Hormone Contraception and Weight Management

staceyycaddy

Hey Ho All,

Does anyone else find that their hormone contraceptive makes them put on weight?

I've heard so many doctors say that they don't, however, everytime i go on one (i've been on the pill, the jab and now the merina coil) i've shot up a stone, and when i come off them i gradually lose that stone but i never go back to my original weight.

I was 8st 3lbs to begin with, went on the pill, jumped to 9st 12lbs, came off and went down to 9st, went on the jab and jumped to 11st 5lbs, came off that and went down to 9st 11lbs. Now on the Merina coil, i jumped to 10st 13lbs. Thats where i've put my foot down, i refused to get any bigger and am now trying to shed atleast a stone without having to get rid of my contraception.

I have a friend on the same contraception and she's not put on weight. Quite the opposite, shes losing it!!! Jammy .........

I'm constantly hungry. It doesn't matter what i eat or how much. I can be full to the brim but in 15mins i'll be raiding the cupboards again.

Does anyone have any hints or tips? Any experience with this kind of problem?

Help!!!

JessHealthKick

Hey,

I think it is to do with how it changes your hormones. I doubt it's that we get fat because of the pill, but rather because we don't hold back from the hunger cravings. I think the best action plan is to choose a daily caloric intake and stick to it! Get the crap out of your cupboards so that you aren't tempted, and remember to drink lots of fluids and have lots of proteins (keeps you fuller for longer).

I have been on and off contraception and found that didn't change my weight (coming off it). It is only recently that I am exercising a lot (snowboarding!) in such a way that it's cardio and muscle training, that I am losing weight. I am eating about 2000cals a day but that is needed since I am so active!

Good luck with your journey

now_or_never13

The birth control pill itself will not make you gain fat. A pill cannot do that.

The BC pill can mess with your hormones and therefore cause you to gain water weight. Also, since it messes with your hormones it can make you feel hungrier causing you to eat more or make you feel more tired than normal and therefore causing you to not be as active. It will not make you gain fat though.

I have been on various BC pills over the years. SOme I have gained, some I have lost weight on. Whether the change was up or down it was due to nothing other than my actions outside of a bit of water weight gain/loss.

Personally, I find that people far too often use the BC as an excuse as to why they gained weight or why they can't lose weight.

Remember, it takes your body 3-6 months to get used to a change and a new pill.

I would imagine you are constantly hungry because you are either bored or your hormones are out of whack which they will be when on the BC pill. Make sure healthy food is prepped and ready for you to eat when needed. FIll up on protein, fiber, water and healthy fats as all these things keep you full for longer. Drink water when you feel hungry before going for something to eat.

Brianna716

I was on contraceptives for 7 years. In that time I didn't notice any significant weight gains until 5-6 years in. I assume part of the reason I've had an easy time losing weight in the past few months was that I stopped using the NuvaRing.