Birth Control and women
Replies
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I gained weight when i started contraception five years ago. i went up a dress size at least.
ive recently come off it in the last month and have been eating 1200 calories a day and not wanting any more
i think contraceptive does help wth weight gain xx0 -
It's mostly birth control containing estrogen that's been linked to weight gain. Single hormone methods, like implanon and iuds, and those with very little estrogen, like nuvaring or a mini-pill don't typically cause problems.
Actually, weight gain is one of the side effects of Implanon.
It's considered a "lesser" side effect because ess than 1% of people experience it. And it's likely that those people are looking for an excuse as to why they gained weight. There is no physiochemical reason for it.0 -
well, I've been on the pill for nearly 20 years & I can say I've ben pretty even keel.... AND let me tell you the alternative (pregnancy) will def pack on the pounds LOL.... I actually am looking into changing my pill type just because I have been on the same type/dosage for all these years with no problems, and let me tell you, this is making me a little worried, but I am getting older (at least my body is) and I think my hormones need a change.... fingers crossed this doesn't screw me completely up :noway:0
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I've had the pill, the injection and the implant and would put my weight gain up to a mixture of the being on the bill and eating too much / not exercising. Continued onto the injection which for some reason stopped any attempt at losing weight. Nurse took me off the injection for that reason and the implant at the moment is completely fine! No extra weight gain (probably due to watching what I eat most of the time) and I'm losing weight nicely now that I've stopped messing around and dedicated myself to losing weight.
I personally think that the birth control increased my appetite combined with issues I was having at the time but in honesty, the biggest reason I gained weight because I simply ate too much crap!0 -
I have to say, any of you using or considering using the pill, shots, an IUD or any other hormonal device, you need to do some serious research about the side effects.
I am NOT some religious nut who thinks birth control is wrong. I use condoms religiously. I am a medical professional who wants you all to know what your doctor probably won't tell you.
Like, did you know your risk for a blood clot is WAY higher on hormone bc, EVEN if you don't smoke! And a common side effect for all hormonal bs'c, and even non-hormone IUD's are tubal pregnancies, infertility and miscarriage.
Why do doctors usually leave these types of facts out of the discussion? Because the pharmaceutical companies don't give them kick-backs on condoms.
My best advice as a woman and a friend is, stick to condoms!!!!
I'm going to have to disagree with you here. But first, I'd like to know exactly what kind of medical professional you are at only 19 years old?
I have years of experience in womens' health, and my mother is an ob/gyn, so let me give my two cents here.
Yes, occasionally, ectopic (ie "tubal") pregnancies can occur while on birth control. HOWEVER, the instance of that is NO HIGHER than the number of ectopic pregnancies occurring in women who aren't using any form of birth control.
Yes, a few forms of hormonal birth control have been linked to blood clots, HOWEVER, that is relatively rare, and typically occurs in smokers, and people with a family or personal history of high blood pressure and clots. If your usage us monitored by a doctor, the risk is incredibly low.
Infertility has been linked to iuds, but again, it's VERY RARE.
25% of all pregnancies end in natural miscarriage anyway, and birth control does not affect this rate.
Spreading misinformation like you did is dangerous, and can be counted among the reasons that the rate of unintended pregnancy is as high as it is.
You might be my new best friend.0 -
It's mostly birth control containing estrogen that's been linked to weight gain. Single hormone methods, like implanon and iuds, and those with very little estrogen, like nuvaring or a mini-pill don't typically cause problems.
Actually, weight gain is one of the side effects of Implanon.
It's considered a "lesser" side effect because ess than 1% of people experience it. And it's likely that those people are looking for an excuse as to why they gained weight. There is no physiochemical reason for it.
I'll agree to that. But saying it isn't a side effect wasn't true, according to the literature I received.0 -
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You might be my new best friend.
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-grin- sounds good to me!0 -
I'm taking Lutera and have been fortunate enough to not have any side effects. I gained weight, but that wasn't from being on the pill. i was eating out almost 4 or 5 times a week. It added up really fast. I have heard of it being harder for people on the pill to lose weight, but it hasn't affected me being able to lose the one pound a week I usually do. It's different for everyone.0
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I have to say, any of you using or considering using the pill, shots, an IUD or any other hormonal device, you need to do some serious research about the side effects.
I am NOT some religious nut who thinks birth control is wrong. I use condoms religiously. I am a medical professional who wants you all to know what your doctor probably won't tell you.
Like, did you know your risk for a blood clot is WAY higher on hormone bc, EVEN if you don't smoke! And a common side effect for all hormonal bs'c, and even non-hormone IUD's are tubal pregnancies, infertility and miscarriage.
Why do doctors usually leave these types of facts out of the discussion? Because the pharmaceutical companies don't give them kick-backs on condoms.
My best advice as a woman and a friend is, stick to condoms!!!!
It's not that easy for some people. I have very sensitive skin and a latex allery. I know there are latex-free condoms but they still cause irritation to me, not to mention the fact that it's very rare that my GP or nurse will have them available and I have yet to find them in a mainstream store in my area!0 -
I dropped weight when I started taking the pill. I did start it when I was stressed and perhaps not eating as much as usual, but I definitely wasnt appetite suppressed and I didnt gain weight at all from it.0
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i personally stay very far away from hormonal birth control pills. i was on them for a long time, and switched brands here and there as side affects arose. the last straw was Yaz. i had weight gain, ridiculous mood swings, and very VERY high blood pressure. my bp had always been perfect (i was 35 at the time). it shot up from a steady 120/80 to 130/90 and then sometimes as high as 170/98. my doctor did not believe me when i said i thought it was the pill. so i took myself off it. a few months later my bp was back to normal. and now with the healthy eating it's even better.
now for birth control i use the copper (non-hormonal) IUD. i freaking love it.0 -
I am currently taking lo loestrin, and it hasn't affect my weight. I started taking it a year ago. Before that, I had never been on hormonal birth control.0
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Regardless of anything else, the complications and risks of pregnancy, especially an unintended one, are much greater than those of any form of birth control.0
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I have to say, any of you using or considering using the pill, shots, an IUD or any other hormonal device, you need to do some serious research about the side effects.
I am NOT some religious nut who thinks birth control is wrong. I use condoms religiously. I am a medical professional who wants you all to know what your doctor probably won't tell you.
Like, did you know your risk for a blood clot is WAY higher on hormone bc, EVEN if you don't smoke! And a common side effect for all hormonal bs'c, and even non-hormone IUD's are tubal pregnancies, infertility and miscarriage.
Why do doctors usually leave these types of facts out of the discussion? Because the pharmaceutical companies don't give them kick-backs on condoms.
My best advice as a woman and a friend is, stick to condoms!!!!
It's not that easy for some people. I have very sensitive skin and a latex allery. I know there are latex-free condoms but they still cause irritation to me, not to mention the fact that it's very rare that my GP or nurse will have them available and I have yet to find them in a mainstream store in my area!
I also have a latex allergy. You can buy non-latex condoms in any size, there are also a variety of types "lambskin", polyisoprene, etc. You can buy them in any adult specialty store, many pharmacies, and even cheaper, online. Online you can even get them in bulk.0 -
I have to say, any of you using or considering using the pill, shots, an IUD or any other hormonal device, you need to do some serious research about the side effects.
I am NOT some religious nut who thinks birth control is wrong. I use condoms religiously. I am a medical professional who wants you all to know what your doctor probably won't tell you.
Like, did you know your risk for a blood clot is WAY higher on hormone bc, EVEN if you don't smoke! And a common side effect for all hormonal bs'c, and even non-hormone IUD's are tubal pregnancies, infertility and miscarriage.
Why do doctors usually leave these types of facts out of the discussion? Because the pharmaceutical companies don't give them kick-backs on condoms.
My best advice as a woman and a friend is, stick to condoms!!!!
Actually, the doctor that orginally prescribed birth control for me actually talked to me about it... So not all doctors leave this kind of stuff out... and all drugs have risk factors to them of some kind... the Z-pack does too... Thankfully for me though, the only side effect I have ever had from the patch is loss of hair... and even that's not that bad, just more so than if I weren't on the patch.
I know that not all doctors leave this out. My OB/GYN being a great example. Then it's up to the woman. For me personally, the risk is too high. And for what, to be able to ditch the condoms? I'm okay with using condoms until I'm done having kids and then looking into surgical procedures.
I have major concerns with hormone birth control so I stopped using it. At first my husband was okay with it and agreed to use condoms, but that didnt last long. I dont want to go back to putting something harmful that makes me feel like crap into my body because he doesnt want to have to use a condom every time. It's causing problems though so i've been looking into natural family planning as a last resort.
I am sorry to hear that. Have you and your boyfriend tried thinner condoms, such as "lambskin"?0 -
I have major concerns with hormone birth control so I stopped using it. At first my husband was okay with it and agreed to use condoms, but that didnt last long. I dont want to go back to putting something harmful that makes me feel like crap into my body because he doesnt want to have to use a condom every time. It's causing problems though so i've been looking into natural family planning as a last resort.
I'm also looking into natural family planning because I want to wait three months after going off my bc before I get preggers. I have a friend that's been doing it for years with success, and then got knocked up. She won't even tell me who the dad was of the most recent kid (she didn't tell the dad either). Anyway, there are apps and things to help. I don't use Fertility Friend, but they have a great 18 volume lesson plan that you can get through your email explaining the theory and science behind the methods. You just chart your temperature, cervical mucous, and whatever other signs that relate to your cycles, and plug them into your app of choice, and it will calculate your fertile window for you. I've been charting before going off my bc just to get used to it.0 -
I have to say, any of you using or considering using the pill, shots, an IUD or any other hormonal device, you need to do some serious research about the side effects.
I am NOT some religious nut who thinks birth control is wrong. I use condoms religiously. I am a medical professional who wants you all to know what your doctor probably won't tell you.
Like, did you know your risk for a blood clot is WAY higher on hormone bc, EVEN if you don't smoke! And a common side effect for all hormonal bs'c, and even non-hormone IUD's are tubal pregnancies, infertility and miscarriage.
Why do doctors usually leave these types of facts out of the discussion? Because the pharmaceutical companies don't give them kick-backs on condoms.
My best advice as a woman and a friend is, stick to condoms!!!!
It's not that easy for some people. I have very sensitive skin and a latex allery. I know there are latex-free condoms but they still cause irritation to me, not to mention the fact that it's very rare that my GP or nurse will have them available and I have yet to find them in a mainstream store in my area!
I also have a latex allergy. You can buy non-latex condoms in any size, there are also a variety of types "lambskin", polyisoprene, etc. You can buy them in any adult specialty store, many pharmacies, and even cheaper, online. Online you can even get them in bulk.
Is it actual lambskin?! I'll look into that, thank you! Although I think I'll continue with the Pill too - a much higher success rate!0 -
It can increase your appetite. What you do after that is completely in your hands.0
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My self personally Depo made me gain a lot of weight. I tried it several times the first copuple of times I didn't work out so I did eat way more and gain alot, but lost when I got off. Went back on last year and I started working out and watching what I ate instead of losing weight I start to bulk up like i was on steroids. The only one that work for me was nuvu ring0
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I'm recovering from major surgery because of contraceptives! Ten years of using the pill, created tumours on my liver. I spent two years in and out of hospital in agony, and they just thought it was my gall bladder. Ended up not being able to work and on morphine for the pain. Eventually a mri showed the issue. I was transferred to a specialist liver unit who removed one, but wouldn't remove the other as the surgery was too big. Its going to be a long recovery. I'm never allowed hormones again... All thanks to birth control! Think seriously about whether its for you or not! Zara x0
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Any time I am on hormonal birth control I gain weight. The worst for me was Depo, which caused me to gain 30lbs in one year. I am currently on the Minera IUD and I have been able to loose weight on it.0
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I have to say, any of you using or considering using the pill, shots, an IUD or any other hormonal device, you need to do some serious research about the side effects.
I am NOT some religious nut who thinks birth control is wrong. I use condoms religiously. I am a medical professional who wants you all to know what your doctor probably won't tell you.
Like, did you know your risk for a blood clot is WAY higher on hormone bc, EVEN if you don't smoke! And a common side effect for all hormonal bs'c, and even non-hormone IUD's are tubal pregnancies, infertility and miscarriage.
Why do doctors usually leave these types of facts out of the discussion? Because the pharmaceutical companies don't give them kick-backs on condoms.
My best advice as a woman and a friend is, stick to condoms!!!!
If I relied on condoms, that 20 and counting chick wouldn't have anything on me (husband isn't known for is self control). Anyways, I have an IUD -- ParaGard (the copper one - no hormones). It's been great. Love it. Anything foreign in your body can have a side effect (probably even shoving latex up your vagina) - fake boobs, metal plates, etc.0 -
You won't catch me using bc pills. Same reason you won't catch me getting a flu shot - too much crud going in to my body! If there was even the slightest chance that they would cause blood clots, stroke, hormone inblanaces, etc. - why would anyone do that?! For birth control I stick to condoms or the rhythm method. People wonder what is causing all the cancer, autism, allergies....it's all these drugs floating around and contaminating our bodies.
Ok, I'm done with my little rant. Love your bodies, ladies!0 -
While I was on the Depo I ate healthy and exercised semi-regularly. While I didn't gain any weight, the scale didn't budge. I moved to Yaz and have been able to lose weight fairly easily. I've always supported the idea that if you eat healthy and exercise (which is what you should do regardless of being on birth control or trying to lose weight), you shouldn't have a problem. But everyone's body reacts differently to medication.0
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Birth cOntrol and I just don't mix. In fact , I suffer from extreme depression when taking them. My husband and I just decided on using condoms. Kind of lame but it's much better than me crying about being fat or being depressed for no reason. Its different for everyone. Before I had my daughter I could take birth control and have no side effects.. My hormones are all whack now.0
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Jnh17- I thought the same but I fixed that problem by just putting them on my husband myself. He doesn't have a choice then !!! Just keep them handy by the bed side.0
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I've been on DEPO for over 10 years now and I have gained weight over the past 10 years but I don't attribute it to DEPO I blame it on poor food choices and no exercise...I'm not ready to give up my DEPO anytime soon
I totally agree with this! Altho I have had friends go on depo after hearing my success on it and have either gained weight shortly after or they were on the period 3 months solid. I haven't had either....well Ive been on depo for almost 8 years now. My gyno did tell me side effects and I get it filled at walgreens and the print out that comes with it lists tons of side effects. I do experience alot of these things such as hair loss, constant cold, wight gain, etc. However these things can happen for lots of reasons. Hair loss is common in the women in my family. I'm thinner than most of my family so I get chilled easier than they do!
As far as weight gain. I dont blame depo. I had to move back in with my parents for a while and within 2 weeks I "outgrew" all of my jeans...wound up having to replace my entire wardrobe even! I have since met a fantastic guy and moved in with him. I have gained about 10 pounds more since meeting him. I guess I could blame the depo to have a place for the blame. But honestly I think it all depends on the person and their lifestyle (even consider lifestyle changes at the time of starting BC)0 -
I'm of average height, and average weight. EACH time I've tried hormone BC I've gained weight. And EACH TIME I've dieted while starting figuring this would be an issue. With the mirena I gained 10lbs in two weeks while dieting... and NEVER lost it.I am just curious how much birth control effects weight loss and gain. Based off the doctor they say there is potential but not enough research proving for sure. If a woman lives healthily she shouldn't have a problem is what I've read. But so many chicks say the depo and IUD's make you pack on weight. I think that some women are sensitive and others just are unhealthy meaning they do pack on the weight. I am promising myself I won't make that excuse for myself like I have in the past.
My honest opinion: your doc reads the brochures, which say there's no weight gain. I don't buy it. When docs and pharm companies DO say there's weight gain they say something like: "negligible" "only 10lbs". Most of us don't use "only" and and "10lbs" in the same sentence. (I remember a doc in Ireland telling me I'd "only" gain a stone!)
I honestly believe they cause weight gain, in much the same way menopause does.0 -
I teach sex ed and when women ask me about gaining weight with birth contol this is my answer "Each woman is different. With birth control pills about 1/3 of women will gain weight, 1/3 will lose weight and 1/3 will stay the same." Women do tend to gain 5-10 lbs with Depo (the one you get injected once every 3 months.0
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Something else to consider...or at least this is the terms my gyno used years ago. While on BC it kind of makes your body think it is pregnant (like depo, IUD's, anything that stops a period basically...i guess could also be other BC). And if you think about it that way when women get prego often times they have larger appetites and gain weight while prego. So if your BC makes your body think its prego...1+2= you may gain weight!!!
As a matter of fact at one point I was on ortho tri cyclen and sometimes I would forget a dose or two. But with it say you miss monday and tuesday you take a pill wednesday am and pm then thursday am and pm...according to the insert. Well by the time friday would roll around I would have morning sickness from hell!! I'd even have to go home from school! Case in point...BC made my body think it was prego!0
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