Birth Control and Weight Gain

Sorry to all the guys out there since this is a female issue. Starting new BCP this week and have been doing quite well on my MFP regime. Although I havent' lost much weight I have noticed a lil something different in some areas and it motivates me to keep going. However I don't Want to blame BCP for making some gain weight but I am a little worried that it will in my case. I hope as long as i keep up how I've been doing then I shouldn't worry.

Replies

  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    I've been on several different BCPs and never had an issue with weight gain (or loss). I don't think the pills themselves make you gain weight, I think they can increase your appetite. I'm not a doctor, though, so I could be completely off. Hormones are crazy...so who knows. I wouldn't concern yourself with it, just keep up what you've been doing and don't think about it.
  • MLE_23
    MLE_23 Posts: 13 Member
    Yes Thanks, I've just been doing so well I would'nt want anything else to interfere cuz I want to lose these 20lbs I gained with my pregnancy.
  • nmb0717
    nmb0717 Posts: 130 Member
    I've been on several different BCPs and never had an issue with weight gain (or loss). I don't think the pills themselves make you gain weight, I think they can increase your appetite. I'm not a doctor, though, so I could be completely off. Hormones are crazy...so who knows. I wouldn't concern yourself with it, just keep up what you've been doing and don't think about it.

    What she said. I've been on a few different ones with no gain/loss results. My doctor said BCP can't make you gain a ton of weight like you commonly hear people blaming BCP for. Appetite increase and water retention may cause you to gain a pound or two but it'll work itself out.
  • xampx
    xampx Posts: 323 Member
    I wouldn't worry too much. I used to blame depo for weight gain, but essentially birth control does not make you fat, eating too much and not doing any exercise makes you fat!

    Good luck :)
  • whyhelloheart
    whyhelloheart Posts: 82 Member
    I'm pretty sure the pill making you gain weight is a total myth! :)

    Don't even worry about it! Your body will sort everything all out! :D
  • CandiceLeeAnn
    CandiceLeeAnn Posts: 80 Member
    I'm really not sure if BCP cause weight gain. I don't attribute them to mine anyway and I've been on quite a few different ones. However, I will be going off of them within the next month or two and am wondering if the weight will come off quicker and easier. We shall see :) I do think that Depo Provera causes weight gain, at least in my case. I was on it for 9 months and gained 25lbs within the first three. Within the first month of going off of it I dropped the 25lbs. I didn't eat any more than usual while I was on it and I hated it!
  • oliviabog
    oliviabog Posts: 101
    There's research fore and against hormonal birth control causing weight gain/ water retention.

    However, all i know is I've been using the pill in different forms since i was in my later teens. A big part of me things it's had an effect on my weight.

    Today i finally stopped taking the pill and had an IUD fitted. I don't care about the weight. I'm just so pleased to be free of all those extra hormones floating around in me. Its got to do something, c'mon it's excess hormones, to me its scary.

    I feel liberated. No remembering anymore either! But its not for everyone. I've had my kids so I'm ready for a longer term option :)
  • Pearsquared
    Pearsquared Posts: 1,656 Member
    I started my birth control about the same time I started focusing on weight loss, and have had success. If anything, it's helped me lose weight because I'm not suffering nearly as much from the horrific physical and emotional pre-menstrual symptoms I used to experience before going on the pill.
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member

    Today i finally stopped taking the pill and had an IUD fitted.

    I'm planning on doing that soon. Won't have to worry about the effects of pumping my body with artificial hormones!


    OP...if you're really worried about it, an non hormonal IUD could be an option.
  • oliviabog
    oliviabog Posts: 101

    Today i finally stopped taking the pill and had an IUD fitted.

    I'm planning on doing that soon. Won't have to worry about the effects of pumping my body with artificial hormones!


    OP...if you're really worried about it, an non hormonal IUD could be an option.

    Yep :D I went for the copper non hormonal and I'm very happy! Getting it fitted was ummmm weird but I can't feel it and did my fastest everv10 km run the same day (today). Free of the hormones WOOP!