Can I lose weight while on birth control?!

fizzypinkbubbles95
fizzypinkbubbles95 Posts: 15 Member
edited November 21 in Health and Weight Loss
This question is mostly for the ladies but if you have a penis and are familiar with this aspect then drop a comment below. Thanks

-Vagina


Anyway EVERYONE keeps telling me that you gain weight from birth control. I just started mine and I'm scared I'm gonna gain weight. Is it possible to lose weight if I eat healthy and exercise while on it? I'm so
Confused. What is your experience ????

Replies

  • ggh15
    ggh15 Posts: 13 Member
    I did actually gain weight when I started taking the pill. I think this could be due to the increased appetite but my boobs appeared to grow significantly as well so
  • fizzypinkbubbles95
    fizzypinkbubbles95 Posts: 15 Member
    Omg thank you so much, I didn't know you could still lose weight by just sticking to
    Calories. I already have big boobs
  • fizzypinkbubbles95
    fizzypinkbubbles95 Posts: 15 Member
    I already have big boobs, how much did your grow and how soon !? Do you think the extra weight was form your boobs ? Lol
  • Janice6543
    Janice6543 Posts: 92 Member
    Yes, you can lose weight! I dropped about 20 lbs a few years ago.
  • dehlirium
    dehlirium Posts: 6 Member
    Birth control can also increase your appetite and cravings. I've been on it for 5 years and it can get hard sometimes, but you can definitely still lose weight if you stick to your calorie goal.
  • midlomel1971
    midlomel1971 Posts: 1,283 Member
    I've been on birth control off and on for 16 years (going off to get pg and have 2 kids) and I've lost 30 pounds since spring w/ 25 more to go. After an initial weight gain of a few pounds, that would become your body's new normal and you can certainly go on to lose weight.
  • MoveitlikeManda
    MoveitlikeManda Posts: 846 Member
    yep last year whilst on the combined pill i lost 28lbs........only gained weight when i stop counting calories and quit the gym
  • cmtigger
    cmtigger Posts: 1,450 Member
    I've been on it for endometriosis for years. Yes, I've lost weight.
  • PaulaWallaDingDong
    PaulaWallaDingDong Posts: 4,647 Member
    Some women find birth control to be a wrench in the works, but any effects can be overcome with awareness and diligent food tracking. If you find your appetite is out of control, you may want to switch formulas.
  • vespiquenn
    vespiquenn Posts: 1,455 Member
    I have been on a wide range of BC for about 12 years until finally settling on a generic of Yaz for the last 5 or so years. Never encountered any weight difference that was unexplained. It always could be linked back to CICO, even if it involved some minor tweaks to the equation. But I have never noticed a difference in appetite, nor a weight gain when I first started.
  • x_stephisaur_x
    x_stephisaur_x Posts: 149 Member
    edited September 2017
    I lost 56lbs on BC a couple of years ago.

    I gained it back because Pizza lol

    But yeah, BC shouldn’t stop you losing, might just increase your appetite as mentioned above.
  • Pamshebamm181
    Pamshebamm181 Posts: 92 Member
    I lost all my weight (~35lbs) while on BC.
    If you keep your calories in check, then yes, you will lose weight.
  • distillment
    distillment Posts: 2 Member
    Previous to bc I monitored my weight and eating but no formal calorie counting. My weight had been stable around 135 then I started bc. Weight immediately went up 3-4 ibs (water weight I think). Aak! Was also feeling stronger hunger which I tried hard to fight. Continued gaining about 1-2 ibs a year. Doesn't sound like a lot but was super frustrating as I was trying hard not to. Couldn't get to under 140 and was touching 142. Started mfp 2/2017. Got to 134 now 136. Trying to get back down but I struggle with hunger. Def easier to eat less on days I'm not on the pill (but feel ok). So yes, in my experience the pill increases appetite.
  • SCoil123
    SCoil123 Posts: 2,111 Member
    Birth control can increase appetite as others have mentioned and it can also affect water weight a little. This won't stop you from from losing though if you are maintaining a deficit.

    I've been on Mirena 12 years, on my 3rd one. I lost 86lb the first time I was losing while having it and have lost 22lb of the 30 I'd gained back still while having it.
  • macclone
    macclone Posts: 85 Member
    Yes, I have a penis. Have you explored other options other than the pill?
  • kayeroze
    kayeroze Posts: 146 Member
    edited September 2017
    If you research it, the most that birth control causes is increased cravings and short-term bloating (both which I got). The myth about massive weight gain because of the pill is just a myth. The most should just be a couple of pounds (edit) according to my OBGYN.
  • fizzypinkbubbles95
    fizzypinkbubbles95 Posts: 15 Member
    Thank you everyone ! I've researched many types of birth control but the pill seemed like a good place to start. It was just really confusing when people were telling me that I was gonna gain weight on birth control. I didn't know how many factors go
    Into it. I appreciate everyone's response !
  • savithny
    savithny Posts: 1,200 Member
    I think I gained about five pounds of retained water in each breast....
  • bribucks
    bribucks Posts: 431 Member
    I gained some weight when I first went into the pill, but it was before I was calorie counting. Usually the weight gain is due to increased appetite/cravings and “boob growth” as earlier noted. I think I went up a cup size on birth control (D to DD, so I feel your pain!) However, I am now down 14 lbs from calorie counting, and my boobs have lost some weight too, so now I am in between cup sizes.
  • bribucks
    bribucks Posts: 431 Member
    Also - there are LOADS are different kinds/brands of pills with different amounts of ingredients. Even pills that are “medically identical” (meaning the same active ingredients) can have different inactive ingredients that will cause different side effects. If you aren’t feeling good after 2-3 months on whatever pill it is, don’t be afraid to ask to switch to a different pill. It took me a while to find the one I’m on now.
  • Kullerva
    Kullerva Posts: 1,114 Member
    I have been on birth control for 17 years and lost 40 lbs. Don't worry about it.
  • boulank
    boulank Posts: 51 Member
    Im on BC pills and have been for 3 years. Ive lost weight over 30lbs and dont think it slowed me down at all. My boobs have always been big and i managed to lose some of the weight there too. They are down to a 34D from a 38DDD.
  • juleeahnah
    juleeahnah Posts: 6 Member
    Totally. I've lost almost 25 pounds while on birth control pills (Sprintec, specifically). However, I have noticed that when I stop taking the active pills during my period/withdrawal bleed, I drop around 3 pounds almost immediately. A week later, as soon as I start a new pill pack, those 3 pounds are back (minus whatever I lost that week). It's like clockwork every month. I assume this is related to some slight water retention due to the estrogen in the pills. For me, it's an acceptable side effect that I only noticed when I started weighing myself daily. Good luck!
  • nowine4me
    nowine4me Posts: 3,985 Member
    If you stay in a deficit you won't gain weight, or get larger boobs.
  • jillstreett
    jillstreett Posts: 69 Member
    juleeahnah wrote: »
    Totally. I've lost almost 25 pounds while on birth control pills (Sprintec, specifically). However, I have noticed that when I stop taking the active pills during my period/withdrawal bleed, I drop around 3 pounds almost immediately. A week later, as soon as I start a new pill pack, those 3 pounds are back (minus whatever I lost that week). It's like clockwork every month. I assume this is related to some slight water retention due to the estrogen in the pills. For me, it's an acceptable side effect that I only noticed when I started weighing myself daily. Good luck!

    I know this post is older but I was curious about this. I have been on Seasonique for 11 years and LOVE it. I do not think that it made me gain weight. Not at all. But due to when I started my weight loss journey (right after last TOM) I have been on active pills for a little over 3 months while losing weight successfully. This week is my placebo pill week and damn if I didn't break through a plateau where I was stuck for 2 weeks. I couldn't get out of the 177.something mark for 2 weeks and 6 days in to the placebo week I weighed in this morning at 174.4. THRILLED and now wondering if when I start my new pack if some of that weight will come back on? I am on a calorie restriction (1350 a day) and working out appropriately, so I don't think that I will shoot back up to 177.something but I sure don't want to go back above 175 just because I started a new BC pack......Thoughts?
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