Birth Control

mexy04
mexy04 Posts: 96
edited October 4 in Health and Weight Loss
Now does Birth Control really make you gain weight. I've never gained a crazy amount of weight but a little here and there but then again I've lost alot of weight here and there. I've been on quite a few different types and brands also. Any opinions???

Replies

  • bprague
    bprague Posts: 564 Member
    I've been on... like 4 different kinds of bc and honestly- I haven't noticed a difference in my weight. Right now I'm on Low Estr. 24 but I've hit up all the normal ones.
  • sandy2006
    sandy2006 Posts: 483 Member
    Acording to my obgyn, she says no they do not make you gain weight. I started them a few months ago and haven't gained any so far I'm losing
  • bump
  • chicky89
    chicky89 Posts: 260 Member
    I havent gained any because of it (well I gained0 but im not blaming anyof it on that)


    I really dont believe you gain any, and if you do, its very little, and personally I would rather gain a very little amount of weight, than get pregnant!
  • Silvercivic
    Silvercivic Posts: 156 Member
    I didn't use birth control and then I gained 25 pounds... two times!
  • Different people respond to birth control in different ways. While bc does not make you put on weight directly, it can affect your hormone levels and sometimes your body reacts to these changes. Some women lose weight since their hormone levels are regulated, while some report a weight gain mostly in the chest, hips, and bottom area - areas often affected by hormone levels. If you are worried, ask for a low dose of bc - there are high dosages (50mg) which are used for people with bad skin or intense cramps, 30mg and now there is a low dose of 20mg which you can request.
    Hope this helps!
  • nboot1
    nboot1 Posts: 41 Member
    In the 12 years of my BC use: The pill never made a difference, I used the pill on and off for about 10 years (in between having planned children). I ttried the shot and gained about 6lbs in just 2 months, besides that, I was working out 5-6 days a week and could not lose an ounce! The shot is out of my system and I now have an IUD. I have lost 2lbs since stopping the shot and joining MFP :)
  • nanodot
    nanodot Posts: 154 Member
    I was on them from age 19 to about 35. They kinda trick the body into thinking you are already pregnant, so you don't release another egg, right?

    So, some people gain weight on them, and some don't, depending on how your body would respond to pregnancy. In my case, I gained weight, but I ate like awful, so the pills may have had nothing to do with it.

    The pills did practically shut off my libido, though, and I didn't realize it till I got off them in my mid-30s. That's an occasional side effect to watch out for.
  • Lizzybugz
    Lizzybugz Posts: 26 Member
    really, my iud is amazing. i don't do well on the pills or the nuvaring and ive tried pretty much all of them. i was scared to get the paraguard for ages, but finally did it and i have never been happier. the cramps are slightly worse but manageable with advil. the first month was not a lot of fun, but after that, its been awesome! =)
  • lexximan
    lexximan Posts: 322 Member
    I gained, and I also lost my libido for quite some time. I will never be on it again.
  • fiberartist219
    fiberartist219 Posts: 1,865 Member
    I don't think it affects weight gain directly, but it certainly affects your appetite!

    I quit taking mine along with another pill I was taking for migraines that listed weight gain as a side effect. I am not nearly as hungry as I used to be. Yes, if I eat less, I will lose weight, but if I'm hungry, I am going to eat more. I would rather be fat than hungry. Well, now that I'm not taking the pills anymore, I'm not hungry anymore, and therefore, I'm losing weight.

    The hubs and I are using alternate forms of birth control until I decide if I want an IUD. If I respond well to not taking the pills, that's what I'm going to do. I want to stay off the pills for a couple months to see how my body reacts.

    So far, I'm not hungry, and my face is oily and pimply. I've actually had some stomach discomfort after eating, which might also explain the loss of appetite. I figured out that my hormones are causing the stomach issues, because I spotted on the same day that my stomach was hurting at it's worst.

    I think this will all even out after a few more weeks. If not, I might go back on the pills, but I truly believe my life will be better without them.
  • it_be_asin
    it_be_asin Posts: 562 Member
    Have never gained a gram on the pill. If anything, I may have lost a little weight whilst on it once or twice.
  • newmrswood
    newmrswood Posts: 167 Member
    When I started my BC in a month I gained 10lbs, also my chest went from a 32D to a 32DD, it just depends on the person
  • SPheonix22
    SPheonix22 Posts: 90 Member
    When I started my BC in a month I gained 10lbs, also my chest went from a 32D to a 32DD, it just depends on the person

    Same for me. But it made me hungry ALLLLLLLLLLLLL the time. I had to switch. on Tri Lo and it is soo much better. I think you need to expiriment and find the right one for you.
  • CMorning99
    CMorning99 Posts: 924 Member
    I gained on the long term BCs, Mirena and Depo. I think it was b/c of the higher hormone doses. I stopped taking BC for about 6 months to see what would happen (miracle weight loss) and all I got was a bad case of acne. So now I am on low dose Yaz and my acne cleared up and I am still losing weight at the same very slow rate as I was w/o BC.
  • newmrswood
    newmrswood Posts: 167 Member
    When I started my BC in a month I gained 10lbs, also my chest went from a 32D to a 32DD, it just depends on the person

    Same for me. But it made me hungry ALLLLLLLLLLLLL the time. I had to switch. on Tri Lo and it is soo much better. I think you need to expiriment and find the right one for you.

    I stopped taking it for a little while and I'm back on it again, I think it's making me hungry in the morning, I take it beofre I go to sleep. I'm hoping I don't gain more weight, and that the girls don't get bigger...I'm only 5'0" so any bigger and I may have a problem lol
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