Let's talk about Birth Control

Ral263

I've been on 3 different brands in the past 3 years. From the time I started taking BCP, I've gained 15 lbs. It could totally be coincidental, but for the most part, my diet and exercise regimen has stayed the same.

I'm tempted to go off of it even though I'm in a committed relationship because I'm beginning to think that it's playing a role in my weight gain and inability to lose.

I always used to balk at girls when they'd say "OMG my BCP made me gain so much weight" because I have always been of the mind that weight is a function of a very simple equation: Calorie expenditure must be greater than intake, and no teeny pill could "make" you gain weight. But now I'm sort of thinking differently.... Thoughts/experiences?

nkziv

I experienced weight gain the first time I tried them, but I think that was because I used them as an excuse for my weight gain and turned a blind eye to my diet full of chocolate-fudgie-pie-fat-nuggets and related crap.

Hormones play a huge role in weight loss because they can affect your BMR, which does affect the number of calories you burn a day. They can also affect your level of hunger. I used to crave carbs ALL the time. I can't say if it was the BC i was on or not, but it's up to interpretation. Maybe try a different brand? Or maintain a bigger deficit--that's all the advice I can think of!

mebutskinnier

I've recently switched Birth Control's because my first pill was irregulating my period & causing me to gain 20 something pounds. I've since that one switched but the weight's still there. I wouldn't drop the pill because I am too in a relationship where in my case is essential to keep it, I'd try increasing exercise and cutting out sugary foods. Maybe lower portions if possible.
Hope this helped! (:

lilRicki

Talk to your doctor first...I go to a gyno, she's my regular doctor and she just switched me for the 4th time...just go talk to a pro before you start messing with your hormones.

KBGirts

Don't take the pill. Use the ring if you can. If it doesn't have to go through your digestive tract then it's got a lower dose... thus, less side effects. This is what my doctor told me.

BroiledNotFried

The ring - Novuring. I highly recommend it. It doesn't go through your stomach, lower dose, and you are totallly NOT hungry on it. Not sick on it. You don't forget to take it, as it's just a once a month thing to put in. It's super easy to use. It is priced about $60ish a month. Their website usually has coupons to help.

ajball90

Im on Yasmin, and I actually lost about 9 lbs when I started taking it

trixylewis

i just switched from the ring to a pill. it was effecting my hormones too much, but i am over 40 too. lol

gunmetalsunrise

I'm using an IUD, specificly Mirena. So far I haven't gained any weight because of it. *shrug* Plus, I think it's fantastic I only have to pay once every 5 years.

GoldEyes

I stopped taking Birth Control for the very same reason. When I started taking it... I gained 15-20 pounds. I thought maybe I was just gaining weight as I was getting older, but all of the working out and watching what I was eating, didn't do a single thing for me. Kept the same working out/eating regime, but stopped taking the birth control and dropped the 15 pounds very quickly. I mean, I have been married for 10 years, so really, but we are not trying to have any kids. Thankfully my husband is okay on taking on the role of protection.

sarah_boombah

I went off my pill because I hated it, I must have had like 7 different pills since I started, none of which agreed with me. It mucked with my hormones and I definitely put on weight. If you can, and are happy to use something else/take a risk, do it. Of course everyone's circumstances are different but I have been a lot happier off it.

JulieBoBoo

Hormones can definitely play a role in weight loss. During puberty, the release of hormones is responsible for changing the shape of girls into women by encouraging fat deposits in the breasts, hips and thighs. Also, any woman who's had a period can tell you that hormones can wreak havoc on water retention, cravings, stress and many other things that can cause weight gain. Birth control pills are artificial hormones so it makes sense that they'd play a role in weight gain.

Unless you have an equally good form of birth control however, the responsible thing to do is to continue taking them and either push yourself a bit harder or accept your new shape as the price one must pay.

Good luck whatever your decision.

candj2009

Love the Nuvaring. Had it for 4 years and then got the Mirena. I kept the Mirena for a year and then got it taken out and went back to Nuvaring. I love it because it is once a month, regulates your cycles, and I never experienced weight gain with it. Actually, the opposite. First time I got it, I lost weight without even trying. Since I went back on it, I'm losing again, slowly.

PediDocChicago

The average amount of weight gained because of the pill is only 2 or 3 lbs. However, if its making you moody / hungry / etc then that might also be a factor. You could ask for a Rx for a lower dose pill, or else consider an alternate option - I know lots of people who swear by the Nuva-Ring. If a longer term option is appropriate for you, Mirena is also excellent and doesn't cause any hormonal changes.

ItsJustK

When I went off the pill I gained about 20lbs and 2 kids. Just sayin'.

Ral263

I stopped taking Birth Control for the very same reason. When I started taking it... I gained 15-20 pounds. I thought maybe I was just gaining weight as I was getting older, but all of the working out and watching what I was eating, didn't do a single thing for me. Kept the same working out/eating regime, but stopped taking the birth control and dropped the 15 pounds very quickly. I mean, I have been married for 10 years, so really, but we are not trying to have any kids. Thankfully my husband is okay on taking on the role of protection.

Okay this is exactly my situation. I work out a LOT. I mean, like, 2 hours of cardio a day, and eat a very clean, zero processed foods diet that I would say is 50% Vegetable, 35% protein, 15% fruit, lol. I mean, I should not be gaining weight. I am always at a caloric deficit. I lift heavy 5x a week. It's frustrating because (sorry TMI) I really hate using condoms, but I hate being fat more. Part of me feels guilty for asking SO to buy condoms all the time, but I've been paying for my BCP all along so....guess I can give it a shot and see how it goes.

How long did it take after stopping for the weight to come off?

BrwnEyedGrl1987

The first BC I was on made me gain weight like crazy. I've been on Loestrin for the past 5 years and I haven't had any problems. My weight gain was because of my eating habits. I know this because the weight starts to fall off when I work out regularly and eat healthy. I agree of the other who have posted before that you should check with your doctor before stopping anything. Especially something that messes with hormones.

MissFit0101

I am not on BC but... my advice is that if you are not ready for kids do NOT stop taking BC just because you gained weight. Talk to your doctor and figure out something that will work for you. There is a way to protect yourself from getting pregnant and preventing the weight gain side effects at the same time.

JLervold86

I've been on the pill for 7 years now & yes initially I did gain BUT after about 3 months and being put on the "Lo" version on my BCP I regulated out and was able to start losing all that weight...It all came off in about 6 weeks (15 pounds). Good Luck!

mommyoverboard

Same, although its coming out this year (5th year). Long story short, if you don't want a baby, don't go off some kind of birth control, unless you don't plan on having sex.I loved my IUD, but hubby and I are thinking of doing some baby making

I'm using an IUD, specificly Mirena. So far I haven't gained any weight because of it. *shrug* Plus, I think it's fantastic I only have to pay once every 5 years.

toabetterlifestyle

im on the depo shot right now, and yes it has made me gain about 20 pounds in 9 months according to my gyno. i heard the ring helps with that, but i don't trust myself putting something in and having a chance that it could be deffective, plus my gyno told me its common for it to fall out during sex. so im sticking with the shot because i onlt have to remember to go to the doctor every 3 months.

mindy2185

I have taken the pill and the shot, the shot to me was most effective BUT i gained 40 lbs. in 2 months! Yes-40 LBS!!!! I weighed more then, than when i was full term with my son. As soon as I stopped getting the shot, almost over nite it seemed like, 20 lbs. dropped! I am still carrying the other 20 around trying to work it off! With the pill I did not gain weight.

Yasmine91

I use the contraceptive implant, experienced no weight gains but my period's are messed up :P

anshaw03

I'm on Mirena as well, coming up on my 3rd anniversary with it. I adore it. No weight gain, I barely have periods, and no side effects that I have noticed. I didn't gain weight from the pill (that I knew about) but I was very hormonal and needed something with less side effects.

chubbybunnee

Birth control CAN make you gain weight, not always fat, but water weight, and like mentioned above, can change your BMR so your normal eating habits may have to change depending on how your body reacts to the hormones.

I have been on birth controls nonstop since the age of 18. I have used various BC pills, Nuva Ring, the Patch, the Shot, and my last two I were on were Yaz and Seasonique. I gained weight about 5 pounds with every single one of them and my "Cravings" went up with each one. I started taking water pills and the extra weight would stay off while I was taking them.

I do have to mentiont his though because it is super serious! I have always used BC as instructed and never had any previous health problems with the exception to be overweight and having a bad back, when last year I was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism and DVT (BLOOD CLOTS) in my right thigh. I loved seasonique when I was on it because I only had a few periods a year and they only lasted 2-3 days. After I had the blood clot at the age of 27, I started looking online and found out that Seasonique has a higher percentage of DVT's and Pulmonary embolisms in young females then most other BC's. There are forums dedicated to parents who have lost thier daiughters due to these blood clots and some were on no other medications adn were healthy and not overweight. This has a chance of happening with any birth control, but I would highly recommend that if you are considering a new form of BC, please read the studies and try to look for one with the lower risks and lower reported percentages of fatalities. I almost died because of my birth control and can never be on birth control again because now I am high risk for more clots due to the damage my previous clots have done to my veins.

My doctor told me that some BC methods don't use the same hormones as others. For example, your body will absorb the medication from the patch if you are on that BC, and certain factors can make your body absorb more then it should at one time. These factors include heat, like if you are on a heating pad, or if the patch is defective. So the patch though convenient, isn't as consistent as other BC methods.

I am only sensitive about BC now because of what happened to me. I never smoked, so I didn't think someone my age with a history of being on it just fine would ever have any complications. Be Careful girls! Don't end up a horror story! PLEASE always be mindful that BC is not completely safe just because it is commonly used!

Now I am just 1 person out of the 1% that it happened to last year, and that means that 99% of you will never have issues, but be cautious because no one ever thinks that they will be part of that 1% until it happens!

sunkisses

If you don't get the information you want in this thread, you'll find a zillion answers if you click "search" and type in "birth control".

mindy2185

while we are on this womanly subject, how do you fight the urges to not work out or binge eat on your period????? this is one of my biggest struggles!

GoldEyes

I stopped taking Birth Control for the very same reason. When I started taking it... I gained 15-20 pounds. I thought maybe I was just gaining weight as I was getting older, but all of the working out and watching what I was eating, didn't do a single thing for me. Kept the same working out/eating regime, but stopped taking the birth control and dropped the 15 pounds very quickly. I mean, I have been married for 10 years, so really, but we are not trying to have any kids. Thankfully my husband is okay on taking on the role of protection.

Okay this is exactly my situation. I work out a LOT. I mean, like, 2 hours of cardio a day, and eat a very clean, zero processed foods diet that I would say is 50% Vegetable, 35% protein, 15% fruit, lol. I mean, I should not be gaining weight. I am always at a caloric deficit. I lift heavy 5x a week. It's frustrating because (sorry TMI) I really hate using condoms, but I hate being fat more. Part of me feels guilty for asking SO to buy condoms all the time, but I've been paying for my BCP all along so....guess I can give it a shot and see how it goes.

How long did it take after stopping for the weight to come off?

Believe me, condoms aren't really preferred here either, but I guess it's that, keep the extra weight, or have babies, lol. And I actually enjoyed being on the pill, as it balanced my hormones out, so I didn't get in to that sad/mad/depressed mode the few days before my period starts and I miss that.

Honestly, it took 2-3 months to drop the weight. I assume it was because I had to get the hormones out of my system first but after that, it seemed the weight just came off.

eddyca

Im on Yasmin, and I actually lost about 9 lbs when I started taking it

Same here! I take Safyral though which is the same thing except it contains folate. I get the WORST carb cravings during the last week of active pills. I'm like a pregnant woman, I get extremely fatigued and hungry. I'm actually relieved when I'm on the placebo week because I feel normal again despite that TOM.

aldale

Birth control pills most certainly can cause weight gain. I took Estrostep for years without any weight gain or other problems. Then I decided to have a child. While I was breastfeeding my son, my gynecologist told me I could take a progestin only pill Micronor. I gain 60 pounds in three months including thirty pounds of baby weight that I had lost after my son was born. I kept telling the doctor that I was hungry all the time, and she kept telling me that it was because I was breastfeeding. And my milk was severely drying up. My best friend then had a baby and they put her on it. She also gained weight and eventually was not able to breastfeed anymore. We both knew something was up. We started researching and this is what we found in the information packet that comes with the pill.

"Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism
Some users may experience slight deterioration in glucose tolerance, with increases in plasma insulin but women with diabetes mellitus who use progestin-only oral contraceptives do not generally experience changes in their insulin requirements. Nonetheless, prediabetic and diabetic women in particular should be carefully monitored while taking POPs.

Lipid metabolism is occasionally affected in that HDL, HDL2, and apolipoprotein A-I and A-II may be decreased; hepatic lipase may be increased. There is usually no effect on total cholesterol, HDL3, LDL, or VLDL.

Interactions with Laboratory Tests
The following endocrine tests may be affected by progestin-only oral contraceptive use:

•Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations may be decreased.
•Thyroxine concentrations may be decreased, due to a decrease in thyroid binding globulin (TBG)."

In easy to understand language, these pills mess up your thyroid functioning and your ability to metabolize carbohydrates. Needless to say, I no longer use that doctor. I started back on Estrostep before I had my daughter. Now I use Mirena. I am still struggling to lose those 60 pounds that I gained with Micronor and take meds for an underactive thyroid. My friend is a diabetic now. It may all be a coincidence but our health problems started after gaining weight quickly while on Micronor.

Talk to your doctor and make sure your pill is weight neutral and do your own research. Take care of your body. No one else will.

BroiledNotFried

I chose not to use an IUD or Mirena.

I read about a potential hazard from Mirena. It could slip inside the uterus and, worse, tear the uterus. This could cause one to bleed uncontrollably. By thte time you got to the hospital, your uterus could be super messed up . . . and if you bled too much you could be in irreversable shock & die.

So, I asked my ob/gyn's nurse about whether or not she's seen a Mirena slip inside a uterus. She admitted that she had, but that it had always been implanted by another doctor then mine. And, she saw it cut one woman's uterus.

Yes, BC has side effects that can kill you too. It all depends on what risks you and your doctor are going to have.

Having had two kids, BC & IUD & all other things, are nowhere near as dangerous as a delivery or C-section!

My older sister took BC through her 50s, to avoid having a hysterectomy & to help her get through menopause. She didn't smoke, exercised, and came out fine.