the truth about the pill and weight loss?

Most women I know have initially gained weight when starting the pill, but it stops after a while. I've been on the pill the entire time I've been on MFP, and I've lost 20 lbs. It certainly doesn't stop you from losing weight, and I don't even think it makes things harder. I would look into other factors preventing you from losing weight before going straight to this.

I think it depends on the person. I gained a little weight from being on it...but mostly it was poor eating and lack of excercise that made me gain the weight. However...I found it nearly impossible to loose weight while on it. I stopped taking it and am now finally starting to loose weight...slowly.

The hormone's in the pill can affect everyone differently, some people gain weight and some can lose weight. Just like how PMS is different in most ppl. The higher the strength of the hormones in the pill that you are taking, the more likely that it will have side effects- for most people that's water retention etc. Unfortunately, the pills that they usually prescribe to help your skin are the ones with higher hormonal levels so this could be a contributer

Well I gained nearly 2 stone (28lbs) over 2 years on various pills. I had to keep switching to find a pill that didn't affect my weight or my mood and have now found the perfect one after trying about 5. Turned out it was the oestrogen affecting me, so I am now on the progesterone only mini pill which suits me fine.

However, the reason you gain weight on the pill is because it increases your appetite so you eat more... it doesn't actually do anything to you chemically to make you gain weight. It just makes you hungry. (My doc told me this).

So as long as you are tracking what you eat and make sure you keep within your calorie limit, you shouldn't gain. Being on the pill might just make that harder to do.

http://www.wdxcyber.com/ncontr11.htm

I've been on the pill since day one (been on the same pill for 6 years now) on MFP and I haven't seen anything different with me. My sister blames the pill that she was on with her gaining weight- which I think is bull**** (but what do I know..Lol!). But she's always been the type to blame her weight on anything. Maybe you can change pills- ask your doctor.

Yes there is; it has A LOT to do with your hormone levels. Ask your dr. about switching pills. When I was on Yaz I lost 40 lbs like it was nothing.

maybe you should switch? I'm on loestrin and i've been losing weight fairly well. I'm also 200 lbs, so maybe that's why XD

This!

I'm on Loestrin 24( a light dose pill) and I'm losing weight just fine. I started out at 180 and have lost 25 all while being on the pill. I know the pill can make you put on water weight, but I don't think it can make you put on any actual weight.

Maybe try switching up what you do at the gym or try taking a week off from working out. Sometimes your body needs time to adjust to all the working out your doing.

My doctor said to me, that the pill has nothing to do with weight gain, its just a new trend and something else to blame. I don't think the pull makes you put on weight or stop you from losing it. I think its a nice excuse, but we are in control of our bodies and what goes in them.

I dunno... whilst I'm not qualified to disagree with a doctor, I'm convinced that the pill was the catalyst for my weight gain, or at least part of it. I didn't change my diet or lifestyle, all that changed was that I was taking the pill, and I put on loads of weight. My doc told me it can increase your appetite... so it's still down to what you put in your body and being aware of it.. but I think it contributed.

I agree that it works differently for different people. I was put on Yasmin, also for my skin, many years ago, and I did put on weight. However, since starting MFP I've lost 26lb, and it's not been that much of a struggle. I walk to work a couple of days a week, do fitness DVD's another couple of days, and stay at my calorie goal as much as possible (mine is 1260 daily).

Certainly other people I've know on this specific pill have been able to lose weight, so I think the hormones in the pills might have some say in the matter. All I can say is keep trying, and good luck!

My doctor said to me, that the pill has nothing to do with weight gain, its just a new trend and something else to blame. I don't think the pull makes you put on weight or stop you from losing it. I think its a nice excuse, but we are in control of our bodies and what goes in them.

I've been to 3 OBGyn's (1 was rude, 1 closed his practice, and the 3rd is amazing!! lol) and they all told me pills can make you gain wieght......

Anything medical can have differing opinions, but I am a believer than your mind is a very powerful tool. I thought my pill was making me gain weight (before I had my son, thats when I gained a load more!) and my docotor proved quite well it was in my mind. She said I need to change my thinking as my weight gain was nothing to do with the pill. I did and I starting losing weight... I then fell pregnant and put it all back on x3! Bugger!

There are no scientific studies that suggest that conventional birth control pills make you gain weight. Everyone reacts differently to them, but what often happens is the woman gains weight and blames it on the listed side effect: weight gain. This is something pharmaceutical companies just include to protect their legal *kitten*, cover all bases. Personally I've lost 10 lbs since I went on the pill, and I don't feel it was particularly slowly. Ask your doctor about the brand you're on, mine told me most of it was BS and women being lazy.

LOL is the long and short of it!

My doctor said to me, that the pill has nothing to do with weight gain, its just a new trend and something else to blame. I don't think the pull makes you put on weight or stop you from losing it. I think its a nice excuse, but we are in control of our bodies and what goes in them.

I've been to 3 OBGyn's (1 was rude, 1 closed his practice, and the 3rd is amazing!! lol) and they all told me pills can make you gain wieght......

Anything medical can have differing opinions, but I am a believer than your mind is a very powerful tool. I thought my pill was making me gain weight (before I had my son, thats when I gained a load more!) and my docotor proved quite well it was in my mind. She said I need to change my thinking as my weight gain was nothing to do with the pill. I did and I starting losing weight... I then fell pregnant and put it all back on x3! Bugger!

I agree, your mind is a powerful tool. And, too many people blame the pill instead of themselves but when you go from 120 to 155 in 6 months and the only thing that changed was getting on b.c., how can say that it's the person's fault? That happened to me and I actually started working out more and couldn't lose the wieght. It was not until I changed pills that it finally came off. Then, I changed pills again (I didn't want to but my dr. said the new one would be much better for me...) I gained 15 back....I don't mean to sound so defensive; I just hate when people say that every woman "blames" the pill for wieght gain because it's not true.

I think it's different for everyone really. I have to be on BC for hormonally related migraines, and acne as well. Dr's said my hormones would drop so quickly that my fainting episodes were due to the dramatic hormones changes at the time of my period affecting my blood pressure.

I was on 4 types in 1 year (all pill forms) weight gain varied with all some i was on had no problems, others gained about 15lbs. etc. I went on Nuvaring and it really suppressed my appetite things I would LOVE to munch on or crave were the farthest thing from my mind etc. migraines gone, acne much better.

I think some of the weight gain is psychological or it causing changes in appetite but ultimately it's about how strong you are to avoid putting food in your mouth. Some I know was just me retaining water. I think it's to hard to make a generalization for all females as every persons body is different and could produce varied reactions.