bcp, slow loss, IUD, better loss?

lalabella · 11-14-2005, 03:19 PM

Hello,
I have been a slow loser, which can be discouraging but hey I'm sticking with it no matter what!

In a few weeks I will be switching from Yasmin BCPs (side effects for me include brown patches on face

, mood swings

, heavy periods

..) to a Mirena IUD (less hormones and will help my period to lessen and no pills everyday...)

Anyone know if I might have an easier time losing while using the IUD? I am just curious. Fingers crossed...

I am looking forward to having less side effects (hopefully) and not having to remember that little pill every day. It would be nice to lose faster as well.

carbsnomo · 11-24-2005, 09:31 PM

Hi Bella!

I don't have any info about the IUD (anxious to read any of the responses you might get), but I just got off of Yasmin BCP last week. I read several studies that showed a link between BCPs and breast cancer. Are you familiar with this? I was on the pill so many years I really can't remember what I felt like before. I do remember the doc telling me that they would help with the cysts. Let's hope the low carb diet will do that now and I won't need the pill.

Good luck!
Melissa

Naturegirl · 11-25-2005, 06:48 PM

Yay! Congratulations! Glad to see you got something sorted out. I doubt you'll find any concrete research as far as weight gain goes with the Mirena in particular. When I was a member of an IUD message board, the experiences were mixed but I dont remember anyone gaining alot of weight if any with the Mirena. Especially since the hormones are low dose.

But you know you'll just have to see how it goes. And dont forget about the copper IUD which has no hormones.

Hope all goes well for you!

You may want to take some ibuprofen an hour or so before the insertion, although it might be less painful for you since you've had kids. But still I have talked with women who said it was worse than child birth

so everyone is different. Every bit worth it though and that's what counts.

(pst...I go for my stupid psych evaluation in a couple weeks for my tubal!

)

lindalouriv · 11-26-2005, 04:44 PM

I had a terrible time losing weight on BCP's.....very very slow. I was losing about 2 lbs a month if I was lucky!
When I went off the pill I lost weight like crazy.
I got a Mirena IUD put in 3 months ago and it hasn't affected my weight.
I am not trying to lose weight - but I am still maintaining all my weight loss. Hope that helps.

lalabella · 12-01-2005, 04:57 PM

Thanks so much for your responses! Linda that sounds sooo good (losing like crazy)

I have been off the BCP for about a week now and so far I am down 2 lbs. I hope it continues!

Well I went in for the Mirena last week and she couldn't get it in properly as I have a very tipped uterus and now I'm scheduled for "minor surgery" to put it in tomorrow. I guess she needs to dilate me more and needed more tools and wants to sedate me.

I am sure it is worth it to have less hormones etc. but I'm nervous! Fortunately my DBF is such a sweetheart and is going to take my kids to school for me in the morning (I have to leave at 7 to go to the surgery center) and pick me up after the procedure etc. (and then go get my car later with his daughter).

Whew.

Wish me luck tomorrow. Nothing is simple about being a woman...

Naturegirl · 12-02-2005, 12:03 AM

Oh gosh I wish they would have sedated me for my two insertions! It was the most excruciating pain ever.

Hope all goes well!

By the way I lost 5 lbs in about 2 weeks when I went off the pill.

lindalouriv · 12-02-2005, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naturegirl

Oh gosh I wish they would have sedated me for my two insertions! It was the most excruciating pain ever.

Wish I had been sedated too! My doctor kept saying "some women like to have an anesthetic but most don't really need it."
I didn't want him to think I was a big baby or anything so I didn't ask for anything....big mistake!

lindalouriv · 12-02-2005, 01:02 PM

Hope all went well today Lalabella!
You'll be a bit uncomfortable for the rest of the day but you should start feeling better tomorrow.

lalabella · 12-02-2005, 10:51 PM

HI everyone

whew it's over!
It was a long day, everything was delayed and I was worried I'd be late to get my girls from school (of course with DBF driving, not me).

I was sooo sleepy with the sedative but still had a hard time relaxing. There were so many nurses and such it was quite an event... but she got the IUD in very quickly. The worst part was the novacaine-type shots she gave me down there.

I felt great after about an hour (of being sedated/sleepy) and was ready to go. I dont have any cramping or anything, and feel totally normal. WHEW.

Thanks for all your responses and help!

Naturegirl · 12-03-2005, 11:05 AM

You know I didnt even feel the shots for my second round with the insertion! I got about 5 and literally didnt feel anything prick my cervix. It was nuts!

The intense pain stopped immediately after the IUD was placed. I had very very slight cramping for the rest of the evening but was 100% better by the next morning. No blood loss either.

However I could always slightly feel the arms of the IUD "poking" me from inside for the next 5 weeks. It was an odd feeling, but it probably wont even happen to you. Do you know how much you sounded to? I was only 5.5 cm, and the Paragard brochure says the ideal is at least 6, but my doctor felt it was safe anyway. Maybe that's why the darn thing expelled twice!

Just a reminder, dont be afraid to have a bowel movement for fear the thing will shoot out

I'm guilty of this. I was even scared to go pee. But no one as far as I know has had that happen.

Congrats and welcome to the world of long term birth control!!

LunaAshling · 12-03-2005, 02:39 PM

Don't forget you can switch to the copper IUD if this one still slows you down!

lalabella · 12-03-2005, 05:24 PM

yeah i was thinking that... going to the bathroom and thinking OH! will it fall out! but yeah I know it is in there and will be OK. it was a funny thought crossing my mind tho!

I'm not sure what cm I sounded to, they had done an ultrasound and measured but I can't recall... I don't feel it in there at all thank goodness, but it is funny to think I'm now carrying around this little thing.

Luna - thanks

I think the main reason for trying the Mirena first is to help with the extended periods (10 - 15 days) brought on by the 2 small fibroids I've got. The BCPs didn't keep me from the heavy bleeding. I am not sure the copper IUD would help slow it down as well as the Mirena. The Mirena is known for reducing periods to the bare minimum. I can hardly wait for that.

Fingers crossed that it will stay in

and will have few side effects and that I will drop a bunch of weight!

I also don't feel like I will be fighting an uphill battle with my Melasma (hormone-induced brown patches on my face) I am going to start using my prescribed creams again and I can't wait for the real me to shine through. It seemed I was taking 1 step forward and 2 steps back with the brown patches.

I feel like a panda bear lately.

(though i

panda bears!)

there's hope. thanks everyone!

Matrigna · 12-27-2005, 12:50 PM

I have the Mirena IUD and did a search for this same thing-- does it help you lose weight over the pill. This is week two without birth control pills as a matter of fact. I stopped the pill due to high blood pressure. So far, so good with the IUD. I don't think I've lost any weight yet, but staying hopeful.

lalabella · 01-02-2006, 10:07 PM

Hi Matrigna
I have the Mirena now and lost about 5 lbs right away (first cycle) and now have slipped up over the holidays a bit (up 6 lbs..) so hopefully the Mirena will help me to continue to lose a bit faster than the bc pill and I can get moving again in the right direction. I will post back here and let you all know if it is really true, if it is easeir to lose now.

edited to add: my blood pressure dropped as soon as I got off the pill. It was borderline high, and now it is normal, thank goodness.

Thanks for your posts!

Matrigna · 01-03-2006, 05:19 AM

Thanks Bella. It's good to hear that- for the BP and the weight! I will try to check back in too.

11-14-2005, 03:19 PM	#1
lalabella MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,654 Gallery: lalabella Stats: 269/249/160-ish 5'9" Start Date: restart Oct 08	bcp, slow loss, IUD, better loss? Hello, I have been a slow loser, which can be discouraging but hey I'm sticking with it no matter what! In a few weeks I will be switching from Yasmin BCPs (side effects for me include brown patches on face , mood swings , heavy periods ..) to a Mirena IUD (less hormones and will help my period to lessen and no pills everyday...) Anyone know if I might have an easier time losing while using the IUD? I am just curious. Fingers crossed... I am looking forward to having less side effects (hopefully) and not having to remember that little pill every day. It would be nice to lose faster as well. __________________ bella 270 268 266 264 262 260 258 256 254 252 250 248 247 246 244 242 240 238 236 234 232 230 228 226 224 222 220 218 216 214 212 210 208 206 204 202 200 198 196 194 192 190 188 186 184 182 180 178 176 174 172 170 "When I lay my head on the pillow at night, I can say 'I was a decent person today'. That's when I feel beautiful." -- Drew Barrymore

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11-24-2005, 09:31 PM	#2
carbsnomo Junior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2 Gallery: carbsnomo	Hi Bella! I don't have any info about the IUD (anxious to read any of the responses you might get), but I just got off of Yasmin BCP last week. I read several studies that showed a link between BCPs and breast cancer. Are you familiar with this? I was on the pill so many years I really can't remember what I felt like before. I do remember the doc telling me that they would help with the cysts. Let's hope the low carb diet will do that now and I won't need the pill. Good luck! Melissa

11-25-2005, 06:48 PM	#3
Naturegirl Guest Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 665 Gallery: Naturegirl Stats: 22 yrs 5':20 BF? 100.5/99/90? 14%bf WOE: Targeted Ketogenic Low Cal Diet	Yay! Congratulations! Glad to see you got something sorted out. I doubt you'll find any concrete research as far as weight gain goes with the Mirena in particular. When I was a member of an IUD message board, the experiences were mixed but I dont remember anyone gaining alot of weight if any with the Mirena. Especially since the hormones are low dose. But you know you'll just have to see how it goes. And dont forget about the copper IUD which has no hormones. Hope all goes well for you! You may want to take some ibuprofen an hour or so before the insertion, although it might be less painful for you since you've had kids. But still I have talked with women who said it was worse than child birth so everyone is different. Every bit worth it though and that's what counts. (pst...I go for my stupid psych evaluation in a couple weeks for my tubal! )

11-26-2005, 04:44 PM	#4
lindalouriv Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Los Angeles,CA Posts: 254 Gallery: lindalouriv WOE: Atkins Maintenance	I had a terrible time losing weight on BCP's.....very very slow. I was losing about 2 lbs a month if I was lucky! When I went off the pill I lost weight like crazy. I got a Mirena IUD put in 3 months ago and it hasn't affected my weight. I am not trying to lose weight - but I am still maintaining all my weight loss. Hope that helps.

12-01-2005, 04:57 PM	#5
lalabella MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,654 Gallery: lalabella Stats: 269/249/160-ish 5'9" Start Date: restart Oct 08	Thanks so much for your responses! Linda that sounds sooo good (losing like crazy) I have been off the BCP for about a week now and so far I am down 2 lbs. I hope it continues! Well I went in for the Mirena last week and she couldn't get it in properly as I have a very tipped uterus and now I'm scheduled for "minor surgery" to put it in tomorrow. I guess she needs to dilate me more and needed more tools and wants to sedate me. I am sure it is worth it to have less hormones etc. but I'm nervous! Fortunately my DBF is such a sweetheart and is going to take my kids to school for me in the morning (I have to leave at 7 to go to the surgery center) and pick me up after the procedure etc. (and then go get my car later with his daughter). Whew. Wish me luck tomorrow. Nothing is simple about being a woman...

12-02-2005, 12:03 AM	#6
Naturegirl Guest Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 665 Gallery: Naturegirl Stats: 22 yrs 5':20 BF? 100.5/99/90? 14%bf WOE: Targeted Ketogenic Low Cal Diet	Oh gosh I wish they would have sedated me for my two insertions! It was the most excruciating pain ever. Hope all goes well! By the way I lost 5 lbs in about 2 weeks when I went off the pill.

12-02-2005, 01:02 PM	#8
lindalouriv Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Los Angeles,CA Posts: 254 Gallery: lindalouriv WOE: Atkins Maintenance	Hope all went well today Lalabella! You'll be a bit uncomfortable for the rest of the day but you should start feeling better tomorrow.

12-02-2005, 10:51 PM	#9
lalabella MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,654 Gallery: lalabella Stats: 269/249/160-ish 5'9" Start Date: restart Oct 08	HI everyone whew it's over! It was a long day, everything was delayed and I was worried I'd be late to get my girls from school (of course with DBF driving, not me). I was sooo sleepy with the sedative but still had a hard time relaxing. There were so many nurses and such it was quite an event... but she got the IUD in very quickly. The worst part was the novacaine-type shots she gave me down there. I felt great after about an hour (of being sedated/sleepy) and was ready to go. I dont have any cramping or anything, and feel totally normal. WHEW. Thanks for all your responses and help!

12-03-2005, 11:05 AM	#10
Naturegirl Guest Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 665 Gallery: Naturegirl Stats: 22 yrs 5':20 BF? 100.5/99/90? 14%bf WOE: Targeted Ketogenic Low Cal Diet	You know I didnt even feel the shots for my second round with the insertion! I got about 5 and literally didnt feel anything prick my cervix. It was nuts! The intense pain stopped immediately after the IUD was placed. I had very very slight cramping for the rest of the evening but was 100% better by the next morning. No blood loss either. However I could always slightly feel the arms of the IUD "poking" me from inside for the next 5 weeks. It was an odd feeling, but it probably wont even happen to you. Do you know how much you sounded to? I was only 5.5 cm, and the Paragard brochure says the ideal is at least 6, but my doctor felt it was safe anyway. Maybe that's why the darn thing expelled twice! Just a reminder, dont be afraid to have a bowel movement for fear the thing will shoot out I'm guilty of this. I was even scared to go pee. But no one as far as I know has had that happen. Congrats and welcome to the world of long term birth control!!

12-03-2005, 02:39 PM	#11
LunaAshling Queen of the Planet of Redheads Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Here, no really. Posts: 3,685 Gallery: LunaAshling Stats: 2??/???/130-ish @ 5'5 WOE: Atkins/Weston Price Start Date: 3rd times the charm! 11/08	Don't forget you can switch to the copper IUD if this one still slows you down!

12-03-2005, 05:24 PM	#12
lalabella MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,654 Gallery: lalabella Stats: 269/249/160-ish 5'9" Start Date: restart Oct 08	yeah i was thinking that... going to the bathroom and thinking OH! will it fall out! but yeah I know it is in there and will be OK. it was a funny thought crossing my mind tho! I'm not sure what cm I sounded to, they had done an ultrasound and measured but I can't recall... I don't feel it in there at all thank goodness, but it is funny to think I'm now carrying around this little thing. Luna - thanks I think the main reason for trying the Mirena first is to help with the extended periods (10 - 15 days) brought on by the 2 small fibroids I've got. The BCPs didn't keep me from the heavy bleeding. I am not sure the copper IUD would help slow it down as well as the Mirena. The Mirena is known for reducing periods to the bare minimum. I can hardly wait for that. Fingers crossed that it will stay in and will have few side effects and that I will drop a bunch of weight! I also don't feel like I will be fighting an uphill battle with my Melasma (hormone-induced brown patches on my face) I am going to start using my prescribed creams again and I can't wait for the real me to shine through. It seemed I was taking 1 step forward and 2 steps back with the brown patches. I feel like a panda bear lately. (though i panda bears!) there's hope. thanks everyone!

12-27-2005, 12:50 PM	#13
Matrigna Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Springfield, VA Posts: 880 Gallery: Matrigna Stats: 19?/190/125 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Restart: 6/23/08 (Original:3/8/03)	I have the Mirena IUD and did a search for this same thing-- does it help you lose weight over the pill. This is week two without birth control pills as a matter of fact. I stopped the pill due to high blood pressure. So far, so good with the IUD. I don't think I've lost any weight yet, but staying hopeful.

01-02-2006, 10:07 PM	#14
lalabella MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,654 Gallery: lalabella Stats: 269/249/160-ish 5'9" Start Date: restart Oct 08	Hi Matrigna I have the Mirena now and lost about 5 lbs right away (first cycle) and now have slipped up over the holidays a bit (up 6 lbs..) so hopefully the Mirena will help me to continue to lose a bit faster than the bc pill and I can get moving again in the right direction. I will post back here and let you all know if it is really true, if it is easeir to lose now. edited to add: my blood pressure dropped as soon as I got off the pill. It was borderline high, and now it is normal, thank goodness. Thanks for your posts!

01-03-2006, 05:19 AM	#15
Matrigna Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Springfield, VA Posts: 880 Gallery: Matrigna Stats: 19?/190/125 WOE: Low Carb Start Date: Restart: 6/23/08 (Original:3/8/03)	Thanks Bella. It's good to hear that- for the BP and the weight! I will try to check back in too.