Birth control pills may increase binge eating, new study reveals

by Shelly DeJong, Michigan State University

edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Robert Egan

Sadie Harley

Scientific Editor

Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process

Robert Egan

Associate Editor

Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process Editors' notes

This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

peer-reviewed publication

trusted source

proofread

The GIST Add as preferred source

A new study from Michigan State University found increases in binge eating when taking hormone pills in the form of oral contraceptives—but not in all women. This is the first large-scale study of changes in binge-related symptoms with oral contraceptive use.

The longitudinal study tracked 422 women from the Michigan State University Twin Registry who were taking combined oral contraceptives, or contraceptives that include both synthetic estrogen and progestin hormones.

These contraceptives include active pills that contain synthetic hormones, including synthetic estrogen and progestin, as well as inactive pills, or hormone-free placebo pills. The inclusion of both active and inactive pills provided a unique opportunity for researchers to examine changes in binge eating when a woman was taking her active versus inactive pills.

For 49 consecutive days, the researchers tracked changes within women for emotional eating, a form of binge eating in which individuals overconsume food in the presence of negative emotions.

Higher risk during active pills

The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found significantly increased emotional eating when women were taking active versus inactive pills. These findings were present in the full sample of women, as well as in women who reported current or past histories of clinical levels of binge eating.

Previous research has suggested ovarian hormones (natural estrogen and progesterone) play a significant role in binge-eating risk in females. These new findings suggest that synthetic hormones in combined oral contraceptives may also heighten risk.

"These findings are important for highlighting the potential negative impact of combined oral contraceptives in women. Nonetheless, it's important to note that not every woman in the study developed binge eating—they are safe for many women, and it's likely that the risk is targeted to those with other risk factors," said Kelly Klump, lead author of the study and MSU Research Foundation Distinguished Professor in MSU's Department of Psychology.

"Future studies are needed to better identify who is at risk and inform personalized medicine approaches to women's health."

Self-monitoring eased symptoms

The study also found that the act of reporting on binge eating every day, otherwise known as self-monitoring, helped decrease binge eating for the participants in the study. These decreases were observed even when women were taking active hormone pills.

"We found that self-monitoring was an effective tool in mitigating risk for women in the study," Klump said. "The more we can equip women with tools and educate medical providers about these risks, the more effective care can be given."

By educating medical practitioners about the effects of combined oral contraceptives on binge eating and the value of self-monitoring, the researchers hope that a more personalized approach can help those at risk.

Publication details

Combined Oral Contraceptive Use and Binge Eating, JAMA Network Open (2026). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.19047

Journal information: JAMA Network Open

Key medical concepts

Binge-Eating DisorderEmotional Eatingself-monitoring

Clinical categories

Women's healthPsychiatryObstetrics & gynecologyPsychology & Mental health Provided by Michigan State University Who's behind this story?

Sadie Harley

BSc Life Sciences & Ecology. Microbiology lab background with pharmaceutical news experience in oil, gas, and renewable industries. Full profile →

Robert Egan

Bachelor's in mathematical biology, Master's in creative writing. Well-traveled with unique perspectives on science and language. Full profile →

Citation: Birth control pills may increase binge eating, new study reveals (2026, June 17) retrieved 17 June 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-birth-pills-binge-reveals.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.