Contraceptive Pill

shiec92
shiec92 Posts: 688 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'm going to start by apologising firstly, I'm not sure if I'm posting this in the right place, or if I've missed a previous thread (I did try to find one).

Anyway, hello.

I was wondering if anybody else here is having problems that they think may be related to contraception?
I've been following a diet plan for a few months now, with small weight loses (Yes, I know a loss is good), but when I have my break weeks I can drop 3-4lbs in the week.
However, when I start my pill again the weight loss seems to stop almost.
Does anybody have any idea? or advice?

Many Thanks

Replies

  • BookMaven79
    BookMaven79 Posts: 41
    My weight gain started with the pill, and it does hinder weight loss for some. For me, that was worth it for not having agonizing cramps 3 weeks a month. Sometimes changing brands or types can help. Please visit with your doctor.
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    Ask your doctor. I actually ended up gaining on a certain pill. Nuvaring did not affect me at all. I haven't paid attention on my current pill.
  • maz504
    maz504 Posts: 450
    My doctor told me the only contraceptive that is really likely to make you gain is the shots. Take that for what you will. I've been on the pill for almost 9 years now, maybe I'm just used to it but I don't ever remember feeling like it was connected to any weight gain or loss.
  • lmr0528
    lmr0528 Posts: 427 Member
    I just went off my pill after about 10 years of being on it, switching brands, etc. Since being on this one particular pill, I had gained about 15 pounds, I was always very tiny so this was a shock to me. After gaining, I felt that no matter what I did, how good I ate, how hard I worked out, I could not lose anything. I stopped my pill 2 weeks ago, and immediately lost almost 3 pounds after just being off of it a few days. Now, I don't know if this was just a coincidence or not but was happy either way. Like BookMaven79 said, talk to your doctor about other possibilities for contraception that might be a better fit for you.
  • frood
    frood Posts: 295 Member
    Try to look at the big picture rather than week to week - 3-4 lbs per month is excellent. If you aren't having any other unpleasant side effects, I feel like you're in good shape with this pill.
  • Plumbkinpie
    Plumbkinpie Posts: 18
    Microgynon was bittersweet for me, it meant my periods were on time and much more painless, but my blood pressure and weight went through the roof after 5 years of taking it. My doctor took me off them because my BP and weight were too high, and within a week my BP had returned to a "normal" rate. I've since dropped 25lbs since being off it. I didn't want to use the pill as an excuse but I honestly do believe now that it does
  • Chezzie84
    Chezzie84 Posts: 873 Member
    I have been on the pill for 8 years now. Never had any problem tbh.
  • _lyndseybrooke_
    _lyndseybrooke_ Posts: 2,561 Member
    I have been on the pill for 8 years now. Never had any problem tbh.

    Same here.
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    That's actually normal for some women who aren't on the pill. Hormones can cause a lot of water retention. I tend to drop a couple pounds right before my period starts. As long as your weight loss is trending down, don't worry about it. It's not going to trickle off at exactly .2 lb per day.
  • frood
    frood Posts: 295 Member
    That's actually normal for some women who aren't on the pill. Hormones can cause a lot of water retention. I tend to drop a couple pounds right before my period starts. As long as your weight loss is trending down, don't worry about it. It's not going to trickle off at exactly .2 lb per day.
    ^^^
  • shiec92
    shiec92 Posts: 688 Member
    Thanks for the input everyone, by the looks of it there are alot of different views on this topic.

    I have previously spoken to my doctor, and they told me that there was no way that the pill could effect my weight, so I did follow a diet plan and got somebody to do it with to check everything for me, and yet the same results.
    Of course I am still happy with the weight-losses, but after trying hard everyday while I'm on it I do lose motivation when the numbers don't budge a bit!

    Never mind, onwards and upwards (or downwards hopefully).
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    I'm on the minipill (progesterone only) and that's exactly how my weight loss has been since I started it. I might lose a couple 10ths of a pound here or there but my biggest losses are right around when my period starts. As other said, look at the big picture - you're still losing and that's what really matters!

    Maybe get your motivation from other areas. I find setting fitness goals helps keep me going...I may not see progress on the scale but I'm able to run further/faster or lift more weight, do more reps, etc. Set nutrition goals like drinking so much water per day or eating more fruits and veggies, etc. It all helps! Try measuring progress in other ways like progress pictures and body measurements.
  • MeganAnne89
    MeganAnne89 Posts: 271 Member
    I was on tricyclin for 7 years (started when I was 18) and just recently went off the pill completely. Maybe it had something to do with my age at the time, but I found zero difference when it came to gaining/losing weight. I also never found that it made it harder to see exercising/diet results.

    I do know, however, that being on the pill can make you bloat because it can make your body retain water more. So if it's a matter of a few pounds, then that could be what's going on for you.

    Or maybe this particular pill isn't right for you in terms of your hormone balance.
  • Sjarkey15
    Sjarkey15 Posts: 57 Member
    I've tried everything! The pill always made me feel like I retained water. Like A LOT of water. Plus it was hormonal so that's always a factor. I have issues with migraines and the added hormones didn't help, so i had to moved to something different.I am on depo now and after my first shot I gained 20 pounds in just over a month! After my first year was up I stayed off of all birth control for about 6 months (which some doctors suggest you do anyway). I didn't gain any weight but I also didn't lose more than a few pounds. Back on depo again! Didnt gain any weight the second time around... plus I feel like the pregnancy weight is far worse than the birth control weight:-) Go to your doctor and talk to them, a lit of pills have different ingredients. Try something new!
  • khkjkk
    khkjkk Posts: 55 Member
    Never had weight gain issues when I was on it before, and now that I'm on it again I am continuing to lose weight. And if your doctor says the pill can't effect your weight -- well, I'd take his/her word on it. If you really think it is the pill, maybe ask your doctor about a lower-hormone option?

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