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    Birth control

    Posts: 1 Member
    edited December 2024 in Goal: Maintaining Weight
    How many of you are able to maintain /still have weight loss while on birth control ? Has anyone had difficulty losing weight due to birth control ?

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    • Posts: 1,390 Member
      I started my current birth control a month after I started on MFP and haven't had a single problem with my loss. Currently at 43lbs lost and almost at goal. I take the depo-provara shot. I have issues with low blood pressure and found other methods screwed up my pressure too much.

      The depo has been great and other than some deep muscle pain for 2 days after the shot, I've had no side effects at all. Not even increased appetite (which is usually the cause of "bc makes you gain weight" myths).
    • Posts: 19 Member
      I have been pretty strict about diet and exercise all my adult life. ANYTIME I have tried to go on oral contraception I gain between 5-12 lbs. It does not matter which kind, or how low the dose. And to only gain that much takes extreme effort. Sugar cravings, constantly bloated, UGH! I just can't. Going in to see about a NONHORMONAL IUD next month. Can hardly wait.
    • Posts: 19 Member
      Oh, and anytime I go off the pills, the weight melts off. For me, it's a thing.
    • Posts: 64 Member
      enonymous01 wrote: »
      I have been pretty strict about diet and exercise all my adult life. ANYTIME I have tried to go on oral contraception I gain between 5-12 lbs. It does not matter which kind, or how low the dose. And to only gain that much takes extreme effort. Sugar cravings, constantly bloated, UGH! I just can't. Going in to see about a NONHORMONAL IUD next month. Can hardly wait.

      I am exactly like this as well, as soon as im off hormonal bc the weight drops of me......

    • Posts: 44 Member
      I have the same problem, I lose about 4 pounds every time I'm off of it. I'm also hoping to get the IUD implanted soon, my doc thinks local BC will help me since my whole body won't process it.
    • Posts: 1,372 Member
      Lost 30lbs after starting BC and have maintained that, give or take a few pounds, for 6+ years now, having changed the type of pill I was on twice during that time as well. I do drop a pound or so during my week break, but that's not really worth worrying about. I'm currently trying to lose a few vanity pounds gained whilst on holiday, and am meeting my -.5lb target each week so far, whilst taking BC.

      The pill may cause an increase in hunger or water retention, especially during the first month or so of taking it, but for the vast majority of women it is not going to cause an actual fat gain. As long as you're patient and control what you eat/how active you are, the pill in of itself is very unlikely to stop you losing weight.
    • Posts: 19,251 Member
      enonymous01 wrote: »
      I have been pretty strict about diet and exercise all my adult life. ANYTIME I have tried to go on oral contraception I gain between 5-12 lbs. It does not matter which kind, or how low the dose. And to only gain that much takes extreme effort. Sugar cravings, constantly bloated, UGH! I just can't. Going in to see about a NONHORMONAL IUD next month. Can hardly wait.

      Yup. 8-12 pounds quickly. Each time I tried HBC. Went non-hormonal about 12 years ago. FINALLY.
      Wish I'd done it years ago, as I feel so much better without.
    • Posts: 794 Member
      yesimpson wrote: »
      Lost 30lbs after starting BC and have maintained that, give or take a few pounds, for 6+ years now, having changed the type of pill I was on twice during that time as well. I do drop a pound or so during my week break, but that's not really worth worrying about. I'm currently trying to lose a few vanity pounds gained whilst on holiday, and am meeting my -.5lb target each week so far, whilst taking BC.

      The pill may cause an increase in hunger or water retention, especially during the first month or so of taking it, but for the vast majority of women it is not going to cause an actual fat gain. As long as you're patient and control what you eat/how active you are, the pill in of itself is very unlikely to stop you losing weight.

      Are you talking about the week of inactive pills, you lose a pound or so?
    • Posts: 1,372 Member
      edited August 2016
      leejoyce31 wrote: »
      show previous quotes

      Are you talking about the week of inactive pills, you lose a pound or so?

      Yes, although the brand I use does not have a week of dummy pills, you just take a 7-day break between packs (if you choose). I always seem to be a pound lighter than usual the day before I start the new pill pack. This is after any bleeding and cramping has finished. It come straight back on about 2 days into the new pack. It's hormone-related, and not real fat that my body is gaining and losing every time.
    • Posts: 225 Member
      edited August 2016
      I've had absolutely no issues losing weight on birth control. Personally I'm on Apri, but I've been on it since I was like 13 for medical reasons (I'm 23 now), so I have no idea of how much easier weight loss would be without it.

      I just stick to my calorie deficit and the weight comes off in its own time every time I've tried.

      For what it's worth, I've heard people gain weight on the ones that make you only have your period three times a year, or whatever? They make you hungrier. My sister gained 30lbs on that one! I think the ones where you get your period every 4 weeks are the way to go because they'll mess with your weight the least.
    • Posts: 11,233 Member
      i've lost weight while using the ring.
      i've wanted to try an implant but whatever it does-maybe increase appetite-i don't want to risk it
    • Posts: 5,961 Member
      I never had an issue regarding my weight while on any birth control.
    • Posts: 794 Member
      yesimpson wrote: »
      show previous quotes

      Yes, although the brand I use does not have a week of dummy pills, you just take a 7-day break between packs (if you choose). I always seem to be a pound lighter than usual the day before I start the new pill pack. This is after any bleeding and cramping has finished. It come straight back on about 2 days into the new pack. It's hormone-related, and not real fat that my body is gaining and losing every time.

      That's why I asked because I also lose sometimes up to 2 pounds while on my break between pills. Even though my pack has the inactive pills, I don't take them. The 2 pounds returns within a day or so after I start the new pack. It's definitely fluid and water related. These forums are so helpful because it assures us that our bodies are not an anomaly. Thanks for the response.
    • Posts: 688 Member
      I've been on BC for 15 years and none of the 3 pills I've been on have had any effect on my weight.
    • Posts: 97 Member
      I've been on the pill for 7 years now and it has never affected my weight (I gained weight for other reasons a few years after going on the pill), and I have one of the kinds that goes for 3 months straight at a time. When I actually started counting calories it was pretty easy for me to lose. I do know a couple people though that found that the pill made them gain weight.
    • Posts: 794 Member
      idabest777 wrote: »
      I've been on the pill for 7 years now and it has never affected my weight (I gained weight for other reasons a few years after going on the pill), and I have one of the kinds that goes for 3 months straight at a time. When I actually started counting calories it was pretty easy for me to lose. I do know a couple people though that found that the pill made them gain weight.

      Are these the pills that allow you to skip periods, which means you have withdrawal bleeding every 3 months?
    • Posts: 105 Member
      I've lost around 20 pounds while on birth control, I only gain a few pounds when I have my period.
    • Posts: 519 Member
      I've never has trouble losing weight on BC. Lost 15lbs on the shot & just lost (the same) almost 20 on Implanon. Finally running into issues now that I'm completely off BC. (And yes, I understand it could be one of those 9 month weight gains ;) but almost exactly after I got my Implanon removed, my weight loss completely stalled.

      Just my 2 cents/experience.
    • Posts: 72 Member
      I'm on the pill and I've lost 70.2 lbs no problem. I was on the pill before I started my weight loss and I'm still on it.
    • Posts: 62 Member
      i was on the pill when i started losing weigh...lost 60 pounds...still on the pill...still maintaining my weight.
    • Posts: 220 Member
      Is it possible it affects hunger on some more than others, which causes weight gain?
    • Posts: 794 Member
      austinsneeze wrote: »
      Is it possible it affects hunger on some more than others, which causes weight gain?

      I think so for sure.
    • Posts: 44 Member
      If you've lost significant weight, you may need your bc hormonal dosage reevaluated. Even after a 10lb lost, my OBGYN recommended that I try different methods/dosage with him since a lot of hormonal changes can happen when losing weight. For this reason, I think a lot of doctors ask if you've gained/lost significant weight over the year (most say around 10lbs too).
    • Posts: 3,985 Member
      I've not had problems losing or gaining while on the pill. Seasonique. But I do get terrible headaches on the one week of three months that I don't take it. I always thought the "off-week" pills were placebos and didn't take them. But after doing some research today, thanks to this thread, realized they are estrogen. I'm hopeful that by taking them this time, I won't experience the headaches.
    • Posts: 794 Member
      edited September 2016
      BC don't have a major impact but the first week of active pills I have a hormonal eating episode where I am like a Hoover vacuum cleaner and eat everything. I did yesterday. Over 4,000 calories. So this morning sucks because I have cravings. I just have to power through. Ugh
    • Posts: 2,303 Member
      Birth control products are known to dis-regulate most women's natural hormonal balance and cycles. There are sites which offer proper explanations. Inability to loose, or gain are very common. I hope you manage to resolve your issues. Take care of yourself
    • Posts: 14 Member
      mbaker566 wrote: »
      i've lost weight while using the ring.
      i've wanted to try an implant but whatever it does-maybe increase appetite-i don't want to risk it

      I've gained weight since on the implant, but I've still maintained within a range that I've been in for about a decade. However, the implant for me has been problematic because I often bleed for months at a time and only stop for 1-3 weeks. It normally will stop bleeding completely, but there's a chance that it will do the exact opposite, unfortunately.
    • Posts: 4,142 Member
      I've been on birth control for around 7 years and this (luckily) has never effected my weight in any way :)
    • Posts: 47 Member
      One of the reasons I got a tubal instead of messing around with birth control. I had so many extreme side effects, one was water retention,bloat, and food cravings. I couldn't get the iud in me and stay. So tubal was the best for my health. I figured if I really want kids I plan and save for ivf. Then I know I am ready not getting pregnant on a whim. Hormonal birth control is so bad for your health, there is really no reason woman should not just go to the non hormonal iud (most can use it). Just one more factor to eliminate when trying to keep weight in check and improve overall health. It doesn't cover up hormonal imbalances, pcos, acne etc like hormonal birth control can. So you can actually see and address the root of the problem.
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