Birth Control question
 

Ladies,
I go in for that dreaded drs appointment next week and i would really like some input on birth control methods of choice. After the birth of both girls I was on the shot. Well I did a little research on that and decided that it carried too many risks, so year ago I quit taking it. My husband and I have been using condoms since then. Well he's not real reliable and we had a very close call last month so now I am taking matters into my own hands. I know they say you don't gain weight on the pill but everyone I have talked to says otherwise. I want something very low dose. If you don't mind would you share your methods of choice and if their was any weight gain. I would really appreciate that. Thanks in advance.
Jen

I have a question about this, too. My husband and I use condoms, but I am hearing that the sponge will go back on the market in the US soon. I was not in a long-term relationship when it was on the shelves last, so I know little about it. Anyone use the sponge? Like it or hate it?

I use Nordette - it's on the lower range of normal doses and I haven't noticed any water retention. I started back up about a week and a half ago and I've lost 7.5 and a half pounds since. I really think that the idea that you're going to gain weight on BCP is really a myth - you might retain a couple pounds of water, but you really shouldn't shoot up 20 lbs. in a month - there's something else going on there for the most part!

I haven't noticed any weight gain with the pill but then again I am terrible about taking it in the first place so who even knows if it is working? Oops...

I take Mircette, well the generic version called Kariva. It has one of the lowest doses of estrogen of most pills. I have been on it for like 3 years now. I didn't gain any weight from it. Now, 2 years later I gained, but that had nothing to do with the pill. I had a friend who took Orthotricyclin and didn't gain any weight from it at all. I think that a lot of times if you would be prone to gain weight from it, exercise and a good diet would keep that from happening! I have heard the myth, but no one that I have know who took the pill gained. I think that people who think birth control is evil started that rumor since that's something that women are afriad of (I was raised Catholic, and I heard all kind of scary things about stuff like that, none true!) Hope that helps!

I'm actually on the shot and have been for almost 2 years with absolutely NO side effects so I love it. I havent had a period the whole time, no cramps, and no PMS (i'm just regularly *****y cuz that is who I am!). I do take a calcium supplement now though since they have found bone loss in women who are on the shot. I dont know what I would do without it. What other bad things have you heard about it or know?

I'm on Enpresse, which is a generic for Ortho-tricyclen (I've been on it for just over 5 years). The only side effect I had was morning sickness for the first few weeks I was on it. From everything I have read and heard, the pill does NOT cause weight gain just by itself. However, often when people go on the pill they are at some other point in their life where weight gain occurs -- for me, I went on it right before starting college. And who hasn't heard of the "freshman 15"? More like "freshman 30"! Besides, I had been gaining before going on it anyway. I think most people just like to use it as an excuse for their weight gain ("there's no way I ate enough/was lazy enough to gain weight, it must have been the pill!").

The only grain of truth I see in the "BC makes you gain weight" thing is: when it is TOM, a lot of us crave foods and eat more, right? I have heard that for some people, being on BC increases your appetite b/c of the hormones, and of course if you have an increased appetite you might eat more and you might gain weight.

It certainly doesn't stop you from losing weight, since so many of us here are on it and losing. I think as long as you watch your eating/exercise and drink lots of water there is no problem.

Aside from the weight gain, one method I have heard great things about is the Nuvaring. It is low-dose and has fewer side effects than the pill. Also, it is lower maintenance because you don't have to deal with it every day, just change it once a week or something like that.

I've been on both ortho tricyclen and ortho lo (the low dose version) and I liked both of them. I've actually lost weight on them, and I've read numerous places that birth control pills don't cause significant, if any, weight gain. I've heard people say it... but it is always nice to have something to blame weight gain on, right?
Medically, if you maintain your current lifestyle and don't eat more or move less you shouldn't gain FAT but because it changes your hormones you may notice a different kind of water retention (and loss.)

I've never tried any of the other methods, but I've studied them in school (I'm a sexual health peer educator.) One of my friends really likes the Ring and she says she can't feel it at all. I've heard a lot of mixed reactions about the patch.

i just started with tri-levlen 28 i dont know if its a generic version of anything i dont know much about it... i havent gained weight just retained a lil water and my doc says once my body gets used to it that should go away... i am glad i have never had cramps so i dont know what they feel like and my period only last 4 days sooo hopefully it doesnt get any longer... i dont ever get "PMS" *****y i am always *****y...hehe

I've been on BCP for what seems like forever. Over the course of the 10 or so years I've been using them, I've tried a few kinds. I don't really like one over the other........and I didn't gain weight with any of them. They worked great-no kids!! lol But I would only recommend them if you are good about remembering to take them! Good luck with whatever you choose!

I know its not the pill and it looks like that's what you are going for but I just wanted to throw out the idea of the Nuvaring. I LOVE it. I'm not familiar with the hormone levels (whether or not it is low), actually I'm just too lazy to go find the packet and look it up. I never gained any weight on it and cramps are practically non existant now. I've never been on the pill so I don't have anything to compare to but I think it is great.

The best part: No pill to remember to take everyday, in fact I only have to remember something twice a month. The ring is inserted, left in place for three weeks, then removed for one week, repeat. (Incase anyone was wondering the same thing I was at first, no, typically men don't even know it's there)

holicanmc - do you know if it's possible to do the "skip the week off, skip the period" thing with the ring like you can with BCP? I've been thinking about starting it.

Yup, my doc said it was ok. I've done it a couple times. The ring slowly "secretes" the hormones and according to the packaging it will continue to "secrete" for an additional week if you forget to remove it after the third week. I've left mine in for that extra week once for vacation and once or twice because I forgot to remove it.

Edited to add: I'm pretty sure you can also skip your period altogether for a particular month by removing ring1 after three weeks and immediately inserting ring2 for another 3 weeks but you should check with your doctor about that one.

I've been up and down with this one. My doctor told me that birth control can cause weight gain in some cases because it leads to a drop in metabolism due to changing hormones. I experienced that personally when I started taking Seasonale last winter. I use dieting software that calculates my metabolism, and mine had been doing pretty well (about 2500-2600 calories burned per day as my BMR). After I started taking Seasonale my metabolism dropped to about 1300-1400 cals per day BMR within 2 weeks (no change in diet or exercise during that time). One of the nurses at my dr's office told me she experienced the same thing, and my dr told me she had seem many girls with the same problem. I switched back to Ortho-tricyclen around March, but my metabolism has yet to recover. Again consulting my dr, she's switched me to Nordette because of the lower hormone levels, but I haven't started it yet, so we'll have to wait and see what happens with that.

I'm not trying to blame my weight on birth control though. I know I'm overweight because I eat too much and don't exercise. But there are medical factors that can hinder our efforts, and there is a chemically valid reason. Different people will react to medications in different ways, that's the wonder of being human. If you want something low-dose for any reason, there are lots of options on the market: Nordette, Yasmin, and Ortho-tricyclen Lo are some I can think of off the top of my head. Ask your doctor, express your concerns, including weight gain (if you get headaches frequently, tell your dr that too--the right bc makes a difference there too), and figure out the best course of action for your body. You may have to try a few different options, but pay attention to the effects and you will eventually find one that you like and can live with.

Just my two cents.
~Elisha

Thanks for your input Elisha - I was beginning to wonder what was up with the idea that BCP make you gain weight if none of us had experienced it!?!

elisha--what kind of dieting software do you have that calculates your metabolism, and what does it base its calculations on? I've seen plenty of calculators and such and use Fitday regularly, which tries to tell me that my BMR is something like 3350 calories a day (which is total BS--I would SO be gaining weight at that much!), so I'm wondering how yours is so accurate and adjusting. I'd like to know more about it :)
As for the pill, I was put on Orthocyclen (not ortho-tricyclen--this one only has one hormone level and the placebos, so not as many colors of pills :p ) right after I turned 16 (to prevent ovarian cysts, not for birth control--didn't have sex for the first time till I was almost 22 :o ). I was on it ever since until just this past winter when I went to a new doctor, and she said their pharmacy doesn't carry it (stupid Kaiser Permanente!), so she switched me to Levlen, which she said is basically the same thing, just a different brand. I have never had a problem with either of them (yes, I gained weight when I started when I was 16, but I was gaining weight anyway, so I don't think the pills had anything to do with it).

I think your best bet is to ask your doctor. He/she should be able to prescribe one that is less likely to cause weight gain.

I didn't gain any weight what so ever when i took ortho-tri-cyclen BUT i did experience bad side effects and i would never take any other bc pills because of it.

Its funny because the week after i got off the pill i used a condom with my significant other and it BROKE. oh goodness. I have to say just use a condom and have a morning after pill ready in casse something were to happen. They are just as effective and in the long run healthier since you don't have hormones running throughout your body 24/7. I have to say do not trust trojans! they always seem to break on me. Durex are really good.

But to each there own. That is my experience on Birth Control Pills. [i took them for 2+ years]

Jill--I use DietPower 4.0. I input my weight, food intake, water, and exercise on a daily basis, and it calculates my metabolism daily based on the variation in my weight. If you log everything consistently it seems to be fairly accurate. Fitday always calculates my BMR way too high too. There are some things I would change about DietPower, but I really like the features it does have, like allowing you to enter your own foods and recipes. I also think it's a lot easier to use than Fitday, but perhaps that's just because I'm used to it. I chose it primarily because I can use it offline. You can download a free trial at www.dietpower.com. I believe it costs around $50 to purchase.

Again on the BC issue--the first one I tried was Depo-Provera. I honestly don't know if it made me gain weight, because I wasn't monitoring my weight at that time (because it was going up anyway), but I had other side effects. Same thing with Ortho-tricyclen: I wasn't paying attention to my weight when I started it the first time. Seasonale definitely contributed to a weight gain, but when I switched back to Ortho-tricyclen I didn't experience any additional gain because of it. Yes, I gained a few more pounds, but I attribute that to the Seasonale as well. My metabolism never had a chance to recover, and birth control certainly isn't going to speed it up. I'm hoping the new lower dosage allows my body to work its way back to normal.

As for using condoms instead of birth control, unless you're with one specific person only and know about their history, you should use condoms whether your on birth control or not to avoid STDs. However, birth control can also have other beneficial effects. For example: my periods are very, very heavy and I have very bad cramps if I am not on birth control. The pill makes it manageable and almost painless. Also, some birth control can help prevent things like breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and osteoporosis. It can be a good thing to have a few extra hormones in your system.

But in any case, I completely agree with Jill: talk to your doctor. I prefer a female dr, especially on this issue, because they've always seemed more knowledgeable about the intricacies of bc and what it can do to the female body (honestly, male dr's just seem like "cramps? it can't be that bad, just deal with it!" and how could they know?), but that's just my opinion. In any case, your dr can help you find what works, and they should be able and willing to address any questions or concerns you have. If it's not working out for you, don't keep using it just because your doctor recommended it first. Maybe that's really the best one for you, but maybe it's not. If you don't ask, you'll never know.

*steps down off the soapbox*
Sorry... :D
Elisha

Thanks for all your replies. I really appreciate it. I just want to clear things up a bit, I'm not blaming my weight gain on bc. I just have heard both ways, you know the extra cravings, slowed metabolism and all. I have trouble with birth control in the sense it makes me very moody. When I was on the shot I was more depressed, much more depressed. When I was on Ortho Tri Cyclen I was so mean, very moody. I am surprised my husband didn't leave. I also want something short term because my husband and I do plan on trying for our 3rd after I reach my goal weight and we have insurance. I dont' qualify for insurance until after the middle of december. I know it ultimatly comes down to what the doctor and I discuss I just wanted to go in with a few ideas of my own. Thanks again all.
Jen

I have to second HOlicanmc. I love the NuvaRing. I switched to it because I was having trouble with the Pill (my memory mostly). It is so easy and I haven't had any side effects.

Also I do the skip period thing. I do the edited version she describes above (per my Dr's orders). Three weeks in then replace with a new one.

I was on the ring for about 1 year before I started doing the skip period version. And I wasn't having any problems. The bonus with this is when I was on the Pill I would occassionally try and do two months in a row (bad timing, trying to manipulate timing, etc) and I always got really bad morning sickness. No side effects witht the NuvaRing though.

My doctor said I could skip two periods. So for me it is three weeks, replace. Three weeks, replace. Three weeks, out for a week.

Yes that is right I am off only 1 out of every 10 weeks!!

I'm lucky, I guess, in that I can take the pill more than a month at a time without side effects. Just this year, I started taking it for 2 months straight, then off for a week, then 2 months again, so I only get my TOM every other month. When I go back for my next yearly check-up (in January), as long as everything looks okay and I haven't had any problems with this schedule, my doc said I can go ahead and do 3 packs straight with no placebos, so I'll only have my TOM every 3 months. Hurray for medical technology! ;)

Maybe my particular pill is really low-dose. I never really looked into it. I know, however, that when my sister would miss a pill (on ortho-tricyclen), it says to take the next one as soon as you remember. Well, if she didn't remember till the next morning and had to take 2 at a time, she would get pretty sick. As for me, I have forgotten plenty of times (since I've been on the dumb things for over 7 years) and have had to take 2 at a time, and I have never had a problem--no sickness, no spotting, nothing. So I guess my point, too, is that it depends highly on the individual and how your body reacts to things :) We can give you stories about our own experiences till you drop, but your may still be completely different. Good luck!

I was on BCP for about 4 years. I was on OTC (ortho try cyclin) for about 1 year, but was then switched to Lo Estrin because I was still having painful cramps with the OTC, and she thought the LE would help get rid of that... lol that didn't work, they were worse on the LE, and I went back to OTC.

I changed Dr's and she put me on Aleese, and I was on that for about a year.

I never experienced weight gain that I could blame on the BCP. I did gain weight, but it wasn't the pill's fault - that was mine.

The only medication that caused me to gain weight was Paxil.

Anyway, I'm not on any sort of pill anymore right now, and I still gained weight :)

I was told that you can skip your period with pretty much any pill, but the cyclic ones. My Dr said that you're more likely to experience spotting if you try it with those type (like OTC)

~Liz

Hi all! Birth control is one of my favorite topics. ;)

Combined oral contraceptive pills are generally not associated with weight gain, and have tons of positive effects, like less PMS, less total blood loss, less cramping, etc. Monophasic pills have fewer side effects than triphasic.

Depo-provera is statistically associated with about a 5 pound weight gain, although I have many patients who gain a lot more than that. There is also a possibility of lots of spotting, though the longer you are on it, the less you bleed and periods may cease. There are concerns with bone density loss during the time a woman is on it (may be more concerning for teens) but the latest research shows that when a woman stops the depo, her bone density returns to nearly normal. The jury is still out though and who knows what will be happening to women who were on depo in 40+ years.

THe ring is fabulous (in my opinion) and you can take it out during intercourse if it bothers you or your partner for up to 3 hours without decreasing efficacy. People are certainly skipping the "ring-free" week and thus the withdrawal bleed (aka period)...there is no data to support this but no reason to think it is harmful at all and no reason to bleed every cycle, every 2 cycles, every 3 cycles, or even never.

The patch is pretty popular in my practice, too, and, like the ring, some women are skipping the "patch free" week and not having periods. Lovely.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned here is the IUD. There are 2 kinds--one can stay in for 5 years (Mirena) and one for 10 years (Paragard). Very safe, very effective, nothing to remember. THe Mirena has progesterone and thins the uterine lining resulting in spotting at first but then no bleeding, no periods for most women. THe paragard is hormone free so women cycle as they normally would, occasionally a little heavier with a little more cramping. Both of these can be removed at any time a woman wants to become pregnant with good return for fertility (immediately for paragard, within 6 months or so for mirena). Consider an IUD!

I would also like to put in a plug for your neighborhood nurse midwife or nurse practitioner. Midwives and NPs prescribe MORE birth control than ANY other profession in the US, including MDs. We know what we are talking about and what we are doing. ;) I sigh when I read about women struggling with PMS, cramping, etc. Are periods obselete? Pretty much. Women don't have to be so darn uncomfortable each month.

So, use condoms to prevent STDs and consult with your practitioner (find a midwife or NP!) for what is perfect for you.

Jen

Me too, Jill. My former "doctor" was a nurse practitioner, and she still wasn't really that helpful. :lol: My new one is an actual MD though, but that was fairly random. I was recommended to a specific office, and she was the only one at the office accepting new patients.

Thanks for the input, midwife. I haven't seen a doctor-doctor in FOREVER - probably since I was about 13. I've been seeing NPs for quite awhile.

OH and as far as the patch goes...if you are active like me it is terrible. I usually shower 1-2x per day and had a really hard time keeping it in place. PLUS you get can get terrible tan lines in the summer (people think you're on the patch).

Fight underpopulation...get married and have lotsa babies...otherwise, just get fixed and get it over with!

*Amanda huffs, as she was one of those who took birth control once (when her unmarried butt had no business even needing it) and had terrible side effects from it!*


Amanda

I love Depo-Provera, but I understand why you don't want to use it especially if you are going to try to conceive soon. I'm always in the minority, but I used it for 5 years with no problems and actually lost weight. I started spotting weekly so I quit and shortly after got pregnant. Now I'm on it again since while nursing a baby you can't have estrogen (except the mini-pill) only projesterone (sp?). Again, no problems. Love the shot.

i wish they would get the sponges back out on the market... I really liked those .. no mess and effective..

i use allese but i really dont like to take it at 44 .. wrries me about all the risks..

Thanks all for your input. We will see how it goes in the morning.
Jen

Originally Posted by tampagirlcmb:
I'm actually on the shot and have been for almost 2 years with absolutely NO side effects so I love it. I havent had a period the whole time, no cramps, and no PMS (i'm just regularly *****y cuz that is who I am!). I do take a calcium supplement now though since they have found bone loss in women who are on the shot. I dont know what I would do without it. What other bad things have you heard about it or know?

Originally Posted by She-Mullet:
I love Depo-Provera, but I understand why you don't want to use it especially if you are going to try to conceive soon. I'm always in the minority, but I used it for 5 years with no problems and actually lost weight. I started spotting weekly so I quit and shortly after got pregnant. Now I'm on it again since while nursing a baby you can't have estrogen (except the mini-pill) only projesterone (sp?). Again, no problems. Love the shot.

I thought I loved it. When I got on it the doc said there were NO side effects. I didn't believe him but I did it anyway (the pill was giving me migraines).

I ended up gaining 30 pounds, I got severely irritable, moody, depressed, lethargic, and had to start on anti-depressants. I thought I was alone with this, because I've got a friend who swears she has had no side effects (though she's been fighting with her boyfriend more and more and has gained 20lbs) and found some support groups online about detoxing off of it. I told my doctor about this, and they said that they've been seeing this happen more and more.

One of my friend's sisters was on it for 2 years and has worse hips than her grandmother - she can't ride a bike, sit on a waverunner or anything. It deteriorated her bones that bad.

I've been bc free for six months and have been trying to find something more suitable that doesn't have those side effects.

Okay, enough rant from me. I guess everyone's body is different. The worst part about depo is that if you have a side effect, you can't just stop taking it, it's in your system for a long time.

But babies are so much fun!

*Amanda turns around, perplexed..."what's that ticking", she says outloud to no one in particular. Perhaps it is her biological clock*


Amanda