Hormonal birth control and weight loss?

I was on the pill for about 12 years before very recently switching to a hormone-free copper IUD. Before going on the pill I had lost 30 pounds by simply counting calories and getting in a little 30 minute workout 4 days a week. During my time on the pill I had lost a few pounds and gained a few pounds, but overall stayed the same weight. Though in the last couple years I have really been trying to lose weight. I worked out more and was stricter with my calories, but the scale just did not seem to budge. It could have something to do with getting older (I'm 30 now) or perhaps it was the birth control. Since I've been on the pill so long non-stop, I'm very curious to see how the hormone-free IUD will affect my weight (if at all), my mood, and any other aspects of my life.

I've been on the implant for 6 years. The first 3 I didn't gain any weight and I was fine. Second time round I gained about a stone! My gp said it's normal to gain weight on hormonal contraceptives I've only really been trying to lose properly for around 5 weeks, lost the first 7lbs easy but now nothing

Not to sound alarmist but i think the bigger worry is that in some people it can cause cancer. In my family it has directly caused breast tumours in my sister, uterine tumours in myself ( thankfully benign right now) and malignant ovarian tumours in my mother ( which was unfortunately fatal). This is just for some people who already have high levels of natural oestrogen. Needless to say im no longer on the pill and i avoid all phyto-oestrogens e.g soya.

Speaking of weight loss - i found the pill increased my hunger and that was the first time i ever gained weight. I lost it when i stopped it by cutting calories.

SeeEmilyShrink wrote: »

Ladies,
Do any of you feel like using hormonal birth control methods make it nearly impossible to lose weight, specifically body fat?

I've been taking Lo Loestrin Fe (the low estrogen pill) for about a year now. While it isn't necessarily made me gain weight, I feel like I tend to store more body fat, especially in my stomach, hips, and thighs. I also feel like it's nearly impossible to lose any body fat. I might see the scale go down a pound or two, but the stubborn body fat just won't go anywhere!

Before beginning birth control, I could lose weight easily by restricting calories and exercising. Now, even with doing both of those things, I am just stuck! Anyone have a similar experience with birth control and found ANYTHING that helps or a better option I could ask my OB/GYN about?

Thanks!

I have been on birth control for 5 years and I gain quite a lot of fat. Recently though I have put myself on a calorie controlled diet only eating 1200 a day and drinking 2 litre of water a day. In just over a month I have lost 8lbs. It might make it a bit harder but you can still do it!

I've been on birth control (Alesse-generic brand) for about 5/6 years now. When I first started taking it I did notice an increase in weight, which is normal. But it's still possible to lose weight! Continue exercising and keeping within Your caloric limits, but more importantly watch out for the fat and sodium content. Because that will not aid in the loss of fat.

SingRunTing wrote: »

I've been on several different birth control pills and have lost almost 70lbs. The pill doesn't make you gain weight or retain weight. It can make you hungrier, which can make it more challenging from a satiety point of view, but it won't prevent weight loss.

Try to find eating habits that will help you feel fuller for longer. Fat, fiber, and protein are especially important for most people. Play with your macros until you find the right balance for you.

I promise, if you stick to a reasonable calorie deficit with accurate logging, you will lose at a reasonable rate. The "reasonable" variables in that statement depend on how much weight you have to lose.

I've recently come OFF the pill (cerezette) and I used to think it made me retain weight, but I can now tell for 100% it made me hungrier and stopped the "I'm full ill stop" instinct, causing me to eat more. I fully agree with all above and good luck!

I'm currently trying to lose 15ish pounds while on birth control (Junel-Fe 1/20). Upon starting the pill, I acquired what felt like the appetite of a 14-year-old athlete, and the only relatively harmless things I could do to quell the hunger were drink copious amounts of coffee and tea (really any hot beverage) and eat bland carby stuff (pretzels, plain bread, etc.) between meals. I was able to keep up with it for awhile, but I wasn't able to wait out the adjustment period and eventually fell into a reckless eating pattern. By the time my body started feeling normal again, I'd gained these 15 pounds.

However, NOW that I'm feeling normal again, I'm retraining my body to crave less/healthier food again and am using MFP regularly--even if I don't always formally complete my entries--just like people who aren't on the pill, and I'm doing just fine. I'm down a few pounds already despite my goal to lose 0.5lb a week. (I'm a smaller person.) Everyone's different, but I suggest you start by just paying attention to your body and trying to maintain control while it does its thing.

I have a Mirena now (LOVE IT!!) and it has not affected my ability to gain or lose weight. Also been on Depo (also liked it, just wanted something more permanent) and had a similar experience.