Birth Control and weight loss?

kstreit1997
kstreit1997 Posts: 5 Member
edited November 24 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all!
This post is for women- probably as you can tell by the title. I was wondering if any of you had has success losing weight while being on BC and what kind you were on? I am on Yaz (pill) and I didn't know if it's a hinderance or not to weight loss. Thought I would ask here and ask if anyone has had success even while being on it. Thanks!!

Replies

  • marieamethyst
    marieamethyst Posts: 869 Member
    I take Microgestin 1/20 (pill) and have had no issue losing weight while on it. :)
  • leavemealonee
    leavemealonee Posts: 5 Member
    Im on a depo shot and lately I've only gained weight. But now Im actually trying to lose weight so hopefully it'll happen.
  • PaulaWallaDingDong
    PaulaWallaDingDong Posts: 4,641 Member
    I gained a large amount of weight while on a combination pill. Lost a large amount of weight while still on said pill. Continued losing weight after switching to a Skyla IUD.

    The birth control didn't cause my weight gain and it didn't stop me from losing.
  • toxikon
    toxikon Posts: 2,383 Member
    I was on Yaz for a few years with no effect to my weight.

    I'm now on Alesse and similarly, no effect. :)
  • laur357
    laur357 Posts: 896 Member
    You really shouldn't have any issues, other than possible hunger/appetite issues or a few pounds of water retention caused by a change in hormones.

    If you just started and are gaining more than 5-10 pounds over the first few months, talk to your doctor. There are lots of pill combos available, and your doctor should work with you to find the one that gives you the fewest side effects.
  • gogetemrogue
    gogetemrogue Posts: 80 Member
    If memory serves, Yaz is a testosterone-reducing combo pill, so depending on your hormones that could be a good or a bad thing for weight. I was on progesterone only pills until this last cycle and had lost 14 lbs while on them. I remember watching a Lyle McDonald podcast where he said that most modern BC doesn't impact weight as much as it used to, the big exception being the depo shot because you get the hormones all at once. I'm looking forward to his "Women's Book" when it comes out to read more into it.
  • murp4069
    murp4069 Posts: 494 Member
    I've gained, lost and maintained on several different types of birth control. My understanding from my doctor is that women who experience weight gain typically experience it because of increased appetite, with perhaps a very small amount of water retention. When I first started losing weight, she told me there were a lot of options and that if I was finding it difficult because of increased appetite, to come back and we'd explore different options. I never had to look at other options, but over the years I've bounced around with different types and have never really seen any significant difference.
  • aeloine
    aeloine Posts: 2,163 Member
    edited January 2018
    I gained 60 lbs while on the Mirena IUD, blaming the hormones for the weight gain. I then proceeded to lose almost 50 before having it come out.

    Edited for: spelling.
  • temazur
    temazur Posts: 76 Member
    I was on Tri-cyclen this spring/summer and it was a disaster. I kept up my workout routine, but everything was so much harder and my progress came to a stand still, then weight gain started. Within the second month I had gained nearly 10 pounds I couldn't account for considering I was tracking it all, discontinued on the 3rd month and the doctor agreed with me I needed to stop taking it (in addition to the nasty, nasty mood swings that only got worse as I took it longer).

    BC affects everyone slightly differently, so if you feel funky on it don't be afraid to talk to your doc and ask for something else. But if it's working for you despite stories you read on the internet, good for you and ignore the bad stories. ;)

  • jennybearlv
    jennybearlv Posts: 1,519 Member
    I lost weight a few years back on Yaz. Currently losing with Mirena IUD. Medications can effect your appetite and energy levels, but if you eat less you will lose weight.
  • aeloine
    aeloine Posts: 2,163 Member
    I just want to follow up and say this:

    Yes, the birth control can increase your appetite and make you retain a little bit of water, and yes, you can lose while on it.


    Aside from the weight, though, talk to your doctor if something is off. Keep talking to different doctors if you need to, just find what works for you. I had a HORRIBLE experience on Mirena and it took three OB's to figure out that it was inserted incorrectly. I didn't feel right for two and a half years. My current BC works really well for me, but it took time to find something that works for my body.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories