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Gene theory
GOOD NEWS
Women have long claimed using hormonal contraceptives makes them gain weight. Now scientists have found this can happen with some treatments — but only if you have certain genes. Yale School of Medicine (YSM) experts looked at 276 women using implants containing the progestin etonogestrel, a synthetic compound that mimics progesterone. Women who had avariant of the ESR1 gene were more likely to put on the pounds. ‘This could help explain why studies seem to show an overall minimal amount of weight change with hormonal contraception, given these genetic variants would be found only in a small proportion of women,’ says YSM Professor Aaron Lazorwitz.