weight training. During the 10 week study, women using the pill developed 60 % less muscle then women who didn’t use oral contraceptives. Although the strength gains were similar, the women taking birth control showed lower levels of an important hormone known as IGF-I, or Growth Hormone.
While this may seem like a shock to some, to people in the fitness industry this is very evident. Not only is the pill dangerous when taken over long periods of time, it also seems to slow the clients progress. I know that I have personally advised several clients to find other forms of birth control to aid in their body fat loss. When the pill was removed they showed a decrease in water weight, hence an increase in energy, and an increase in muscle tone and mass. Could this be the key to your weight loss??
Adria Ali
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