Your experience with birth control and weight loss

elphie754

So I had to stop taking my birth control pills a few months ago because they were not compatible with a medication I was taking. I did not just stop them on my own, my MD told me I needed to stop taking them. Anyway, I am no longer on that medication so I am reconsidering going back on BC. I know only my MD can really tell me which ones I should take and I have an apt with her for next week. I am just curious if anyone is taking one that does not seem to be hindering their weightloss/make them gain weight. I would like to be able to go to the apt prepared to mention types people have had a good experience with as far as weight goes. Unfortunately any injectable forms I can't use due to additives.

cindytw

I went through 4 types when I was young (20-22) and for pain and menstrual issues another 3 types when I was 38. NOPE! You cannot MAKE me take that stuff!! It messed me up big-time!! When I took it initially I was an active college student, went to the gym and also was a waitress 35 hours a week!! YET I gained 40# off the snap and had hideous cravings!! I actually stopped seeing my OB/GYN over this it was a HE and HE didn't believe me! This resolved when I stopped the pills, I went back to normal. I went on a second time for hideous cramping, and then it just made me eat an have my period 2 weeks a month but light flow. No thanks. I got sore from using tampons as long as that took!

Anyone thinking something is wrong with me, sadly it isn't! I had all types of invasive testing. Nope, just hormones.

Be cautious, observe how you feel, and don't let any doctor tell you its in your head!! It ISN"T!

elphie754

cindytw wrote: »

I went through 4 types when I was young (20-22) and for pain and menstrual issues another 3 types when I was 38. NOPE! You cannot MAKE me take that stuff!! It messed me up big-time!! When I took it initially I was an active college student, went to the gym and also was a waitress 35 hours a week!! YET I gained 40# off the snap and had hideous cravings!! I actually stopped seeing my OB/GYN over this it was a HE and HE didn't believe me! This resolved when I stopped the pills, I went back to normal. I went on a second time for hideous cramping, and then it just made me eat an have my period 2 weeks a month but light flow. No thanks. I got sore from using tampons as long as that took!

Anyone thinking something is wrong with me, sadly it isn't! I had all types of invasive testing. Nope, just hormones.

Be cautious, observe how you feel, and don't let any doctor tell you its in your head!! It ISN"T!

Irregular and ridiculously long periods is the reason I started the. In the first place. When I stopped I went back to the 2 weeks of bleeding every 2-3 months. I am considering asking about nuvo ring since I tend to be bad at remembering to take a pill lol. I just don't know anyone who's taken it to ask to ask their experience on it.

wteachwo

I am not in the camp that believes birth control itself makes you gain weight. I've had issues with my weight yo-yoing both on and off the birth control pill.

That said, I CAN NOT be on the pill. My doc says that I am probably sensitive to the estrogen component. I become a weepy mess, fly off the handle, and have crazy heartburn. Did I mention I become a sobbing hyena woman? One way I cope is to overeat and binge/indulge, and since I was feeling unhinged I think I indulged a bit too much.

I've had the Mirena for almost a year now and THAT is a birth control method I can get behind. Beyond being the "set it and forget it" birth control that you never have to worry about missing a pill or having it break, its hormones are localized to your uterus and you don't get the craziness that a BC pill might provide. I do get a little bloated and some breast tenderness around the time I would be getting my period, but that goes away very quickly.

christineja

I agree that some will make you gain weight--I had one type that made me crazy hungry and when I demanded a switch (had to demand because they wouldn't believe it was the pill) the issue went away, no weight gain. I think it was OrthoNovum that worked, but it was a long time ago. I'd tell your doc your concerns about weight gain and see what s/he advises.

elphie754

wteachwo wrote: »

I am not in the camp that believes birth control itself makes you gain weight. I've had issues with my weight yo-yoing both on and off the birth control pill.

That said, I CAN NOT be on the pill. My doc says that I am probably sensitive to the estrogen component. I become a weepy mess, fly off the handle, and have crazy heartburn. Did I mention I become a sobbing hyena woman? One way I cope is to overeat and binge/indulge, and since I was feeling unhinged I think I indulged a bit too much.

I've had the Mirena for almost a year now and THAT is a birth control method I can get behind. Beyond being the "set it and forget it" birth control that you never have to worry about missing a pill or having it break, its hormones are localized to your uterus and you don't get the craziness that a BC pill might provide. I do get a little bloated and some breast tenderness around the time I would be getting my period, but that goes away very quickly.

I had asked my MD about an IUD before but she doesn't want to do it since I've never had kids. I will bring it up again though.

shadow2soul

I had Mirena put in on July 25 and no problems yet.

This is how things have gone so far:

(trend line is actually below 165 now)





While it's not causing me any problems that doesn't mean that it's not possible for you to have negative effects with it. Everyone's body handles BC differently.

wteachwo

Hmm. I've never had kids either and my doc had no problem with me having it placed. Furthermore, I've had no complications from it. The old adage that you need to have kids before you get the IUD is kind of outdated from what I understand, too. I've done a ton of research on the IUD/Mirena and it can be *easier* for placement but that is not a requirement to have it. I really recommend it since it's no fuss and pretty foolproof for preventing pregnancy (which is what I'm using mine for--I know some ladies use it for abatement of other PMS symptoms).

wteachwo

To also expand on your original question, YMMV (your mileage may vary) with different pills. What works for one chick will NOT work for another, and so on.

I was on Yasmin for 7 years and had zero issues before my body began to slightly change over time (I attribute to my hormone levels fluctuating as I got older since I started on Yasmin when I was 16) and it made me nuts. I tried Ocella and a mini-pill I forget the name of (Mircette?) and both had the same effect on me. (Did Yasmin for 7 years, got off pills for a bit. Then, I was on Ocella for a year, got off BC pills for 2 years then was on the mini-pill one for about 6 months, and I'll say my weight didn't change whether I was on the freaking pills or not!)

I know women who have had phenomenal success with Ocella, and others that hate it, and then others that swear by the Nuva Ring, and others that despise it, etc. Just depends on your body and how it reacts to it.

Alluminati

From what I read on here it's not so much the actual birth control that makes people gain but the effect it has on their hormones, which cause some to overeat, feel sluggish, and/or retain water easily. Personally I never felt/saw a difference in my weight being on bc.
Because of a blood disorder, my gyn advised me away from birth control containing hormones so I have no recommendations. Good luck op

elphie754

shadow2soul wrote: »

I had Mirena put in on July 25 and no problems yet.

This is how things have gone so far:

(trend line is actually below 165 now)





While it's not causing me any problems that doesn't mean that it's not possible for you to have negative effects with it. Everyone's body handles BC differently.

Wow! Way to go on your loss! Seeing your graph actually makes me hopeful I can do the same if I do go back on BC.

wteachwo wrote: »

To also expand on your original question, YMMV (your mileage may vary) with different pills. What works for one chick will NOT work for another, and so on.

I was on Yasmin for 7 years and had zero issues before my body began to slightly change over time (I attribute to my hormone levels fluctuating as I got older since I started on Yasmin when I was 16) and it made me nuts. I tried Ocella and a mini-pill I forget the name of (Mircette?) and both had the same effect on me. (Did Yasmin for 7 years, got off pills for a bit. Then, I was on Ocella for a year, got off BC pills for 2 years then was on the mini-pill one for about 6 months, and I'll say my weight didn't change whether I was on the freaking pills or not!)

I know women who have had phenomenal success with Ocella, and others that hate it, and then others that swear by the Nuva Ring, and others that despise it, etc. Just depends on your body and how it reacts to it.

I think it was placement she was worried about but ill ask her specifically why she thought it wasn't for me. Not having to worry about missing a pill would be awesome.

I was on orthotricyclin but had to stop because there was red due in them. I was switched to generess, which didnt have weight gain but also didnt control my periods well at all.

wteachwo

Yeah, definitely ask her about that one. You can for sure get it if you haven't had children.

If you do go the pill route, best of luck to you. You may need to try a few before you find the magical glass slipper for your body.

jrose1982

I get the depo shot every 3 months. I don't think it's hindered my weight loss, but I do think I retain more water on it. I'm on a low-carb diet and that combined with dry winters usually has me battling dehydration. Not so much this year. I also never had that quick weight loss that I usually get when I restart my diet (which is a sign of water loss). I also notice that if I have a cheat day (and over do it on my carbs) I'll gain 3-4 lbs where I used to only gain 1-2. Like I said, I think I'm just retaining more water than I used to.

imarockstarxoxo

I started with the Depo, gained 10-15 lbs over a year and half but otherwise no issues. Then I had Mirena, I had done my research and it sounded like the best option plus my doctor told me that many women stop getting their periods on it. I lost maybe 8lbs originally. The first 4 months or so it seemed to be great but then I started getting terrible cramping pain and I would bleed sporadically, sometimes for weeks at a time, breaking out (I've always been pretty lucky with my skin), depression, and fluctuating weight. I could lose some one week but then it was like I gained it all back overnight the next.
I've had the NuvaRing over a year now, never had any issues with anything and I'd say I feel the best on it.
But it really all depends on how your hormones interact with the birth control though, everyone has a different experience.

BrunetteRunner87

OdesAngel wrote: »

From what I read on here it's not so much the actual birth control that makes people gain but the effect it has on their hormones, which cause some to overeat, feel sluggish, and/or retain water easily. Good luck op

This is how I feel about it. I've been on BC for about ten years now and I have been chubby and thin and everything in between. I have been on a couple different kinds as well. When I eat too many calories, I gain weight. When I have a calorie deficit, I lose weight. I don't know, maybe I've been on it so long that I don't recognize the weight effects, but I doubt it would be easier for me to lose weight it if I were off it. At the end of the day, at least for me, it just depends on how I respond to cravings and feeling sluggish.

Lalalindaloo

elphie754 wrote: »

wteachwo wrote: »

I am not in the camp that believes birth control itself makes you gain weight. I've had issues with my weight yo-yoing both on and off the birth control pill.

That said, I CAN NOT be on the pill. My doc says that I am probably sensitive to the estrogen component. I become a weepy mess, fly off the handle, and have crazy heartburn. Did I mention I become a sobbing hyena woman? One way I cope is to overeat and binge/indulge, and since I was feeling unhinged I think I indulged a bit too much.

I've had the Mirena for almost a year now and THAT is a birth control method I can get behind. Beyond being the "set it and forget it" birth control that you never have to worry about missing a pill or having it break, its hormones are localized to your uterus and you don't get the craziness that a BC pill might provide. I do get a little bloated and some breast tenderness around the time I would be getting my period, but that goes away very quickly.

I had asked my MD about an IUD before but she doesn't want to do it since I've never had kids. I will bring it up again though.

I've never had kids and had the Mirena. I loved it. It's out now and I haven't replaced it because... well, I haven't had the need. When that need comes up again though, that will be my choice. I had no side effects because it's very localized hormones (at least that is how it was explained to me). ALSO< the health care law means it can be covered by my insurance now when it wasn't before.

I will say that never having given birth... the insertion was apparently more complicated than usual and I had some bleeding because he had to dilate me a little. I went home that afternoon and took a nap though and other than some spotting for a few days, I was good to go right after that. And then I had a very light period every few months for years. That was great.

NuvaRing is one size fits all except for a very few of which I was one. LOL.

Depo - had side effects. Weight gain and hair thinning.

Lalalindaloo

shadow2soul wrote: »

I had Mirena put in on July 25 and no problems yet.

This is how things have gone so far:

(trend line is actually below 165 now)





While it's not causing me any problems that doesn't mean that it's not possible for you to have negative effects with it. Everyone's body handles BC differently.

No intention to hijack, but -- Respect for your tracking/documenting/charting skills.

lemon629

I had a lot of problems with the pill. I am very sensitive and would get insomnia, acne, and other unpleasant side effects. I started using the Nuva Ring a few years ago and I LOVE it. I had no side effects whatsoever. The localized application reduces the risk of side effects.

By the way, I haven't tried it, but I thought I'd tell you that several doctors over the years have told me that they get the most complaints about Depo, by far. It is the most likely to cause weight gain and acne. Of course, not everyone has those problems, but if you're sensitive, I would stay away from Depo.

Mediocrates55

Everyone is so different. The pill made me a total rageb*tch, nutty as all get-out. Mirena tried to kill me and I bled CONSTANTLY for four months. My husband and I joked it was the ultimate in birth control because sex was the last thing on my mind. I've been on and off depo since I was 16 and it's been the golden ticket for me. No mood swings, no weight gain that wasn't my own fault. Also, zero cramps, zero periods, zero bloating, zero hormonal fluctuations.

quellybelly

bump

tawnygnosis

wteachwo wrote: »

I am not in the camp that believes birth control itself makes you gain weight. I've had issues with my weight yo-yoing both on and off the birth control pill.

That said, I CAN NOT be on the pill. My doc says that I am probably sensitive to the estrogen component. I become a weepy mess, fly off the handle, and have crazy heartburn. Did I mention I become a sobbing hyena woman? One way I cope is to overeat and binge/indulge, and since I was feeling unhinged I think I indulged a bit too much.

I've had the Mirena for almost a year now and THAT is a birth control method I can get behind. Beyond being the "set it and forget it" birth control that you never have to worry about missing a pill or having it break, its hormones are localized to your uterus and you don't get the craziness that a BC pill might provide. I do get a little bloated and some breast tenderness around the time I would be getting my period, but that goes away very quickly.

Yep, that's what I use as well. I still experience mild PMS and spotting but that's it! I couldn't tolerate anything else besides yasmin, and I would get lazy about taking it everyday. So this method is perfect. I've had it for four months and it was kind of a *kitten* to get inserted but after that no complications whatsoever.

RhythmGypsi

Hi there I was off and on Ortho Tricyclen-Lo from the ages of 15 to 27 (I just turned 28 this year). Moments in between, I had the Mirena IUD for about 2.5 years, and for the past year have been on an OT-Lo generic called "Trinessa".

Neither of these three birth control options caused me to balloon up or made it hard for me to gain weight. I was born and raised in the U.S., and my heritage is almost 100% Latina-American (a small % of my background is German).

Hope this help!

ems212

The pills I'm on help with some other issues immensely, but they did cause me to gain some weight. Only about 10-15 pounds. I look at it like a challenge...I have to work this much harder to reach my goals...but it doesn't hinder my weight loss at all.

jessakittyis

I used to take Ortho Tri Cyclen when I was in my earlier 20's for a few years and then stopped because I was very unhappy with it. It made me gain major major weight and killed my sex drive. I have very irregular periods and so I really felt like I needed to get back on some form of BC to at least regulate my cycle. When I went back to the Dr to get a new prescription I told the nurse that I literally gained 20lb in the first month of taking Ortho the pevious time and she didn't believe me so when I came back for a check up and gained about 15lb I wasn't surprised. My Dr recommended I try a pill brand called Chateal which I've been on for about a year now and I love love love it. I don't have any nasty side effects like crazy mood swings and I do get my period once a month but its very light which is great. I've also consistently been losing weight since I started taking it. I know results will vary because everyone is different but I would recommend trying it if your Dr agrees.

VegasFit

I've never had a problem with BC being the source of any weight issues I've had. It's always boiled down to what I put in my mouth. As far as the IUD I did have girlfriend who was told that because she had never had children it did not work for her. She had a really painful time with it and finally had it removed. I've had Implanon for the last three years with no issues.

jtarmom

I tried Mirena, less than a week later had to have emergency surgery to have it removed as it had perforated and was waaaay over on my right side causing a lot of pain. A lot of my friends have either Mirena or Paragaurd (non-hormonal IUD) and they love it. I was just the lucky one.

Now I'm on Errin (mini-pill). Estrogen pills made me emotional and hungry, so I opted for the progestin only pill. It's not as effective as the estrogen pills, you have to take them at the same time every day. I have lost 25 pounds on it though, so I'm not too excited to change right now.

I am considering the nuva ring now though, after reading these posts. IUD's are out for me, but I'm worried about msising a pill!

WickedPineapple

I've been on the pill (Minastrin) for 2.5 years and I haven't had any problems with weight that I've noticed. I've lost almost all my weight while on it. With the exception of having to take it everyday at the same time, I love it. I used to have crazy, horrible periods. The pill evened everything all out. The periods I have now (if I have them) are cake compared to what they used to be. I'll eventually switch to another method because I'm forgetful.

usflygirl55

Hi there. I have taken various forms of birth control over the years. I started on the Nuva Ring ~13 years ago and I had no side effects. I knew about it while it was only available overseas and as soon as it became available here I asked my doctor about it. I absolutely LOVE it. This helped alleviate the heavy bleeding and severe cramps I would get during my period. Now I only get mild cramps and mild bleeding. I did stop the Nuva Ring 2 years ago to try for a baby. I had a healthy baby in April and resumed the Nuva Ring 4 months later, still with no side effects. I love this product so much I recommended it to family and friends. It does take some getting use to but once you have the hang of it, I think it is great. Definitely discuss with your doctor and I wish you the best!

sljohnson1207

Skyla IUD has been studied for women who have not given birth. It is slightly, really slightly smaller than Mirena, but the study is what is important. Seems to debunk that business about not using IUDs in childless women.

Also, if you are sensitive to the hormones, there is the copper IUD, ParaGard.

I've personally had a terrible time with hormone based birth control, but don't have to worry about it anymore, thank goodness, so good luck to those of you that do in finding what works best. I hope you find it right away.