Weight loss or gain and Birth Control

sent4rmabove
sent4rmabove Posts: 39
edited November 10 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi,

I started taking Reclipsen today - it's the first time EVER in my life that I get on some sort of birth control. Reading the side effects of any oral contraceptive is a little scary but then again, everyone is different and reacts differently to medicine. For those on birth control, what are your experiences in regards to birth control and your weight.

<3 Alma

Replies

  • amuhlou
    amuhlou Posts: 693 Member
    I took oral contraceptives for a while and never noticed a change - good or bad. The ones that were supposed to help my complexion didn't do a thing, my period wasn't shorter, but on the plus side I also didn't notice weight gain.

    Since I don't need it for regulating my cycle, I gave up on all hormonal b/c methods because it had crummy effects in the bedroom believe it or not.
  • RunHardBeStrong
    RunHardBeStrong Posts: 33,069 Member
    As you said all experiences are different and I know they say BC doesn't really affect your weight but 2 yrs ago I went on Seasonique Lo and gained 20 lbs quite quickly (before going on teh pill I had lost 70) I didn't change my eating or exercise habits after going on the pill. Depite diet and exercise that 20 lbs would not budge! I went off the pill 1 month ago and have lost 10 lbs. Coincidence? Idk.....
  • sent4rmabove
    sent4rmabove Posts: 39
    I took oral contraceptives for a while and never noticed a change - good or bad. The ones that were supposed to help my complexion didn't do a thing, my period wasn't shorter, but on the plus side I also didn't notice weight gain.

    Since I don't need it for regulating my cycle, I gave up on all hormonal b/c methods because it had crummy effects in the bedroom believe it or not.

    Yes, I read on about a decrease in Libido; I hope not in my case -
  • sent4rmabove
    sent4rmabove Posts: 39
    As you said all experiences are different and I know they say BC doesn't really affect your weight but 2 yrs ago I went on Seasonique Lo and gained 20 lbs quite quickly (before going on teh pill I had lost 70) I didn't change my eating or exercise habits after going on the pill. Depite diet and exercise that 20 lbs would not budge! I went off the pill 1 month ago and have lost 10 lbs. Coincidence? Idk.....

    Ok, I've read up that some oral contraceptives may cause water retention so maybe that explains the weight gain?? Idk either, I'm hoping for the best here.
  • amuhlou
    amuhlou Posts: 693 Member

    Yes, I read on about a decrease in Libido; I hope not in my case -

    I will say that for the first 6 months on it or so, everything was fine but gradually it started to happen. Every hormonal b/c I tried was the same way... good for the first few months, but eventually not so good. I'm also convinced that taking Yasmin led to my gallbladder problems (which I ended up having surgery to remove). There are tons of lawsuits out for that particular pill. So if your pill has "DRSP" in it as your hormone, I'd be asking for something else.

    Sorry if that was TMI! Hopefully you don't have the same thing happen, everyone is different.
  • sent4rmabove
    sent4rmabove Posts: 39

    Yes, I read on about a decrease in Libido; I hope not in my case -

    I will say that for the first 6 months on it or so, everything was fine but gradually it started to happen. Every hormonal b/c I tried was the same way... good for the first few months, but eventually not so good. I'm also convinced that taking Yasmin led to my gallbladder problems (which I ended up having surgery to remove). There are tons of lawsuits out for that particular pill. So if your pill has "DRSP" in it as your hormone, I'd be asking for something else.

    Sorry if that was TMI! Hopefully you don't have the same thing happen, everyone is different.

    Don't be sorry THANK YOU for all the information you provided me with and yes I read TERRIBLE things about Yasmin; leg amputations - 25 y/o's being hospitalized because of a stroke and all related to Yasmin. That was the pill I originally wanted to go on because I have adult acne and read Yasmin will help but I'd rather have acne then go through the things I read.
  • freeasharold
    freeasharold Posts: 133 Member
    nuvaring all the way! I will never go back to oral contraceptives. No noticeable addition in weight, and I have lost weight successfully while on it in the past, and am doing it again. :)
  • mallory3411
    mallory3411 Posts: 839 Member

    Yes, I read on about a decrease in Libido; I hope not in my case -

    I will say that for the first 6 months on it or so, everything was fine but gradually it started to happen. Every hormonal b/c I tried was the same way... good for the first few months, but eventually not so good. I'm also convinced that taking Yasmin led to my gallbladder problems (which I ended up having surgery to remove). There are tons of lawsuits out for that particular pill. So if your pill has "DRSP" in it as your hormone, I'd be asking for something else.

    Sorry if that was TMI! Hopefully you don't have the same thing happen, everyone is different.

    Don't be sorry THANK YOU for all the information you provided me with and yes I read TERRIBLE things about Yasmin; leg amputations - 25 y/o's being hospitalized because of a stroke and all related to Yasmin. That was the pill I originally wanted to go on because I have adult acne and read Yasmin will help but I'd rather have acne then go through the things I read.

    The side effects Yaz and Yasmin reported can happen with any BC pill. Strokes, blood clots, heart problems etc are side effects of all pills... they just tend to be higher risks when the pills is made of synthetic hormones instead of natural ones.

    I've been on a few different birth controls... Aleese, Yaz, Tri Cyclin, Diane -35, and now Avaine (generic of Aleese). I have never had weight become an issue with either of them.

    Went off of Aleese because I wanted to see if the reason why I originally went on them was gone. Went off of Diane-35 because it was given to me for acne control (already too Accutane once). Went off Tri Cyclin due to migraines. Went off Yaz because I was smoking at the time. Now I'm on Avaine which I love!
  • mallory3411
    mallory3411 Posts: 839 Member

    Yes, I read on about a decrease in Libido; I hope not in my case -

    I will say that for the first 6 months on it or so, everything was fine but gradually it started to happen. Every hormonal b/c I tried was the same way... good for the first few months, but eventually not so good. I'm also convinced that taking Yasmin led to my gallbladder problems (which I ended up having surgery to remove). There are tons of lawsuits out for that particular pill. So if your pill has "DRSP" in it as your hormone, I'd be asking for something else.

    Sorry if that was TMI! Hopefully you don't have the same thing happen, everyone is different.

    Don't be sorry THANK YOU for all the information you provided me with and yes I read TERRIBLE things about Yasmin; leg amputations - 25 y/o's being hospitalized because of a stroke and all related to Yasmin. That was the pill I originally wanted to go on because I have adult acne and read Yasmin will help but I'd rather have acne then go through the things I read.

    Talk to your doctor and ask about Diane-35. I took it due to acne and it did wonders!
  • Awkward30
    Awkward30 Posts: 1,927 Member
    I just got off birth control. I started losing weight in July, and lost about 20 pounds at just about 1-2 pounds/week. I was not hungry or anything. In October I started birth control. Necon-35, no clue what it is the generic of. Anyways, I was starving all the time, so I had to up my net goal, so I only should have been losing 1 pound per week, but I lost less than 5 pounds in 4 months. Plus I felt miserable and deprived. Also, I had pretty big oscillations, so I would think I had lost something, but it would be back a few days later. I also had a huge decrease in libido. I had read that the weight gain side effect does not happen in most women and tends to go away after 3 months, hence why I stuck with it for 4 months. In any case, I've lost 4 pounds in the two weeks since I quit (that number isn't entirely fair because I always lost a little on my period).

    Anyways, all the literature says that most women don't have side effects, so hopefully you aren't one of them!
  • MMarvelous
    MMarvelous Posts: 1,067 Member
    I have had friends on various types of BC who have gained weight. I have had one old coworker who lost 60lbs from being on BC. BC makes my hair fall out so I stay clear of it except for last fall when my doctor requested I take it for medical reasons. Now 4 months later I will be getting a much SHORTER hair cut b/c my hair fell out again. Everyone's body is different. Good luck
  • runnercheryl
    runnercheryl Posts: 1,314 Member
    I actually started putting on weight when I started on birth control (pill) six years ago, but I can't determine if it had an impact at all because I also started eating very differently a few months later! I've been on the patch for just under half a year now, but again I don't know how I'd measure its impact on my weight.

    I know a lot of people say weight gain is a side-effect of some contraceptives, but I'd love to know how they know that! :tongue:
  • FatKidAtHeart88
    FatKidAtHeart88 Posts: 89 Member
    Currently I am on depo and I find that it makes me a lot hungrier than I used to be. I have had a harder time losing weight than I probably should have but I enjoy the ease of use (not remembering to have to take a pill) and I don't have any other side effects that many people have. I am also one of the few that enjoy not having a period. Some people want a period so that is personal preference.

    Ultimately, it is a roll of the dice. Each person reacts differently to each different type of BC so talk to your doctor if you find one method is not working for you.I am thinking about switching to the nuva ring but haven't made my decision yet.

    ETA: I also have found that I lose weight slowly and gain weight back quickly. But I have lost 10lbs since the beginning of January.
  • babz99_00
    babz99_00 Posts: 1
    I was currently on Necon 1/35. I was losing weight after having my 6th child and working to a goal weight. Well, my prescription was on back order and the pharmacy switched it to Nortrel1/35 and well it's not a good thing. My legs and ankles are always swollen and I gained 10+ pounds in a matter of 2 weeks. No matter what i do I can get rid of it. I haven't changed my diet at all. I eat less than everyone in my family and gain 2 pounds throught out the day and by the next morning I lose it. I am more bloated than ever and I can't seem to lose weight with this no matter what I do. Depending on the pill you are on, some do cause side effects and some don't. I have been on birth control since I was 18 and I am 31 now and this is the first time I ever experience any side effects. I was thinking about getting a permanent fix called essure, but I rather my husband get clipped than me because I went through all the birth of my children naturally w/o meds and I think I went through enough pain.

    I suggest you talk to your doctor and voice your concerns and see which would be the better route whether it be the "pill" or some other form of birth control. I know when I go to the doctor I need to talk about the side effects of the "pill" that the pharmacy changed and see what else I can take.
  • lokidip
    lokidip Posts: 7
    I've been on Microgynon 30 for about seven years now. It's stops the horrendous period pains (now I just get a slightly unpleasant ache in my lower stomach), has shrunk the length of my periods to 5-6 days, cleared up my acne. The only weight gain I've noticed (I actually weigh 10lbs less than I did then) is that I went up a cup size. And that wasn't a reason to complain.

    Decreased libido has never been an issue either.

    As has been said, everyone is different. Going on the pill was one of the best decisions I made back then. If any side effects begin to appear, I don't regret it.
  • curly1986
    curly1986 Posts: 98 Member
    I was on oral BC 10 years ago. I started it just after I had lost 75 lbs... I was on it for 4 months and gained 3 and a half stone (49 lbs!!). I was ravenous all the time, I craved chocolate all the time, and all the nurse could say was eat carrot sticks instead. Well carrot sticks don't cut it when your body is screaming for chocolate! lol Apart from that it killed my sex drive, made me moody 80% of the time, and made me kind of... Dithery? That's the only word I can think of for it. Basically I couldn't make decisions on anything, big or small. I don't know if there's a medical term for that, but it wasn't fun at the time! I think I'm just one of those rare people who can't tolerate hormonal BC.
  • SJVZEE
    SJVZEE Posts: 451 Member
    Hi,

    I started taking Reclipsen today - it's the first time EVER in my life that I get on some sort of birth control. Reading the side effects of any oral contraceptive is a little scary but then again, everyone is different and reacts differently to medicine. For those on birth control, what are your experiences in regards to birth control and your weight.

    <3 Alma

    Was on and off of the pill for 10 years until I had to go off of it, because it caused me to land in the ER with a blood clot :mad: When I went off of it I gained around 10lbs, as well as my bank account being a couple thousand dollars lighter, due to all my medical bills sigh...
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