Weight loss frustration with birth control

MSepp
MSepp Posts: 228
in Health and Weight Loss
Ladies-anybody else struggling to lose weight and on birth control/oral contraceptives?

I initially put the weight on when I started the pill because I had the appetite of a teenage boy. I've been restricting calories and working out regularly...but still the scale won't budge.

Anyone else have this problem? Any tips to try to overcome it?

Replies

  • ChristyRunStarr
    ChristyRunStarr Posts: 1,600 Member
    I've often wondered if that might have played a part in it but I had also started college when I went on birth control so I easily blamed the weight then on the "freshmen 15" then later I blamed it on not paying attention to what I was eating...I'm interetested to see what other people say
  • MSepp
    MSepp Posts: 228
    I've often wondered if that might have played a part in it but I had also started college when I went on birth control so I easily blamed the weight then on the "freshmen 15" then later I blamed it on not paying attention to what I was eating...I'm interetested to see what other people say

    Well at least within the past few months, I can blame it on alcohol. Geez, I didn't realize a single glass of wine packed so many calories.

    But the weight first came on when I was in college (I did not live in the dorms and lived off of a very tight budget...many nights of oatmeal or sandwiches for dinner)-and for the first year or so of living on my own, I maintained my weight very well. Then I started BC and put on several pounds in a year or so despite continuing working out and eating a well balanced diet. No idea.
  • Desterknee
    Desterknee Posts: 1,056 Member
    I used to think that the pill was responsible for my weight gain and lack of weight loss when I tried. For other reasons having nothing to do with weight I decided to stop using the pill. Nothing happened weight-loss related. My boobs got a little smaller, but the scale didn't budge in 3 months (I wasn't dieting or exercising just acting as I had been when I was on the pill). So at least for me the pill apparently didn't make me gain weight and I didn't lose weight from getting off it. Of course it's different for everyone. just thought I'd share my experience.
  • jsbpitch
    jsbpitch Posts: 19 Member
    I believe the hormonal changes that are induced by birth control don't cause you to gain weight, but rather make it harder to maintain and gain muscle mass. Being that an increase in muscle would increase calories burned, it's easier to gain weight in fat on the same eating/ exercise regimen while on the pill.
  • mulcahya
    mulcahya Posts: 82 Member
    I had a similar problem but not sure if it was because of the OCP or because I was just getting comfortable/lazy! However as a medical student, I looked into it myself.

    OCP's can cause some fluid retention. However, there is no evidence to show that they cause weight gain! It is a common misconception and stops lots of girls from wanting to go on them, but in fact recent studies have shown that there is no significant difference in weight between girls on an OCP and girls who are not.

    However, in terms of the fluid retention -- different brands have different formulations which therefore have different side effects. Yasmin is meant to have the least side effects (including fluid retention), but is also annoyingly quite expensive.

    Hope this helps! x
  • sunshinefit25
    sunshinefit25 Posts: 3 Member
    Right after the birth of my first child who is now 11months I lost the first twenty pounds just like that now after getting back on Birth Contol (Tri-Nessa) I had gain 5 back and find it much harded to lose the weight I totally understand the frustration damn hormones hehe:) Good Luck don't let it get you down
  • redscylla
    redscylla Posts: 211 Member
    I never believed that my birth control pills were linked to my weight gain or my difficulty losing weight. Then I actually went off the pills and in less than 2 weeks lost 15 lbs. without changing any other thing in my life. o.O Poof, 15 lbs. gone, 2 inches off my waist. The other 10 lbs. I've lost have been hard fought, but on the pill I never managed to make any of it go away. So now I'm not sure what to think, except that I don't think I"m going back on the pill.
  • MSepp
    MSepp Posts: 228
    I had a similar problem but not sure if it was because of the OCP or because I was just getting comfortable/lazy! However as a medical student, I looked into it myself.

    OCP's can cause some fluid retention. However, there is no evidence to show that they cause weight gain! It is a common misconception and stops lots of girls from wanting to go on them, but in fact recent studies have shown that there is no significant difference in weight between girls on an OCP and girls who are not.

    However, in terms of the fluid retention -- different brands have different formulations which therefore have different side effects. Yasmin is meant to have the least side effects (including fluid retention), but is also annoyingly quite expensive.

    Hope this helps! x


    Hey, thanks!!! That was super helpful!
  • MSepp
    MSepp Posts: 228
    Right after the birth of my first child who is now 11months I lost the first twenty pounds just like that now after getting back on Birth Contol (Tri-Nessa) I had gain 5 back and find it much harded to lose the weight I totally understand the frustration damn hormones hehe:) Good Luck don't let it get you down

    Well and my method of birth control has worked great for me other than the weight gain...Originally I went on it for HORRIFIC PMS and menstural symptoms (mind-numbing cramps, etc) I actually had to take days away from school to just stay home and cry onthe couch...and the pill helped a lot with that...but I'm awfully frustrated that I'm working like a dog and limiting my intake but nothing is changing.
  • iconnor
    iconnor Posts: 90 Member
    It seems that whenever I go off the pill, it's easier for me to lose weight, and I think it might have something to do with appetite, at least for me. But it took a couple of months for that to kick in. Now I'm on an IUD (Paragard, no hormones) and my appetite has definately decreased. So we'll see how my weight loss efforts go this time!
  • sfichter
    sfichter Posts: 5 Member
    As soon as I started on the pill I gained about 10lbs in 2 weeks. The doctor says that the pill increases your appetite and this is why people gain, but I really don't feel more hungry than before but I do know it is a struggle to get the weight off for sure while on the pill. I think you just have to be super strict with diet and exercise, at least for me. If I quit working out I pack on the pounds! Frustrating!!! I work midnights and it is rough trying to get a workout in. I guess it will just take disipline, hoping I have it!
  • jackieatx
    jackieatx Posts: 578 Member
    I had a nightmare with implanon. Gained 20 pounds in 3 months (and this was after going back to pre baby weight, SO frustrating), crazy hair loss, acne, hiding in closets, eating paper. Just kidding about eating paper but not so much about sitting in dark closets. I got that shizz removed ASAP.
  • MrsKillough
    MrsKillough Posts: 30 Member
    I've had implants for the last 7 years, and I've been everywhere from a UK 8 - 14, depending on how much I'm eating and exercising. I can't blame it for weight gain at all, it was all my own fault. Since I've been using MFP I've steadily lost 1-1.5lb per week.

    The pill made me bad-tempered and gave me sore boobs and headaches, so I didn't stay on it long enough to see if it would make me fat as well!
  • cannibaldoll
    cannibaldoll Posts: 50 Member
    You should probably try another pill.
    I've been on Gildess FE 1.5/30 (generic for Loestrin) for about 3-4 years now and I have not had any problems what so ever.
    I would go see your doctor about getting another type of birth control pill or method.
  • stuffinmuffin
    stuffinmuffin Posts: 985 Member
    I've never gained weight from anything other than gluttony! ; ) The pill doesn't make any difference to me, might be worth consulting with your doctor to try the best one for you. I didn't get any appetite gain on my current or last one.

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