Contraceptive pill (sorry men folk)

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  • candj2009
    candj2009 Posts: 36 Member
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    If you don't need it for pregnancy prevention and are 100% sure you do not want any children in the future, I would look into the uterine ablasion. I worked with several ladies who had it done and all of them are period free now. One was going to have a hysterectomy because of the excessive bleeding but didn't want to go on hormone therapy, so the ablasion was a great alternative. I too have trouble with progestrone only methods (pill, shot, Mirena). I have the Nuvaring now and it is really good as far as cravings not increasing. Also regulates your cycle and mine is lighter. But it does have estrogen and if your GP is against estrogen, you may not get it. I would ask to be referred to a specialist if GP can't find a solution that you are comfortable with.
  • Matt_Wild
    Matt_Wild Posts: 2,673 Member
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    Weight loss is calories in verus calories out (inc exercise). By increasing your food in your diet and eating back calories, its not a shock to see weight loss has stalled. Contraception can cause water weight increase and by its very nature oestrogen likes to lay down fat if the calories are there but its not a magic pill the forces weight onto, it simply doesn't work like that.

    What is your current exercise regime and diet?

    I love when men who have never dealt with female hormones or BC weigh in with this crap.

    I was so desperate to lose (because of my BC), I reduced my calorie intake to 500 a day and was still gaining weight. I had no problems with losing before I got my current BC. If calories in/out was the only factor in weight, then a lot more of us would be losing a lot more easily.

    I prep WOMEN. Claws away please.

    Would you like me to tell you all about oestrogen and how it effects the bodily system, adipose tisse, Odeama etc? Or do you wish to continue assuming I know nothing.

    Or are the women I prep magic?
  • elsinora
    elsinora Posts: 398 Member
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    There are over 30 kinds of contraceptive pill and affects everyone in different ways. What makes some people gain weight/get.spots/mood swings etc may not happen for the next.

    best advice is to talk to the doctor about this kind of thing first before making any changes,
  • Shayyy01
    Shayyy01 Posts: 290 Member
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    Personally, I would not quit taking the pill cold turkey without consulting your doc first.... There could be a lot of side effects you are not aware of, and it could be dangerous.

    Secondly, your body needs time to get used to the new pill... some where around 2-3 I months I think. You are approaching the end of two, I would assume.. so give it another month, and see what happens. If you still aren't losing weight after the third month, then I'd consider stopping/changing.

    ^^^ this

    Also, i switched from the ring to the pill, and i lost on the pill. Unlike the ring and the shot. ( shot made me gain 30+ lbs, and my mood swings where crazier then ever)
    Your body just needs time to adjust.
  • itsuki
    itsuki Posts: 520 Member
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    The thing with the pill is that each different pill can effect a woman differently than it would effect any other woman, so it's difficult to say, "Oh yeah, I had weight gain on pill X but it wasn't bad with pill Y, so you should try pill Y."

    If you need to be on something hormonal, your best bet is to talk to your doctor about it and try a few. Unfortunately, trying a few means starting a new pill, waiting the three months for your body to regulate itself, and then waiting another 3-6 months to record side-effects, then doing it again with a different pill if the effects are unacceptable. It can take a long time.

    If you don't need to be on something hormonal, you could always try Paraguard, which is a copper IUD. However, a non-hormonal BC can lead to other side effects, such as more cramping and a heavier flow.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
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    Weight loss is calories in verus calories out (inc exercise). By increasing your food in your diet and eating back calories, its not a shock to see weight loss has stalled. Contraception can cause water weight increase and by its very nature oestrogen likes to lay down fat if the calories are there but its not a magic pill the forces weight onto, it simply doesn't work like that.

    What is your current exercise regime and diet?

    I love when men who have never dealt with female hormones or BC weigh in with this crap.

    I was so desperate to lose (because of my BC), I reduced my calorie intake to 500 a day and was still gaining weight. I had no problems with losing before I got my current BC. If calories in/out was the only factor in weight, then a lot more of us would be losing a lot more easily.

    I prep WOMEN. Claws away please.

    OK. Then please explain to me why the month after I got my IUD, despite continuing with the same diet and exercise and having kept off a 24-pound loss for two years, I stopped losing and started gaining. And why in the 2 1/2 years since, despite doing everything I should be doing to lose, I'm still gaining. And why when I went to 500 calories a day for two weeks, plus exercise, I gained weight?

    I need to eat fewer than 500 calories a day, then? Since it's simple math?

    My problem with your original post, and others like it, is that it puts the blame solely on the person's eating and exercise, and if that person is eating the recommended amount and exercising and NOT OVEREATING, then what is that person supposed to do? People are basically saying she's lying about her eating and exericise because it couldn't possibly be the hormones she's taking.
  • Mythel
    Mythel Posts: 72
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    PLEASE NOTE!!! This option is only if you are 100% sure you are done having kids!!!

    I also have extremely heavy periods that started fairly recently (past year and half) basically due to getting older and uterus that is getting tired. My doctor has offered me the option of a procedure called NovaSure. This procedure will leave you infertile so it is only available to women who will no longer be having children. I do not know your personal situation but if you are interested just Google NovaSure for more information.
  • SeaChele77
    SeaChele77 Posts: 1,103 Member
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    Your story is very very similar to mine. I started gaining after getting on a new BCP with no change to eating or exercise. that is when I joined MFP - and NOTHING changed for me. I lost a mere 5-7lbs and was stuck.

    I got off BCP in Oct 2011 and boom the weight fell off. By the end of the year I had just about reached my goal. I think BCPs have a lot to do with our weight - especially as we get older. If you don't *have* to be on BCP I suggest every woman get off of them.

    It is a waiting game now. Drink LOTS of water and keep up with your 1400 calories a day and exercise routine. You'll see the weight start to come off. GOOD LUCK
  • Matt_Wild
    Matt_Wild Posts: 2,673 Member
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    I'm sorry if I came across a little sharp but its a pet hate.

    I'm saying her diet is probably not in check, her cardio and indeed weights as well could be strengthened. I've coached women in the UK in the NABBA federation and they've qualified for NABBA World in Italy.

    We all know that contraception will increase water, this is directly proportional to the level of oestrogen found in the pill. To control water, you need to control renin-angiotensin (produced by the kidneys) by keeping oestrogen levels down. A pill with 20mg or less oestrogen will cause less water retention.

    Because the contraception pills elevate insulin levels, when one consumes a diet richer than required in carbs, you will cause extra fat gain over a normal diet.

    Its simply understanding the contraception being used and working around it with ones diet.

    HTH.
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
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    I'm sorry if I came across a little sharp but its a pet hate.

    I'm saying her diet is probably not in check, her cardio and indeed weights as well could be strengthened. I've coached women in the UK in the NABBA federation and they've qualified for NABBA World in Italy.

    We all know that contraception will increase water, this is directly proportional to the level of oestrogen found in the pill. To control water, you need to control renin-angiotensin (produced by the kidneys) by keeping oestrogen levels down. A pill with 20mg or less oestrogen will cause less water retention.

    Because the contraception pills elevate insulin levels, when one consumes a diet richer than required in carbs, you will cause extra fat gain over a normal diet.

    Its simply understanding the contraception being used and working around it with one diet.

    HTH.

    I didn't gain and retain 23 pounds of water. Sorry, but that just isn't the case.

    Every woman responds differently to different forms of BC. She's eating 1,400 calories a day. She was losing weight fine before the switch and she hasn't changed her routine, just her BC.

    Good for the women you train, but maybe you just haven't come across a woman who's had adverse weight side effects from her BC. It isn't extremely common except with Depo. In fact, the BC I'm on says fewer than 5% will have a side effect of weight gain. So out of 100 women on it, no more than 4 will gain or have trouble losing. I happen to be one of the "lucky" ones.

    Also, the pill the OP is on and the Mirena IUD (which I have) do not contain any estrogen. Neither does Depo.
  • Matt_Wild
    Matt_Wild Posts: 2,673 Member
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    Did you just read anything I've said there? If you are on a contraceptive high in oestrogen it will cause water retention. If the water retention is too high, you need to consider asking for a different form of contraceptive.

    You'd have gained extra weight on top of this thro your diet being high in carbs. Bare in mind that that they were developed as insulin elevators and found to have contraceptive abilities. They are designed to help shuttle more nutrients in as fat.

    As for Progesterone based contraceptives, they result in excess Oestrogen relative to Progesterone, triggering even more Insulin release.

    Its all quite simple if you do a little research.
  • htalexander
    htalexander Posts: 81
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    I have had mirena iud for about 7 mos..The first few months I had irregular cycles, pms type symptoms and gained about 5lbs but then each month got better ..I only have a light 3 or 4 day period now and I am losing weight on the program without a huge fight.. I say consider an iud..It makes me much less emotional that pills used too and best of all you can't forget to take it! =)
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
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    Did you just read anything I've said there? If you are on a contraceptive high in oestrogen it will cause water retention. If the water retention is too high, you need to consider asking for a different form of contraceptive.

    You'd have gained extra weight on top of this thro your diet being high in carbs. Bare in mind that that they were developed as insulin elevators and found to have contraceptive abilities. They are designed to help shuttle more nutrients in as fat.

    As for Progesterone based contraceptives, they result in excess Oestrogen relative to Progesterone, triggering even more Insulin release.

    Its all quite simple if you do a little research.

    My diet isn't high in carbs. I was on the pill for 13 years without a weight problem. It is a very specific contraceptive and weight gain occurs in fewer than 5% of women. I gained weight eating 500 calories a day and exercising. Explain that. Because no matter how much insulin one has, one should not gain weight on 500 calories a day unless there's something else going on and that can't be explained by what you're saying.
  • dianeellen2
    dianeellen2 Posts: 259 Member
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    My problem with your original post, and others like it, is that it puts the blame solely on the person's eating and exercise, and if that person is eating the recommended amount and exercising and NOT OVEREATING, then what is that person supposed to do? People are basically saying she's lying about her eating and exericise because it couldn't possibly be the hormones she's taking.

    I suppose this is why i am reluctant to go to the doctors - whenever you say you are not over eating and are exercising but not losing weight people assume you are lying (intentionally or not)
  • Matt_Wild
    Matt_Wild Posts: 2,673 Member
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    Did you just read anything I've said there? If you are on a contraceptive high in oestrogen it will cause water retention. If the water retention is too high, you need to consider asking for a different form of contraceptive.

    You'd have gained extra weight on top of this thro your diet being high in carbs. Bare in mind that that they were developed as insulin elevators and found to have contraceptive abilities. They are designed to help shuttle more nutrients in as fat.

    As for Progesterone based contraceptives, they result in excess Oestrogen relative to Progesterone, triggering even more Insulin release.

    Its all quite simple if you do a little research.

    My diet isn't high in carbs. I was on the pill for 13 years without a weight problem. It is a very specific contraceptive and weight gain occurs in fewer than 5% of women. I gained weight eating 500 calories a day and exercising. Explain that. Because no matter how much insulin one has, one should not gain weight on 500 calories a day unless there's something else going on and that can't be explained by what you're saying.

    You are dieting on more carbs than many chaps I prep diet on at around 150g a day who are quiet a bit heavier than you.

    As for you gaining weight on 500 cals a day, that would be water likely to be water retention e.g. odema. Unless you can explain how magically you gain weight.

    We are talking about your endocrine system, its not magic, just science.
  • dianeellen2
    dianeellen2 Posts: 259 Member
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    I'm saying her diet is probably not in check, her cardio and indeed weights as well could be strengthened. I've coached women in the UK in the NABBA federation and they've qualified for NABBA World in Italy.

    My point is that - nothing changed - 3 to 4 months to lose 26lb then BCP change no loss in over a month

    I do not exercise excessivly but would concider my 5 times a week routine to be fairly 'normal' for a 45 year old woman, probably could increase weight training and cardio but only so many hours in the day (full time working mum with hubby and 2 kids so...what i do exercise wise has to fit in around family and work)

    But i reiterate - nothing changed just BCP
  • Matt_Wild
    Matt_Wild Posts: 2,673 Member
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    But i reiterate - nothing changed just BCP

    Thats probably the problem - if your diet is higher in carbs than the pill will allow because of insulin releasing qualities it WILL cause fat storage. Its not great but you have to work with what the hormone you are talking will allow to ingest without storing it as adipose tissue, fat..

    Also, as stated, if your BCP is causing excessive water retention you need to ask for one lower in oestrogen. The basic science of the endocrine system (and also how the kidneys interact) will cause the extra water EVEN if the pill doesn't contain oestrogen it will cause the release of oestrogen relative to Progesterone.
  • rissadiane
    rissadiane Posts: 355 Member
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    It really depends on your body. When I was 18 I lost a lot of weight when I got on birth control (Ortho-Novum). Then my doctor switched me to Ortho Tri-Cyclen lo, and I absolutely hated it. I was hungry all the time, I was so angry and I had these massive mood swings (and combine that with no "intimate" drive whatsoever), I got off of birth control. I just got diagnosed with PCOS, and now I'm back on a pill similar to my first pill, and I love it! You just need to find a hormone balance that works for and with your body. Good luck! :flowerforyou:
  • chaitrex
    chaitrex Posts: 94 Member
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    Call your doctor. Tell her to switch you back. You're paying her.
    The Pill has made it SO difficult for me to lose weight. I kept waiting or my water retention to stop, and everyone said it would just take time. But I just kept gaining and gaining until all of a sudden I was 25 lbs heavier. This was on a low dose pill too.
    I went off it for a month and it gave my weight loss a good kick start. I'm back on it now and I can honestly say that for me, while I'm losing weight at a snail's pace, it's happening.:tongue:
  • flong1975
    flong1975 Posts: 56
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    My Doctor took me off of the pill a year ago as of Jan 20th and put me on Mirena. I gained 20 pounds in the first month and steadly gained a total of 40 pounds in the year. I changed my diet, then went vegetarian, then started running, joined a gym, was working out regularly and nothing was stopping the weight gain. I blamed Mirena for a long time. That was until I read more about the side effects of going off the pill. My hormones were SO out of whack and it took that long to start getting back to normal. I was on the pill for close to 20 years! It wasn't until this past January that I started using this web site and started tracking my calories that I began to gain control of my weight and start losing weight. I have only lost and kept off 4 pounds so far. It's not a lot but it's a start. I sabatoge myself on the weekends and I know that needs to stop. But at least I know that it's ME holding myself back now. If you are exercising and tracking your calories, take a look at your past few weeks and see if there are things that you can tweek... it could be something so simple that you can swap out or live without that can make the diference.... This of course is just my opinion and what I found that works for me. I read Master Your Metabolism. I do not follow it to a T but it did help explain a lot of things that women AND men deal with hormonally and environmentally....

    Good luck!

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