birhtcontrol pills and weightgain

mork · 12-27-2005, 09:39 AM

Did anyone notice a weight gain when they started their birthcontrol pills? Is because of the hormones or do they just make you hungrier? I am on a low estrogen type thought that should help! Thanks.Mork

laureninva · 12-27-2005, 09:46 AM

I think its weight gain, and according to my doctor it should level itself out after a month or two. I started on Seasonale, and gained about 5 lbs in 2 weeks and was completely unwilling to "wait and see". I insisted on switching so I am now on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and the gained lbs came off almost immediately and my loss has continued like before I started the pills.

If you are gaining on a particular type, see if your doc will switch you to something else...sometimes its just a trial and error thing. Good luck!

Alison Jean 71 · 12-27-2005, 09:53 AM

I take Yasmin and never had a problem. In fact when I switched from Ortho Tri-Cyclen to Yasmin I dropped a few lbs.

shamrockcaf · 12-27-2005, 09:56 AM

Yasmin is totally the way to go.

vickyraebrown · 12-27-2005, 09:58 AM

I take Pr Cyclen and never gained a pound.

AllieCat0817 · 12-27-2005, 10:24 AM

I have taken my pill constantly since 2000 and managed to lose 86 lb while being on it. But I think different pills affect you differently. I use Demulen.

terri73 · 12-27-2005, 10:48 AM

While discussing this topic with a doctor, she informed me that some pills do cause weight gain in some people. She also said there are those whom believe that their pill is going to make them gain weight and in turn they sabatoge themselves and do gain the weight. She said many meds are like this. Just because someone else gained weight on a particular med everyone whom takes it seems to use it as an excuse to gain a little weight.

Don't take this post wrong!! I have been on BCP that reeked havioc on my body and mind. Mine never really seemed to cause weight gain except when I'd start a new cycle. During my TOM I would lose 3-5 lbs then as soon as I started my next cycle of pills WHAM!!!! all that I lost and a few more were back! I only have one week of the type I am on now left. I have to schedule my appt so I can get more, but I am thinking of switching to the three month cycle this time. They tried to cycle my Ortho Cylcen so that I only took the inactive pills every three months and it gave me periods for 32 days at a time sometimes.

Hope you can find the one that works best for you!!! Stick with it, eventually you'll find the one that works and doesn't cause major weight fluctuations for you.

DisneyPrincess · 12-27-2005, 11:16 AM

I have been on the pill for a while and I have tried MANY different brands, and I did gain weight when I started. I have also had some nasty side effects as far as moods go which is why I have been on so many different brands. I started orto-try-cyclene and I too gained about 3 lbs in the first 2 weeks but it did level off. I just went to the ob/gyn and she put me on yasmin because I told her I dont want all those hormones running through me. I start on it in 3 weeks..I hope it is as good as you all are saying

mydolly · 12-27-2005, 12:35 PM

My daughter was put on "The Patch" by one Doctor and the Doctor she followed up with said that because of her weight she would need to wear at least 3 patches to be effective. The first Dr. never discussed weight versus medicine and we never thought to bring it up, but, for almost a month it was not doing a thing. It turned out she was highly allergic to the patch and the whole thing did not work out, but, discuss amount of weight versus type of birth control, so that you don't find it inneffective like she did.

DisneyPrincess · 12-27-2005, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mydolly

My daughter was put on "The Patch" by one Doctor and the Doctor she followed up with said that because of her weight she would need to wear at least 3 patches to be effective. The first Dr. never discussed weight versus medicine and we never thought to bring it up, but, for almost a month it was not doing a thing. It turned out she was highly allergic to the patch and the whole thing did not work out, but, discuss amount of weight versus type of birth control, so that you don't find it inneffective like she did.

I have heard the patch causes weight gain and major mood fluctuations

mydolly · 01-15-2006, 08:49 PM

It does. But I think because her life is in upheaval with graduating, moving out and her best friend turning to hard drugs, crime and jail times, that did not help her. They put her on an antidepressent just to get through. She is off the patch and on to her regular birth control pill so that is routine and normal. Thank God!!

DisneyPrincess · 01-15-2006, 08:51 PM

I am so glad she is doing better now!

SugarFreeSheila · 01-15-2006, 08:57 PM

I love Yasmin. No weight gain, no breakouts, no water weight gain around that time of the month ... I very highly recommend it.

DisneyPrincess · 01-15-2006, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SugarFreeSheila

I love Yasmin. No weight gain, no breakouts, no water weight gain around that time of the month ... I very highly recommend it.

Oh, I start this today!

Naturegirl · 01-15-2006, 10:05 PM

I was on Loestrin, a high progestin, low estrogen type (hated it) from age 17-20 and just had my pill-free anniversary this December. Whithin 2 weeks of coming off the hormones I lost 5 lbs. I know it wasnt fat, but water instead.

I didnt find that my appetite or cravings were affected at all while taking it. I guess it just made me retain water.

dollie · 01-16-2006, 12:19 AM

I take yasmin and it seems to be okay. But man, my PMS is off the charts! I told my dr. it was the pills, he said it was just an adjusting period, he told me that elementally all pills are the same. they don't vary enough in dosage, and that the hormones are so similar that however your body responds to them is how it will respond, period! I asked him why it was that when I went on yasmin my weight loss continued and I did not gain like I did with ortho. His reply, "because you are eating better, silly".

he has a point

Tylar_Connar · 01-16-2006, 04:25 AM

i take the patch. i love it. i have not gained weight either...lost as you can see. i think it helped level my moods...but my cycle was messed up anyways. and also you can not take this if you weigh more than 200 (i think) is what they told me cause i was border line at the time. never had heard of usuing nore than one does not sound to safe to me

DisneyPrincess · 01-16-2006, 05:36 AM

dollie...thats interesting. Do you think switching from ortho to yasmin really did help lose weight? Thats what I switched from. I think different pills defanitly cause different reactions. I have been on about 5 different brands and have yet to find one I "like"

Tylar- I was thinking about the patch but I have heard that it causes excessive gains in some because people are allergic? Guess thats not you!

ANyone heard of/are on the ring?

amygirl_011 · 01-16-2006, 06:24 AM

For those that take Yasmin... did you....ahem.... find that your "chest" got a little bigger?

Just wondering!

RobinB · 01-16-2006, 10:10 AM

Years ago simply starting a routine of B vitamins, especially B-6, got rid of the water weight that bc pills caused. Worked for some of my friends, too.

dollie · 01-16-2006, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackielbrown04

dollie...thats interesting. Do you think switching from ortho to yasmin really did help lose weight? Thats what I switched from. I think different pills defanitly cause different reactions. I have been on about 5 different brands and have yet to find one I "like"

Tylar- I was thinking about the patch but I have heard that it causes excessive gains in some because people are allergic? Guess thats not you!

ANyone heard of/are on the ring?

I think switching can make all the difference, personally. My Dr. disagreed. But then again, he's a guy and I don't think he ever took the pill.

One of my friends told me that the pill gave her "the munchies".

I think this could be true also. Any type of pill is a strange manipulation of our body, all-be-it necessary. It literally makes our body think that we are pregnant for 21 days, and then not for 7. This being true, weight gain would seem a logical side effect.

Yasmin has faired out well for me, and I have had rave reviews from all my girlfriends about it. Little to no weight gain, light periods and good skin. Good luck with it, but give yourself a fair amount of time for the side effects to subside. three months maybe? I don't know. I haven't noticed any at all with yasmin.

I have heard of the ring thingy, one of my girlfriends uses it. It works same as the pill, hormone releasing. Wierd concept to me though. Reminds me an awful lot of a diaphram.

allison

WATCH-ME-SHRINK · 01-16-2006, 10:50 AM

I've gained on every single pill my doc tried.

Gave up and used alternatives

DisneyPrincess · 01-16-2006, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dollie

I think switching can make all the difference, personally. My Dr. disagreed. But then again, he's a guy and I don't think he ever took the pill.

One of my friends told me that the pill gave her "the munchies".

I think this could be true also. Any type of pill is a strange manipulation of our body, all-be-it necessary. It literally makes our body think that we are pregnant for 21 days, and then not for 7. This being true, weight gain would seem a logical side effect.

Yasmin has faired out well for me, and I have had rave reviews from all my girlfriends about it. Little to no weight gain, light periods and good skin. Good luck with it, but give yourself a fair amount of time for the side effects to subside. three months maybe? I don't know. I haven't noticed any at all with yasmin.

I have heard of the ring thingy, one of my girlfriends uses it. It works same as the pill, hormone releasing. Wierd concept to me though. Reminds me an awful lot of a diaphram.

allison

Thanks...I hope it is good for me. I hate taking the pill at all, I hate putting things into me like that but I need to because I cant have a baby now. I am planning on giving it plenty of time, and I am hoping for NO side effects since i am going from a higher dose to this.

Amy- If my chest gets bigger I am in trouble!

ramborb · 01-16-2006, 04:11 PM

When i started Provera, my doctor said "you might see a small weight gain from this pill". almost 50 lbs later i'd like to strangle him. Never had a weight problem in my life before taking this.

DisneyPrincess · 01-16-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramborb

When i started Provera, my doctor said "you might see a small weight gain from this pill". almost 50 lbs later i'd like to strangle him. Never had a weight problem in my life before taking this.

I hope you arent still on i

ramborb · 01-16-2006, 04:57 PM

Oh gosh no! Actually went off it last month! I was on it for years. Wonder how much is still in my body? The weight just crept up on me. I remember a woman i worked with saying "wow, you're gaining weight" and i looked at her like she had 3 heads. Much later i realized she was right and i was in denial!

Lehgrad · 03-03-2006, 08:26 AM

Jackie, I am curious to see how you feel on Yasmin. I started Yasmin 5 days ago. I am really bloated since I started. My pants don't fit! Argh. Otherwise, I am fine. My skin looks good. I am hoping that it'll level off. I can deal with a few pounds of water if my skin is flawless.

ctdiver · 03-03-2006, 08:32 AM

I've been on birth control for 12 years without really taking a break, so I really have no idea how it affects me compared to no BC.

I do have a question, though. Is anyone else using the Nuvaring? It's AWESOME. Frankly, its so convenient, I think I would use it even if was causing me to lose slower. I would like to hear how other people have reacted to it, though. Anyone?

12-27-2005, 09:39 AM	#1
mork MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,052 Gallery: mork	birhtcontrol pills and weightgain Did anyone notice a weight gain when they started their birthcontrol pills? Is because of the hormones or do they just make you hungrier? I am on a low estrogen type thought that should help! Thanks.Mork

12-27-2005, 10:48 AM	#7
terri73 Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,338 Blog Entries: 5 Gallery: terri73	While discussing this topic with a doctor, she informed me that some pills do cause weight gain in some people. She also said there are those whom believe that their pill is going to make them gain weight and in turn they sabatoge themselves and do gain the weight. She said many meds are like this. Just because someone else gained weight on a particular med everyone whom takes it seems to use it as an excuse to gain a little weight. Don't take this post wrong!! I have been on BCP that reeked havioc on my body and mind. Mine never really seemed to cause weight gain except when I'd start a new cycle. During my TOM I would lose 3-5 lbs then as soon as I started my next cycle of pills WHAM!!!! all that I lost and a few more were back! I only have one week of the type I am on now left. I have to schedule my appt so I can get more, but I am thinking of switching to the three month cycle this time. They tried to cycle my Ortho Cylcen so that I only took the inactive pills every three months and it gave me periods for 32 days at a time sometimes. Hope you can find the one that works best for you!!! Stick with it, eventually you'll find the one that works and doesn't cause major weight fluctuations for you. __________________ ~~Terri~~ <<------Me being baptized in the arms of my Uncle and Hubby. "We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and Fabulous? Actually, who are YOU NOT TO BE? You are a child of God. Your playing small DOESN'T serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you."~ http://www.myspace.com/terri45692

12-27-2005, 11:16 AM	#8
DisneyPrincess Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: N.C. Posts: 20,231 Blog Entries: 39 Gallery: DisneyPrincess Stats: 112.4/111.4/99- 4'10 WOE: Renfrew Meal Plan Start Date: 9.22.08	I have been on the pill for a while and I have tried MANY different brands, and I did gain weight when I started. I have also had some nasty side effects as far as moods go which is why I have been on so many different brands. I started orto-try-cyclene and I too gained about 3 lbs in the first 2 weeks but it did level off. I just went to the ob/gyn and she put me on yasmin because I told her I dont want all those hormones running through me. I start on it in 3 weeks..I hope it is as good as you all are saying __________________ According to Tao, Excessive food Extraneous activity Inspire disgust. Therefore, the follower of Tao moves on Tao people arent haunted by ghosts of the past or phantoms of the future. They accept the gift of today and make the best use of it

12-27-2005, 12:35 PM	#9
mydolly Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 464 Gallery: mydolly WOE: Whatever the rest of the family is not eating	My daughter was put on "The Patch" by one Doctor and the Doctor she followed up with said that because of her weight she would need to wear at least 3 patches to be effective. The first Dr. never discussed weight versus medicine and we never thought to bring it up, but, for almost a month it was not doing a thing. It turned out she was highly allergic to the patch and the whole thing did not work out, but, discuss amount of weight versus type of birth control, so that you don't find it inneffective like she did. __________________ Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections! God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way.

12-27-2005, 09:46 AM	#2
laureninva MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Woodbridge Virginia Posts: 2,171 Gallery: laureninva Stats: close enough WOE: food, duh Start Date: February 16 2004	I think its weight gain, and according to my doctor it should level itself out after a month or two. I started on Seasonale, and gained about 5 lbs in 2 weeks and was completely unwilling to "wait and see". I insisted on switching so I am now on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo and the gained lbs came off almost immediately and my loss has continued like before I started the pills. If you are gaining on a particular type, see if your doc will switch you to something else...sometimes its just a trial and error thing. Good luck!

12-27-2005, 09:53 AM	#3
Alison Jean 71 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,123 Gallery: Alison Jean 71 Stats: 159/121/119 5'6" 37yrs WOE: Atkins Maintenance Start Date: January 3, 2004	I take Yasmin and never had a problem. In fact when I switched from Ortho Tri-Cyclen to Yasmin I dropped a few lbs.

12-27-2005, 09:56 AM	#4
shamrockcaf Junior LCF Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 19 Gallery: shamrockcaf Stats: 157/150/120 WOE: Atkins Start Date: restart Jan 2, 2006	Yasmin is totally the way to go.

12-27-2005, 09:58 AM	#5
vickyraebrown MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Edmonton, AB Posts: 1,010 Gallery: vickyraebrown Stats: 210/145/130 WOE: Simple Low Carb Start Date: Summer 2004	I take Pr Cyclen and never gained a pound.

12-27-2005, 10:24 AM	#6
AllieCat0817 Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Southeastern Coastal SC Posts: 11,831 Gallery: AllieCat0817 Stats: 213.5/133.5/140 WOE: Atkins Maintenance Start Date: 5/23/03	I have taken my pill constantly since 2000 and managed to lose 86 lb while being on it. But I think different pills affect you differently. I use Demulen.

01-15-2006, 08:49 PM	#11
mydolly Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 464 Gallery: mydolly WOE: Whatever the rest of the family is not eating	It does. But I think because her life is in upheaval with graduating, moving out and her best friend turning to hard drugs, crime and jail times, that did not help her. They put her on an antidepressent just to get through. She is off the patch and on to her regular birth control pill so that is routine and normal. Thank God!!

01-15-2006, 08:51 PM	#12
DisneyPrincess Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: N.C. Posts: 20,231 Blog Entries: 39 Gallery: DisneyPrincess Stats: 112.4/111.4/99- 4'10 WOE: Renfrew Meal Plan Start Date: 9.22.08	I am so glad she is doing better now!

01-15-2006, 08:57 PM	#13
SugarFreeSheila I'm here to help! Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 4,632 Gallery: SugarFreeSheila Stats: 141 to 109 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 2001	I love Yasmin. No weight gain, no breakouts, no water weight gain around that time of the month ... I very highly recommend it.

01-15-2006, 10:05 PM	#15
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	I was on Loestrin, a high progestin, low estrogen type (hated it) from age 17-20 and just had my pill-free anniversary this December. Whithin 2 weeks of coming off the hormones I lost 5 lbs. I know it wasnt fat, but water instead. I didnt find that my appetite or cravings were affected at all while taking it. I guess it just made me retain water.

01-16-2006, 12:19 AM	#16
dollie Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Gainesville,FL USA Posts: 331 Gallery: dollie Stats: start again 185 goal ??140?? WOE: struggling with lc, induction again! Start Date: Jan 22 2008	I take yasmin and it seems to be okay. But man, my PMS is off the charts! I told my dr. it was the pills, he said it was just an adjusting period, he told me that elementally all pills are the same. they don't vary enough in dosage, and that the hormones are so similar that however your body responds to them is how it will respond, period! I asked him why it was that when I went on yasmin my weight loss continued and I did not gain like I did with ortho. His reply, "because you are eating better, silly". he has a point

01-16-2006, 04:25 AM	#17
Tylar_Connar Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 12,435 Gallery: Tylar_Connar Stats: 198177150 WOE: 27 lbs to go for now Start Date: 10/14/06-165, 11/23/07 180	i take the patch. i love it. i have not gained weight either...lost as you can see. i think it helped level my moods...but my cycle was messed up anyways. and also you can not take this if you weigh more than 200 (i think) is what they told me cause i was border line at the time. never had heard of usuing nore than one does not sound to safe to me

01-16-2006, 05:36 AM	#18
DisneyPrincess Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: N.C. Posts: 20,231 Blog Entries: 39 Gallery: DisneyPrincess Stats: 112.4/111.4/99- 4'10 WOE: Renfrew Meal Plan Start Date: 9.22.08	dollie...thats interesting. Do you think switching from ortho to yasmin really did help lose weight? Thats what I switched from. I think different pills defanitly cause different reactions. I have been on about 5 different brands and have yet to find one I "like" Tylar- I was thinking about the patch but I have heard that it causes excessive gains in some because people are allergic? Guess thats not you! ANyone heard of/are on the ring?

01-16-2006, 06:24 AM	#19
amygirl_011 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 969 Gallery: amygirl_011 Stats: 155/142.5/127 5"5	For those that take Yasmin... did you....ahem.... find that your "chest" got a little bigger? Just wondering!

01-16-2006, 10:10 AM	#20
RobinB Heart Writer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,170 Gallery: RobinB WOE: Atkins Start Date: restart March '07	Years ago simply starting a routine of B vitamins, especially B-6, got rid of the water weight that bc pills caused. Worked for some of my friends, too.

01-16-2006, 10:50 AM	#22
WATCH-ME-SHRINK Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 6,322 Gallery: WATCH-ME-SHRINK Stats: 166 (12+) /Size 4-6/Fit & LEAN 140-145 (5'7) WOE: Atkins to BFFM to LC/TKD	I've gained on every single pill my doc tried. Gave up and used alternatives

01-16-2006, 04:11 PM	#24
ramborb Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida Posts: 679 Gallery: ramborb	When i started Provera, my doctor said "you might see a small weight gain from this pill". almost 50 lbs later i'd like to strangle him. Never had a weight problem in my life before taking this.

01-16-2006, 04:57 PM	#26
ramborb Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida Posts: 679 Gallery: ramborb	Oh gosh no! Actually went off it last month! I was on it for years. Wonder how much is still in my body? The weight just crept up on me. I remember a woman i worked with saying "wow, you're gaining weight" and i looked at her like she had 3 heads. Much later i realized she was right and i was in denial!

03-03-2006, 08:26 AM	#27
Lehgrad MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 1,997 Gallery: Lehgrad Stats: 170/141/135, 5'5" WOE: IR Diet Start Date: June '04	Jackie, I am curious to see how you feel on Yasmin. I started Yasmin 5 days ago. I am really bloated since I started. My pants don't fit! Argh. Otherwise, I am fine. My skin looks good. I am hoping that it'll level off. I can deal with a few pounds of water if my skin is flawless.

03-03-2006, 08:32 AM	#28
ctdiver Senior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Norman, Oklahoma Posts: 680 Gallery: ctdiver Stats: 198.7/164.4/148.7 WOE: Atkins Start Date: January 2, 2006	I've been on birth control for 12 years without really taking a break, so I really have no idea how it affects me compared to no BC. I do have a question, though. Is anyone else using the Nuvaring? It's AWESOME. Frankly, its so convenient, I think I would use it even if was causing me to lose slower. I would like to hear how other people have reacted to it, though. Anyone?

03-03-2006, 10:00 AM	#29
RobinB Heart Writer Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,170 Gallery: RobinB WOE: Atkins Start Date: restart March '07