Can't Lose Weight...Can It Be My BIRTH CONTROL???

I've been exercising regularly now for just about 2 months...doing group exercise classes about 4-5 times a week, so for each workout I'm easily burning between 500-600 calories.  I wasn't counting my calories with this site up until last week, but I can honestly say I was watching carefully and don't think I was consuming anywhere near what I was burning.

My question is this: I used to be able to lose weight pretty easily when I worked out regularly, but since I passed the age of 25 and now I'm on birth control pills, I just can't seem to lose weight.  I had to try 3 different pills before I found one where I had breakthrough bleeding, so now it's good. But can my birth control affect me being able to lose weight...and are there any solutions to this? I feel bloated all the time too.  HELP!!!

oops, I meant to say...before I DIDN'T have breakthrough bleeding!

that might have something to do with it. i was lucky with my birth control pills in that they haven't really effected my weight in any way. but this doesn't happen for everyone. i would talk to your gynocologist or doctor about it. have you tried the jasmin pill? that is not the one that i am on, but i have heard from friends that have used it that it is one of the only ones that doesn't affect appetite. also, changes usually occur in the first 3 months of taking a pill, and then level out. so if you have been changing pills regularly then it may be because there hasn't been enough time for your body to adjust to the hormone levels etc. anyway, definately talk to your gyno about this. hope it helped!

I talked to my doctor about that recently. He told me that you can attribute about 5 lbs or gain to any bc but nothing more. He said that anything eles is in your head. as far as it keeping you from losing weight, I asked him the same thing. Now, I was on the shot, and it sounds like you are on the pill, so i would suggest talking to your doc about it to get the facts! good luck!

i dont think it has anything to do with birth control. i am on it also and last yr i was working out and lost over 6-8 pounds in 1 1/2 month..so i think it what kind of exercise youre diong and maybe its muscle building.

Well I know what everyone including doctors say - that birth control does not make you gain more than around 5 pounds or so. I can tell you its not true. I kept my diet and exercise the same and maintained my weight perfectly. THEN I got on birth control (the shot) and gained 20 pounds in one year. I later found a website for the shot and LOTS of girls had the same problem.

SO I don't care what doctor says - it DEFINITELY contributes to weight gain. AND I got off of it and am starting to lose weight again. While I was on it, no matter what I did, I could not lose weight.

stburst.. i agree with you..i was 120 before I got on the pill which was like 3 yrs ago and now 3 yrs later, I am 140 so I know excatly what's you're going through.

BUT When i worked out last yr i lost almost 10 pounds all of which I gained back because I was lazy. But yes I know what you mean when you say you gained weight..

I think there is some coorelation between the bc pill and loosing weight.  If you think about what the pill is doing - tricking your body to believe that you are pregnant and therefore you do not ovulate unless you stop taking them.  So if think about it when you are pregnant your body needs a little more to support you and a baby.  So your body wants to hold onto the calories just a little bit more.

I am pretty sure that I read that somewhere many years ago but it makes sense to me.  Its basically the same reason why your hips change a little and your boobs get bigger when you start taking the pill.  All because your body is being tricked.

dcgirl no one can talk about hips like mine...do you know how much my hips weigh since being on the pill.. I went from 33 inches to 39 inches. ....and my boobs.forget about it...i went from a 34A cup to a C cup..

so much for losing inches...

I believe that certain birth control does add weight.  I have been through many different types for many different reasons.  Jasmin has been the absolute best.  Most people that I know who use it have no negative oppinions about it.  It does what it's made to do and doesn't effect weight, mood, cravings etc.   I think that most BC pills 'make' your cravings stronger to where it is much more likely to give in.   But remember everyone is different.  So see what works for you and talk with your gyno.

I have been having the same problem!!

Before I was on the pill I weighed 115-120 lbs but wasn't getting a period at all, so that's why I had to start on them, I was on Orthocyclen for 1 year and Yasmin for the past 2 and a half years - I'm up to 135 lbs now and I had to buy all new jeans (hips) and bras and shirts (34A to 34C) plus the few days before I start I have to wear tank tops with shelf bras!  It's awful!

I work out for an hour or more, 4 days a week, watch what I eat, etc. - I think the pills have reset my "set-point"