Contraceptive pill (sorry men folk)

okerachel

I had so many problems with oral contraceptives. I ended up just getting a copper IUD. No hormones and no pregnancies. The initial pain was well worth it.

Just be careful with IUD's, I'm not saying they aren't great for most people, just know the risks. My mom has had Rheumatoid arthritis since she was 25 because of complications with her IUD and she wasn't the only one. Google "Dalkon Shield" when you get the chance.

sbroadus

I switched from a BC pill (seasonalle--you take it for 3 months at a time and only have 4 periods a year) that was high in both hormones, . It was really affecting my moods and my sex drive (sorry to be so blunt) and I just hated being on artificial hormones. I switched to an IUD called Paragard in June of 2011. It is hormone free (my husband and I aren't quite ready to have kids otherwise I would have gotten off the pill completely) my periods did become slighty heavier in the first few months of taking it but I've definetly noticed that my appetite is normal and its been easier to lose weight. I do have to catch myself before I step on the scale around that time of the month because I am one of those unfortunate women that retain water :-/

As far as going off the pill cold turkey. I don't see anything wrong with it. When my doctor switched me to the IUD she just told me to quit taking my pills after my last one was gone. I have gone off of it once before because I was switching insurances and my prescription lapsed in that time period.
Being on hormones is totally your decision, if you want to quit taking them I say go ahead. I honestly have never felt better! I'm glad to have my personality back! 10 years of taking the pill was enough for me!

NessaLeos3

How about the lowest form of hormone that you can get?

I have been on many different types and the one that gives me the least amount of side affects is Lo-Ovral (sp). I have been on that low dosage for years and that is honestly the only one that doesn't make me a massive B*%^& and is great for a light and short cycle. I did try depo, my friends and I had many different side affects. Depo makes your body think it's pregnant. It's something to do with the amount of progesterone in shot that makes that happen.

dianeellen2

Weight loss is calories in verus calories out (inc exercise). By increasing your food in your diet and eating back calories, its not a shock to see weight loss has stalled. Contraception can cause water weight increase and by its very nature oestrogen likes to lay down fat if the calories are there but its not a magic pill the forces weight onto, it simply doesn't work like that.

What is your current exercise regime and diet?

1470 calories a day (vegetarian diet) with exercise most days (Zumba class once a week with 30 day shred (level 1) , C25K (week 2 - have done week 2 for several weeks as i prefer the run/walk combo) once or twice a week)

This usually gives me an extra 300 - 400 exercise cals a day which i mostly eat back - i use a HRM to ensure i am not over estimating (which i got a few weeks ago to try and help as i thought MFP might be over estimating my exercise calories)

rml_16

The Pill is the worst thing out there........my wife stopped taking it because it was making here go crazy(literally) as per one of the rare side effects it prevented her from sleeping and here body was going into some sort of shock. After 2 visits to the E.R and 1 to her family doctor and here o.b.g.y.n the determined it was the birth control. anyway she stopped taking it and it is now much much easier to lose weight for her. Before she stopped she worked out every day ate healthy and lost little. But talk to your doctor first.,

You can't make that statement based on how it affected ONE person. Good grief.

Actually artificial hormones are pretty bad, I agree that its the worst for you. I myself and many others I know have suffered at the mercy of the hormone based contraceptives. I was on it for years, no problems, but after a pregnancy I whent back on... after 3 years of weight gain, depression (ended up on celexa)and many many many tests, there was no psychological reason for the depression, my doctor and I figured out it was the hormones. once off the pill, I was stable emotionally enough to get off the antidepressants(they only made me feel emotionally numb and the sideffects and withdrawls were horrifying). my best friend had a simmilar but more serious reaction, same scenerio only she got to add severe migranes, weekly, to the list of problems. she got off and her depression is gone, her migranes are down to once a month(which is good for her). Being on or off a hormone based birthcontrol is a personal choice, but dont dicount the many many testimonials out there. do some serious research find out what can natrually help you and your heavy cycle. I have found that (with doctors supervision) a daily calcium supplement, vitamins, daily excercise and eating healthy, avoiding sulfites, sulfates, msg, perservative in general really truely helps.

I understand that a lot of people have had issues with contraceptives. But to say "it's the worst" is ridiculous. For some of us, the pill was a wonderful, wonderful thing. It reduced my horrible, heavy, uncomfortable periods to barely anything for 11 years. It's linked to reduced cases of ovarian cancer and a few other health benefits. I was on it for 13 years with no adverse side effects whatsoever. I did gain weight when I was on it, but not because of it. And when I started dieting, I lost the weight with no problem.

It may have been "the worst" for you and others, but I loved my pill and wish I could still be on it. Unfortunatelty, for some unexplained reason, the last two years on it I was having periods for two weeks a month and they were getting heavier and heavier, no matter which pill I switched to.

RAFValentina

Thoughts are, more for the benefit of other people:

The pill itself doesn't cause weight gain, it's the mood and appetite and succumbing to them that does. I.e. feeling a bit low or whatever so don't work out or for as long, and appetite increasing and going along with appetite, i.e. eating more.

Choose your pill for contraception based on what works for you but for higher effectiveness and to avoid problems with BP, cancer risks, DVT etc.

Just keep appetite in check. You don't NEED the extra food just 'cos you feel like it.

JenStyle30

I was on the pill for 9 years and had alot of trouble. I tried all different brands. I finally switched to the nuva ring... I havent had a problem since! I love it!!

rml_16

Weight loss is calories in verus calories out (inc exercise). By increasing your food in your diet and eating back calories, its not a shock to see weight loss has stalled. Contraception can cause water weight increase and by its very nature oestrogen likes to lay down fat if the calories are there but its not a magic pill the forces weight onto, it simply doesn't work like that.

What is your current exercise regime and diet?

I love when men who have never dealt with female hormones or BC weigh in with this crap.

I was so desperate to lose (because of my BC), I reduced my calorie intake to 500 a day and was still gaining weight. I had no problems with losing before I got my current BC. If calories in/out was the only factor in weight, then a lot more of us would be losing a lot more easily.

bushidowoman

The pill is not FDA approved for any reason other than contraception. I see doctors widely prescripe it to help with other symptoms, but it does not fix the cause of these problems. It just puts a "bandaid" over them. And the pill does carry many health risks and unpleasant side effects. As a critical care nurse, I do occasionally see young women in my unit with strokes and pulmonary embolism!
I would encourage you to read "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler and "Fertility, Cycles, and Nutrition" by Marilyn Shannon. Women can learn to observe and interpret their body's fertility signals not only to achieve pregnancy, but also to avoid it, and these fertility signals give you good information about your hormone levels and overall health. It's empowering to understand how your body works and to realize that *you* can correct many issues.
I personally have been able to correct my own heavy bleeding, painful cramps, and long irregular cycles just by understanding what could be causing them, changing my habits, and supplementing for nutritional deficiencies.

dianeellen2

dont dicount the many many testimonials out there. do some serious research find out what can natrually help you and your heavy cycle. I have found that (with doctors supervision) a daily calcium supplement, vitamins, daily excercise and eating healthy, avoiding sulfites, sulfates, msg, perservative in general really truely helps.

Again good advice - i will definatly look into the slufites, sulfates, msg and preservatives.

I did try and avoid msg a few years ago but have laspsed back into not checking so much now

candj2009

If you don't need it for pregnancy prevention and are 100% sure you do not want any children in the future, I would look into the uterine ablasion. I worked with several ladies who had it done and all of them are period free now. One was going to have a hysterectomy because of the excessive bleeding but didn't want to go on hormone therapy, so the ablasion was a great alternative. I too have trouble with progestrone only methods (pill, shot, Mirena). I have the Nuvaring now and it is really good as far as cravings not increasing. Also regulates your cycle and mine is lighter. But it does have estrogen and if your GP is against estrogen, you may not get it. I would ask to be referred to a specialist if GP can't find a solution that you are comfortable with.

Matt_Wild

Weight loss is calories in verus calories out (inc exercise). By increasing your food in your diet and eating back calories, its not a shock to see weight loss has stalled. Contraception can cause water weight increase and by its very nature oestrogen likes to lay down fat if the calories are there but its not a magic pill the forces weight onto, it simply doesn't work like that.

What is your current exercise regime and diet?

I love when men who have never dealt with female hormones or BC weigh in with this crap.

I was so desperate to lose (because of my BC), I reduced my calorie intake to 500 a day and was still gaining weight. I had no problems with losing before I got my current BC. If calories in/out was the only factor in weight, then a lot more of us would be losing a lot more easily.

I prep WOMEN. Claws away please.

Would you like me to tell you all about oestrogen and how it effects the bodily system, adipose tisse, Odeama etc? Or do you wish to continue assuming I know nothing.

Or are the women I prep magic?

elsinora

There are over 30 kinds of contraceptive pill and affects everyone in different ways. What makes some people gain weight/get.spots/mood swings etc may not happen for the next.

best advice is to talk to the doctor about this kind of thing first before making any changes,

Shayyy01

Personally, I would not quit taking the pill cold turkey without consulting your doc first.... There could be a lot of side effects you are not aware of, and it could be dangerous.

Secondly, your body needs time to get used to the new pill... some where around 2-3 I months I think. You are approaching the end of two, I would assume.. so give it another month, and see what happens. If you still aren't losing weight after the third month, then I'd consider stopping/changing.

^^^ this

Also, i switched from the ring to the pill, and i lost on the pill. Unlike the ring and the shot. ( shot made me gain 30+ lbs, and my mood swings where crazier then ever)
Your body just needs time to adjust.

itsuki

The thing with the pill is that each different pill can effect a woman differently than it would effect any other woman, so it's difficult to say, "Oh yeah, I had weight gain on pill X but it wasn't bad with pill Y, so you should try pill Y."

If you need to be on something hormonal, your best bet is to talk to your doctor about it and try a few. Unfortunately, trying a few means starting a new pill, waiting the three months for your body to regulate itself, and then waiting another 3-6 months to record side-effects, then doing it again with a different pill if the effects are unacceptable. It can take a long time.

If you don't need to be on something hormonal, you could always try Paraguard, which is a copper IUD. However, a non-hormonal BC can lead to other side effects, such as more cramping and a heavier flow.

rml_16

Weight loss is calories in verus calories out (inc exercise). By increasing your food in your diet and eating back calories, its not a shock to see weight loss has stalled. Contraception can cause water weight increase and by its very nature oestrogen likes to lay down fat if the calories are there but its not a magic pill the forces weight onto, it simply doesn't work like that.

What is your current exercise regime and diet?

I love when men who have never dealt with female hormones or BC weigh in with this crap.

I was so desperate to lose (because of my BC), I reduced my calorie intake to 500 a day and was still gaining weight. I had no problems with losing before I got my current BC. If calories in/out was the only factor in weight, then a lot more of us would be losing a lot more easily.

I prep WOMEN. Claws away please.

OK. Then please explain to me why the month after I got my IUD, despite continuing with the same diet and exercise and having kept off a 24-pound loss for two years, I stopped losing and started gaining. And why in the 2 1/2 years since, despite doing everything I should be doing to lose, I'm still gaining. And why when I went to 500 calories a day for two weeks, plus exercise, I gained weight?

I need to eat fewer than 500 calories a day, then? Since it's simple math?

My problem with your original post, and others like it, is that it puts the blame solely on the person's eating and exercise, and if that person is eating the recommended amount and exercising and NOT OVEREATING, then what is that person supposed to do? People are basically saying she's lying about her eating and exericise because it couldn't possibly be the hormones she's taking.

Mythel

PLEASE NOTE!!! This option is only if you are 100% sure you are done having kids!!!

I also have extremely heavy periods that started fairly recently (past year and half) basically due to getting older and uterus that is getting tired. My doctor has offered me the option of a procedure called NovaSure. This procedure will leave you infertile so it is only available to women who will no longer be having children. I do not know your personal situation but if you are interested just Google NovaSure for more information.

SeaChele77

Your story is very very similar to mine. I started gaining after getting on a new BCP with no change to eating or exercise. that is when I joined MFP - and NOTHING changed for me. I lost a mere 5-7lbs and was stuck.

I got off BCP in Oct 2011 and boom the weight fell off. By the end of the year I had just about reached my goal. I think BCPs have a lot to do with our weight - especially as we get older. If you don't *have* to be on BCP I suggest every woman get off of them.

It is a waiting game now. Drink LOTS of water and keep up with your 1400 calories a day and exercise routine. You'll see the weight start to come off. GOOD LUCK

Matt_Wild

I'm sorry if I came across a little sharp but its a pet hate.

I'm saying her diet is probably not in check, her cardio and indeed weights as well could be strengthened. I've coached women in the UK in the NABBA federation and they've qualified for NABBA World in Italy.

We all know that contraception will increase water, this is directly proportional to the level of oestrogen found in the pill. To control water, you need to control renin-angiotensin (produced by the kidneys) by keeping oestrogen levels down. A pill with 20mg or less oestrogen will cause less water retention.

Because the contraception pills elevate insulin levels, when one consumes a diet richer than required in carbs, you will cause extra fat gain over a normal diet.

Its simply understanding the contraception being used and working around it with ones diet.

HTH.

rml_16

I'm sorry if I came across a little sharp but its a pet hate.

I'm saying her diet is probably not in check, her cardio and indeed weights as well could be strengthened. I've coached women in the UK in the NABBA federation and they've qualified for NABBA World in Italy.

We all know that contraception will increase water, this is directly proportional to the level of oestrogen found in the pill. To control water, you need to control renin-angiotensin (produced by the kidneys) by keeping oestrogen levels down. A pill with 20mg or less oestrogen will cause less water retention.

Because the contraception pills elevate insulin levels, when one consumes a diet richer than required in carbs, you will cause extra fat gain over a normal diet.

Its simply understanding the contraception being used and working around it with one diet.

HTH.

I didn't gain and retain 23 pounds of water. Sorry, but that just isn't the case.

Every woman responds differently to different forms of BC. She's eating 1,400 calories a day. She was losing weight fine before the switch and she hasn't changed her routine, just her BC.

Good for the women you train, but maybe you just haven't come across a woman who's had adverse weight side effects from her BC. It isn't extremely common except with Depo. In fact, the BC I'm on says fewer than 5% will have a side effect of weight gain. So out of 100 women on it, no more than 4 will gain or have trouble losing. I happen to be one of the "lucky" ones.

Also, the pill the OP is on and the Mirena IUD (which I have) do not contain any estrogen. Neither does Depo.

Matt_Wild

Did you just read anything I've said there? If you are on a contraceptive high in oestrogen it will cause water retention. If the water retention is too high, you need to consider asking for a different form of contraceptive.

You'd have gained extra weight on top of this thro your diet being high in carbs. Bare in mind that that they were developed as insulin elevators and found to have contraceptive abilities. They are designed to help shuttle more nutrients in as fat.

As for Progesterone based contraceptives, they result in excess Oestrogen relative to Progesterone, triggering even more Insulin release.

Its all quite simple if you do a little research.

htalexander

I have had mirena iud for about 7 mos..The first few months I had irregular cycles, pms type symptoms and gained about 5lbs but then each month got better ..I only have a light 3 or 4 day period now and I am losing weight on the program without a huge fight.. I say consider an iud..It makes me much less emotional that pills used too and best of all you can't forget to take it!

rml_16

Did you just read anything I've said there? If you are on a contraceptive high in oestrogen it will cause water retention. If the water retention is too high, you need to consider asking for a different form of contraceptive.

You'd have gained extra weight on top of this thro your diet being high in carbs. Bare in mind that that they were developed as insulin elevators and found to have contraceptive abilities. They are designed to help shuttle more nutrients in as fat.

As for Progesterone based contraceptives, they result in excess Oestrogen relative to Progesterone, triggering even more Insulin release.

Its all quite simple if you do a little research.

My diet isn't high in carbs. I was on the pill for 13 years without a weight problem. It is a very specific contraceptive and weight gain occurs in fewer than 5% of women. I gained weight eating 500 calories a day and exercising. Explain that. Because no matter how much insulin one has, one should not gain weight on 500 calories a day unless there's something else going on and that can't be explained by what you're saying.

dianeellen2

My problem with your original post, and others like it, is that it puts the blame solely on the person's eating and exercise, and if that person is eating the recommended amount and exercising and NOT OVEREATING, then what is that person supposed to do? People are basically saying she's lying about her eating and exericise because it couldn't possibly be the hormones she's taking.

I suppose this is why i am reluctant to go to the doctors - whenever you say you are not over eating and are exercising but not losing weight people assume you are lying (intentionally or not)

Matt_Wild

Did you just read anything I've said there? If you are on a contraceptive high in oestrogen it will cause water retention. If the water retention is too high, you need to consider asking for a different form of contraceptive.

You'd have gained extra weight on top of this thro your diet being high in carbs. Bare in mind that that they were developed as insulin elevators and found to have contraceptive abilities. They are designed to help shuttle more nutrients in as fat.

As for Progesterone based contraceptives, they result in excess Oestrogen relative to Progesterone, triggering even more Insulin release.

Its all quite simple if you do a little research.

My diet isn't high in carbs. I was on the pill for 13 years without a weight problem. It is a very specific contraceptive and weight gain occurs in fewer than 5% of women. I gained weight eating 500 calories a day and exercising. Explain that. Because no matter how much insulin one has, one should not gain weight on 500 calories a day unless there's something else going on and that can't be explained by what you're saying.

You are dieting on more carbs than many chaps I prep diet on at around 150g a day who are quiet a bit heavier than you.

As for you gaining weight on 500 cals a day, that would be water likely to be water retention e.g. odema. Unless you can explain how magically you gain weight.

We are talking about your endocrine system, its not magic, just science.

dianeellen2

I'm saying her diet is probably not in check, her cardio and indeed weights as well could be strengthened. I've coached women in the UK in the NABBA federation and they've qualified for NABBA World in Italy.

My point is that - nothing changed - 3 to 4 months to lose 26lb then BCP change no loss in over a month

I do not exercise excessivly but would concider my 5 times a week routine to be fairly 'normal' for a 45 year old woman, probably could increase weight training and cardio but only so many hours in the day (full time working mum with hubby and 2 kids so...what i do exercise wise has to fit in around family and work)

But i reiterate - nothing changed just BCP

Matt_Wild

But i reiterate - nothing changed just BCP

Thats probably the problem - if your diet is higher in carbs than the pill will allow because of insulin releasing qualities it WILL cause fat storage. Its not great but you have to work with what the hormone you are talking will allow to ingest without storing it as adipose tissue, fat..

Also, as stated, if your BCP is causing excessive water retention you need to ask for one lower in oestrogen. The basic science of the endocrine system (and also how the kidneys interact) will cause the extra water EVEN if the pill doesn't contain oestrogen it will cause the release of oestrogen relative to Progesterone.

rissadiane

It really depends on your body. When I was 18 I lost a lot of weight when I got on birth control (Ortho-Novum). Then my doctor switched me to Ortho Tri-Cyclen lo, and I absolutely hated it. I was hungry all the time, I was so angry and I had these massive mood swings (and combine that with no "intimate" drive whatsoever), I got off of birth control. I just got diagnosed with PCOS, and now I'm back on a pill similar to my first pill, and I love it! You just need to find a hormone balance that works for and with your body. Good luck! :flowerforyou:

chaitrex

Call your doctor. Tell her to switch you back. You're paying her.
The Pill has made it SO difficult for me to lose weight. I kept waiting or my water retention to stop, and everyone said it would just take time. But I just kept gaining and gaining until all of a sudden I was 25 lbs heavier. This was on a low dose pill too.
I went off it for a month and it gave my weight loss a good kick start. I'm back on it now and I can honestly say that for me, while I'm losing weight at a snail's pace, it's happening.

flong1975

My Doctor took me off of the pill a year ago as of Jan 20th and put me on Mirena. I gained 20 pounds in the first month and steadly gained a total of 40 pounds in the year. I changed my diet, then went vegetarian, then started running, joined a gym, was working out regularly and nothing was stopping the weight gain. I blamed Mirena for a long time. That was until I read more about the side effects of going off the pill. My hormones were SO out of whack and it took that long to start getting back to normal. I was on the pill for close to 20 years! It wasn't until this past January that I started using this web site and started tracking my calories that I began to gain control of my weight and start losing weight. I have only lost and kept off 4 pounds so far. It's not a lot but it's a start. I sabatoge myself on the weekends and I know that needs to stop. But at least I know that it's ME holding myself back now. If you are exercising and tracking your calories, take a look at your past few weeks and see if there are things that you can tweek... it could be something so simple that you can swap out or live without that can make the diference.... This of course is just my opinion and what I found that works for me. I read Master Your Metabolism. I do not follow it to a T but it did help explain a lot of things that women AND men deal with hormonally and environmentally....

Good luck!