Weight Loss and "The Pill"

I was wondering if anyone (probably ladies, considering the nature of the topic) would have any information on trying to lose weight while being on birth control.

I've tried many times before to start losing weight, but didn't experience very much results and always ended up quitting and my doctor said it's probably due to the pill. Because of this, he warned that it may be harder than usual to lose weight and/or keep it off if I do. I've changed prescriptions about three times now.

I'm wondering if anyone here is on BC, what BC you are on and how successful you've been at losing weight and maybe what you do to lose???

Thanks in advance!!!

I asked the same question to my doctor a few years ago and she seemed to act like it was more of an excuse than anything. She told me that on average a woman gains about a pound a year...with or without birth control and we all need to exercise to stay in shape. Now I don't know if this is true or not but I have friends who are on bc and friends who are not and weight gain does not seem to discriminate!!! I, personally, cannot say that any of my weight gain had come from being on the pill.

This could just be from the pill I am on...I did have a friend who took a bc shot and I believe a side effect was weight gain...so she stopped!

Hope that helps...I'd like to hear other ladies experiences!

I'm not going to say that the pill has nothing to do with weightloss because I'm no doctor, and other pills could have different results than the one I am one. BUT, I will say when we don't succeed at something, it is easy to blame something else, like I couldn't lose the weight because of my BC.

A couple years ago I became determined to lose weight and joined a gym and worked out faithfully three mornings a week for about six weeks. All that ever happaned was I yo-yo'd between the same 3 and 4 pounds....lose two, gain one, lose three gain four, etc.

I wasn't really watching what I ate, but I figured not eating right and exercisinig HAD to be better than not eating right and not exercising... right? Wrong....subconsciously I probably did eat more, assuminig I could afford it since I went to the gym. So all that time I concluded that I am just one of those people that has a hard time losinig weight.

It wasn't until I joined here and started counting calories and working out regularly that I discovered, I CAN lose weight. So yeah, I'm sure there are medecines that can make it more difficult, but you also have to look at your methods and how dedicated you are and be honest with yourself on just how much your eating. Sure you had a salad for lunch but what about the cookies and pop and snacks you had between that and dinner? A lot of peple selectively forget about those things. We also tend to think, I just took the stairs two flights instead of the elevator, I deserve that piece of cake.....except there is no way taking two flights of stairs will work off a piece of cake. That's what I love about this site, it truly holds you accountable for everything you do and eat, and the results show.
Now that I count my calories, it really amazes me to know how much I used to eat before, all the while thinking I was doing pretty well.

Hi!

I recently stopped taking the pill because in a week I gained a little over 5 pounds. I am a runner, count calories, drink my water etc.

I discussed it with my doctor and he said that the weight gain is definitely NOT from my lifestyle and eating habits. The particular pill I was on caused water retention and bloating for me. It also increased hunger which I was able to fight, but was miserable doing it. He took me off the pill. I also had TONS of other side effects that helped us make the descision. Everyone is differnet though. What works for one, might not work for the other. The best bet is to talk with your doc and find the best course of action for yourself!

Good luck!!

When I went off of the shot and onto the pill I went from 122 to 136 in 6 weeks and have never been back down under 130. I have been on this site for 2 months now and have lost 2-3 pounds. It is a little frustrating because of course I would love to be back under 130, but I know that I am doing better by my body and will eventually see results. But I do wonder if there is a pill with less chance of weight gain and/or difficulty losing weight.

Ahhhh

I want the names of these bc's you are all taking! I am trying to lose weight, but I just recently decided to go on the pill (bf and I don't like the condoms)! I don't want to gain weight and my boobs are already a DD.

I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't go on it at all...

I have been on the pill since I was 18 (off for about 2 years to have kids), and have never had a problem with weight gain associated with the pill. My weight gain was simply from being pregnant and not watching what I eat/working out. I have been on 4 different pills since age 18, all a low dose of hormone. Next month I move to a slightly higher dose (as I've done in the past) as my body gets too used to the one I'm on and I start getting loads of cramps, etc. I'm sure it's different for everyone, but I personally haven't noticed any difference. (I also tried Nuva Ring about 2 years ago for a 6 month span and no weight change with that either).

also I have researched these:

Loestrin 24fe
Cyclessa
Marvelon


Anyone take these before???

Nuva ring?

also, pills that are tri-phasic (three levels of hormone each cycle) are more prone to bloating, water retention

pills that are mono-phasic (one same level all month) are less prone to it. and (BIG BONUS) is you want to skip your period for whatever reason, you can do so with a monophasic by just starting a new pill pack after the last "active" pill in your old pack. you may spot a tiny bit, but you will essentially skip right over that period. that's how those seasonale pills work.

Levora (aka Levlen) is a monophasic, and I it. I was on tri-phasic forever, and I had come to HATE my pills. when I switched to mono, what a relief!!!

Also for anyone with ENDOMETRIOSIS I have had this for over 8 years. Probably one of the worst cases. I have had to have surgery, do depo lupron treatments and nothing has helped. I cramped almost everyday. I lost 38lbs before I joined MFP and since then my cramping has decreased so much. I was going to have a hysterectomy and decided before I did that I wanted to get healthier and lose weight so the surgery and recovery would go smoother. Well since my weight loss I have put the surgery on hold because I feel so much better.