Weight Gain and Birth Control

embym
embym Posts: 65
edited September 23 in Health and Weight Loss
I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with weight gain due to birth control. I was considering starting on the pill or an IUD, but since I already want to lose weight, I couldn't take it if I started gaining more. What have been your experiences or your friends' experiences?

Replies

  • chevysarah
    chevysarah Posts: 188
    I am in the same boat... hoping some people can shed some light! :)
  • AmberElaine84
    AmberElaine84 Posts: 964 Member
    Hi! I have been on my fair share of birth controls over the years. The only one I would say that I GAINED on was the Depo shot. It was TERRIBLE! The mood swings, the weight. I didn't gain a lot, but enough. I would just say that being on birth control in general made it harder for me to lose weight. I've been on Ortho Tricyclen lo, the mini pill (progesterone only), Depo, and a few weeks of an IUD (NIGHTMARE) I have had friends say they've also gained weight on the shot, but that's about it. But that being said, I have heard of some people gaining weight with using the pill(friends of friends), because the pill basically tricks your body into thinking it's pregnant, and that explains a lot!

    And on THAT note, my husband has had a vasectomy, and I am thankful to not have to worry about ANY form of birth control!!! :devil:
  • faythe
    faythe Posts: 245
    I gained weight on hormonal birth control even though I was eating the right amount of calories and exercising - but not everyone reacts to the hormones that way. Unfortunately the only way to know what's going to happen for you is to try it. If you do start gaining weight you can always switch to something else, the mini-pill (progestin-only) tends to cause less weight gain because there's no estrogen in it.

    Good luck, hope you find something that works for you!
  • Dannyphantom
    Dannyphantom Posts: 7
    Birth control can make you gain weight, i am witness, because it makes your body think you are more hungry more of the time...but gaining weight while on birth control is preventable...just keep watching your weight make sure you aren't leisurely eatting and youll be fine :)
  • Dammitviv
    Dammitviv Posts: 117
    I had a bad time with weight gain while on the depo shot, now i have the merena IUD and I love it. I've been on it for 7 years now, and it has not caused me any weight problems, in fact I have dropped 25 pounds since August. It also has a very pleasant side effect; I don't get periods, or the cramping, bloating and mood swings that come with them.
  • embym
    embym Posts: 65
    Thanks for everyone's comments so far! lol AmberElaine, I'm jealous of the fact that you're in a position that your husband can get a vasectomy. I still plan to have kids with my boyfriend in the future, so I want to hang on to those things for now. ;) But anyway, I'm curious as to what was bad about the IUD?
  • kelika71
    kelika71 Posts: 778 Member
    I'm on the Depo shot and have been for almost 2 yrs. now. Yeah, I gained in the first year because the doctor told me I would. I guess I let myself believe that my weight gain was justified due to that instead of just overeating. Then, I took control and I've lost weight while still doing the shot.
    I don't use it for birth control, but I am on it.
    I've used various BC pills and such. A lot of them can cause weight gain. Just know it from the start and be prepared. Follow the calories given to you and you should be ok. If you find that you become totally ravenous, evaluate things and talk to your doctor. There are many options out there.
    Essentially, don't let the warning dictate what happens. Put yourself in control, not the medication. :)

    Good luck!!
  • elid
    elid Posts: 209 Member
    I did not personally gain weight on hormonal BC, but my sister-in-law gained 25lbs after receiving the shot. It might be helpful also to note that if you are already quite overweight, certain types of hormonal BC may be less effective. You'd have to talk to your doctor.

    If you are considering an IUD, the copper IUD is not hormonal and should not cause weight gain (but has other side effects like potential for heavier bleeding, which is bad if you are iron deficient).

    I personally have the copper IUD because I don't do well with hormonal birth control. I love it, haven't had any problems with it other than my bleeding is a little heavier each month.

    WebMD has a pretty good and fairly comprehensive resource on various forms of birth control: http://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/default.htm
  • msamcoates
    msamcoates Posts: 261 Member
    While on the Depo shot, I gained weight and had other side affects such as spotting A LOT, cramping, bloating. I've been on pills for as long as I can remember and I have not gained weight while on pills. I've actually lost weight. Its when TOM comes around that I start craving and overeating. Good Luck.
  • jenneyd
    jenneyd Posts: 308 Member
    I gain weight on birth control, I know it affects me because within the first week of going off birth control I lose 3 pounds! Copper IUD are non-hormonal, so perhaps you could use this without gaining weight.
  • anovasjo
    anovasjo Posts: 382 Member
    I have tried lots of different brand names of the Pill: yasmin, tricyclen, allesse... they have different side effects on my body because the hormone level is different in each.

    Personally I love Yasmin because the only weight I gained was in the Bra Department! :blushing:

    You'll have to try a few methods to see what works correctly with your own body.
  • mochasmommie
    mochasmommie Posts: 24 Member
    I took the Depo shot years ago and gained 50 pounds in 9 months. I finally said enough is enough and stopped taking it. My doctor was already on me about my weight (then at 205 pounds). 50 pounds later, I decided to read the insert and it said 3% would experience significant weight gain. After going off the shot, I continued to gain weight and losing weight has been almost impossible. I truly believe I was the 3% and it shut down my metabolism for future attempts. For most people, this works. I was just one of the unlucky 3%.
  • AmberElaine84
    AmberElaine84 Posts: 964 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/AmberElaine84/view/diet-or-lifestyle-change-my-story-48773

    There is my story behind the IUD. Isn't the same for everyone, but I despise it! Too many complications that can arise. Or not. Some people have the IUD forever and love it!!

    I forgot that I was on Yaz as well.

    It is a relief to have the vasectomy done. I was ALWAYS nervous, even on the pill. I've heard a few horror stories of women getting pregnant after their husbands have had vasectomies. I will just take whatever God throws my way! :smile:
  • cmrich0511
    cmrich0511 Posts: 31
    I had really bad weight gain from the Depo shot too... I've used NuvaRing and didn't have weight gain (in fact, had a lot of success with weight loss at that time), but got pregnant with my youngest while I was on that form of bc lol. I'm on Loestrin 24, and my dr put me on that because I expressed concern about additional weight gain while on a new birth control. Guess sometimes its just trial & error.. Hope you find your perfect bc match :)
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