Ladies Help!! Trouble with the birth control.... :(

First and foremost, medications do not make you gain or lose weight. They make have an influence on how your body handles weight loss or gain but that doesn't mean it is impossible to lose. Second, It depends on what you are on. My doctor put me on orthotricyclen in the spring and the weight started falling off with diet and exercise*. I was on nothing prior to that. The only one I've really heard about major weight gain was the the depo shot. My friend gained 45 lbs in the last year but she also drinks and eats terribly.

What are your work out habits like? Just because the scale dopesn't move doesn't mean you aren't losing in inches..

I've been on BC for a little over a year and lost 16 pounds in about 3 months. It can happen!

I have heard that before but I've been on BC since Jan 08 and I still have lost. I don't know, it may definitely slow you down, but my experience says it's completely doable. I've been on MFP since June of this year and I have lost about 8lbs since.

BC has had diffferent effects on me. From losing to gaining to flat lining my weight.

Paraguard IUD <~~ No hormones/No Medication...look into it!

You probably need to give it more time if you have only been logging for 1 week. Try eating at least 1200 calories every day and keep in mind your weight may vary up to 3 lbs daily. Just be consistant weighing and logging. I weigh in every Thursday morning immediately after waking up right after using the bathroom. I have been on depo since December and have still lost 57 lbs, so try not to give too much credit to the whole birth control thing.

I have been on birth control forever as well as other medications and I have never gained weigh bc of itt. U said you havent lost anything in 3 weeks. Did you just start MFP cuz that is normal. I suggest switching up your workouts and upping your calories and completely losing drinks besides water. I think that is just an excuse that birth control is making u gain weight. I may be wrong. If u just started taking it, it may.. but u said you have been on it for a year. Try something new and if nothing changes, talk to your doctor. Good luck.

I use that! Paraguard IUD! It's awesome

It's not by any means a smart idea to go off of your birth control. Especially if you need it for medical reasons (example: PCOS)! I've only had issues with weight gain when I was taking the Depo-Provera shot. I went from 115, to 145 pounds, and did not lose any of it until I went off of the shot! I have since been taking a waaaay cheaper method of birth control known as Tri-Sprintec. It is $9 from the Walmart pharmacy, and I have had no issues with it when it comes to weight loss. I've gone from 135 to 125 pounds, after struggling for many years with weight loss since dropping the initial 10 pounds. It can happen! If you think it's the meds, ask to be switched! If that doesn't help, talk to your doctor about the issues you are having. It could very well be something else.

I actually just went off my BC this week b/c I see no point in adding extra hormones into my body..

this is such a good point... but did you know that fat produces estrogen.... i actually had to go back on BC to regulate again due to the hormones in my body not playing well with each other.

So if you don't already have enough of a reason to lose weight.. there's an additional one.

I've been on BC sinse I've been old enough to take it due to some other health issues (poly-cycstic ovaries, which the doctors told me would ALSO make it hard to lose weight). I've lost 20 lbs in the last year. My weight loss is slow mostly because of jumping on and off the diet wagon, not because of any BC or other health issues. In fact, when I decided that I was going to try to prove the doctor wrong and not let the excuse of medication or health problems limit me, I did much better. Do your research and find a food regime that works for you (for me, it's lots of protein, lots of water, lots of fibre, and cutting out sugar and empty calories), stick to it, count your calories, and try to get some excersize. Don't let medications, health problems, negative peer pressure, time restrictions or anything else count as an excuse, and you'll find losing weight so much easier. At least I did.

I firmly believe it depends on the person, their food/exercise habits, and how their body individually reacts to the hormones. I had loads of trouble with Depo and Yaz but have happily been on the Nuva Ring for a while and would never go back. I have friends that swear Nuva is the devil and would never go off Yaz, same for Depo and same for every type of BC on the market.

I suggest you speak to your doctor about your concerns. They may be able to help you choose a birth control that is right for your needs. Not every medicine is right for every person.