What type of birth control will help me lose weight?
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Different people react to different contraceptives in different ways. It's way too broad. Take me for example: I'm on depo provera, and while it didn't directly cause my weight gain, it did increase my appetite for a bit. However, by staying in a calorie deficit I was able to lose the weight and then some. So what you're asking will vary widely.0
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I take Ortho-Cyclen (because I have PCOS and I have to take bc pills) and I've lost 100 lbs while on it. I think everyone's body is different, really. No one pill will work the same for everyone.
I take this brand as well (because I don't want kids) and it hasn't had any affect on my weight loss either.0 -
What do you ladies think of these options?
I think that everyone's answer is going to vary because we're all different and no one's body is the same. My advice is talk with your doctor and try a brand you feel might be good for you and see how it goes. I've tried so many different kinds of b/c pills over the years (I'm 33 years old now so...) and it really has been trial and error for me. I'm happy with Ortho-Cyclen but there's others who might say it didn't work well for them. Really, you have to find what works for you!0 -
Thank you to those that actually answered my question... to clarify:
1. I know birth control isn't going tomake me lose weight, but I want something that won't make losing weight impossible (like the Depo I've been on for three years).
2. I'm positive I'm not over eating. I can barely eat anything, because I'm pretty sure if I ate a slice of pizza I'd gain 5lbs instantly. Like I said, I have lost 15lbs but now I've hit a plateau. But yes, I do attribute over eating to my weight gain in the first place because I have an insatiable appetite on Depo that I've had to learn to control.
3. I do use condoms; I need birth control to control my periods.
That being said, it sounds like the pill (not Yaz) or maybe Implanon is my best option? I've considered ParaGard, but I've heard it makes your periods 10x worse.
What do you ladies think of these options?
For controlling/fixing irregular periods, check my reply to this post: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1320298-pcos-thyroid-issues-hard-time-losing-weight
EDIT: To answer your last question: Yes, I have tried ParaGard. Without it I'm already heavy and goes on for 8 days. With the ParaGard it goes for minimum 2 weeks, and it caused me severe anemia from the over-bleeding to the point I had to remove it. Copper IUD is good if your periods are too light and don't feel pain at all, then the increase in menstrual cramps and bleeding shouldn' be too bad.0 -
I have a pharm degree and honestly, most of these pills are exactly the same, its just each manf. will put a different name on their generic. Most patients notice a drop in the first few months of taking Yasmin (Zahara, Ocella) because this particular bc contains a diuretic to help females with the bloating...therefore, losing water weight. This is one of the meds mentioned in the lawsuits, so its a personal choice, and everything will work differently for everyone. I have personally taken this without any complaints, but I also have had no weight/water loss either!0
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I gained 40kg during the time I was on implanon (though there was other things that also contributed to this) so YMMV
I have recently been diagnosed with PCOS and my doctor reccomended I try a pill called Zoely which is similar to Yaz but the two hormones are slightly different and closer to the natural ones your body produces (or in my case isn't producing)
It's supposed to be a BCP that does not increase appetite - apparently people have shown weight loss on it.
It's also good for those with hormonal acne.
One downside is that it's not a PBS Script (in australia that is) and is quite expensive, that seems to be the case in other countries from what I've seen online too0 -
Love all the comments from the shirtless men lol.
OP: hormonal BC has very individual side effects. What makes one woman gain and develop acne may make it easier for another to lose.
Can you switch to something without systemic hormones? Perhaps a copper IUD? A diaphragm perhaps? Removing artificial hormones from the equations seems like the best answer.
and: not the mirena. Don't believe the docs when they say it has only localized effects.
ETA: I see you've said you need it for controlling periods. I'd say you'll be dealing with the potential side effects of systemic synthetic hormones. Sorry about that. That's no fun.0 -
There are two types of hormones used in BC: estrogen and progesterone. So saying "it has the exact same hormones as Depo" for a reason to not use a BC is kind of silly. The dosages are different, but most all BC are a combination of those two hormones. You do have a few that are estrogen only or progesterone only.
The copper IUD has a listed side effect of heavy periods and break through bleeding, so take that into consideration. It is not used to control periods as it contains no hormones.
I have a Mirena and have no issues with it affecting my weight.
The hormones do not "make you gain weight", but they can make it more difficult to control your appetite and cause you to be hungry enough to eat too much. My doctor refuses to give Depo as that one is well documented to increase hunger and as a result, make women gain weight.0 -
Can't wait until they develop male BC so they can experience the joys :laugh:
Why not go back to the pill that you had success on before?0 -
I also have to take a BC to help with PCOS. I have been on Depo for several years and it is the only one I have found to actually take care of the PCOS symptoms I had. I have had NO weight gain, NO increase in appetite, and most importantly, no side effects other than not having a period.
I know other women who cannot take Depo, and it messes with their body big time. You are going to have to talk with your doctor and figure out which one will work. It will be trial and error. I was on 7 different ones before I settled on Depo. Every woman is different and will react to different meds.
It is a pain in the butt... but when you find the right one you will be very happy.
Also... I have been told that they will not consider an IUD of any type if the woman has never had a child. So that leaves me and many others out.0 -
Also... I have been told that they will not consider an IUD of any type if the woman has never had a child. So that leaves me and many others out.
False. Kind of. No kids and a Mirena right here. Of course, my other option was a hysterectomy, so my doc went with Mirena. Hurt like heck going in.0 -
I take Ortho-Cyclen (because I have PCOS and I have to take bc pills) and I've lost 100 lbs while on it. I think everyone's body is different, really. No one pill will work the same for everyone.
Ditto this. I'm on Tri-Sprintec (for 7 years) and I've lost 14lbs since mid May. Someone above says that Sprintec made them gain weight.0 -
I have never heard of, or observed, a method of birth control that will stimulate weight loss. If there was a type that actually did that, we'd all be on it.
However I have used Nuvaring and it has not increased appetite or made me bloat, so I suppose that's a neutral option.0 -
Interesting thread. Back in the day, I could not tolerate BC pills so elected to go with an IUD. It perforated my uterine wall. That hurt like a ________! Seeing as I had my two children, I had a tubal ligation. Problem solved. Due to medical issues at 36, I had to have a "complete" hysterectomy. Instant menopause. New set of problem and new set of medications. There is never an easy out. Hang in there.0
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IF I remember right, the Depo is high estrogen which causes the body to hold on to weight. Make sure you aren't eating to much soy, it has high levels of estrogen too (so much that it help women naturally get through menopause). there is not pill that helps lose weight since they are hormone based, they help gain weight only. The best you can hope for is one that doesn't help pack on the pounds. Sorry for the bad news.0
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Took Yasmin for help with PCOS/ regulation of my period, ( I have never had it naturally. ever) and lost 40+ lbs.
If you are taking the pill because hormone imbalance is the main issue, getting on the pill regulates that, resulting in normal periods and ability to lose weight.
I think any pill that helps you balance out the hormones will "help" you lose weight as you are in a deficit and counting calories... Just giving my own experience.0 -
IF I remember right, the Depo is high estrogen which causes the body to hold on to weight. Make sure you aren't eating to much soy, it has high levels of estrogen too (so much that it help women naturally get through menopause). there is not pill that helps lose weight since they are hormone based, they help gain weight only. The best you can hope for is one that doesn't help pack on the pounds. Sorry for the bad news.
Depo is a progesterone only type of BC.0 -
For you. :flowerforyou:I have never heard of, or observed, a method of birth control that will stimulate weight loss. If there was a type that actually did that, we'd all be on it.
However I have used Nuvaring and it has not increased appetite or made me bloat, so I suppose that's a neutral option.0 -
More technically, they contain synthetic progestins and synthetic estrogens. In addition to stimulating appetite, many also cause water retention... among other things (larger breasts etc.). They all have the potential for systemic effects, including nuvaring and mirena.There are two types of hormones used in BC: estrogen and progesterone. So saying "it has the exact same hormones as Depo" for a reason to not use a BC is kind of silly. The dosages are different, but most all BC are a combination of those two hormones. You do have a few that are estrogen only or progesterone only.
The copper IUD has a listed side effect of heavy periods and break through bleeding, so take that into consideration. It is not used to control periods as it contains no hormones.
I have a Mirena and have no issues with it affecting my weight.
The hormones do not "make you gain weight", but they can make it more difficult to control your appetite and cause you to be hungry enough to eat too much. My doctor refuses to give Depo as that one is well documented to increase hunger and as a result, make women gain weight.0 -
Thank you to those that actually answered my question... to clarify:
1. I know birth control isn't going tomake me lose weight, but I want something that won't make losing weight impossible (like the Depo I've been on for three years).
2. I'm positive I'm not over eating. I can barely eat anything, because I'm pretty sure if I ate a slice of pizza I'd gain 5lbs instantly. Like I said, I have lost 15lbs but now I've hit a plateau. But yes, I do attribute over eating to my weight gain in the first place because I have an insatiable appetite on Depo that I've had to learn to control.
3. I do use condoms; I need birth control to control my periods.
That being said, it sounds like the pill (not Yaz) or maybe Implanon is my best option? I've considered ParaGard, but I've heard it makes your periods 10x worse.
What do you ladies think of these options?
To each his own....Birth control will be different with every woman. What works for one may not work for another. I do however recommend that you do your research....WebMD, Mayo Clinic--talk with your physician and if they aren't able to give you some good help then you need to find a new one. Ask to have the full blood work up done before making a decision...go from there. Good Luck!0 -
Have you spoken with a naturopath about trying bioidentical hormones? They likely will have fewer side effects, and as you're not relying on hormonal BC for birth control, it may be an option.Thank you to those that actually answered my question... to clarify:
1. I know birth control isn't going tomake me lose weight, but I want something that won't make losing weight impossible (like the Depo I've been on for three years).
2. I'm positive I'm not over eating. I can barely eat anything, because I'm pretty sure if I ate a slice of pizza I'd gain 5lbs instantly. Like I said, I have lost 15lbs but now I've hit a plateau. But yes, I do attribute over eating to my weight gain in the first place because I have an insatiable appetite on Depo that I've had to learn to control.
3. I do use condoms; I need birth control to control my periods.
That being said, it sounds like the pill (not Yaz) or maybe Implanon is my best option? I've considered ParaGard, but I've heard it makes your periods 10x worse.
What do you ladies think of these options?0 -
I have to take birth control to help prevent me from getting uterine cancer. I would really rather not take it, but if I don't take it, it's almost certain that the precancerous cells I had problems with a few years ago will come back. I had a Mirena IUD for three months and had to get it removed. I had all kinds of side effects and was completely miserable with it in.
I've been on Junel since March of 2013. I lost all of the weight in my ticker while on it, but my weight loss has stalled. While my first impulse was to blame the medications I take, I realized I've been sloppy with my logging the last few months. I'm going to focus on weighing/logging accurately and hitting my macros, and if I don't start seeing results again, I'll talk to my gynecologist when I see her next month and my regular doctor when I see him in September.
Everybody is different. The important thing is having a doctor who you feel comfortable being honest with and who you feel like really listens to you. If you try a BC and it isn't working for you, you can switch to another one until you find the one that's the right fit for you.0 -
I've been on Depo for 8 years. I gained 40 pounds over the years but a lot of that was because of my poor diet and eating habits. I am still on it and have lost 65 pounds. There is no birth control that will help you lose weight.?? It's all about diet and exercise (calorie deficit).0
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The kind where you only date men who are slower than you, and then you don't let them catch you. Exercise is a very underrated component of weight loss!
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Also... I have been told that they will not consider an IUD of any type if the woman has never had a child. So that leaves me and many others out.
False. Kind of. No kids and a Mirena right here. Of course, my other option was a hysterectomy, so my doc went with Mirena. Hurt like heck going in.
"Hurt like heck going in" <---THIS is the reason why it isn't recommended for women who have not had a child. It is not a contraindication, it is because it hurts like hell! Those of us who have had kids have already had the hurt like hell part, so the insertion isn't as bad.0 -
]Have you spoken with a naturopath about trying bioidentical hormones? They likely will have fewer side effects, and as you're not relying on hormonal BC for birth control, it may be an option.
This makes my head hurt. Bioidentical hormones are not hormones? WTH?0 -
Bioidentical hormones ARE hormones. They are BIO IDENTICAL. Identical to the ones your body makes. The ones in birth control pills are not the hormones your body makes. They are synthetic hormones. Their chemical make up is not the same. How your body handles them may not be the same.]Have you spoken with a naturopath about trying bioidentical hormones? They likely will have fewer side effects, and as you're not relying on hormonal BC for birth control, it may be an option.
This makes my head hurt. Bioidentical hormones are not hormones? WTH?
Sorry your head hurt.0 -
For the person that mentioned Implanon, I'm on it and having it removed. On top of it causing me to hold on to water weight it also has given me insane acne. No thanks. This baby is out Wednesday and I am going back to Yaz. Some people have had issue with Yaz but I took it for years and I loved it. I didn't go back on it after the birth of my daughter do to the fact I was breastfeeding. Well she will be a year in a month and eats 3 meals and two snacks a day so if I lose some supply she'll be fine.0
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My first reaction to the title of the post was "running," but that's not helpful. I'm glad there were helpful responses!0
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BC will have different affects on different people. It is entirely trial and error. I will tell you though, you need to RESEARCH. Before you agree to taking any BC, research it like crazy. I was one of those that had nasty side effects on the depo. Like the other poster that mentioned, I wont go into details on here but when I say nasty I mean NASTY. Also, as food for thought, my midwife will not prescribe the depo shot to anyone that may possibly consider kids in the future. She said that she's seen too many people use it and then have fertility problems later in life.
Talk to your doctor and do some research. Good luck to you.0
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