birth control that doesn't cause weight gain
Hi,
I was just wondering if any of you have found an effective form of birth control that doesn't cause weight gain. My depo shot is up in two weeks, so I need to figure something out.
I was on the mini pill until I got my period back after daughter was born, then my Dr. recommended the shot. I think it has made me gain, or at least hold, weight and it gives me bad headaches.
Have you found anything that works for you? I'm not ready for a 3rd child, lol.
Thanks,
Emily
I know someone who swears by the IUD. She recently had an IUD inserted. It took about 5 minutes and she said it lasts for 5 years. 5 YEARS! On top of never having to remember to take a pill, not having to worry about gaining weight, 98% of people will not get bloating or ttom! She also has 'never been happier with this decision'. She said she doesn't have any more of those horrible pms, bloaty, nasty weight gain NOTHING! most insurances cover and you just have to pay co-pay if you have one! Also if you decide in 3 months or in 3 years you would like to have children it can be removed at anytime. No problem! Hope this helps ^-^v
I use lo dose seasonique, and didn't experince any weight gain when I started.
Depo is well known to cause weight gain, among other things (osteoperosis after long-term use).
I have a Mirena (progestin-only IUD) and I love it. No weight gain and no daily pills, weekly patches or monthly rings to remember. I did have to see my OBGYN for a consult before having it actually put in so I wound up paying two "specialist" copays but that's easily less than 5 years worth of BCPs or Nuvarings.
Insertion was uncomfortable but not painful and took maybe 10 minutes between measuring my uterus and actual insertion/positioning. I had some period-like cramping the next 36 hours followed by a light period. I've had one "period" since and it was more like 18 hours of spotting.
It's the best form of birth control I've used (and I've done BCPs, Nuvaring, condoms).
I used the Mirena IUD. I like it because I don't have to think about it for five years. However, if I chose to have it removed, I would return to "normal" fertility status almost instantly. I also have a high sensitivity to hormones and it is a very low hormone method. no weight gain, I don't even really get a period (light spotting for two days every month). It is pricey at first but since it lasts five years, it is worth it!
Original Post by Dees2Boys:
I would also suggest the iud. I actually had the para guard not the Mirena. The paraguard had no hormones at all. It's a copper iud that changes the chemistry of your lining so no pregnancy can take place. The paraguard us good for up to 10 years!
When I went in for my consult for the IUD, I had chosen Paragard. When my OBGYN told me that if I had heavy, painful periods without hormonal birth control, it was likely that I would go back to having those and that they may even be worse.
She also explained that progestin that is absorbed through the uterus is better for women (because it's not in the blood stream, therefore not travelling all over the body).
I'm not harping on the Paragard. I like the idea of hormonal-free birth control and really wish I'd been brave enough to at least try it. Just the thought of how my periods used to be gives me chills.
The IUD. There are two types of IUD Mirena (hormones added) and copper (no hormones).
Going copper is the best if you don't want to gain weight as it does not affect your hormones and the copper IUD can last 5-12 years depending on the brand while Mirena can only last 5.
