ArticleCureus2025
The Impact of Hormonal Contraceptives on Body Weight and Associated Side Effects in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Contraceptive-Induced Weight Gain-Myth and Reality Review.Life (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Cardiometabolic, Glycaemic, and Metabolic Safety of Hormonal Contraceptives in Women with Medical Conditions: A Systematic Review.International journal of women's health · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionPublic health professionals often use unintended pregnancy as a proxy to understand the community's need for contraception, highlighting its effectiveness in addressing this issue. However, discontinuation rates and transitions between different contraceptive methods are high, largely due to the emergence of side effects.
objectiveThe objective of this study is to assess the association between hormonal contraceptive use and weight gain, as well as other side effects, and evaluate patient satisfaction across different contraceptive methods.
methodsA cross-sectional observational study was conducted among adult women (≥18 years) attending gynecology clinics in Riyadh in 2023. Women with uncontrolled chronic disease (e.g., diabetes, uncontrolled hypothyroidism, severe polycystic ovary syndrome) were excluded, whereas stable, well-controlled cases under treatment were included. Data were collected using medical records and a structured questionnaire adapted from prior research and piloted locally. Weight change was determined using recorded weights where available, with self-report used in some cases.
resultsOf 500 participants, 324 were eligible for analysis. Combined oral contraceptive (COC) users reported significantly higher mean weight gain compared to users of other hormonal methods. Mood changes and weight gain were the most frequent side effects, while satisfaction was highest among vaginal ring and patch users.
conclusionsCOC users reported greater weight gain and mood-related side effects compared with users of other methods. Satisfaction varied by method, highlighting the importance of individualized counseling to address patient concerns and guide contraceptive choice.
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Registered trials
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