Contraception??

LeighYan91
LeighYan91 Posts: 129
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Could The Contraceptive Pill be slowing my weight loss.
I've heard that it wan put on weight but if your loosing weight can it slow it down??
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Replies

  • MelanieAG05
    MelanieAG05 Posts: 359 Member
    I've wondered about this as well. I recently changed mine thinking that the one i was on was hindering my weight loss but I've seen no difference.
  • daffodilsoup
    daffodilsoup Posts: 1,972 Member
    It might depend on what brand/type of BC you're using, but when I brought this concern up to my doctor when I started the Pill (I use Alesse), she said that it's not the actual pill that causes weight gain, rather, it makes you crave food badly - usually carbs.

    I've lost 10 pounds in the last six weeks while taking the pill. Maybe it would go faster if I weren't on oral contraception, but I'm satisfied with the results :) As long as you're consistently hitting your calories limits, etc, you should be fine :)
  • LeighYan91
    LeighYan91 Posts: 129
    I am using Femulen at the moment. They gave me it to give me periods as I have PCOS. They offered me the coil and I wasn't too enthusiastic about that.
  • babyworms
    babyworms Posts: 1,304 Member
    It could be the pcos slowing your losses?
  • daffodilsoup
    daffodilsoup Posts: 1,972 Member
    I am using Femulen at the moment. They gave me it to give me periods as I have PCOS. They offered me the coil and I wasn't too enthusiastic about that.

    As an aside, can I ask what you didn't like about the coil? I am looking for some longer-term BC options and the coil is one on the list.

    Also, I don't personally have PCOS, but I've heard here on the boards that it can cause weight loss to slow or be difficult - still doable though! There are some great groups and resources on here for women with PCOS that would be worth looking into! :)
  • rochey1098
    rochey1098 Posts: 285
    I'm no expert but I believe that 'the pill' simulates pregnancy hormones thus tricking the body into thinking it wont need to ovulate. Pregnancy requires extra food in preparation for supporting life both while the baby is developing in the womb and breastfeeding afterwards so I think that weight loss may be marginally slower. That said, many women still lose weight even while taking the pill so just push forward
  • LeighYan91
    LeighYan91 Posts: 129
    I am using Femulen at the moment. They gave me it to give me periods as I have PCOS. They offered me the coil and I wasn't too enthusiastic about that.

    As an aside, can I ask what you didn't like about the coil? I am looking for some longer-term BC options and the coil is one on the list.

    Also, I don't personally have PCOS, but I've heard here on the boards that it can cause weight loss to slow or be difficult - still doable though! There are some great groups and resources on here for women with PCOS that would be worth looking into! :)

    I just wasnt keen on the idea beacuse of where it is placed to be honest. I dont need it for contraception just to induce a period :/
  • carolineb81
    carolineb81 Posts: 459 Member
    Ive been on depo for a month and has not slowed down my weight loss at all, i lose about 2lbs per week. It did make me feel hungry when I first started (like when I have been pregnant) but I ignored the extra cravings and within about a week they had gone anyway
  • mumof5
    mumof5 Posts: 328 Member
    the pill does not in itself make you gain weight. it does mess with your hormones which mess with your metobolic rate wich messes with your weight.......but what do i know about contraception, i have 5 kids! ;)
  • Caperfae
    Caperfae Posts: 433
    The pill messes with your already messed up hormones .. having PCOS.
    I was on the BCP for a couple of years and was never able to lose much weight. However, after stopping and just following a good diet and working out .. I lost weight and then got my period regularly, not needing the pill. It's a vicious circle with PCOS.
  • fiberartist219
    fiberartist219 Posts: 1,865 Member
    I am losing weight faster since I stopped taking it. However, I stopped taking it without talking to my doctor first, so it did some funny things with the rest of my hormones. We have been abstaining until I can get a copper IUD, but I have to have my period to get it since I haven't had kids. The problem, is that I haven't had a period in two months... I don't think I have PCOS, because I don't have other symptoms from that, but I do have a thyroid condition, and apparently I have to have that checked again soon since I went off the pill.

    The endocrine system is a funny thing. You throw off one hormone, and they all get thrown off.
  • merlin87tx
    merlin87tx Posts: 27
    I'm no expert but I believe that 'the pill' simulates pregnancy hormones thus tricking the body into thinking it wont need to ovulate. Pregnancy requires extra food in preparation for supporting life both while the baby is developing in the womb and breastfeeding afterwards so I think that weight loss may be marginally slower. That said, many women still lose weight even while taking the pill so just push forward

    I'm pretty sure it's all different for each person. One friend takes the pill and hasn't gained a pound, yet she eats like a horse. When I took it, I took on a lot of weight but as soon as I stopped taking it, I dropped ten pounds. Even when exercising and taking the pill, the weight never dropped off for me.

    So you might have to just try out what works. Some medication, I know, will have different effects for you.
  • cramernh
    cramernh Posts: 3,335 Member
    The effects of Birth Control pills all react differently with women, regardless if its for contraceptive purposes, treatment of underlying conditions (like PCOS)....

    Every woman is different, and so are the side effects.

    To be honest, Im a PCOS patient with both IR and a Metabolic disorder - and I have dropped 68lbs and have been an active user of Ocella (generic for Yasmin) for about 2-3 years....


    Youve gotta be extra dilligent about your food intake if you are a BCP user AND being treated for PCOS - THAT is for sure!
  • foursure
    foursure Posts: 2 Member
    I use NFP (periodic abstinence) and have had no problems with it. I know most people won't be interested, but it's very effective and I love that I don't have to have chemicals in my body. I had the IUD for two years and it gave me horrible cramps, really, very awful. FWIW.
  • 4thehardman
    4thehardman Posts: 731 Member
    I have just stopped taking mine because I felt weird all the time. I have started losing weight again but I wouldn't swear that it was related. We are also NFP at the moment and being very careful (I have the pee on a stick test to make sure I'm not fertile) we don't want another suprise 3!!!
  • NightOwl1
    NightOwl1 Posts: 881 Member
    I haven't seen any scientific studies linking usage of birth control and weight gain.
  • sunkisses
    sunkisses Posts: 2,365 Member
    I have a thyroid condition, PCOS, and I'm on the Pill. I've lost 36lb. Having PCOS can slow you down, but that's just it - it's slower. Once you've lost a certain percentage of your weight, you'll begin to feel "normal" and lose weight normally as well.

    Maybe there's something else going on...like with your calories and exercise.
  • grassette
    grassette Posts: 976 Member
    The best contraception is the one that does not mess up your biology. Green contraception. Check out the Billings method.

    A great book on how to control your fertility without harming it is : http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge-Your-Fertility-Anniversary/dp/0060881909/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323527051&sr=1-1
  • mznisaelaine
    mznisaelaine Posts: 2,262 Member
    I never took contraceptive pills ever in my life but my doctor did say that it doesn't make you gain weight at all.. Some people gain weight "while on it" because their just naturally gaining weight (due to poor nutrition and lack of exercising) and blame it on the pill...
    I believe that too, I don't think it makes you gain or lose... It's more of a I believe the rumor kind of thing, so you gain weight -- it's all psychological
  • mumof5
    mumof5 Posts: 328 Member
    The best contraception is the one that does not mess up your biology. Green contraception. Check out the Billings method.

    A great book on how to control your fertility without harming it is : http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge-Your-Fertility-Anniversary/dp/0060881909/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323527051&sr=1-1

    yes thats the one i use!!! lol
  • daffodilsoup
    daffodilsoup Posts: 1,972 Member
    The best contraception is the one that does not mess up your biology. Green contraception. Check out the Billings method.

    A great book on how to control your fertility without harming it is : http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge-Your-Fertility-Anniversary/dp/0060881909/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323527051&sr=1-1

    Iunno, somehow this leaves a too much up to chance to me.
  • mirrim52
    mirrim52 Posts: 763 Member
    The best contraception is the one that does not mess up your biology. Green contraception. Check out the Billings method.

    A great book on how to control your fertility without harming it is : http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Charge-Your-Fertility-Anniversary/dp/0060881909/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323527051&sr=1-1

    Iunno, somehow this leaves a too much up to chance to me.

    Have you read the book?
    If you inform yourself and do the method properly it is very effective and leaves nothing "up to chance". It is not the rhythm method...that is completely different and not very reliable. It does take more discipline than a lot of other methods though.

    It doesn't really apply to the OP though since she has stated that she is not on the pill for contraception, only to regulate periods. It is still a great read though, and I recommend it to every woman. It really help you understand what is going on with your body.
  • yager8725
    yager8725 Posts: 267 Member
    my doctor and i just talked about this. the pcp CAN slow down weight loss.
  • dad106
    dad106 Posts: 4,868 Member
    I've lost 28 pounds while on the pill... and do I believe it has slowed down my weight loss.. nope. For most of the journey I've lost a pound a week like planned.. and the week I have my period, of course I don't lose... so I'm losing 3 pounds a month roughly which is normal.

    Do I believe the pill makes you gain weight? Nope. I believe that people are so hyped up about it, that when weight gain happens the first thing they blame is the pill... when it could be the pill, plus their eating habits, plus stress, plus lack of exercise/too much exercise.. See where this is going?
  • BeautyFromPain
    BeautyFromPain Posts: 4,952 Member
    everyone's bodies reacts differently but i believe for me it has been slowing it down majorly..
  • bert16
    bert16 Posts: 726 Member
    Do you know what really slows down weight loss??? Pregnancy. :laugh:

    Even if the pill slows it down, it certainly doesn't stop it, and there's a reason you're taking it. Not to say that there aren't alternatives, but if it's working for you for the reason you're taking it, just be careful before you change things up to something that might not work as well. I'm guessing there are other things slowing down weight loss moreso than this, unless nutrition and exercise are perfect.

    Good luck to you! :flowerforyou:
  • 4thehardman
    4thehardman Posts: 731 Member
    Women have the misconception that NFP is less effective than many other forms. When infact, it is only different to the pill by around 4% With all the other side effects of taking the pill I'm happy to be careful, plan ahead and stay pregnancy free.
  • daffodilsoup
    daffodilsoup Posts: 1,972 Member
    Have you read the book?
    If you inform yourself and do the method properly it is very effective and leaves nothing "up to chance". It is not the rhythm method...that is completely different and not very reliable. It does take more discipline than a lot of other methods though.

    It doesn't really apply to the OP though since she has stated that she is not on the pill for contraception, only to regulate periods. It is still a great read though, and I recommend it to every woman. It really help you understand what is going on with your body.

    Frankly no, I have not read the book. I will have to look into it - probably cheaper than my monthly BC anyway. Ultimately I am hoping to get my tubes tied, but this would be interesting in the meantime. Thanks for the information!
  • 4thehardman
    4thehardman Posts: 731 Member
    Have you read the book?
    If you inform yourself and do the method properly it is very effective and leaves nothing "up to chance". It is not the rhythm method...that is completely different and not very reliable. It does take more discipline than a lot of other methods though.

    It doesn't really apply to the OP though since she has stated that she is not on the pill for contraception, only to regulate periods. It is still a great read though, and I recommend it to every woman. It really help you understand what is going on with your body.
    I have thought about getting my tubes tied too. I certainly don't have room for anymore kids and I really love my triplets but I don't want another set!
    Frankly no, I have not read the book. I will have to look into it - probably cheaper than my monthly BC anyway. Ultimately I am hoping to get my tubes tied, but this would be interesting in the meantime. Thanks for the information!
  • daffodilsoup
    daffodilsoup Posts: 1,972 Member

    I have thought about getting my tubes tied too. I certainly don't have room for anymore kids and I really love my triplets but I don't want another set!

    Could be a good solution then! I have no kids and I don't ever want them, so for the long-term it would probably be a better option anyway. Would be interested in checking that book out in the meantime, though.
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