Do you think birth control pills cause weight gain and / stall weight loss? Im just curious. I am not blaming the product, I am not on the pill but I was considering starting it soon, like in the next month or so. I read a lot of blame for weight problems on the pill when I read reviews so I am kinda afraid to start it until I am around my goal weight but I don't know. hmm.
The only bc method that gave me a problem was the depo-shot. I made me soo hungry that I could eat all day. Some bc pills will make you retain water but by no means they make you "gain" weight. The only problem that I get with them is acne but I can fix it by switching to a different pill
BC pills never made me gain, if anything I was thinner. Depo shot is a different story though I've seen people gain massive amounts of weight on it so I always avoided that form like the plague.
I have one child (not having more) and I'm almost 40 so I have Paraguard IUD. My doc doesn't like his patients on the pill past 35.
I think it varies from woman to woman both in the degree to which it can affect different women and in which particular kind does. Person A may do well on birth control A but it does terrible things to Person B. And then there's lucky Person C who never experiences any problems when starting or switching.
I very much believe it can stall weight loss as it happened to me. I switched from Loestrin FE to Sprintec because I just couldn't afford the former any longer and my weight loss came to a dead stop. I was very careful about my calorie intake so I know for sure it wasn't because I was eating more. I'm now on Microgestin FE and very happy with things. The key is to find the one that works for you. If your weight loss does stall or you gain, don't swear off forever. Just talk to your doctor and switch to a different one. Good luck!
Yes, I believe the hormones in some can. I just took myself off of nuvaring. I've been the same size for 7+ years and I took nuaring last Jan or Feb. During that time I was on a fitness/eating regemine and was losing up until I started using the nuvaring. Not only did I go bat **** crazy, I went from 217 to 243 and I'm still recovering. I've been off for about a month now. I'm 27, have been eating the same and have been wearing a 16/18 for about 8 years now. I'm almost back to the weight I was when I first started losing at 252. A 26lb weight gain in 8-9 months just doesn't happen to me. I am feeling a lot better now, and looking forward to getting down to 145 by this time next year. No more hormones for me!
**ETA**
I forgot to mention that I also got hypertension while on it as well with extreme heart papulations. Since I've been off I haven't experienced that and I never experienced that in my life before. However, when I was on sprintec as a teen for menstrual complications, I was losing.
Last edited by rachellosesitall85; 11-09-2012 at 04:41 PM.
I have been on depo for over two years- I do have more intense carb cravings but I don't feel like it has ruined my metabolism or anything, I just have to exercise a little more control and do better on a low carb plan!
Yes, I believe the hormones in some can. I just took myself off of nuvaring. I've been the same size for 7+ years and I took nuaring last Jan or Feb. During that time I was on a fitness/eating regemine and was losing up until I started using the nuvaring. Not only did I go bat **** crazy, I went from 217 to 243 and I'm still recovering. I've been off for about a month now. I'm 27, have been eating the same and have been wearing a 16/18 for about 8 years now. I'm almost back to the weight I was when I first started losing at 252. A 26lb weight gain in 8-9 months just doesn't happen to me. I am feeling a lot better now, and looking forward to getting down to 145 by this time next year. No more hormones for me!
So funny how differently people can be affected! I was on the nuvaring and lost 15 pounds really quickly, and had no hormonal issues. But I had to stop because it was hurting
Now I'm on alesse and I have gained, but that's my own fault and I don't believe it is a side effect.
At the time I was *positive* I gained because of the pill, but to be honest, I gained just because I ate a lot. So as long as you aren't lying to yourself like I was you should be just fine, lol.
I am now using paraguard and I love it. No pills to take everyday. But I hope the pill works well for you!
I think it can cause a slight gain/loss. But think about, when you start up birth control it's because you've gotten yourself a boyfriend. What do you do at the start of having a new boyfriend?
You go out to restaurants, you skip exercise classes to spend more time with your boyfriend, he cooks unhealthy food for you, you have movie nights in front of the tv where you eat ice cream and cuddle up to your boyfriend, you go on on trips together and enjoy delicious food, you go to the movies with your boyfriend and eat buttered popcorn there.
I think it can cause a slight gain/loss. But think about, when you start up birth control it's because you've gotten yourself a boyfriend. What do you do at the start of having a new boyfriend?
well, I got a husband and a 3 yr old so the fun of going out is long past unfortunately, LOL! But yeah, I know what you mean
Thanks for the replies all! I just wanted to add, I looked into paragard for a bit but decided it's not for me right now. I think I might consider it again though.
It really just depends on the pill or shot or whatever you choose to use. Right now my dr has me on generess to get my periods regular (pcos) and to get my hormones in check because we wanna have a baby in the next couple of years. One of the side effects is weight gain (like 3-4lbs) but another side effect is nausea and I have even thrown up because .. frankly they suck! lol.. Just talk to your dr about your concerns with weight gain and hopefully they will work with you!
I think it can cause a slight gain/loss. But think about, when you start up birth control it's because you've gotten yourself a boyfriend. What do you do at the start of having a new boyfriend?
You go out to restaurants, you skip exercise classes to spend more time with your boyfriend, he cooks unhealthy food for you, you have movie nights in front of the tv where you eat ice cream and cuddle up to your boyfriend, you go on on trips together and enjoy delicious food, you go to the movies with your boyfriend and eat buttered popcorn there.
Do you understand where I'm going with this?
I started taking bcp to try to regulate my period because I get it very infrequently. I'm not saying that's the OP's case, but I think it's a bit hasty to assume.
Birth control pills and weight loss / weight gain
