Birth Control Weight Gain
This is a fascinating thread that discusses the side effects of popular birth control pills, which include weight gain, migranes, nausea. There are over sixty great responses, and if you add to the thread with a question, odds are that you will get an informative and helpful response!
Has anyone else experienced weight gain after they went on the pill? A few years ago, I went off the pill and lost 10 lbs in 2 months (without much change in diet or exercise). But now that I'm back on it, I've gained all that weight back and I have to work so hard for the few pounds I have lost. I've tried different brands - Othotricyclin, Mircette (low dose) - hoping this side effect would change but have had no luck. Does anyone know of a brand that doesn't cause as much weight gain?
Mon. Jul 18, 11:02am
i also gained weight when i went on the pill, but it was also due to several other factors... from what i understand, the effect is different on everyone - some women gain weight, some lose, and some it has no effect...
Monday, July 18, 2005, 11:50 AM
I don't have any fluctuation in weight on Orthotricyclene, though breast size sometimes vary. I did see, however, an 8-10 lb gain after an injection of Depo Provera (the 4-month birth control shot).
Monday, July 18, 2005, 1:08 PM
another one that has been good for many is Orhto-evra (patch) - since it is a continuous delivery system, it is possible to get effective birth control with a lower overall dose. Many women report a lower incidence of, or diminished, side effects due to the lower levels of hormones.
I used it just over a year - although I did like it better than previous hormonal BC, I still had enough side effects that I finally had an IUD inserted - which I have been extremely happy with.
However it has been no easier taking the weight off since I stopped taking BC than it was while I was on it. the plus is that it's no longer a struggle to keep from gaining more. I used to crave certain foods and felt hungry often, and this has greatly diminished to levels that feel more "normal" to me. It could just be my imagination.
Monday, July 18, 2005, 2:00 PM
Nuvaring
I have been on the orthra-evra patch for a few years, and did gain some weight, but not sure if it was from the patch or not. About 2 months ago I tried nuvaring - and I love it (I was skeptical until I tried it, but you really can't feel it). My gyno says the patch has high doses of horomones to get through all that skin and and stuff, and since nuvaring is direct, it has a low dose. Now I'm wondering if I lost 8 pounds in the last 2 months because of the new birth control, or because of the dieting.
Monday, July 18, 2005, 3:14 PM
I've tried everything. They all suck!
That being said, my doctor did tell me that you tend to gain more with the Depo Provera shot. I was on that for 2 years and I did gain weight, even though I was finally out of college and eating much healthier than I had the previous 4 years! My doctor told me that the average weight gain with the shot is about 6 pounds a year, while average weight gain with the pill is only 3. ( I figured that 6 pounds a year was just too much, considering I want to wait a couple more years before thinking about kids!) She did tell me that the birth control doesn't actually make you gain weight, but increases your appetite. So I guess you can try and control what you eat, to some extent.
Since being off that I have tried the Nuva ring (but it actually would not stay in for me....I was told that some people do have this problem. It often came out when I was going to the bathroom. Then I would have to hurry and get a new one.)
I tried Orthotricycline, but I was getting a lot of spotting on my face from it. High doses of birth control can cause Melasma, which is a persistant spotting of the face. These look like freckles, but are bigger, and I've never had freckles before. A bunch of my friends are having the same problem, and some are getting these spots on their chest and back as well.
I just switched to a lower dose Yasmin.
I'm crossing all my fingers that I like this one!
Monday, July 18, 2005, 3:51 PM
I have to respond about the Depo-Provera. I have been on it for a year and love it. Before I went on it, I researched it and what I found is that one of the side effects can be an increased appetite. So the drug doesn't cause you to gain weight, you cause yourself to gain weight by eating more. Once I knew that, I was careful to stay on top of it and if I felt hungrier, I snacked on healthy options. I weigh the exact same today as I did one year ago.
Monday, July 18, 2005, 4:37 PM
good luck
I was on birth contol for about two years. I gained about 70 lbs, my blood pressure, went sky high. I decided to not take it any more when I could not walk up the stairs without feeling like I was dying. Once I stoped taking it, it took me two and a half years to loose the weight.
my doctor should have never gave me the pill, my mother has diabetes and I am her first born.
I do not know of a brand that does have weight gain side effect.
Have a good day
jen
Monday, July 18, 2005, 5:01 PM
I was on the Depo Shot and gained 15 lbs within 3 months. I do admit that I ate more during those 3 months and was not really active. Then, when I went to get my second shot, I decided to eat healthier and exercise 3 times a week and 2 hours each day... I lost nothing. I was very disappointed and decided to stop the shot. I am now on a low-dose birth control pill called Aviane. I hope this works out for me.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005, 12:07 AM
I'm on Yasmin - and have neither lost nor gained weight - I've maintained - only I fluctuate during the week before my period - - -I've been on : Ortho tri, Orhto Tri lo, and Estrostep.
My best friend went on the Shot- and gained 10 lbs, but was also able to lose it by incorporating running into her weekly routine - so. . .
So, I agree - it's not the pill, the shot, the patch - you might just have an increased appetite, or some water retention. . . SMALL PRICE TO PAY for SOME PROTECTION!!!!! I'd rather that than be faced with other situations!
Tuesday, July 19, 2005, 6:13 AM
I've been on both Mircette and Zovia before (both high doses of hormones because other meds I take for migraines decrease their effectiveness). Even with the high dosage, I never gained weight from either. My sister gained 10 pounds from hers though. I think different birth control methds just effect everyone differently.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005, 7:52 AM
migraines
I also never really got migraines before I went on the pill, and I also didn't when I first went on the pill and was taking orthocyclen. Then I did the Depo shot, and gained a lot of weight and got acne, so I stopped taking that and started taking ortho tricyclen (just b/c I was in college and found a way to get that brand for free through a friend's dad). Then I started getting monthly migraines, so I went back to the doctor and told her, and she suggested it was because of the weekly changes in hormone levels - the "tri" part of ortho tricyclen is b/c it gives you a different "dose" each week, and then nothing the week of your period. So she switched me back to orthocyclen (actually, Sprintec, the generic for orthocyclen), to keep my hormones at a more constant level, and I haven't had a migraine since!
As for weight gain, most of us take birth control from our mid-teens to our late 20's or so, during a time when our lifestyle is changing all the time and our metabolism is slowing down anyway. Unless it's a dramatic change associated with a time in which nothing else is changing, you have to think of all the other factors. Also, I guarantee that my boyfriend would rather I weigh 5 extra pounds and be on it than lose the 5 lbs and the protection!
Tuesday, July 19, 2005, 12:22 PM
Migranes/Headaches
I have been using Ortho-Evra for the past 6 months and recently decided to go off of it for several reasons. I experienced headaches a lot more frequently and much more severely. I started logging my headaches and I would get them 80% of the time (8 out of 10 days). That just isn't normal and healthy if you ask me. Other reasons I decided to go off of it were due in a large part to the negative press it has been getting lately (see following article: http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050716/APA/507160913) and the fact that its risks are 3 times greater than those of the pill. Kinda scary isn't it?
I'm actually going to try natural birth control for a while because these synthetic hormones and all of the risks associated with them have not been settling with me well lately - and as you've all discussed here on the boards - there are also other effects on the weight gain/loss. Although I will surely miss the ease of not having to count days or use barrier methods!!
As for those headaches, I have not been off of the patch long enough to effectively evaluate my headaches, but so far so good.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005, 2:24 PM
Norplant
I got seriously depressed on Norplant. And I didn't even know the side effects, and that it was Norplant making me suicidal. Only when I went to seek psychiatric help for my depression, did they realize that maybe a doctor should remove the Norplant first. When it was removed, I got better in a week. Seriously, it was like magic.
That said, I did lose weight on Norplant. Gained on orthonovum and triphasal. Though being skinny wasn't worth the depression.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005, 4:06 PM
40 Pounds!!!
I was on depo and gained 40 pounds in four months. I did not eat very healthy but was astonished when I gained so much so quickly.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005, 5:52 PM
significant weight and cup size loss after stopping Yasmin
I took Yasmin for almost 1.5 years and stopped 3 months ago. I have lost 2.5 bra cup sizes and almost 10 pounds without ANY change in diet or exercise.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005, 12:33 PM
"natural" method
To the above poster who is switching from birth control pills to natural methods of birth control, like counting days... Eek!!! Please talk to a doctor about using this method! It doesn't work!!! When you first come off of a pill, or other "unnatural" method, you are very irregular, and may not become regular for 3 years, if ever. Some people are never regular. Even people who are regular every month for years may have a random month when they are not regular. Counting days is not a good way to avoid becoming pregnant!!!! Condoms are good, but also not fool-proof. They're only 80% effective, which means, in a year, you have a 20% chance of getting pregnant. Of course the percentage gets better if you are very very careful... So please, be careful! Getting pregnant instead of gaining a little weight really doesn't seem like the best of choices!
Wednesday, July 20, 2005, 2:44 PM
Do you know what they call people who use the Natural Method of birth control?
Parents!
Wednesday, July 20, 2005, 5:37 PM
Birth control
I tried a pill called Brevacon and for a while I was at a stand still. But then all of a sudden I blew up. A friend recommended that I try the patch. Everything else makes me gain weight. My doctor said that the hormone inbalance associated with the pill makes your body think its preganant and it retains weight and causes an increase in appetite. I haven't found a solution and as a result I am currently trying to get rid of those birth control blues. Good luck with that!!
Thursday, July 21, 2005, 11:19 AM
Seasonale
have heard good things about Yasmin on here. I have been on Depo and loved not getting my period, but would like to go off. Anyone tried Seasonale, on which you only get 4 periods? Is there massive weight gain or anything like that?
Thursday, July 21, 2005, 12:14 PM
Triphasil
I was on Triphasil for 9 years. I was overweight to start with but once I got serious about eating right and exercise I had no trouble at all losing weight (80 pounds of it) while still on Triphasil.
After my baby was done nursing I tried the Nuvaring. I was a unbearable. My moods swung faster that anything and I was extremely grouchy all the time. I was only on it for 3 months and that was enough for me.
Thursday, July 21, 2005, 2:35 PM
I never gained weight on birth control pills, but then, I was never able to take them long because they made my existing migraines more frequent and more intense. Bleh.
I went into menopause early (due to chemo) and the migraines eased up a whole lot.
On the other hand, I started taking tamoxifen (for breast cancer), and I've had a hard time with weight gain. I did lose 35 lbs during the first 6 months I was on it, but I was also training pretty hard for the 3 day walk. Now with normal amounts of exercise and a fairly reasonable and healthy diet, I've still gained back 10 lbs and getting them back off is a struggle.
I may have to just suck it up and double my workouts or something. *sigh*
Friday, July 22, 2005, 6:10 AM
More on migraines
Orignal mirgraine poster here: Every doctor I've talked to has told me that birth control pills are either going to help migraines (by stablizing the hormones in your body) or make them worse. I'm on a doseage that stays constant for 3 weeks and then has none for the 4th. It's never had an effect one way or the other. If you get mirgaines from the pill, then it's usually worst when you're getting no hormones at all. I've never been able to correlate the migraines with any kind of time of month. My triggers are more environmental and food related. I am going to a new neurologist soon though and will tell you all if he/she says anything different.
The preventative medication they put me on has worked great though. Anyone with migraines should consider talking to their doctor about Topomax. It cut my migraines from 2-3/week to about 1 per month.
Friday, July 22, 2005, 7:55 AM
I found this thread searching for something else. boy is this discouraging. My experience has been there are few good options. Maybe an investment in super expensive condoms is the way to go.
Thursday, September 01, 2005, 9:42 AM
IUD?
Can someone share their experiences with an IUD and what types are out there? I've been on depo and I did gain around 10 pounds on it. But I need to get off of depo and possibly all hormonal birth controls because I suffer from depression. My next shot is due in a couple of weeks and that's when they say you should stop it. Help!
Thursday, September 01, 2005, 10:15 AM
depression
i too suffer from depression. I am on the orthoevra patch. Do you think there is link between them? I dont know if I should go off it.
Thursday, September 01, 2005, 1:00 PM
You should probably look up the side effects of ortho. I don't know much about it. However, I think most forms of hormonal birth control has a side effect of aiding in depression, some may be worse than others. I would talk to your doctor about it.
Thursday, September 01, 2005, 1:50 PM
Currently use IUD - Mirena (5 months)
While I can't comment on depression, here are my experiences with the Mirena IUD.
There are 2 types:
1. Mirena - a plastic IUD that releases small amounts of progesterone (the small substance used in Depo) in order to alleviate the aggravated menstal symptoms that often accompany using an IUD.
May be used for 5 years before it must be either permanently removed or replaced.
2. Paragard - a copper IUD containing no chemicals.
May be used 10 years before removal or replacement.
Both are only recommended for women in long-term, monogamous relationships and generally for women who have had children. i have not had children but my doctor was willing to insert one anyway for three reasons: 1. I experienced a high occurance of side effects with hormonal birth control and 2. I do not plan to have children currently, but am not quite willing to go for tubal ligation. 3. I and my husband have been married/together for several years and neither of us engaged in any risky sexual activity or IV drug use.
Inserting the IUD is not pleasant, however neither is it horrible. Mine was worse because I've never had children (thus the opening to my uerus was smal and rigid) - this is the reason that IUDs are generally recommended for women who have had children. If you have not had children the insertion is more painful and can cause bleeding, which can increase the risk of infection. And any infection with a foregn object in your body may increase the risk of toxic shock syndrome which is what gve IUD a bad name in the 70s.
My doctor applied a topical anesthetic to the area first but that can't numb the pressure and cramping caused by the insertion which was alot like hitting your thumb full-on with a hammer - it made every hair on my body stand up. Then it was over and I had cramps and I went home and tried to get used to the wierd idea of "something's in there". Over the next several weeks I experienced regular cramps. After 4 weeks the regualarity quickly decreased and I now only have a twinge or two close to my period.
I can actually feel 'something' in that area during hard physical activity or if I move or contort myself into some odd position. Regualr sex helps keep it feeling 'situated'. My husband could feel the strings initially but didn't take him long to get used it, and since I've been off regular birth control I'm more lubricated during sex which helps.
All the side effects from hormonal birth control pretty much vanished within 3 months. I had frequent yeast infections, depression, irritability, weight gain (so it hasn't disappeared, but it's stopped), hair loss, nausea, and headaches and worst of all - loss of libido. I did have a perfect complexion while on birth control though and that has sadly reverted to my pre-BC complextion - oh well, I still wouldn't go back. As to whether any of this is psychosomatic or not - I can't say.
Overall I love it - I enjoy being active, feeling "in the mood" often, enjoy sex more when we have it and love not thinking about birth control.
However I researched this very carefully and discussed it with my doctor who I trust and feel comfortable asking her anything. I recommend doing the same. this works great for me but I have also heard from women for who this didn't work well.
Wow did that get long, but this is a topic about which I have put much thought into.
Best wishes!
Thursday, September 01, 2005, 2:22 PM
To the above poster - thank you so much for all the information and personal history with the IUD. It really helps!
Thursday, September 01, 2005, 5:54 PM
i've been on the pill for almost 2 years now, and in that time, i've lost well over 100 lbs...i went on the pill mid weight loss and it never caused any weight gain...i did have to experiment to find what was best for me, i'm on the highest hormonal dose possible w/ no side effects...don't settle, there are so many options...one will work for you with minimal side effects!
Thursday, September 01, 2005, 6:10 PM
they all suck
I think all birth control pills suck when it comes to weight gain. I've been on Orthro Evra, Orthotricyclen, and now Mircette.
I do feel an increased appetite and a craving for junk food a lot, and I definitely think that makes you gain weight. What's really weird is that when I went off the Orthro Evra patch, and started on Orthrotyricyclen, I felt my appetite decrease and hardly ate much and lost weight. Unfortunately that didn't last long, and my appetite increased again and I started eating more.
I've just found that it's such a struggle to lose and/or maintain your weight while on any type of birth control. You have to be really conscious about eating healthy and working out all the time...
I read somewhere that the reason Christina Aguilera plumped up was because of the Depo shot. She had to do a lot of kickboxing an hour a day and that kind of thing to get the weight off whereas before she could eat fast food and not gain anything.
Sunday, October 09, 2005, 11:27 AM
The Pill
I haven't gain any weight while on the pill but losing it....it seems impossible. It could be that I'm doing something wrong but maybe not.
Monday, October 10, 2005, 2:53 PM
losing on pill=hard
estrogen slows weight loss, so the pill makes it harder to lose weight... however... it *is* possible, just painfully slow
i gained 5 pounds on my first month of the pill, and slowly, over months, have gotten (nearly) back to where i started
Monday, October 10, 2005, 9:25 PM
I lost weight on norplant, gained weight on the pill, stayed same when using a condom (haha!). Maybe it just depends on where you are in your life and not necessarily the pill? Although, I don't even know that I believe that because it would stand to reason that if you alter your body chemistry in some way, you alter other things.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005, 9:02 AM
switching brands after 3 years?
I've heard that after being on one type of pill consistently for 3 years you should switch because you body becomes amune(sp?) to it and it becomes less effective. Has anyone else heard this? I am currently on Ortho Tri Cyclen low and have major mood swings so I was thinking of switching anyways. Maybe to Yasmin or the patch.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005, 9:46 AM
I've never heard of the 3 year thing. I hope that's not true!! A few years ago, I had some bad headaches that corresponded to when the dosage would switch for my Ortho Tri-Cyclen, so my gyno switched me to Orth Cyclen - less hormone changes corresponded to less headaches! Maybe the same would work for the mood swings?
Tuesday, October 11, 2005, 12:21 PM
has anyone tried loestrin? I think this is the lower dose, called the mini-pill It's good if you're breastfeeding. But I'm trying to get rid of the pregnancy weight so I don't want to do it if I'll gain.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005, 1:39 PM
I thought you couldn't get pregnant if you were breast feeding??? It seems like taking any sort of pill while breastfeeding should be discussed in depth with your doctor and your pediatrician.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005, 2:20 PM
loestrin
I've been on loestrin for 4 years and have never had a problem with it. It's the only one that didn't make me sick or irritable. I also have not gained any weight.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005, 3:59 PM
I've been taking Mircette for about 4 years. I went off it for a week at the beginning of October for various reasons, and lost 8 lbs in 10 days. I have been exercising and eating healthy for a long time, and all that work merely maintained my weight. I think going off just made it easier to lose weight. I guess because I was no longer retaining water. I don't believe I gained weight due to the pill when I started it.
Thursday, October 13, 2005, 9:57 AM
Nuvaring
I lost weight when I started using Nuvaring. 10 lbs in 2 months. And I did not change a thing. I also have not had any mood swings. Or any other side effects.
As a side note, I used to take my pills straight through...I have had 1 period a year for the last 4 years. It got to be hard to remember to take the pills, so I switched to the patch. That was a little easier, but the dr recommended against it because I was taking it straight through and it had so many hormones....more than the pill. The patch has 2.7 times the amount of hormones in Nuvaring.
Thursday, October 13, 2005, 11:58 AM
alesse
comming from canada, my dr up there perscribed Alesse/Levlite.
I have been on it for 4 years and have stayed virtually the same weight...
Just wanted to let you know of hte brand name.
Sunday, October 16, 2005, 7:44 PM
I've tried Ortho-Novum and I did not gain weight at all, but I was moody, and switched to Tri-Phasal and gained weight. So annoying.
Friday, November 18, 2005, 9:10 PM
the pill
I've tried just about every brand of pill known to mankind. I suffer from depression and anxiety, so for me the battle has been finding hormonal harmony. Every pill effects me differently. PMS, weight, mood disorders, sleep... I'm guess I'm very senstitive? I have yet to find the "right" pill and I switch about every three months. Anyone else with a mood disorder find the right pill yet?
Friday, November 18, 2005, 9:25 PM
I've been on the pill since my daughter was born. It's really made me crazy. I dont' like the way I feel when I take them. My next step is to try the IUD. We've been married for 3 years and not sure if we're going to have any more kids. I"m not ready for my tubes to be tied yet, but I'm also not ready to have another little one. I believe I have had weight gain due to the pill. Although, I dont' know for sure since lots of things have changed since I got on it. I do know that I weighed 185 pregnant, and 160 now (2 yrs later).
Saturday, November 19, 2005, 9:10 PM
natural method
For some of us, it works pretty darn good thank you!! I myself am like clock work. I menstruate every 28-31 days, and I cramp up when I ovulate. I have been this way for years. So there's a 5 day stretch when condoms are a must, otherwise, no form of BC. And that's worked without fail, for 4 years.
But you have to be regular to do this. My gyno says the *most* effective means of BC is condom and spermicide. Even the pill isn't %100 percent effective.
And to those who were trying the patch, hope you're pre-disposed to thick blood, because it's been causing blood clots in a lot of people...
Sunday, November 20, 2005, 12:14 AM
Been on it all....Seasonel currently
Hello I have tried Orthotricyclin, The patch, Something a long time ago that started with an Av, Loesterin, Depovera shot...with all of these I got terribly sick, light headed, gained a lot of weight. With the shot I was on my period every day for over six months. Talk about unfair!
I started seasonel about 4 months ago. I loved it. But warning if you miss just ONE pill its hard for your body to know that isn't the time to have your period since you haven't had one for say two months. So your body will start to bleed. I like this pill because I don't get sick and it does work for the no period...if you take it when you are supposed to. My cramps where also very much so less.
NOW FOR THE WEIGHT LOSS SIDE OF IT
I could NOT lose weight. I did not gain weight, but no matter how much I dieted and exercised I could not lose it. Thats not such a bad thing if you are happy at your current weight...unfortunately that is not the way I am. :)
If anyone has any questions please feel free to email me at fromkel@yahoo.com
Sunday, November 20, 2005, 6:51 AM
Seasonale
I've been on Seasonale now for about eight months and it's really becoming very convenient. The first time I went on it, over a year ago, I had break-through bleeding and then period-bleeding and it went on for over two weeks, so I stopped taking it. I decided to try it again last April and just keep with it this time.
Results were better. The first three-month cycle, I had a little break-through bleeding around month two that lasted for a while, but was very minimal. The second three month cycle, I also had a little break through but it was less, and now, third cycle, I seem to be on track to miss periods altogether. When I do get my periods, they have been much lighter. And haven't noticed any weight gain, altough no real weight loss either, despite the fact that I eat better than I did in college.
So, I recommend trying Sesonale, if you can deal with the irregular bleeding for a few months. And also, on the bad side, it's sort of expensive, as there is no generic: averages out over the three months to $40/month.
Sunday, November 20, 2005, 3:41 PM
Migraines Caused by Birth Control
I never had migraines until I started taking Demulen and Zovia. I only get them 2 - 4 times a year, but they are accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
Sunday, November 20, 2005, 8:08 PM
I started reading through all of this and realized that it was great info but which pill is best?
Monday, December 05, 2005, 4:02 PM
ortho evra
Just thought i would post a quick correction to the ortho evra comment that suggested it had a lower estrogen dose. In fact, the FDA just recently put about a warning concerning Ortho Evra because it results in increased estrogen exposure over most BCPs.
Also, one benefit to Yasmin is the presence of a mild diuretic. This can aid women with problems like water retention during certain times of the month. There are some drug interactions with this one because it has the mild diuretic effect so be sure to tell your doctor/pharmacist about other medications especially other diuretics, blood pressure medicine, potassium, etc.
Finally, I can currently using a generic BCP continuously like the dosage of Seasonale. While break through bleeding is more common with this method, it is generally well tolerated and minimal. Risk of this also highest when you first start the regimen and seems to decrease as time passes.
Lisa
Monday, December 05, 2005, 6:00 PM
BC/IUD... Stroke...
I was on a brand of BC I can't remember now that caused horrible blood pressure problems which lead to migrains after an orgasim... dr switched the brands and I was great for 2 years... until I had a stroke (when I was 24). I was on alesse at the time of the stroke so lets just add into the mix of things keeping an eye on your blood pressure when on BC it can make a difference.
After 2 1/2 years of no stroke symptoms DR agreed to let me try another BC method as I wanted something. I now have a Mirena IUD which I absolutely LOVE. I don't have to worry about it (no missed pills), and actually I have very few periods, which means less cramping, less crabbiness etc. However the insertion process was painful as I had never had children before.
You can lose weight on BC ( I lost 30 pounds while on the alesse)... but it took a lot of work, daily 2 hour sessions at the gym, and lots of watching what I was eating! But it is possible!
Tuesday, December 06, 2005, 4:29 PM
mood swings & Seasonale
I have been taking Desogen for almost 10 years. When seasonale first came out I talked to my doctor about it & she had not yet prescribed it to anyone so she didn't know what to tell me to expect. I decided to go for it. I took only 1 pack (3 mo) before switching back to desogen. I had CRAZY mood swings & I was super irritable. I started back on Desogen the Sunday I first started my period. I didn't have any spotting during those 3 months while taking Seasonale.
I didn't gain or loose weight
Wednesday, December 07, 2005, 1:15 PM
Which pill is best?
Nuvaring...which isn't a pill, but a contraceptive ring inserted in your vagina. I personally feel it's best because the dosage of hormones is much lower than many pills and especially the patch.
Monday, December 12, 2005, 7:53 PM
birth control
I was on pretty much every type of birth control pill for a total of 5 years and they caused every symptom on the list. I finally went off them due to high blood pressure. I was 23 years old, was a vegetarian, exercised daily, and had bp at 175/90. Within 3 months my bp was normal and I had lost 12 pounds without trying.
Thursday, December 15, 2005, 2:07 PM
Yasmin
I have been on the pill for almost 3 years, and I lost weight. I now take Yasmin, and I have probably dropped 6 pounds in the past year or so.
Thursday, December 15, 2005, 3:41 PM
I am sorry to hear that you had gained 70 lbs because of birth control. That must have been very difficult for you to deal with. However, I do not believe that just because you went on birth control, you gained all of that weight. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but we all need to be more responsible for the choices we make as far as gaining weight.
I understand that everyone's bodies are different and everyone reacts to stimuli differently, but we also have the control over our lifestyles including the type and amount of food we eat and the amount of exercise we get.
Some people are clearly doing their research on birth control options and are prepared for the 6-10 pound gain. These people are looking to healthy options for snacks and upping their exercise dosage. We are choosing hormonal birth control which has its side effects, but we all can choose to curb that side effect with a more healthy lifestyle. It's a simple choice.
You don't gain 70 lbs overnight. You don't need birth control to live, there's nothing keeping you from stopping. Please tell me, if you were gaining massive weight and had heart problems, why did you stay on the pill for two whole years?
Friday, February 24, 2006, 9:17 AM
I'm sorry, but, WTF?! Someone had to dig up this thread, which has been "dead" for over 2 months, in order to criticize someone?! Really, WTF?!
Friday, February 24, 2006, 10:06 AM
Yasmin = designed to prevent water retention
I was off the pill for a couple years, then went on the patch, gained 10 pounds. (Didn't like the patch anyway, because when you have a new boyfriend, you hardly want this lint-gathering bandaid like thing on you!) Went on Yasmin, lost the 10 pounds. They were actually very clever -- they use a different progesterone that still works for birth control, but decreases water retention. My experience is consistent with that. Unfortunately, my health insurance thinks its an unimportant change so they won't put it on the formulary...
quotes on drospirenone, the progesterone in Yasmin, from pubmed (if you look on yasmin's site they just hint about the water retention thing -- maybe they don't have a clinical trial to prove it so they can't talk about it? I don't know)
Drospirenone is a novel progestogen that possesses antimineralocorticoid activity. This activity is seen clinically in its effects on physiological parameters, body weight, general well-being and fluid-related symptoms. ... Weight gain during traditional oral contraceptive and HRT use has been one of the main reasons for poor compliance and discontinuation. Women receiving hormone therapy with 1 mg 17beta-estradiol/2 mg drospirenone had either no weight change or a small decrease, while those receiving estradiol alone tended to increase in weight. Mean body weight after 1 year of treatment with 1 mg 17beta-estradiol/2 mg drospirenone decreased by 1.2 kg (p < 0.001). Studies using different drospirenone doses in combination with estradiol indicate that the effect on body weight is dependent on the dose of drospirenone, and that this is due to drospirenone's antimineralocorticoid activity.
Several new progestins have been synthesized in the past decade, including dienogest, drospirenone, Nestorone, nomegestrol acetate and trimegestone. Drospirenone differs from the classic progestins in its derivation from spirolactone. The major effect of drospirenone is antimineralocorticoid activity. By that property, drospirenone causes decreased salt and water retention, and thus lowering of blood pressure.
Friday, February 24, 2006, 10:36 AM
"Which pill is best?"
It's not possible to give a straight answer to that question because everyone's body chemistry is slightly different. What works wonderfully for someone else might cause weird side effects in you. It, unfortunately, tends to be a case of trial and error although nobody I know has ever had to try more than 3 types.
And as for weight gain...yes, the pill may or may not cause you to gain or lose weight but once a few months pass, your weight should stabilize because you are not changing the hormone levels anymore. That is, you have adjusted them once by taking the pill, your body gets used to the new level and the weight change should stop. So, if you are gaining x number of pounds each year and have been on the same pill...stop blaming the pill because it's NOT the hormones causing it after the first few months.
Sunday, February 26, 2006, 8:54 PM
i was also on the depo shot for those months. i hated it, my moods were out of control and my appetite went through the roof but i stayed on my plan for eating and i did not gain anything but it was so hard and i was so mean to my fiance, i felt so bad.
Monday, February 27, 2006, 7:57 AM
BC - been on it all
I've been on the pill, the patch, and NuvaRing.
The pill - no problems, just couldn't remember to take it. Not good when you are TTA!
The patch - made me a RAVING b!tch
NuvaRing - I loved this. I did however gain weight very quickly after coming OFF it, which I see is the opposite of what everyone else is saying. Weird. I also have anxiety and I think the ring may have increased it.
Monday, February 27, 2006, 12:09 PM
I didn't want to get on birth control for the longest time because I was afraid to gain weight. When I asked my doctor about it she told me that the pill itself doesn't make you gain wieght, it just might make you feel like you want to eat more. But if you realize that and keep your diet and workout the same you should not gain weight. I have been on the pill for almost 2 years now and I have not gained weight becuase I just control my eating.
Monday, February 27, 2006, 12:51 PM
BCP weight gain
From what I've heard (and experienced), gaining 5-10 pounds when you go on the pill is not uncommon.
What is relatively uncommon is losing it again when you go off the pill. In that regard, count yourself lucky!
Monday, February 27, 2006, 4:05 PM
birth control and hyperpigmentation (melasma)
I realize this comment was from over a year ago, but I have been trying to find a BC that minimizes melasma, hyperpigmented plaques usually on sun-exposed facial area. I've been on Ortho-Tricyclen for several years and while I could live with the hyperpigmented spots before, they are getting out of hand. Lower dose estrogen pills would seem to be the answer but switching from a form of BC that works well for me in every other way is a bit questionable.
Anyone have experience with this? Thanks
Tuesday, August 08, 2006, 2:32 PM
link to a site with some possible solutions for you...good luck!
Link
Tuesday, August 08, 2006, 2:43 PM