I've just started taking ortho-tricyclen and I've heard that it's nearly impossible to lose weight while on birth control and that most people usually gain. So has anyone had success losing while on it?

I am on it, have been for almost 4 years. I definitely gained weight when I started it, but that was also in conjunction with bad eating habits and ZERO working out. I just started my plan about 3 1/2 weeks ago and have lost about 6 pounds. So the pounds aren't melting away, but I'm definitely making progress.

Nope. The pill might make you feel more hungry, or more emotional, or any number of other things that might result in more eating/less exercise. In other words, it's not the pill itself making you gain/maintain/lose, it's your reaction to the side effects of the pill. It's a very individual experience.

I find it harder to lose on the pill simply because I get a LOT more emotional on the pill. I'm struggling to break the "angry? cookies! sad? ice cream! stressed? potato chips!!" cycle, but it's doable.

I started on ortho-tricyclen almost 9 years ago (I think?) and switched to ortho-tricyclen lo once that became available (maybe 4 years ago). I was pretty heavy already and starting college when I began taking it, and I did gain significant weight over the next 4 years (a little over 40 pounds) but would attribute that more to the change in lifestyle (lots of drinking, no longer playing high school sports, eating lots of junk). I was able to lose weight just fine once I got my act together and decided I wanted to do it, so it’s very possible. I would say the pills have little to do with my ability to lose weight and that other factors are much more important. Right now I’m at or just a little under the weight I was in high school before I started taking BC, but looking at pictures I’d say my bf % is lower now than it was then, I think I look a little smaller if anything. I would imagine that varies a lot from person to person, I’d say just keep an eye on things and see if it seems to make a difference. You can always let you doc know it’s a concern and if you think they’re causing you to gain he/she might be able to prescribe another kind. Good luck!

I lost weight on birth control, but only because it was prescribed for a condition that directly affected my weight (PCOS). I was on desogen for 3 years and never had a problem losing weight once my issue was sorted out. I recently changed to nuvaring and was petrified of gaining, but nothing that can't be attributed to too much pasta.

Same story as everyone else..I am on birthcontrol...I did gain weight...But it was more due to my lifestyle changes than anything else. I am losing just fine now that I am putting an effort into it.

I seem to remember most studies showing that weight gain due to the Pill is usually about 5 lb of water weight on average. Everything else can usually be attributed to the time of life when people usually start the Pill (tail end of puberty when there's natural weight gain, or away from home for the first time, or starting a new relationship, etc.) Individual experience may vary.

One way or another, I know that the medications I'm on now contributed to my weight gain, and I've still lost. I know that others here have lost weight even while on meds that cause severe weight gain. So, don't let the rumours discourage you!

I was on Depo Provera for years and then switched off (because they don't recommend being on it more than 5 years). Went directly to progesterone & estrogen pills. On Depo I had no problem. Depo is progesterone only. On the combined pills (I tried a full dosage, and then the ortho low) I gained 30 pounds in 3 months. I was also nauseous, dizzy, and my chest was sore all the time. The 30 pound gain GREATLY contributed to my gaining back 70 of the 80 pounds I lost the first time I did Weight Watchers.

This is just my personal experience, though. I actually reacted opposite from most women. Most women react that way to more progesterone, not estrogen. Anyway my point is that if you are gaining a lot of weight very quickly, contact your doctor immediately. Mine let it continue for the 3 months because, it seemed to me, she just didn't really care. I'm on progesterone only pills now, and am having no problem.

I started tricyclen about 2 years ago (was on alesse before that) and did not gain any weight on it. About six months after starting it I gained a lot of weight because I started taking anti-depressants, but was able to lose 20 of the 35 pounds I gained while still on the tricyclen (relatively easily too!). Now I'm working on the remaining 15 pounds - I switched to tricyclen lo about six months ago, but now I'm looking for something that will help my PMS more (I always get really depressed the week before TOM), so I'm trying out Yasmin. In any case, the weight is coming off slowly now, but it is coming off!

Thanks for the responses everyone! I took my first pill last night and it didn't really make me nauseous or anything. I eat pretty well (usually not more than 1200 cals per day), and I workout at least 3 or 4 days per week, so I'm hoping that I'll be okay! I won't mind it too much if I don't lose weight, I just don't want to gain any. :]

The pill tricks your body into thinking it's pregnant. So weight gain/ making it harder to lose only makes sense. Although from what I've noticed it's more of a problem when you first start on it, and after a few months it subsides.

I lost 20 some pounds before starting on ortho-tri-cyclin (about a year ago) and have lost about 10 some after it, although it has been a great deal harder but I also think that might be due to the fact that my body really didn't like being as heavy as a was and is reaching a place where it's more comfortable now.

I didn't gain weight with the pill. I still lost weight while on it.

I was on it for almost two years, and just stopped it 3 months ago. I can't say it made much difference. I went from 133 to 119 while on it, and I haven't noticed any changes since I've been off.

i do continous use bc and i have never had an issue losing weight while on bc when i eat right and exercise...

I started on birth control about the same time I started trying to lose weight and it hasn't stopped me. I actually find it helps keep my emotions in check better then not being on it (but my hormones were all out of wack prior to taking it's helped).