Does birth control cause weight gain?

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Replies

  • mscoco10
    mscoco10 Posts: 527 Member
    YES YES and YES ! Only the IUD doesn't cause weight gain. The pills, rings, patches, and shots make it harder to control weight. The shot is the worst. I know people that gained over 40 lbs.
  • bluegirl10
    bluegirl10 Posts: 695 Member
    Yes, a couple years ago I was on it for about 6 months and was gaining weight even though I was trying to lose weight.. Once I got off of it and got Mirena I was able to lose the weight.... Unfortunately gained back the weight, but that was just due to me and bad habits!
  • tpt42087
    tpt42087 Posts: 313 Member
    Im on the pill and have been since MAy and I havent gained weigh but it's a B**h to lose it! At least for me it is I workout 7 days a weeka nd only lose maybe 3-5lbs a month
  • brattyworm
    brattyworm Posts: 2,137 Member
    i too think its entirely person dependent. my biggest issue with bc is the mood swings. Depending on which brand and the level of whatever is in it .... my moods go from mild to omg stay away from her.. But most docs are willing to change if for some reason you seem to have an issue with it.
  • RAFValentina
    RAFValentina Posts: 1,231 Member
    You'll only gain "weight" if you start eating more. It doesn't change your metabolism. However, it COULD increase your appetite so watch what you eat, opt for low GI foods to help keep hunger at bay. You may retain water but its cyclic just as normal, maybe a few lbs around that time. But it's only water. Just keep an eye on body measurements. I was fine on the pill, gained a few lbs initially because I ate more, but then started doing a bit more phys - I wasn't doing nearly enough before and regaining control on my eating - stopped eating so much crap and now I'm back on track.
  • aqua4u75
    aqua4u75 Posts: 18
    Any doctor I have ever been to has told me to expect some weight gain when taking "the pill" or "the shot". They never really gave me an explanation as to why, but I never really asked either...
  • Sh1tsRainbows
    Sh1tsRainbows Posts: 1,227 Member
    Pregnancy cause weight gain also....just sayin
  • rachel1496
    rachel1496 Posts: 65
    It can for some people. Sometimes it's from increased appetite, sometimes it's just a side effect of changing your hormone levels.

    To put it in perspective, I gained about 7-10lbs on the pill. I gained 50+ lbs during my first pregnancy.
  • _Ben
    _Ben Posts: 1,608 Member
    Pharmacy major here.

    Sprintec, as long as any birth control, or hormone for that matter, can possibly cause weight gain, as well as weight loss. You may want to talk to your doctor about this specifically, there may be a different birth control pill that you may lose weight instead. Really in the end it may cause some weight gain, but with consistant diet and exercise, you can and will still lose weight
  • kiesh82
    kiesh82 Posts: 131 Member
    I've never gained from the pill. But plenty of women I know gained while on Depo.
  • canuckgurrl
    canuckgurrl Posts: 29 Member
    I would say yes. Although I have been on and off it for over 20 years.
    If you watch what you eat and work out it will be fine.

    I have been on it again for a few months and started to lose weight.
  • _Ben
    _Ben Posts: 1,608 Member
    I've never gained from the pill. But plenty of women I know gained while on Depo.

    With Depo shots, it is VERY common to experience weight gain. Its also (in some circles of pharmacy) considered as effective as a daily birth control
  • Starkle09
    Starkle09 Posts: 238 Member
    BIRTH CONTROL HAS NEVER CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN FOR ME...CHEESEBURGERS HOWEVER IS ANOTHER STORY!
  • Captainfakeeye
    Captainfakeeye Posts: 16
    Strange thing: I just started the pill this month (Microgestin FE 1/20), and I've experienced a loss of appetite. I haven't really weighed myself to see if I've lost weight, but all of my clothes are looser...

    I really think hormonal pills affect everyone differently. Try one out for a couple of months, and if it really doesn't work out for you, you can always switch.
  • Raf702
    Raf702 Posts: 196 Member
    I had ex gf who used it for a cycle. Affected her appetite, mood, etc. Got all the adverse effects from birth control, except for doing what it is designed to do and not get pregnant. Lol

    Obviously every female respond differently to the effects of birth control besides preventing pregnancy.
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    The only one that made me gain weight was Seasonique, which was horrible for me.
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