For the ladies: I need some insight on birth control and wei

mvl1014

Last time I checked....it took two to create a baby? But, hey---I'm no expert...

Sorry kicklikeagirl, I've never created a baby so I guess I wouldn't know anything about it.

:laugh: :laugh: What are you doing in here anyway? lmao!:laugh: Nosey

I forgot that because I have a Y chromosome and testicles that I couldn't possibly be intelligent about female contraceptives.

BorkBork,
I appreciate the apology. I was just sticking up for every man, including myself, that has no problem being responsible by putting on a condom.

Ashia1317

It's almost been about 2 months since starting the pill from Depo. With Depo, I had a lot of bloating, cravings, fatigue, PMS-like symptons, and LOTS water retention. They say it may take a little while for the Depo to be totally out of my system, so I might still be "changing". Like I said before, with in a week I lost about 4 lbs that I believe is mostly water. I still feel very "water bloated" at the moment. I will continue to monitor my routine and eating. Close to the time of my 'script running out I might make a trip into see my doctor if things don't get any better. I did some research online about the Yaz. I'm on a generic low hormone pill, but I will mention Yaz to my doctor. Seems it has some PMS relief as well - something I may need since my own co-workers have told me that I need meds at my TOM. Nice of them right? I'm a little interested in the IUD's, but my doctor told me the same thing about them and not having a baby yet. She thinks I would be better on the pill and IUDs will be something to talk about in the future.

Thank you ladies (and men) for all your input.

Dee678

There's a wonderful bc method that will not affect your hormone levels or make you gain weight-- CONDOMS! Men need to realize...

Male bash much?

Condoms are not nearly as effective at hormonal contraceptives. You need to speak to your doctor and have your concerns addressed. I've been on oral contraception for ~ 18 years (minus 18 months when I was on Depo-Provera). At the end of this month, I'm having an IUD placed. Lower hormones, no pills to take and higher success rate. Never gotten pregnant while on OC, but I'm heavier than they recommend (any higher than 190# and the pill may not be as effective).


My current OB/GYN (along with others I have seen) says to expect a five to ten lb weight fluctuation, the first year you are on ANY hormonal contraceptive (oral or injection). Some gain, some lose. Like others have said, any more and it's calories in and calories out . . .

While I was on Depo-Provera, I had mood swings and irregular periods, one lasting 17 days (that's when I decided to stop it). I gained weight, but I was also a freshman-sophomore in college . . . free reign on unhealthy foods, mass quantities of alcohol, little sleep and hardly any fresh fruits and vegetables . . . Hmmm . . . where did the weight gain come from?

FWIW, speak to your doctor if you're concerned. It took me 6 months after being off of Depo to have a "normal period" on the pill. . . find what works for you. Every body is different!

questionablemethods

I gained weight while on the pill. I also got preggers on the dang thing. It's only 99.8% effective. Hi, I'm Holly and I'm the .2%:laugh: I took that stupid pill religiously every night at 7pm on the nose.

Eek! See, this right here just made me feel like less of a paranoid freak for insisting on BOTH hormonal and condoms.

LittleSpy

(((Better to just leave it alone)))

3littlegirls

Depo is the spawn of the devil. 'nuff said about that one. I hate it, it did HORRIBLE things to my body and mind, and wouldn't recommend it to ANYONE.

I'm another in the .2% - she just turned 8.

Everyone's body reacts differently to the pills, try different ones until you find one that works with your body. The pill that works with your body should give minimal side effects. If you don't find one that does that, then try a non-hormonal alternative - condom, IUD, etc.

catherine1979

I take the pill. I've never had any weight gain that I could directly attribute to birth control.

leavinglasvegas

Depo is the spawn of the devil. 'nuff said about that one. I hate it, it did HORRIBLE things to my body and mind, and wouldn't recommend it to ANYONE.

I'm another in the .2% - she just turned 8.

Everyone's body reacts differently to the pills, try different ones until you find one that works with your body. The pill that works with your body should give minimal side effects. If you don't find one that does that, then try a non-hormonal alternative - condom, IUD, etc.

It amazes me the amount of people that are in that .2%! It seems as though I have met 90% of them, lol!

I did Depo for 6 months. I also had my period for 5.5 of those months and gained 20 pounds and cried all day long for stupid things. Like, spilled milk..... literally. No wonder it prevents pregnancy, lol! It prevents sex in general!

timah13

I've been on both the shot and pill; and never have really seen any drastic changes. But B.C. increases a woman's testosterone level. So in the beginning I can see how it can possibly affect your body weight because its a great change in little time (but B.C affects every woman differently); however it's nothing that can't be undone. By having a higher testosterone level (virtually it should almost make it easier) to loose the weight that was gained in no time.

Currently I'm on Depo and been on it for the past 3 years.

BobbieJo_1977

I have lost 146# and had Mirena put in a month before I started losing. I think anyone can lose if they work hard enough. I know that while I was on Depo, it was incredibly hard just to maintain!

Kristen81

I'm having the same dilemma. My doc thinks I should have an IUD put in since my husband and I don't want children until we're closer to 30 and I hate taking pills, so I've been doing research, and everything i can find says you may gain weight...and they also don't say anything about IUDs and women who DON'T yet have children, but want to in the future.

As for the pill, I've been on it for almost the past 10 years, and it's worked...it hasn't caused my weight gain. You just have to make SURE you take it at the same time every day, and back it up with a condom or something if you're on antibiotics.

I have the Mirena IUD...not the copper one. I have not gained any weight since having it. I've had it for about 3 months now. I absolutely love it! My boyfriend never complains about feeling it...he did at first...Also, I can't feel it at all anymore. My periods are also WAY lighter and I don't feel the bloating and cramps like I used to. I would recommend this for sure!

Dee678

I also use birth control. I use the Yaz (simliar to the Yasmin) and I have never had any effects. No moodiness, no heavy periods, no weight gain. From my research it seemed like Yaz had the least amount of side effects.

I've been on Yasmin for 6 years. I take it continuously, so as not to have a "period", but do take a break 2 or three times a year, to prevent breakthrough bleeding. I have never had a problem with it. I am a chronic migraine sufferer and usually get at least one headache during those three days off of it, not w/ Yasmin. My moodiness was significantly decreased, etc. It's on Generic now (Ocella). Another plus . . . periods are MUCH lighter!
However, a friend was on Yaz (lower dose of the same medication) and had gall bladder complication resulting in having her gall bladder removed. (NOTE: I had my gallbladder out WAYYYY before Yasmin . . . so . . . . who's to know).

At the end of Jan, I discussed the scary commercials from lawyers about Yaz/Yasmin. She said it carries the same side effects/risks as other pills because it uses a different type of hormone, to accomplish the same task, it may not be right for everyone.

Work w/ your doctor to find a method or Rx that works for you! Every body is different!!!

Dee678

I have lost 146# and had Mirena put in a month before I started losing. I think anyone can lose if they work hard enough. I know that while I was on Depo, it was incredibly hard just to maintain!

Way to go!!! I am getting Mirena next week . . . I am nervous and excited . . . . Nervous: because it's something new and different for me. Excited: One less pill to take everyday, lower hormones. Any tips, etc?

BobbieJo_1977

Take a good dose of Ibuprofen before you go. No one told me to and I was very sorry! But otherwise so not a big deal!!

godblessourhome

Depo is the spawn of the devil. 'nuff said about that one. I hate it, it did HORRIBLE things to my body and mind, and wouldn't recommend it to ANYONE.

I'm another in the .2% - she just turned 8.

Everyone's body reacts differently to the pills, try different ones until you find one that works with your body. The pill that works with your body should give minimal side effects. If you don't find one that does that, then try a non-hormonal alternative - condom, IUD, etc.

It amazes me the amount of people that are in that .2%! It seems as though I have met 90% of them, lol!

I did Depo for 6 months. I also had my period for 5.5 of those months and gained 20 pounds and cried all day long for stupid things. Like, spilled milk..... literally. No wonder it prevents pregnancy, lol! It prevents sex in general!

i laughed. me too, me too. bc, condom and still an oops! God wanted that baby in the world.
dawn

godblessourhome

Depo is the spawn of the devil. 'nuff said about that one. I hate it, it did HORRIBLE things to my body and mind, and wouldn't recommend it to ANYONE.

I'm another in the .2% - she just turned 8.

Everyone's body reacts differently to the pills, try different ones until you find one that works with your body. The pill that works with your body should give minimal side effects. If you don't find one that does that, then try a non-hormonal alternative - condom, IUD, etc.

It amazes me the amount of people that are in that .2%! It seems as though I have met 90% of them, lol!

I did Depo for 6 months. I also had my period for 5.5 of those months and gained 20 pounds and cried all day long for stupid things. Like, spilled milk..... literally. No wonder it prevents pregnancy, lol! It prevents sex in general!

i laughed. me too, me too. bc, condom and still an oops! God wanted that baby in the world.
dawn

CrystalT

I have lost 146# and had Mirena put in a month before I started losing. I think anyone can lose if they work hard enough. I know that while I was on Depo, it was incredibly hard just to maintain!

Way to go!!! I am getting Mirena next week . . . I am nervous and excited . . . . Nervous: because it's something new and different for me. Excited: One less pill to take everyday, lower hormones. Any tips, etc?

Have you ever given birth? If not, see if the doctor will use a local anaesthetic before they do the procedure. My nurse recommended it to me since I don't have any kids. It hurts worse if your cervix hasn't been dilated before. Definitely take the Ibuprofen about an hour or so before the procedure. Also, I would say to have it done as late as possible in the day. I had to go back to work after and sitting in my desk chair was very uncomfortable due to the pressure. I almost packed it in and went home early.

LittleSpy

It amazes me the amount of people that are in that .2%! It seems as though I have met 90% of them, lol!

It's only 99.8% effective if it's used 100% accurately. It's nearly impossible to do that, so... that's why so many "oops."

Same for condoms. When used properly, very effective. When used normally, just about as effective as the "coitus interruptus" (That's the "pull out" method. Seriously, the term "coitus interruptus" alone sends me into fits of giggles) form of contraception when used properly just 50% of the time. :ohwell:

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control/birth-control-effectiveness-chart-22710.htm

Dee678

Take a good dose of Ibuprofen before you go. No one told me to and I was very sorry! But otherwise so not a big deal!!

My doctor did tell me that part. She also told me to have someone drive me. For the simple reason that, as I have not ever been pregnant, there is a greater risk of dizziness for the first hour or so after insertion. So, I have a wonderful friend taking me to and from!

Dee678

I have lost 146# and had Mirena put in a month before I started losing. I think anyone can lose if they work hard enough. I know that while I was on Depo, it was incredibly hard just to maintain!

Way to go!!! I am getting Mirena next week . . . I am nervous and excited . . . . Nervous: because it's something new and different for me. Excited: One less pill to take everyday, lower hormones. Any tips, etc?

Have you ever given birth? If not, see if the doctor will use a local anaesthetic before they do the procedure. My nurse recommended it to me since I don't have any kids. It hurts worse if your cervix hasn't been dilated before. Definitely take the Ibuprofen about an hour or so before the procedure. Also, I would say to have it done as late as possible in the day. I had to go back to work after and sitting in my desk chair was very uncomfortable due to the pressure. I almost packed it in and went home early.

I have the day off, but my appt is at 11am. Enough time for a nap before school is out.

Nope, never been preggers . . . I'll look into the local anesthetic . . . can't hurt to ask. My doctor's not concerned about it being terribly uncomfortable for me, compared to other things I've had done (kidney removed, gallbladder removed, shoulder reconstruction, irrigation and debridement of my left index finger to wrist after a cat bit, etc) . . . I still plan on Ibuprofen!!!

Thanks everyone!

elephantmeg

I gained weight on BCP and now have an IUD (after using condoms for a couple years) and don't feel like it has made me gain weight. I have a mirena

sofaking6

There's a wonderful bc method that will not affect your hormone levels or make you gain weight-- CONDOMS! Men need to realize it only takes as long to put one on as it does for us to take a stinkin' pill, or the time to put a patch on, or stick a bc ring up our behinds. KWIM?
I'm on the ring, and my only complaint is that my period doesn't start until the end of the week, right before I put a new one in, and then my period drags on, very heavily for an entire week or longer. There's only so much energy left after 10 days of bleeding through 6 heavy duty overnight pads daily, yet I refuse to take the pill. I'd never remember anyway.

I've been on the pill for 24 years now! I am the opposite of you; there's nothing too onerous for me to undertake if it keeps me from bleeding. I can't wait for menopause..

To answer the OP: all pills are different and everyone reacts a little differently to them. I've been thin, fat, and everything in between all while being on the pill. The only thing I haven't been..is PREGNANT! lol

CrystalT

I have lost 146# and had Mirena put in a month before I started losing. I think anyone can lose if they work hard enough. I know that while I was on Depo, it was incredibly hard just to maintain!

Way to go!!! I am getting Mirena next week . . . I am nervous and excited . . . . Nervous: because it's something new and different for me. Excited: One less pill to take everyday, lower hormones. Any tips, etc?

Have you ever given birth? If not, see if the doctor will use a local anaesthetic before they do the procedure. My nurse recommended it to me since I don't have any kids. It hurts worse if your cervix hasn't been dilated before. Definitely take the Ibuprofen about an hour or so before the procedure. Also, I would say to have it done as late as possible in the day. I had to go back to work after and sitting in my desk chair was very uncomfortable due to the pressure. I almost packed it in and went home early.

I have the day off, but my appt is at 11am. Enough time for a nap before school is out.

Nope, never been preggers . . . I'll look into the local anesthetic . . . can't hurt to ask. My doctor's not concerned about it being terribly uncomfortable for me, compared to other things I've had done (kidney removed, gallbladder removed, shoulder reconstruction, irrigation and debridement of my left index finger to wrist after a cat bit, etc) . . . I still plan on Ibuprofen!!!

Thanks everyone!

My doctor says that I was the best patient she's ever had get one inserted. :happy: Her and the nurse were telling all about some of the reactions they get from people, crying and screaming. I'll admit that it did hurt, but it wasn't unbearable. I'm sure the local helped some, but it is only good for the cervix. Afterwards, the muscles were really sore and crampy but I was fine the next day.

Good luck!! You'll love it!!