Have you had success losing weight while on birth control?

SantanaHice

Been on the pill for probably 8 years. Never had a problem. I'm on it now and having no problem losing weight. It may make you retain a little water but that's it. Diet and Exercise, that's the key!

DecemberPsalm

No issues at all....thank god, lol.

misskarne

In because I really, really want to go on the pill (of all the times to get pregnant, being barely-employed and trying to have my best body ever is NOT one of them haha), but I'm really, really worried about weight gain.

I'm going to be brutally honest: being worried about weight gain (when there is absolutely no evidence to prove that the pill causes weight gain) to the point of not wanting to get on the pill even though you acknowledge pregnancy is a risk and one you absolutely cannot afford to have right now is bloody STUPID.

What would you rather, may I ask: a few extra kilograms gained, or a baby?


I lost ten kilograms not long after starting the pill. That was six years ago. I gained it all back and then some: but only because I was eating badly and not exercising and being generally lazy. That was the ONLY reason I gained all that weight. I am STILL on the pill and now I am losing again. Wild horses couldn't drag me away from the pill, and I don't even take it for contraception; I take it because without it I'm an agonised useless wreck for five days every month who can barely get out of bed, let alone go to work or be an otherwise productive member of society.

heybebe88

I have been on and off the pill for 6+ years now. When I first went on it, I gained a lot of weight - but it was also freshman year of college, soooooo who knows what's to blame! I went off the pill and started trying to lose weight around the same time. I lost about 10 pounds, went back on the pill (a different one), and lost another 15.

I think a big part of it is finding a pill that works for you. Both Yaz and Ortho Tri Cyclen made me extremely moody, and I am definitely an emotional eater. I don't think it's so much the pill itself but lack of self control affected by things (such as emotional changes) caused by the pill. I have been on Lo Loestrin for about 3 years now and I swear it's a miracle drug - my periods are next to nothing, no mood swings / barely any PMS symptoms, and no problem at all keeping the weight off. But, like I said, you just have to find what works for you. There might be some bad times experimenting with various types (you have to be on them for a few months to really notice the effects / balance out), but just look at it as part of your journey! It's so worth it!

_shannon92

I have been on birth control for 4 years and I've lost 40 pounds in the past year!

littlefoot612

I have been on b/c since 1976... pills (various), Depo, and have had Mirena for 6 or 7 years now. I have both gained weight, by eating too much and binging, and have lost weight, through WW, portion control and now with help here, throughout that time and the type of b/c I was on at the time made no difference..

Knittinger

OP, I think that for most women who gain weight on the pill it is due to hormonal changes that affect appetite, so women who have never had an issue with their weight are suddenly gaining because they have gone there entire lives eating only when they are hungry and stopping when they are full. Then when the pill changes their hormone levels and their appetite increases they continue to eat when they are hungry and don't stop till they are full without realizing that they are consuming far more calories than they had been previously.. Since you are on MFP, you are (I assume) already monitoring your caloric intake and should therefore be able to avoid any weight gain. Hope this helps!

pipertargaryen

In because I really, really want to go on the pill (of all the times to get pregnant, being barely-employed and trying to have my best body ever is NOT one of them haha), but I'm really, really worried about weight gain.

I'm going to be brutally honest: being worried about weight gain (when there is absolutely no evidence to prove that the pill causes weight gain) to the point of not wanting to get on the pill even though you acknowledge pregnancy is a risk and one you absolutely cannot afford to have right now is bloody STUPID.

First of all what you said about your period: I'm the same way. Its awful. No fun, but much better than having a baby. Second of all: when I get to a doctor, I will be going on the pill regardless. The last word I'd ever in a million years to use to describe myself is 'stupid' (I'd put a bunch of negative adjectives that apply to me in to the mix - 'stupid' is not one) - I just want to know if anyone who has started the pill while losing weight has experienced a gain, despite keeping their habits as-is. I will deal with it if that's the case and be prepared to adjust my regimen accordingly.

I'm 25 and where I live, most people already have 2 kids by this age. I'm like a mystical unicorn for not having children already :laugh: - because we use several forms of BC. I've just never tried the hormonal stuff for financial reasons and want to know what I'm in for.

OkamiLavande

I'm on birth control (Nuva Ring) and medications that have weight gain side effects. I've had no problems with losing weight while on birth control or on my other medications. Sure it takes longer but I've had not problems with it.

You just have to find what works for you.

mysmileighs

OP, I think that for most women who gain weight on the pill it is due to hormonal changes that affect appetite, so women who have never had an issue with their weight are suddenly gaining because they have gone there entire lives eating only when they are hungry and stopping when they are full. Then when the pill changes their hormone levels and their appetite increases they continue to eat when they are hungry and don't stop till they are full without realizing that they are consuming far more calories than they had been previously.. Since you are on MFP, you are (I assume) already monitoring your caloric intake and should therefore be able to avoid any weight gain. Hope this helps!

I agree. Same thing happened to me. Went on the pill at 19. I didn't do my research properly to find out that one of the side effects was increased appetite. Never really had to pay attention to what went in, I was crazy active. I gained about 25 pounds in less than 2 months. Hormones were going a little crazy and I just wasn't paying attention.

I'm on Yaz now (and have been for a few years) and coupled with the fact that I'm more cognizant of what I'm feeling/eating, I am able to lose weight.

I think it's part hormones, part paying attention. I would keep a close eye on it, but it sounds like you're on the right track by talking to your doctor about it.

skinnyEmilijah

I had a bad experience with the patch making me gain weight, but I'm on Yaz now and things are fine. (I've also been on the nuva ring with no problems)

swaggityswagbag

In because I really, really want to go on the pill (of all the times to get pregnant, being barely-employed and trying to have my best body ever is NOT one of them haha), but I'm really, really worried about weight gain. Now, I quit smoking in March (which is a big source of gains for a lot of people) and have been losing steadily since, but that's more self-control than anything - I was not going to allow myself to gain, basically - that self-control won't go away if I take the pill, but there is the whole hormonal component, which worries me. So, following this thread to see everyone's experience.

Edit: Did anyone go on the pill DURING a weight loss journey? A lot of you seemed to have been on it already, or switched kinds, or whatever. I'm 25 and have never been on it. (And it would have to be the pill, I definitely can't afford an IUD or any other method right now)

I started birth control while losing weight. Hasn't slowed down or stopped me. People gain on birth control because they underestimate how many calories they eat and have bigger appetites, nothing more. Since I'm already logging, I can't accidentally overeat.

WatchJenShrink

I've been on BCP for several years and have PCOS. I've lost 30 lbs since Mid-May of this year. No problem here.

fatcity66

I reckon Its an excuse used by over eating females ....birth control is used by all females. Some just pig out more than others... I blame my eating habits not the type of Birth control I use.

That's a bit of an over-generalization. Especially assuming that all females use BC??

SymphonynSonata

re: financials: I have the generic Sprintec BC and it runs me $9/month. No unwarranted weight gain, for me it led to less appetite, firmer breasts, quicker hair growth, less painful and shorter periods. It has been an absolute God send and I could see myself struggling to get off of it even if I wanted a baby because it has been so great. Like, if I intended on never getting nasty even, I'd still buy my $9 pills. I. Love. Sprintec.


Edit: I'm posting from my phone, ****ed up the quotes but this was aimed at the mystical unicorn

deanabailey

I am on Lo Loestrin Fe and have had weight loss. My daughter was on another birth control and gained 20 lbs in 3 months. Pulled her off of that one and put her on the Lo Loestrin Fe and the weight immediately disappeared.

kk_140

Yup been on the pill forever and never had problems