Contraceptive pill (sorry men folk)

dianeellen2

Its really good to hear 'real womens' views on this - thank you for being so helpful and understanding.

I think i will stop for a while, see how it goes, if my periods are too heavy then i shall return to the GP

I think i am reluctant to discuss it with her as people are very judgemental and assume if you are 'large' then you lie about trying to lose weight! I know i am not doing anything differant to when i was losing weight but i am not sure i will be fully believed.

I did think about printing off my food logs from MFP and my weigh loss chart (but thought i might look a little obsessive - which i am LOL)

dianeellen2

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.

There are no side effects nor is it dangerous to stop taking the pill "cold turkey".

The pill you were taking may have the side effect of increase appetite, but you'll only gian weight if you eat over your calorie defecit daily. By stopping the pill don't expcet to start losing all this weight, it doesn't work like that. Also if you have heavy periods you'll probably always have them regardless of what size you are. I suggest staying on the pill or trying something else like an IUD (mirena) to control your periods. but don't bet on losing weight just because you stopped the pill.

Hi Catic - i dont think it will be a miricle cure - i am not actually increasing my weight, just not losing (for at least a month now). I have tried 'tinkering' with things, increasing my water, upping my 1200 calories a day to 1470, eating back all/most of my exercise calories and changing my exercise routines.

I know things take a while to have an affect but i was going along quite nicely for the first 4 months then something happened.

Guess i am just trying to keep my motivation up - its a bit soul destroying when you know you are trying and nothing is happening

Amy_Lynn74

It doesn't hurt to stop the "pill" cold turkey. There is no way to wean off of contraceptive. If the only reason you are taking it is to reduce painful or heavy periods then I would talk with my doc and find one that doesn't have this effect on you. There is way more pills out there than most know about. Weight loss is important for all females to keep our horomones in check. The depo shot is one that is known for causing a significant weight gain in most women. So I would avoid that one all together. Talk with your doctor and let him/her know what you are trying to accomplish and they can switch you to one that will work better for you.
Oh and one more thing is there is a procedure that they can do now called ablasion that burns the inner lining of the uterus for this problem also. I have had many of my friends and family members have this done. It reduces periods to in some cases light bleeding. It is not recommended for women who wish to have more children though. Check it out.....might be a God send for someone that doesn't want to take any medications.

I have had an ablasion and it didn't help so it doesn't work for everyone.

spankyee

I tried the pill sent me mental tried depo bled so heavily thought I would die grrrrrr If you think it is the "new" pill ask doc for the old one back simple

sbeisel1

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.

djtessatessa

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.

okerachel

I started back on the pill about 6 months ago and immediately gained 10 pounds in a week. Totally freaked me out. I do not gain weight (I certainly don't lose it either, but I don't add more very often) About three months after I started, I dropped 5 pounds in just a few weeks without trying. It took a while, but I have since lost the other five pounds and then some. I would give it another month and if it isn't budging, go back to your doctor.

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?

catic

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.

There are no side effects nor is it dangerous to stop taking the pill "cold turkey".

The pill you were taking may have the side effect of increase appetite, but you'll only gian weight if you eat over your calorie defecit daily. By stopping the pill don't expcet to start losing all this weight, it doesn't work like that. Also if you have heavy periods you'll probably always have them regardless of what size you are. I suggest staying on the pill or trying something else like an IUD (mirena) to control your periods. but don't bet on losing weight just because you stopped the pill.

Hi Catic - i dont think it will be a miricle cure - i am not actually increasing my weight, just not losing (for at least a month now). I have tried 'tinkering' with things, increasing my water, upping my 1200 calories a day to 1470, eating back all/most of my exercise calories and changing my exercise routines.

I know things take a while to have an affect but i was going along quite nicely for the first 4 months then something happened.

Guess i am just trying to keep my motivation up - its a bit soul destroying when you know you are trying and nothing is happening

If it makes you feel better, I've been at this for 50 days and only lost 1lb. I work out min 4 days a week, stay within my calories... It blows. but it's a lifestyle change, and I have more energy, so I keep it up!

dianeellen2

exactly how "heavy" is your flow that you have to control it? Have you ever had an ultra sound to check for cysts? Have you ever had your thyroid checked? Diabetes? Too much alcohol or caffinee? Is the vein in your uterus all right? Is the "heavy" just on one day (typical) or for more than 2 days continuously non stop? Are you sure that you have a problem?

You should talk to your GYN, not your doc. A specialist can help you, MFPals can't.

And yes, mucking up your hormones will muck up your insulin response and food cravings. Congrats on getting off the progesterone

Good advice - heavy for me is 2 days very heavy (flooding with clots - sorry if TMI), whole thing lasting about a week then a week of nothing before starting again - at that point i was feeling very drained and went to the GP who put me on Yasmin (which was fine - it was a different GP who insisted i change)

Yasmin suited me fine for several years

I dont have a GYN (in UK you have to be refered by your GP to a hospital, which has not happened - i may make an appointment with GP and discuss seeing a specialist)

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