I am concerned. . . . advice please!

I am about to start Birth Control. . . I am 21, married and never been on it before. I am currently trying to lose about 45 pounds. I just started at CC and really think it could work for me this time. My doctor thinks I need to go on BC to straighten out my periods which are completely crazy. . . anyway, am I going to start gaining weight when I start it?? I have heard horror stories! Will all my new efforts to lose weight be of no avail?? Should I cut my calories even more? a certain type of exercise? I am really scared!! 

I've seen studies in the last year that show that birth control pills do not cause weight gain.

Yaz made me LOSE weight and cleared up my skin completely.  I've been on it 6 months.  I highly recommend it.  Ortho and Ortho Lo made me gain weight.  No problems whatsoever with Yaz except a little irritability and mood swings the first week.  But that's it.

birth control doesn't cause weight gain.  it can cause an increase in appetite, but it doesn't cause weight gain.

I've heard that it does indeed cause weight gain (amongst other unpleasant symptoms). I suggest you ask your doctor about it.

I'm going to be taking desogen. and my doctor said that it could cause weight gain but in some cases people even lost weight.  just wanted to hear from some of you with experience. i guess if appetite is increased i'll just have to be on guard to not give in to every hunger pain and fill up on water even more. 

if anyone has anymore suggestion about how to combat an  increased appetite i would  welcome it. thanks so much everyone!

I was on a BC patch last year for 3 months. it made me crazy hungry and I gained 36lbs!

However.. i didnt say no to my cravings, and I didnt make an effort to burn off the extra foods either.

If i could go back, i would have said no to all the sweeties and yes to the more filling foods. veg and fibre.. not chocolate and crisps!

Original Post by lauraleigh86:

I am about to start Birth Control. . . I am 21, married and never been on it before. I am currently trying to lose about 45 pounds. I just started at CC and really think it could work for me this time. My doctor thinks I need to go on BC to straighten out my periods which are completely crazy. . . anyway, am I going to start gaining weight when I start it?? I have heard horror stories! Will all my new efforts to lose weight be of no avail?? Should I cut my calories even more? a certain type of exercise? I am really scared!! 

Hey girlie~

I've been on Ortho Low for nearly a year, and I definatly noticed a most unwelcomed weight gain (not severe, but I'm freaked out anyways), as well as horrible depression/moodiness which I've never been prone to pre-bc. Im switching to Yaz ;)

Original Post by pgeorgian:

birth control doesn't cause weight gain.  it can cause an increase in appetite, but it doesn't cause weight gain.

 This is totally TRUE! BC does not cause weight gain. You are the only one who can gain weight by giving into cravings. Curbing cravings is a lifestyle change. Learn to say NO and control portions.

I have switched on and off and between different birth controls. I have never gained an ounce because of them. Remember a certain portion of people are going to gain weight at a given time, and statistically some of them will happen to be starting birth control. And they may jump to the conclusion that the birth control caused it. (Post hoc ergo propter hoc...lol...looks like I've been studying my logic) I really wouldn't worry if I were you. Put your health first and get your periods back on track.

I have read several articles saying that Birth Control doesn't cause weight gain but it does increase appetite.  Many people use this common myth when they pack on pounds, but by controlling eating habits and exercising there should be no problem.

I have been on Yasmin for 5 years (with a baby in between).  I have lost 66 lbs since the end of June 07...

It's all in how determined you are to lose weight.

WEll I took two different types of birth control. After I had my first son, I took the pills and I gained weight on the pills,It made me crazy hungry. Basically increased my appetite. But i ate the wrong foods also. But I recently last summer stop taking the "shot" and I didn't gain weight on the shot. In fact, I was on the "shot" when I lost 27 lbs the first time. So, I really thinks it just depends on the person. Different birth controls have different affects on different people. Just find out which one works for you.

I haven't gained any weight from taking any kind of oral birth control pill.  I had been on a couple different kinds because I had a problem with bleeding thru them.  So I don't think you should be freaked out.  And if you do gain try and different kind of pill.  THere are so many out there today that you just have to find one that fits you.  Every woman is different. :) Hope this helped!

Birth control does not cause a notable increase in your calories, nor does it change the way your body stores fat. What is does is change your hormone levels which communicate to your brain that you are hungry. Then you eat and you gain weight. Also, when feeling down due to hormone flux you might feel compelled to compensate with comfort foods. 

If you don't give into the cravings, or deal with them by adding more fibre to your diet within your caloric range, then you shouldn't gain any weight. Most people who say they gained weight and that their eating habits did not change are in denial.

As with anything, the effect varies from person to person so there may be the strange case where you do gain weight while still being active and eating the same amount of calories per day. 

 

Personally I think birth control has many negative effects on the emotional, mental, and physical health of women, not to mention the detrimental effects on the environment.  Weight should be the least of your concerns when trying to figure out whether it's right for you.

I agree with Junkie...I am on Yaz and it hasn't caused any weight gain. All the reports i read on it say that it can sometimes cause weight loss. There is variation but researching as much as possible on the different ones makes a difference. I wouldn't reduce the calories for it.

thanks for all the replies everyone!!You all have been reassuring. To CalorieJunkie: I am not entering into this lightly. I never intended to take BC. . . I actually swore I wouldn't. however that was before my periods became so irregular. They have been crazy for about 2+ years now. . . I have very nearly had a breakdown on more than one occasion because of how utterly helpless i feel. I made the decision to go ahead and try this I m so desperate. i was on Provera previously but it did nothing. . . . 

Thanks again everyone!!  

Depo Provera? I was on this for three years. My doctor prescribed it to me when I was 14. I weighed 103 lbs. I never had any trouble while on it but now I am told I have the bones of a 30 year old, which I try to combat with weight training and calcium.

Please stay away from Depo Provera women - especially if you are under 21 or less than 130 lbs.

I wish you luck with your birth control search. I wonder if your irregularity is a result of weight loss or gain or a change in excercise? Hopefully it will even out. I use alternative menstrual products: such as the keeper or diva cup. These are great, you can keep them with you, and you never have to worry about having enough tampons or pads, etc,. Not for everyone, but a friend who also has irregular periods swears by it because she always feels prepared.