On birth control? Gaining weight?
Replies
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My birthcontrol actually kept me FROM gaining water weight. As soon as I stopped, my weight shot up 5lbs in a week! Now I have to go out of the way to drink even more water than I usually do!0
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What ever happened to "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all"?
I have my own *PERSONAL* beliefs after being on BC for a long time. I know how it affects *MY* body and *MY* mind. I've made decisions for myself and no one else based on the way *I* feel about it. Each person is quite different from one another. It takes all kinds of people to make this world. If we were all the same, the world would be quite boring, no?
Let us all be reminded that just because we have a right to free speach doesn't mean we should always use it, especially on such a hot-button issue.0 -
Alright everyone. I'm sure I'll end up getting a lot of hate for this one but I know I'm not alone in this thought. I have seen more posts than I can count about wanting to change BC, go off of it or complaining because it "makes" you gain weight. If you have gained 10, 20 even 30 lbs on birth control it is NOT because of the birth control itself. BC can cause you to feel more hungry, have more cravings and simply have less physical energy. IT does not however actually make you gain weight. Estrogren or progesterone are not high weight gain causing hormones, despite what most people seem to think. Yes, a side effect can be some weight gain, some, meaning about 5lbs of excess water weight or weight that is easy to shed. Everyone responds differently to BC but in reality, so many people use it as an excuse for being overweight. So I guess my point is stop using it as an excuse and push yourself. N BC will make you gain more weight than another, yes they all have different side effects but don't let the IDEA that you will gain weight on BC slow you down!
EDIT:
I've lost 10lbs after starting Depo, which is one of the BC's that people claim is the worst for weight gain!
I have always wonder when people claim birth control is the cause of their weight gain, well where is the line draw when the birth control pills are consider unhealthy from being healthy if they are putting that much weight on you. I'm not on the stuff but if it was the cause to my weight gain (if its to a point of borderline unhealthy) I would stop taking it if I was able too if it wasn't for any other major medical issues its being taken for.0 -
I agree with you I have lost weight while on the pill, lost almost 50lbs but just recently I have been taken off all bc because it has messed with my motablisum and with that it has caused me to gain most of the 50lbs lost back in about 6 months so for some its not just using it as an excuse for the weight gain. I really wish I had not gained the weight back but I have so now Im starting all over again.0
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STOP USING BIRTH CONTROL, PERIOD. Pill popping to stop the course of nature is just wrong.
What's natural is not always affordable. It is way cheaper to have a regular form of birth control than an actual kid - believe me, I have an 18 month old. Wouldn't trade him for anything in the world... but also can not afford another right now. But Im married - just because I odnt want another mouth to feed right now doesnt mean I shouldn't be able to get down and dirty with my husband. BC is a responsible way to prevent pregancies for a variety of reasons.0 -
That was my opinion and I DO have a medical degree. Like I said, I agree to disagree with people! That's why we all have opinions, we don't all have the same one.
At 21 years old, at best you have an AS. (Cause guess what? I have a medical degree and work in the field as well.) That doesn't make your opinion any better than anyone else. If you're studying to be a PA, then I highly suggest you study a little harder and get it through your thick skull that different medicines of ANY sort effect differently bodies in different ways. Yes, some people use it as a loaded excuse, but for others, it genuinely effects them in a negative way. You're talking to some people who have been taking birth control longer than you have been alive.0 -
I've gained weight every time I was on the pill, I also tried different ones...Ugh, it seems like if they didn't mess with my weight or skin they made me crazy emotionally. I really wish I could take them, but the side effects just suck.
Thats what happened to me too
Same here, it made me crazy emotionally as well. It makes me wonder how much research and how safe the stuff really is (I have people in my family its done the same thing too). People would just tell me, try a lower dosage so went on the lowest and it did the same thing and then went from this type or that type so I decided to give up the stuff altogether and haven't looked back. There are other ways to avoid pregnancy that are less chaotic for me.0 -
I was 145lbs. I worked out every morning, ate 1200-1300 calories, and maintained perfectly fine. Then I started Yaz. I didn't eat more. I didn't snack. I maintained my workout schedule. And I gained 30lbs.
When I was 20 I was 120lbs, worked out, maintained my weight, and started Tricyclin. I didn't snack, I didn't eat 3500 calories a day. In fact, I followed my anorexic diet of 300 calories a day intake, working out at least 600 calories a day. There is no possible way to *gain* weight doing this. But I did. I ballooned up 47lbs in 8 months.
Both times, I stopped my OCP and started steadily losing weight after 2-3 months.
My mother has the same thing. She gains like a mo-fo when on hormonal replacement, and goes back to a steady weight post-stopping.
So, your "kind" and "helpful" post is full of it. Until you have at least 10 years or medical schooling for specializing in the endocrine system or women's issues, kindly keep you "truth" as Opinon, and not fact, as it came across as being stated.
This is exactly it. Talk to someone who has a medical degree. Best advice out thereIf you think you're gaining weight or having trouble losing weight with the pill you're on, talk to your doctor. He or she may be able to prescribe something different - either a different combination of hormones or a different dose - that affects you differently.
That was my opinion and I DO have a medical degree. Like I said, I agree to disagree with people! That's why we all have opinions, we don't all have the same one.
I think you don't understand the difference between a fact and an opinion. You cannot logically disagree with a fact, but you keep trying to do so.
You've insulted a lot of people. Just stop.0 -
Agreed. I do find myself retaining more water these days and that is a side effect of BC.... says so on the package.... but that is not actual weight gain.....Also, prescription drugs that do cause weight gain have to include it in the possible side effects. BC does not cause weight gain. The sooner we stop blaming our BC for our weight gain, the sooner we can get it off or under control.
It IS listed as a possible side effect of BC.0 -
STOP USING BIRTH CONTROL, PERIOD. Pill popping to stop the course of nature is just wrong.
As said by other it's a personal choice and people have different circumstances surrounding reasons for taking birth control. For starters, I don't take the pill I have the implant. And secondly, I could never afford to have a child right now so how is wanting to wait until I am in a financially stable enough position to support my children and give them an amazing life wrong? Surely that's better than having a child but not being able to feed or clothe them!0 -
I was 145lbs. I worked out every morning, ate 1200-1300 calories, and maintained perfectly fine. Then I started Yaz. I didn't eat more. I didn't snack. I maintained my workout schedule. And I gained 30lbs.
When I was 20 I was 120lbs, worked out, maintained my weight, and started Tricyclin. I didn't snack, I didn't eat 3500 calories a day. In fact, I followed my anorexic diet of 300 calories a day intake, working out at least 600 calories a day. There is no possible way to *gain* weight doing this. But I did. I ballooned up 47lbs in 8 months.
Both times, I stopped my OCP and started steadily losing weight after 2-3 months.
My mother has the same thing. She gains like a mo-fo when on hormonal replacement, and goes back to a steady weight post-stopping.
So, your "kind" and "helpful" post is full of it. Until you have at least 10 years or medical schooling for specializing in the endocrine system or women's issues, kindly keep you "truth" as Opinon, and not fact, as it came across as being stated.
This is exactly it. Talk to someone who has a medical degree. Best advice out thereIf you think you're gaining weight or having trouble losing weight with the pill you're on, talk to your doctor. He or she may be able to prescribe something different - either a different combination of hormones or a different dose - that affects you differently.
That was my opinion and I DO have a medical degree. Like I said, I agree to disagree with people! That's why we all have opinions, we don't all have the same one.
And I'll quote myself...
I did not say "a medical degree". I said "Until you have at least 10 years or medical schooling for specializing ..."
It's already been pointed out, however, that at 21, you don't have the qualifications I requested. A lab tech assistance is not necessary qualifications to be handing out medical advice and telling people that what their own physicians have told them is incorrect.0 -
BC pills are just like every other mediciation; they have their pro's and con's which varies from person to person. I didnt hav issues with weight when I was on it. What I did experience was worse. After almost a year on Yazmine after having my daughter, I ended up on the cardiac floor of Yale hospital. BC does not work for me!!0
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STOP USING BIRTH CONTROL, PERIOD. Pill popping to stop the course of nature is just wrong.
I love sex and dislike children so...no.
Agreed, sex is great...kids suck.
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I did add about 5 lbs. when I first started oral BC, but now that I am off the pill, I lost those very 5 lb. without any effort. I totally agree with you but in my experience the pill does account for a small weight gain at the beginning. A friend of mine was on the shot and at first lost, and then about 4-5 weeks later gained, 10 lbs. I never used the shot BC so I wouldn't know what happened there.0
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STOP USING BIRTH CONTROL, PERIOD. Pill popping to stop the course of nature is just wrong.
So is overeating. So is taking inhalers, allergy medication, wearing glasses, and using insulin and blood pressure medication. Seriously.
Oh and taking insulin...also against the course of nature. I really should be weeded out. LoL
I actually had someone tell me that once...that if God meant for me to be healed, I would be and I should just go off of insulin...
I'm sure that would work out SO well.0 -
That has been my unfortunate experience as well. I gained 5-10 lbs when I started the pill and haven't been able to take it off. I'm sure it would come off if I got off the pill but...Until he gets...*snip snip* I have to stay on it.I did add about 5 lbs. when I first started oral BC, but now that I am off the pill, I lost those very 5 lb. without any effort. I totally agree with you but in my experience the pill does account for a small weight gain at the beginning. A friend of mine was on the shot and at first lost, and then about 4-5 weeks later gained, 10 lbs. I never used the shot BC so I wouldn't know what happened there.0 -
STOP USING BIRTH CONTROL, PERIOD. Pill popping to stop the course of nature is just wrong.
I, for one hate all pills but I either have to use these for my skin or it goes back to the terrible way it was before. No, thankyou.0 -
Depo made me gain weight only because I became lazy and depressed. I'm still on it but when I started working out, I started losing weight.
Other birth controls like the pill made me lose weight when I first went on it but they aren't as reliable and not great for my insane cramps0 -
STOP USING BIRTH CONTROL, PERIOD. Pill popping to stop the course of nature is just wrong.
So is overeating. So is taking inhalers, allergy medication, wearing glasses, and using insulin and blood pressure medication. Seriously.
Oh and taking insulin...also against the course of nature. I really should be weeded out. LoL
I actually had someone tell me that once...that if God meant for me to be healed, I would be and I should just go off of insulin...
I'm sure that would work out SO well.
Do these people even think? I mean, if God is responsible for everything, perhaps he made treating illness possible. Maybe? Possibly?
I just SMH at them and move on with my life.0 -
STOP USING BIRTH CONTROL, PERIOD. Pill popping to stop the course of nature is just wrong.
I've had back to back pregnancies and hubby and I live in a 1 br....We are planning on having more kids but we can't right now so we have to be on birth control (P.S. I'm allergic to latex so that's why no condoms)0 -
I haven't read everyone's comments, I did read a few though.
For me, I have PCOS and I am on it for medical reasons. I went on birth control and it HELPED me lose weight. There are only 2 days a month when my hormone fluctuate to the point I have obsessive sugar cravings and cant seem to get full. Thats it. It is 2 days before the start of my period. People really should track their binge cycles and figure out the exact times when they are having the food issues instead of saying its "all the time". Nothing is ALL the time. Thats not the way birth control works.
There are different levels of hormones for different times in your cycle. I prepare for those days. I let myself have a little extra food or sugar. This is about making finding a balance you can live with. Its not going to be perfect all the time. Stop blaming the birth control, its easy to make excuses for your bad choices. Trust me, I have done the same thing. I still do it sometimes but I catch myself and I try to correct them now.
For the people who want to go "Pill free". This is going to shake some some things up but... I take a handful of meds and vitamins everyday. You know what though? Before I used these meds, I was a clinically depressed/suicidal woman, 285 lbs, psoriasis out of control=90% of my body out of control(now I am completely free), woman issues that made me spot 2 weeks out of the month, hormone fluctuations that made my moods way too intense, was in pain 95% of the day and couldn't walk more then an hour in the store without having to stop and have insane amounts of pain meds, and the list goes on and on. All that has been reversed. I'm sorry but people are living longer because of new medical technology and medications. There are risks with everything but the proof is in the pudding. People are living 20+ more years because of them. So, thats fine for the perfect person who has no medical issues, for me and most of the people I know, they take advantage of the new medical discoveries and solutions. The benefits outweigh the risks.0 -
I haven't read everyone's comments, I did read a few though.
For me, I have PCOS and I am on it for medical reasons. I went on birth control and it HELPED me lose weight. There are only 2 days a month when my hormone fluctuate to the point I have obsessive sugar cravings and cant seem to get full. Thats it. It is 2 days before the start of my period. People really should track their binge cycles and figure out the exact times when they are having the food issues instead of saying its "all the time". Nothing is ALL the time. Thats not the way birth control works.
I don't binge. Not even two days a month. I eat 1,200-1,500 calories a day and exercise. I still gained 20 pounds and can't lose it.
YOU have a 2-day sugar craving on the pill. When I was on the pill, I didn't have any cravings. I guess that means you're making an excuse, since it didn't happen to me. :-)
I don't understand why it is so difficult for people to grasp that not everyone has the same experience on BC, even if it's the same BC.0 -
Who the hell Is so ignorant they they would promote not using birth control? People like THAT are helping mess up society. We are already over populated and people are starving. Foster homes are full and so are the orphanages. I'm sick of these IDIOTS breeding. Ignorance.
I am totally anti the bc pill, that does NOT mean I would ever promote irresponsible "breeding". I use a natural system (no NOT the rhythm method). Mine is actually a computer called LadyComp. It is 99.3% effective. It keeps track of my cycle and lets me know the few days when I would be able to conceive. No side effects, no charts, completely natural. I think it is sad that for most women "sexual liberation" has put them under the chains of pumping their bodies full of unnatural hormones. Never seemed very liberating to me.. but to each her own! :happy:0 -
Who the hell Is so ignorant they they would promote not using birth control? People like THAT are helping mess up society. We are already over populated and people are starving. Foster homes are full and so are the orphanages. I'm sick of these IDIOTS breeding. Ignorance.
I am totally anti the bc pill, that does NOT mean I would ever promote irresponsible "breeding". I use a natural system (no NOT the rhythm method). Mine is actually a computer called LadyComp. It is 99.3% effective. It keeps track of my cycle and lets me know the few days when I would be able to conceive. No side effects, no charts, completely natural. I think it is sad that for most women "sexual liberation" has put them under the chains of pumping their bodies full of unnatural hormones. Never seemed very liberating to me.. but to each her own! :happy:
OK, sweetie. If I go off BC, will you endure my ridiculously heavy and uncomfortable periods for me?
Thanks!0 -
Who the hell Is so ignorant they they would promote not using birth control? People like THAT are helping mess up society. We are already over populated and people are starving. Foster homes are full and so are the orphanages. I'm sick of these IDIOTS breeding. Ignorance.
I am totally anti the bc pill, that does NOT mean I would ever promote irresponsible "breeding". I use a natural system (no NOT the rhythm method). Mine is actually a computer called LadyComp. It is 99.3% effective. It keeps track of my cycle and lets me know the few days when I would be able to conceive. No side effects, no charts, completely natural. I think it is sad that for most women "sexual liberation" has put them under the chains of pumping their bodies full of unnatural hormones. Never seemed very liberating to me.. but to each her own! :happy:
OK, sweetie. If I go off BC, will you endure my ridiculously heavy and uncomfortable periods for me?
Thanks!
I said "most women" and "to each her own". Never tried to imply I thought one thing was going to work for everyone.. but sorry if I offended. Have a wonderful day!0 -
I haven't read everyone's comments, I did read a few though.
For me, I have PCOS and I am on it for medical reasons. I went on birth control and it HELPED me lose weight. There are only 2 days a month when my hormone fluctuate to the point I have obsessive sugar cravings and cant seem to get full. Thats it. It is 2 days before the start of my period. People really should track their binge cycles and figure out the exact times when they are having the food issues instead of saying its "all the time". Nothing is ALL the time. Thats not the way birth control works.
I don't binge. Not even two days a month. I eat 1,200-1,500 calories a day and exercise. I still gained 20 pounds and can't lose it.
YOU have a 2-day sugar craving on the pill. When I was on the pill, I didn't have any cravings. I guess that means you're making an excuse, since it didn't happen to me. :-)
I don't understand why it is so difficult for people to grasp that not everyone has the same experience on BC, even if it's the same BC.
See the thing is, for ME it is a FACT that those same 2 days every single month for years, and after actually tracking it on a calender, those have been the high craving days for me. Its not an excuse to binge, I didn't say I BINGED, I just allowed for a little extra calories so I could keep things under control so I wouldn't ens up denying myself so much that I would go eat a bunch of bad food.. Maybe you should read my comment more closely. There is a big difference is finding balance and letting yourself having an excuse to go crazy with food. I personally believe that people have days when their hormones are raging and they do crave food more then others. What I am saying is try tracking them so you know when they happen so your "2 days", for example, doesn't turn into a week long run. This is about isolating and preparing for the times you know your going to have them. Most times I dont even look at my calender and I start getting hungry, I then figure out...oh its one of these 2 days, no wonder. its like clockwork for me. Facts are facts. It is consistent and well tracked. Not an excuse by any means.
I see you left my quote out to suit your own benefit
"There are different levels of hormones for different times in your cycle. I prepare for those days. I let myself have a little extra food or sugar. This is about making finding a balance you can live with. Its not going to be perfect all the time. Stop blaming the birth control, its easy to make excuses for your bad choices. Trust me, I have done the same thing. I still do it sometimes but I catch myself and I try to correct them now. . "
Thats great that you didn't have cravings, there are always exceptions. Basic biology of a women cycle has hormone fluctuations. Sometimes that triggers cravings, mood swings-and this is a big one for emo eaters, and so on. I truly believe the mindset of "all or nothing" is detrimental though. If I was misunderstood as saying ALL women have cravings, I am sorry. I just know that is likely they will be affected some way by their cycle. If not, great. They are golden. This is a topic about birth control, hormone fluctuation and cravings. Thats why I responded the way I did...I am offering my own experience. All you said is "I dont have them". How in the heck is that helping anyone? Your just writing...to write.
I am a true believer in "eat to lose". That's what I do. Depending on how much you exercise you might not be getting enough. Just my thoughts.0 -
I haven't read everyone's comments, I did read a few though.
For me, I have PCOS and I am on it for medical reasons. I went on birth control and it HELPED me lose weight. There are only 2 days a month when my hormone fluctuate to the point I have obsessive sugar cravings and cant seem to get full. Thats it. It is 2 days before the start of my period. People really should track their binge cycles and figure out the exact times when they are having the food issues instead of saying its "all the time". Nothing is ALL the time. Thats not the way birth control works.
I don't binge. Not even two days a month. I eat 1,200-1,500 calories a day and exercise. I still gained 20 pounds and can't lose it.
YOU have a 2-day sugar craving on the pill. When I was on the pill, I didn't have any cravings. I guess that means you're making an excuse, since it didn't happen to me. :-)
I don't understand why it is so difficult for people to grasp that not everyone has the same experience on BC, even if it's the same BC.
See the thing is, for ME it is a FACT that those same 2 days every single month for years, and after actually tracking it on a calender, those have been the high craving days for me. Its not an excuse to binge, I didn't say I BINGED, I just allowed for a little extra calories so I could keep things under control so I wouldn't ens up denying myself so much that I would go eat a bunch of bad food.. Maybe you should read my comment more closely. There is a big difference is finding balance and letting yourself having an excuse to go crazy with food. I personally believe that people have days when their hormones are raging and they do crave food more then others. What I am saying is try tracking them so you know when they happen so your "2 days", for example, doesn't turn into a week long run. This is about isolating and preparing for the times you know your going to have them. Most times I dont even look at my calender and I start getting hungry, I then figure out...oh its one of these 2 days, no wonder. its like clockwork for me. Facts are facts. It is consistent and well tracked. Not an excuse by any means.
I see you left my quote out to suit your own benefit
"There are different levels of hormones for different times in your cycle. I prepare for those days. I let myself have a little extra food or sugar. This is about making finding a balance you can live with. Its not going to be perfect all the time. Stop blaming the birth control, its easy to make excuses for your bad choices. Trust me, I have done the same thing. I still do it sometimes but I catch myself and I try to correct them now. . "
Thats great that you didn't have cravings, there are always exceptions. Basic biology of a women cycle has hormone fluctuations. Sometimes that triggers cravings, mood swings-and this is a big one for emo eaters, and so on. I truly believe the mindset of "all or nothing" is detrimental though. If I was misunderstood as saying ALL women have cravings, I am sorry. I just know that is likely they will be affected some way by their cycle. If not, great. They are golden. This is a topic about birth control, hormone fluctuation and cravings. Thats why I responded the way I did...I am offering my own experience. All you said is "I dont have them". How in the heck is that helping anyone? Your just writing...to write.
I am a true believer in "eat to lose". That's what I do. Depending on how much you exercise you might not be getting enough. Just my thoughts.
I left your quote out because it assumes that everyone gaining weight on BC is gaining because they are overeating. That isn't true. For some, of course. Not for all. That's my point.
There are a LOT of us who have gained despite eating healthy and a reasonable number of calories.0 -
STOP USING BIRTH CONTROL, PERIOD. Pill popping to stop the course of nature is just wrong.
I've had back to back pregnancies and hubby and I live in a 1 br....We are planning on having more kids but we can't right now so we have to be on birth control (P.S. I'm allergic to latex so that's why no condoms)
You can get condoms that aren't latex, if you ever need to go that route.0 -
Who the hell Is so ignorant they they would promote not using birth control? People like THAT are helping mess up society. We are already over populated and people are starving. Foster homes are full and so are the orphanages. I'm sick of these IDIOTS breeding. Ignorance.
I am totally anti the bc pill, that does NOT mean I would ever promote irresponsible "breeding". I use a natural system (no NOT the rhythm method). Mine is actually a computer called LadyComp. It is 99.3% effective. It keeps track of my cycle and lets me know the few days when I would be able to conceive. No side effects, no charts, completely natural. I think it is sad that for most women "sexual liberation" has put them under the chains of pumping their bodies full of unnatural hormones. Never seemed very liberating to me.. but to each her own! :happy:
OK, sweetie. If I go off BC, will you endure my ridiculously heavy and uncomfortable periods for me?
Thanks!
I said "most women" and "to each her own". Never tried to imply I thought one thing was going to work for everyone.. but sorry if I offended. Have a wonderful day!
I still think there needs to be more done on BC. I have to admit that I cringe at times with how its heavily BC pills are promoted but then again I'm bias because of my own experience but I do know others as well that had a bad experience and these types of effects aren't always clear or talked about as a possibility when going on BC.0 -
STOP USING BIRTH CONTROL, PERIOD. Pill popping to stop the course of nature is just wrong.
Stop drinking coffee, stop driving your car, stop taking painkillers, stop all the cancer patients from having chemo if that's how you feel; none of those things are natural & alter the course of nature, you can't say "Pill popping to stop the course of nature is just wrong." when you would definitely feel differently if it was pills to stop an illness on it's natural course.0
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