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birth control and weight gain

cafenervosa Posts: 94 Joined: 2004/03/02	2004/04/07, 04:25 PM I'm on the Ortho-Evra patch (for health reasons, by b/f lives 900 mi. away and we only see each other once a month:() Be that as it may, my question: Does the birth control hormone cause weight gain? (or is it my imagination?) If so, is it mostly water weight gain? I can tell a significant difference in my waistline as the month progresses, and then it's as if I've lost 5 lbs overnight right after my period starts. Am I just being too self conscious here or is something really happening?
Anni313 Posts: 1,790 Joined: 2004/03/04	2004/04/07, 08:27 PM I doubt if it's your imagination. I always lost weight on the pill, but I have friends on the more modern methods and they report gaining weight. Some gain a lot and some gain a little. It sounds like you are retaining water, but you should check with your doctor to see if she thinks this is normal. -------------- Anni Never pet a burning dog.
Philia2 Posts: 4,078 Joined: 2001/10/19	2004/04/08, 02:50 AM All women have some sort of side effects from taking birth control hormones. I got an implant and even though I haven't gained any weight, my skin is a lot greasier! :surprised: -------------- - Nina :o) Les Victoires éternelles sont celles du coeur. www.nme-pro.com
princesslodgey Posts: 1,748 Joined: 2004/02/21	2004/04/08, 03:02 PM female hormones tend to promote a little fat gain in a "female distribution" - that is around the hips,breasts and thighs. If you're gaining around your waist it's more likely to be water retention, particularly if it's cyclical
Taurie Posts: 374 Joined: 2003/10/15	2004/04/08, 06:16 PM The first pill I was on I didn't gain any weight but, had to switch to something stronger which did make me gain weight. The interesting thing is that I gained it in my tummy wich has never happend before(has always been the last place I would put on wieght). So, I got off of it as of last Sunday.
princesslodgey Posts: 1,748 Joined: 2004/02/21	2004/04/10, 05:53 AM Just make sure you use alternative methods or you really will gain around your tummy!
asimmer Posts: 8,201 Joined: 2003/01/07	2004/04/10, 07:05 PM Even without being on any birth control i gain about 5 lbs water before my period, ugho!:angry: -------------- If you fall down seven times, get up eight.
Datdanigirl Posts: 452 Joined: 2004/02/11	2004/04/15, 01:53 PM I stopped using the patch for that same reason. It was really messing with me, I was getting down because I worked so hard and all I could see was this big bloated bulge all the time! (plus side = bigger boobs too) Switched last month to a pill again and was quite pleased to stay trim all month long.
Valrash Posts: 155 Joined: 2004/03/16	2004/04/15, 02:04 PM Don't mean to intrude, but my little sister was on the shot and gained alot of weight while on it. I don't know if it could be attributed to the mood swings it seemed to give her or if it was the shot itself. She's off of it now, but her weight concerns me for her health, and wish I could do something to help her, she's trying to exercise and things but really hasn't had the experience in it and I can't get out to help her, and she doesn't have a computer to access the net with.:( I hope to change that soon though. Just my 2 cents. -------------- A determined mind is the best weapon in any situation, a strong body is the road to victory. G.R.C.
Kyrah Posts: 251 Joined: 2004/03/11	2004/04/16, 03:38 PM I am on the shot as well, and yes I gained alot of weight after starting to take it. I am SLOWLY losing some of it, not all the weight is the result of the shot but the first 20 pounds were. . . my advise for her is just to get out and start doing something, anything. . . walking, biking, swimming, just so that she is active. Other than that diet will play a very big part in losing the weight for her and the mood swings the shot gives play hell with a diet :( Best of wishes for her though!!! -------------- Love me as I am . . . Let me worry about how I look!
CristalBelle Posts: 1,389 Joined: 2003/06/27	2004/04/16, 03:58 PM I am on the shot, and have been for 4 years. In those 4 years I have gained 30lbs. I am sure that not all of it is from the shot, but I believe that vast majority of it is. I however cannot use any other form of bc, because I am too forgetful. The mood swings directly after I get the shot, and right before I need to get it are awful. My husband hates those 2 weeks out of the 3 months!! :big_smile:
Kyrah Posts: 251 Joined: 2004/03/11	2004/04/16, 05:30 PM LOL same here with the husband hating those 2 weeks. . . he tries to make me take double doses of Vitamin B my "happy" pills for those weeks:big_smile: -------------- Love me as I am . . . Let me worry about how I look!
Valrash Posts: 155 Joined: 2004/03/16	2004/04/16, 06:43 PM Lol, I've tried talking her into going for a walks and what not, but she says she doesn't like to do it alone, I guess I'm gonna have to do some more convincing. It would be easier if I could work with her everyday, but I'm about a half hours drive away with no vehicle of my own, and have to stay where I am to train (staying with my dad right now untill I get back on my feet, he and my step mom own a tanning salon/gym, dad would help but with him in school and low on money and the high gas prices he can't afford to go out and get her every other day). I just can't wait till I can afford my own vehicle, then I'd start getting her shaped up so that she doesn't have to work alone. -------------- A determined mind is the best weapon in any situation, a strong body is the road to victory. G.R.C.
asimmer Posts: 8,201 Joined: 2003/01/07	2004/04/17, 09:19 AM The shot made me crazy as a bedbug. I am lucky - my hubby got snipped and I don't have to remember the pils or anything. but there are a lot of hormonal side effects from birth control. exercise and eating right will help alleviate some of those mood swings 9I am sorry, but that is my answer to everything, isn't it?) Valrash - can you get your sister a bicycle? She could start by biking to the gym, once that isn't so hard anymore, she coudl work out with you. Just a thought. i see a lot of really cheap, but functional, bikes at yard sales. -------------- If you fall down seven times, get up eight.
Valrash Posts: 155 Joined: 2004/03/16	2004/04/17, 10:41 AM Hmmm, the area where I live and the condition she's in right now, that might kill her lol, J/K. But that would be a complete workout in itself and also sounds good. The only way to get from where she's at to where I am is over some really steep and long hills, I'll have to suggest it and see what she wants to do, thanks for the idea asimmer, I'm surprised I didn't think of that one. Ty muchly.:big_smile::dumbbell: -------------- A determined mind is the best weapon in any situation, a strong body is the road to victory. G.R.C.
Datdanigirl Posts: 452 Joined: 2004/02/11	2004/04/19, 11:17 AM Such a shame we have to mess with our hormone levels like this!!! The ovaries should have a little switch on them.. when you're ready, just turn them on. Shot made me nutty as well, I was so short-tempered I couldn't stand myself, and it affected my relationships with my daughter and husband. I have decided that after years of being 'too forgetful', it is worth the effort to make sure I just take the darn pill every day. It is by far the least impactful on both weight and mood. Morning or bedtime don't work for me because they can vary widely, but 4:00 pm seems to be the ticket (afternoon snack time.. I never miss that!).
jamie_jo42 Posts: 1 Joined: 2004/05/19	2004/05/20, 12:30 AM I am on the pill and have been for about 2 years now. I have been working out for 6 months at least 4 times a week for at least a hour each time and have only lost about 10 pounds. I think that it's hard to lose weight on the pill but I'm not really complaining!:dumbbell::)
DanceGuard Posts: 1 Joined: 2004/12/20	2004/12/20, 05:54 PM cafenervosa, I just got off the patch, because I think it caused me to gain a significant amount of weight. I think it made me gain like 10-15 pounds. ============ Quoting from cafenervosa: I'm on the Ortho-Evra patch (for health reasons, by b/f lives 900 mi. away and we only see each other once a month:() Be that as it may, my question: Does the birth control hormone cause weight gain? (or is it my imagination?) If so, is it mostly water weight gain? I can tell a significant difference in my waistline as the month progresses, and then it's as if I've lost 5 lbs overnight right after my period starts. Am I just being too self conscious here or is something really happening? =============