best birth control for NOT gaining weight?

It does not seem to matter what I used in the past.   Birth control does one of two things to me:  1)   makes me crazy from hormones  (I do much better with a low, constant dosage) or 2) makes me gain weight. 

I would rather go without, but I can feel a real difference in the strength and severity of my periods since I quit taking it......   

What GOOD experiences have you had with what pills or shots as birth control?   What method seemed to work the best for you WITHOUT aiding weight gain?

I will do my continued daily workouts and smart eating.   I would just like to not start behind the 8 ball. 

I am curious about some of the new stuff like Seasonal/ique and Yaz.  Also is Depo-Provera any better than when I was in college forever ago?   EDIT TO ADD:  also opinions and usage issues with the Patch, Ortho Evra?   the online info was good...

thanks!   keeping it extra safe, you know....

Your body will change over time and adapt as your hormones level out and you're probably not going to respond the same way as everyone else.  I started taking the pill in high school because I had horribly irregular periods (for not being sexually active, I'd go months without one which is weird).  Now that I'm older, my cycle is a little more normal and I haven't had the pill in a while. 

My experiences:

1.  Tri-Sprintec. 
A generic for Ortho-Tricyclen I really liked.  I started off with this one, ended up LOSING weight while on it, had great skin, lighter periods and not much cramping.

2.  The Patch (Ortho-Evra).
I HATED THIS!!!!!!  Not only was I completely borderline in the mood department (enraged one minute, crying hysterically the next, etc.), I also packed on about 30 pounds.  Yeah . . . Not pretty.  My skin was not doing too good, I felt like crap and the reason I went off it?  A news report I watched discussing the increased likelihood for stroke, blood clots with the patch over other forms of birth control because of the high concentration of estrogen that you apply through your skin for a week at a time.  It was AWFUL!!!!!!  I had a prescription for an entire year for it and demanded to have it changed within 4 months of it.

3.  Ortho-Tricyclen Lo.
Liked it.  Didn't really have much of an opinion either way.  Didn't notice any weight gain, but it seemed harder to lose weight.  (That may not have been a result of the pill, though, just to clarify.)  Didn't really see any psycho moods, either.  All in all, it was alright.  I might consider going back. 

Hope this was helpful . . . Good luck sorting everything out!

I take Yasmin (not YAz) and have never gained weight. I have been on it for around 6 years (im 21) due to cramps etc. so its not like I could just stop taking it. I took Yaz for a month once and was bloated a lot so I switched back to Yasmin. Not moody & no weight gain. Hope that helps!

Depo was the worst thing to happen to me! I was maintaining at around 140 lbs, which looked fine on me... (this was a few years back) and within 3 months on Depo I gained 60 lbs. and then 10 more I'm assuming from depression... basically it made me heavy and crazy. So the cycle continued. About a year after not taking it I finally got my period again and was able to start losing weight without any lifestyle changes.

Try going to a forum for BC. It should help.

Like many of the people have said- it's different for everyone.

I've been on depo for a year and have lost 60 pounds since starting (110 before starting).  I had no issues with it- and no periods either.  For me, it's been a blessing.

Sorry this is so long...

Ok, so I have to say that I've had the same issues with birth control. I have always had a problem gaining weight/bloated feelings mostly or being an emotional roller coaster. I am however in a monotonous relationship being that I'm married, so I decided to try the Mirena IUD. Let me tell you, I couldn't wait to get it b/c it seemed almost too good to be true. When I was in the office having it inserted, it was very uncomfortable and then I got a horrible feeling like I was going to pass out. My OBGYN told me that it was normal & had me lie back as she put a cool washcloth over my forehead. It went away & I was fine...for now.

About 3 months later, I began my period which turned into 2 weeks of bleeding horribly. Every day it would get worse. One day when I was working my period was so heavy that I couldn't even get out of the restroom as it would flow & fill up a huge tampon & pad within minutes. I went to the ER in which they did thousands of dollars worth of tests to say nothing was wrong & sent me home. Three days later I went to the restroom & get this...THE IUD FELL OUT!!!!!!! I was actually pleased to see this as I felt it was obviously the culprit behind my bleeding and that now I would be fine. Well it was the culprit but I was anything but fine. I had to go to the ER again after continuous bleeding that would fill up a toddlers diaper (b/c the pads wouldn't suffice). When I got to the ER they got me ready for a blood transfusion and had to do a catheter to get a urine sample b/c I couldn't even stand up w/o passing out. I had to have a D & C. Also, they told me I was pregnant & then came back later and told me I wasn't. I guess I'll never really know the truth. It cost me thousands of dollars in medical bills after my insurance & may have screwed me up for life as my periods are not the same. I sometimes wonder if I can even get pregnant now.

I WOULD NEVERRECOMMEND ANYONE TO GET THE MIRENA IUD!!! This may not happen to everyone (since they said it's extremely rare) but it CAN happen as it did happen to me. Why take your chances? What I went though was horrible. It's just my opinion.

I cannot tell you thank you enouhg for all the honesty and information you all have provided to me.   Thank you. 

I have a well woman exam upcoming and am armed with tons of facts now to ask my doc about and find the best thing for me. 

CC rocks!!

The nurse was NOT being a jerk about the IUD.

I got Mirena 6 weeks after I had my son. My "monogamous" bf of two years gave me two STDs that I didn't have symptoms for until 6 months after the fact.

Because of it, and because of the IUD, I got pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an extreme infection of your reproductive organs.

I had to get the IUD removed, and can never get one again. I also may never be able to have children again because of the scarring.

Any STDs you could possibly get when you have an IUD become 10 times more serious than without it. She really is just looking out for you.

My derm recommended Yasmin to help treat my acne & hairloss. It's my first time ever trying BCP (and I'm 29). It's known to have anti-androgen properties (the excess male hormones that cause acne/hairloss and a host of other problems in some women).

It's been a month, and so far, no bloating, weight gain, or mood issues. In fact, without BCP, I'm prone to being a little moody/depressed, and with it, it seems to have "evened me out." I did feel a little queasy the first week taking it, but I think I got  used to it.

BCP affects everyone differently. My friend at work said she cried everyday on Yasmin...but it seems to be helping me.

I totally agree with the previous comment about taking each comment with a "grain of salt"

After some research, I decided that DipoProvera was the best option for me, since I am can't even remember to take my vitamins sometimes.My experience with Depo was horrible. I did not stop bleeding for 2 months, and it seemed as if all the blood I was losing was making me so weak I couldn't function right. I could not waint until the 3 months were over. I also noticed I had expreme mood sings, which I had really never experienced before, unless I was on my period. I was dieting during the time I was taking Depo, so I did not notice any weight gain, however, I did notice my period has been out of control since then. I still have problems...my hair started falling out...which I did not link it to Depo...but after reading more about it...some women have had such side effects...so...I still don't know...

I also developed Fibrocystic Breast Changes, which basically means my breast developed temporary lumps during before my period. I wish I had never taken the shot...so I do indeed recommend to all of you to be catious about what you hear about BC...it may have worked for them...but no one knows your body better than you.

I've recently come off the DepoProvera and even though my eating hasn't exactly been healthy I feel like i've already lost weight. Since going on it, i've put on over 2 stone, i thought this was due to getting a boyfriend and been happy. While I realise most of that weight gain will of been due to a happy relationship I can't help thinking it has something to do with the Depo too.

I've used the Nuva Ring and thought it was really good.  You insert it, leave it in for 3 weeks and the fourth week you take it out and get your period.  The only "problem" I had was the first month I spotted the 2nd and 3rd week and then had my period that 4th week.  After the first month though I didn't have any problems.  I had no weight gain or any hormonal problems.  At this time I'm not on anything but once I do decide to get back on birth control I will ask for the Nuva Ring once again. 

I would totally stay away from Depo!  That stuff is horrible!  I gained 60lbs in about 3 months!  That is the most I've ever put on at one time...even when I was pregnant I didn't put on that much!  I would NEVER attempt to try it again. 

Good luck finding what is right for you.  It may take a few times of changing to find what is right for you. 

Original Post by janay101:

It does not seem to matter what I used in the past.   Birth control does one of two things to me:  1)   makes me crazy from hormones  (I do much better with a low, constant dosage) or 2) makes me gain weight. 

I would rather go without, but I can feel a real difference in the strength and severity of my periods since I quit taking it......   

What GOOD experiences have you had with what pills or shots as birth control?   What method seemed to work the best for you WITHOUT aiding weight gain?

I will do my continued daily workouts and smart eating.   I would just like to not start behind the 8 ball. 

I am curious about some of the new stuff like Seasonal/ique and Yaz.  Also is Depo-Provera any better than when I was in college forever ago?   EDIT TO ADD:  also opinions and usage issues with the Patch, Ortho Evra?   the online info was good...

thanks!   keeping it extra safe, you know....

DEPO is AWFUL, Nuvaring would be the way to go.  It delivers 15mcg of estrogen in a steady state dose insead of 35 or 30 all at one time.  I have had the best success with the most amount of people with the Mirena IUD.

Original Post by lemon_drop:

Sorry this is so long...

Ok, so I have to say that I've had the same issues with birth control. I have always had a problem gaining weight/bloated feelings mostly or being an emotional roller coaster. I am however in a monotonous relationship being that I'm married, so I decided to try the Mirena IUD. Let me tell you, I couldn't wait to get it b/c it seemed almost too good to be true. When I was in the office having it inserted, it was very uncomfortable and then I got a horrible feeling like I was going to pass out. My OBGYN told me that it was normal & had me lie back as she put a cool washcloth over my forehead. It went away & I was fine...for now.

About 3 months later, I began my period which turned into 2 weeks of bleeding horribly. Every day it would get worse. One day when I was working my period was so heavy that I couldn't even get out of the restroom as it would flow & fill up a huge tampon & pad within minutes. I went to the ER in which they did thousands of dollars worth of tests to say nothing was wrong & sent me home. Three days later I went to the restroom & get this...THE IUD FELL OUT!!!!!!! I was actually pleased to see this as I felt it was obviously the culprit behind my bleeding and that now I would be fine. Well it was the culprit but I was anything but fine. I had to go to the ER again after continuous bleeding that would fill up a toddlers diaper (b/c the pads wouldn't suffice). When I got to the ER they got me ready for a blood transfusion and had to do a catheter to get a urine sample b/c I couldn't even stand up w/o passing out. I had to have a D & C. Also, they told me I was pregnant & then came back later and told me I wasn't. I guess I'll never really know the truth. It cost me thousands of dollars in medical bills after my insurance & may have screwed me up for life as my periods are not the same. I sometimes wonder if I can even get pregnant now.

I WOULD NEVERRECOMMEND ANYONE TO GET THE MIRENA IUD!!! This may not happen to everyone (since they said it's extremely rare) but it CAN happen as it did happen to me. Why take your chances? What I went though was horrible. It's just my opinion.

 I have had the MIRENA for 4 years no problems, just because it is your experience doesn't mean it is others.  I have had pregnant women die does that mean no more pregnancies.  Don't speculate on your chances of getting pregnant you are just trying to scare people.  EVERYTHING has risk and many more people bleed because of AUB or fibroids or pregnancy or natural conditions.   Every person needs to talk to their individual physician to make up their minds but my life is so much better after my MIRENA that if someone gave me 1 million dollars to give it back I wouldn't.  I was bleeding like crazy before and now things are stable and rational.

I was put on Mircette when I was in high school and I've been on it since, although I take the generic brand of it which is Kariva.  I like it, I've never had a problem with it,I  didn't gain weight on it, and I've never even spotted with it.  I was put on it because at one point I had my period for a month straight so I've been on it since to regulate my period.

The patch made me so incredibly nauseated and dizzy and cracked-out that I wasn't on it long enough to find out if it made me gain weight--after a few weeks, I'd had enough.

But my low-hormone Nuvaring has been nothing but great.  I'm more regular.  And while I still have the cramps and the monthly bloat--I haven't gained any weight.  I've LOST upwards of 25 pounds in 3 1/2 months.  2 of those months having no exercise in them.

It's convenient.  It's easy.  It's pretty awesome.

apri is the first and only pill i have used. No weight gain or any other symptoms. Period lasts for about 3-4 days...no break through bleeding...... works for me.

I also would not rec. using Depo.  While it is great in the fact that you don't have a period, or maybe a very light one, I never had one while on Depo.  It is nice that you don't have to remember to take a pill.  However I was on it for about 4 years and I put on around 65 pounds in that time.  Now I asked the gyno about weight gain, she told me that it was not inserting fat into my body but made weight gain alot easier.  I have been orto tri cyclen for about 7 months now. I won't say that the weight is just falling off or anything but it does seem like it is easier to get off.  I have been watching what I eat and doing excersise for around a month and a half and have lost almost 30 pounds.  Good luck in whatever you choose!!!

I'm actually having more problems with weight off the pill than on it.  I was on Diane 35 for about a year (big mistake - way to high dosage for me) and maintained my ideal weight the entire time.  I came off it at the end of December 08.  I haven't had my period in two months and have gained 9lbs without eating more and maintaining exercise levels.  I feel horribly bloated all the time and feel like my body transformed itself over night and now won't go back to normal. 

If I do get back to how I was, I'm staying away from the pill for awhile