Maintenance and birth control

mom2ava07 · January 2016

I've never been one to really think birth control caused weight gain, but I'm starting to question that. I have been in maintenance for approx. 7 months. I was maintaining EASILY. I didn't slack on my logging a bit but upped my cals a little and would have an occasional meal that I couldn't entirely accurately log without stressing it. On nov. 30th I got the MIrena after being off birth control my entire weight loss journey.

I didn't make the connection til now but I had been gradually piling on a few pounds. I figured it was just the holidays despite me not eating more than usual except on the literal holiday. For example, I finally dropped just 1 lb above my maintenance weight on Monday. I carefully watched what I ate as always and exercised. Yet I'm up 3.4 lbs from Monday. I feel miserably bloated and have for awhile. Then it hit me. So I went back and checked the log of my weight since Nov 30th and it has been an obvious climb only since that point.

Has anyone else had that happen while logging your food so you can honestly say you aren't eating more than you used to? Contemplating getting it removed but it's only been almost 2 months.

ARGriffy · January 2016

I've literally come off birth control this week for the first time in 3 years. I lost throughout however I've always believed when I first took it, it contributed to my gain a little. I'm interested to see if coming off everything will effect my maintenance at all. Not really an answer sorry. ..

Fuzzipeg · January 2016

There is information out there on the net saying "the pill" disrupts the hormone balance. Can't think of a good place to look at the moment. Unfortunately this information tends to come from alternative practitioners which makes it controversial. Try to find a functional practitioner/medicine site they look at the body as a whole rather than fragment it. Hope this helps.

crazydogladyjess · January 2016

I would stay on it, and once your body adjusts it should even out. Your weight may fluctuate for the first few months, but I wouldn't be too concerned. I gained a bit when I started birth control, but I've been on it several months and it doesn't seem to be affecting my weight.

mom2ava07 · January 2016

If I knew that at worst, I may just end up a couple pounds above my max weight I set for myself I would be fine. I guess I'm just afraid of it spiraling into something major. I googled weight gain on mirena and found several people saying they gained 20 to 30 lbs in just a few months. I would like to think that to be impossible if you truly were monitoring your intake and exercising regularly. Other than the possible link between my extra few pounds lately, I really like this birth control method.

xcalygrl · January 2016

If you keep tracking your calories, your weight gain shouldn't spiral up. The pounds you're seeing now is most likely water weight from the hormone differences. It can take 3-4 months for your body to get used to the hormones and settle down.

The reason most women see a large weight gain in a few months is because the hormones can mess with your appetite, meaning: you always feel hungry thus end up eating more. As far as I know, there is no science to back up that you just magically gain weight while on birth control. You have to be eating more to gain weight, which is where the hormones messing with your appetite comes into play.

amyk0202 · January 2016

I'm on my 3rd mirena. I got morbidly obese on mirena, I lost 100 lbs on mirena, I maintained my weight for 2 years on mirena, I regained some weight on mirena, & now I'm re-losing weight on mirena. It was all about my eating.

spzjlb · January 2016

The hormonal shift may shift your appetite like @xcalygrl said. It doesn't make you gain weight unless you eat more (or use fewer calories).

I think lots of women gain on birth control because of the food related activities that often accompanies a new relationship. Of course, that's a generalization that doesn't work for every case.

punkrockgoth · January 2016

I've had mirena for just over a year now. I've lost weight. But I've also been tracking and eating and maintaining activities. If you just, just got it, it's possible that there's some water weight. But you said in your post it's been a couple months, so either you're less active and still eating the same or you're eating more.

Unknown · January 2016

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cnbbnc · January 2016

Have you been weighing more often since getting the iud? Just thinking that if you are, maybe you're seeing fluctuations that you were missing before. At any rate, I would give it more time and just continue being vigilant with your logging. I've had mirena for 3yrs now and it really is great bc.

Ulwaz · January 2016

i think alot of people just use birth control as an excuse, its all about calories in/calories out

Francl27 · January 2016

You said yourself that you feel bloated... I'd say it's probably water weight.

Troytroy408 · January 2016

I had my mirena placed about 6 months ago, I have noticed that it has been harder for me to lose weight.. I have been watching my calorie intake and not eating junk. I believe it maybe be hormonal, and I look and feel extremely puffy.. Everyones body is different and I'm having my Mirena removed on Friday.

mom2ava07 · February 2016

No, I have always weighed myself every single morning so the fluctuation is new. I am as obsessive with weighing and logging my food now as I was when I first began in January 2015. I'm more active now because I wasn't exercising at all until a month ago. When I wake up my fingers feel so swollen that it hurts to move them. It has to be water weight since I can feel the bloat. I used to maintain on the same calories at 132 lbs (and no exercise) and now at the same calories and exercising 6 days a week I'm fluctuating 134 to 136.5. I know it's not much, but when you are working your butt off to maintain and the scale has consistently been up even a couple pounds it's frustrating

robininfl · February 2016

Mirena has not caused any weight gain for me, or anyone I know. Pills did cause weight gain for my sister - 30 pounds - the doctor said "it's not the pills, you are overeating" but as soon as she stopped them, 30 pounds dropped off her so quickly it was amazing.

So everyone is different, but the Mirena is very low dose hormones and not usually associated with weight gain, no.

jaga13 · February 2016

There's no way you gained 3 lbs in 2 days. It must be water weight. I'd give it a few weeks to see if you get used to it.

I just came off the pill after many years. I don't know what will happen. The last two times I went off to have my kids so obviously I gained weight

. But now hubby had a vasectomy so I'm permanently done!

shrinkingletters · February 2016

I've been on birth control for about 10 years now. It hasn't directly affected my weight gains, losses, or maintenance. I do find that I can swing up to five lbs the days before my period, but that's just water weight.

xmichaelyx · February 2016

There are many different types of birth control, and they affect different women in different ways that are hard to predict beforehand. If you don't like the side effects of the one you're on, talk to your doctor about trying something else.

nainai0585 · February 2016

Starting taking a new pill called Lolo, I've been on it for 4 months and gained 10 lbs - this is also because it's winter and I'm not out walking as much. I've been having a hard time shaking it off, even with amping up my routine at home. I'm hoping by summer I'll have the 10 lbs gone.

ARGriffy · February 2016

vinegar_husbands wrote: »

ARGriffy wrote: »

I've literally come off birth control this week for the first time in 3 years. I lost throughout however I've always believed when I first took it, it contributed to my gain a little. I'm interested to see if coming off everything will effect my maintenance at all. Not really an answer sorry. ..

Same here, but I was on it a lot longer.

Just as an update, after about 2 weeks off the pill there has been a noticeable change in my appetite, ive struggled to eat enough calories and that's not something I have ever suffered with! I'm pretty convinced whilst it may not make you physically retain more fat, there's a definate link to appetite.

evilqueenT · February 2016

Weight gain is a listed side potential adverse reaction for Mirena, however, keep in mind they have to list all reactions reported during clinical studies. The trouble is truly determining if it was caused by the medication or even the most subtle changes in the reporters habits. You often see just as many reports of weight gain in the placebo groups so take it for what's it's worth. If it is related to the Mirena you'll either have to adjust accordingly to stay at your goals or look at alternative contraception options. I'm a nurse practitioner and my coworkers are fairly evenly split on the idea of them causing weight or not (sigh).

jaga13 · February 2016

ARGriffy wrote: »

vinegar_husbands wrote: »

ARGriffy wrote: »

I've literally come off birth control this week for the first time in 3 years. I lost throughout however I've always believed when I first took it, it contributed to my gain a little. I'm interested to see if coming off everything will effect my maintenance at all. Not really an answer sorry. ..

Same here, but I was on it a lot longer.

Just as an update, after about 2 weeks off the pill there has been a noticeable change in my appetite, ive struggled to eat enough calories and that's not something I have ever suffered with! I'm pretty convinced whilst it may not make you physically retain more fat, there's a definate link to appetite.

This is my first week off birth control and my appetite hasn't changed so far. Side note, I'm all crampy this week. I guess I'm ovulating and I vaguely remember this from when we were trying to conceive but it is really uncomfortable!

cosmo_momo · February 2016

I was able to lose ~12lbs after I got my Mirena. Not because I switched to it, but because I bought a food scale and became honest with myself about my diet. I was on Depo previously and at one point had lost ~20lbs on it. My weight overall between BC has gone from 155-143-135-155 on Depo, then from 155-139-142(now) on Mirena. I lost and gained because of my diet, not the BC. Mirena has been a fabulous BC and I do not miss going to the docs to get a shot every 3 months. Another plus is I've not had a period for over 7 years because both methods stopped them for me.

Not going to lie. I wanted to get Mirena because I was blaming the Depo for my struggles with my weight, full well knowing that I had been able to lose 20lbs on it in the past. My doc was very kind, but pointed out that diet is #1.

hekla90 · February 2016

evilqueenT wrote: »

Weight gain is a listed side potential adverse reaction for Mirena, however, keep in mind they have to list all reactions reported during clinical studies. The trouble is truly determining if it was caused by the medication or even the most subtle changes in the reporters habits. You often see just as many reports of weight gain in the placebo groups so take it for what's it's worth. If it is related to the Mirena you'll either have to adjust accordingly to stay at your goals or look at alternative contraception options. I'm a nurse practitioner and my coworkers are fairly evenly split on the idea of them causing weight or not (sigh).

They cause weight changes by influencing appetite, or retaining water- there's no opinions to split on them because that's known. Yikes, how as nurse practitioners do you guys not know that you can't create weight out of nothing (except perhaps a few lbs of water weight)?

fleurhaus · February 2016

It is probably just water weight, as others have said. I have had mirena since August of last year. I maintained my weight on mirena for a few months and have recently lost about 13 pounds without a problem. I'd advise you just to wait until your body adjusts to the change (my doctor told me it can take up to 6 months) and if the issue continues then discuss it with your doctor.

However, I encourage you not to give up and keep on logging your food (using a scale for accuracy). Best of luck

clarklessk8 · February 2016

If you're really concerned about your weight fluctuating, you should go ask your doctor because instead of blaming it on the birth control or calorie, there's a chance it could also have to do with what vitamins you're taking in and possibly your thyroid

mom2ava07 · February 2016

I am weighing my food and have been for over a year. I am as obsessive with logging as I was on day one and still even log gum. Nothing has changed in my diet...nothing.

I'm so boring that I eat the same exact breakfast and snacks every single day. The only meal that varies is dinner and I log it, weigh it, all of that.

My husband has suggested I'm not eating enough and my body is in starvation mode. I don't buy it. I'm not going to go into starvation mode eating around 1700-1900 calories a day. He's also suggested that maybe about half is water retention from the Mirena and my new exercise regimine and the other half muscle mass gained. That could be the truth but I'm not sold on that idea.

Every single day the scale creeps up. This morning I was up another pound and a half. I'm at the point that I'm convinced that either my body realized I turn 30 this month and decided to slow my metabolism down, my thyroid is suddenly out of whack, Mirena was created by Satan, I'm eating in my sleep and don't know it, or all of the above.

I know that 5-6 lbs may not seem horrible, but when you fought this hard to lose it and don't know when it will stop it's scary! I feel like I should at least go eat something good if I'm going to gain anyway, but I'm holding on and hoping the scale will go back in the opposite direction. Today I am limiting myself to 1650 calories a day and going to consistently cut back if I have to.

robininfl · February 2016

mom2ava07 wrote: »

I am weighing my food and have been for over a year. I am as obsessive with logging as I was on day one and still even log gum. Nothing has changed in my diet...nothing.

I'm so boring that I eat the same exact breakfast and snacks every single day. The only meal that varies is dinner and I log it, weigh it, all of that.

My husband has suggested I'm not eating enough and my body is in starvation mode. I don't buy it. I'm not going to go into starvation mode eating around 1700-1900 calories a day. He's also suggested that maybe about half is water retention from the Mirena and my new exercise regimine and the other half muscle mass gained. That could be the truth but I'm not sold on that idea.
........

My money is on the exercise change, water and muscle. Remember that a gallon of water weighs 8lb - water retention is heavy. The difference in my weight from doing yoga/jogging rather than Jazzercise settled at about 8 pounds but my waist measurement did not change. Legs got bigger by over one inch each, better shape, it's muscle. And that's just yoga, not even lifting anything heavier than me. Waist size, I think, is the best thing to look at if you are worried. If your weight goes up with increased exercise but you do not gain inches in the waist, I really think it's muscle not fat, and that's a positive change. Water retention will of course puff you up everywhere, but it comes and goes.

Fuzzipeg · February 2016

I hear your concerns, best catch the problem before it escalates over months. Reducing your calorie intake just to achieve weight loss can be counter productive inducing a state of malnutrition depending on your activity levels and the what nutrition you manage to squeeze into your numbers.

Taking time to visit your doctor may be helpful. It may also be fruitless unless you know the rare one of a disposition who listens to your all concerns accessing what they know are interrelated symptoms. Synthetic hormones can disrupt one's normal natural hormone production though many doctors do not recognise this or even read the contra indications and what to look for.

Many doctors are not permitted to investigate adrenal or pituitary functions leaving the thyroid gland as the gland usually found wanting when unexplained weight gain is happening amongst other things. Like the thyroid, adrenal and pituitary hormones are responsible for our bodies functioning well. Pituitary and adrenal function should be reviewed prior to thyroid hormone replacement hormones are started. There are many people, usually women, who are on the wrong treatment for them because they do not start feel any better or their symptoms mysteriously return after an unspecific time lapse. Our bodies are complicated needing proper answers not potentially damaging sticking plasters. Stop the thyroid madness, a book and a web site is full of information, as are national thyroid websites.

Mercola has an interesting article on the effects of birth control hormones, as does bodyecology, wedMD and the Huffington Post to name but a few. There was also a site luna something. It worries me that you young women are every bit as trusting of big pharma, as we, my generation were sometimes with problematic outcomes.

ARGriffy · February 2016

Another update, after a month off the pill I've lost 2.8 lbs. Not done that in a year...

Maintenance and birth control

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