People with gallstones may consume too many calories¹ and are often overweight.^{2, 3} Obese women have seven times the risk of forming gallstones compared with women who are not overweight.⁴ Even slightly overweight women have significantly higher risks.⁵ Losing weight is likely to help,⁶ but rapid weight loss might increase the risk of stone formation.⁷ Any weight-loss program to prevent or treat gallstones should be reviewed by a doctor. Weight-loss plans generally entail reducing dietary fat, a change that itself correlates with protection against gallstone formation and attacks.^{8, 9}

In women, recreational exercise significantly reduces the risk of requiring gallbladder surgery due to gallstones. In a study of over 60,000 women, an average of two to three hours per week of recreational exercise (such as cycling, jogging, and swimming) reduced the risk of gallbladder surgery by about 20%.¹⁰

Use of birth control pills significantly increases a woman’s risk of developing gallstones.^{11, 12}