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Does Birth Control effect weight?

I've been taking birth control pills for many years, and it seems like I do lose more weight when I stop taking them for a little while (a month or so). Maybe it's not related, but I'm just wondering what other people's experiences are.

Wed. Jul 19, 12:45pm

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just so you know- there was another thread about this awhile back......do a search for it and im sure it will pop up.
I believe the short answer was "yes, for some people. If you think its hindering you weight loss, chat with your dr about getting another script)

Wednesday, July 19, 2006, 12:59 PM

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Some people say it does, some say it doesn't. I think it really depends on each person. I used to take birth control pills but I never noticed a difference in my weight going on or off them, so it didn't affect me at all.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006, 12:59 PM

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Weight gain is a common side effect of bcps. I began to lose quite a bit more easily after I changed to a non-hormone-based IUD.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006, 1:04 PM

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The pill didn't cause me to gain much weight, but holy cow, it was a monumental effort to lose any. Like the above respondent, I'm about to get a non-hormonal IUD/coil for that reason.

Wednesday, July 19, 2006, 8:18 PM

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I gained 45 pounds starting right at the time I began taking BC and had very little success taking it off until I stopped. I felt as though I was hungrier more often and less satisfied after I ate. I was certainly more irritable and emotional (and if you're an emotional eater this may also be a factor). I am on the IUD now and love it!

Wednesday, July 19, 2006, 9:06 PM

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I gained wieght on the pill. Also got bigger boobs. But this time round while I've lost weight, I haven't really lost any in the chest. So no complaints from me. (But I'm no longer on the pill or any kind of hormonal treatment)

Wednesday, July 19, 2006, 10:52 PM

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They say being in a sexual relationship makes you gain weight and you only notice it when that relationships changes, possibly years down the line... every doctor Ive talked to say no on weight gain, yes on possible puffiness.

Thursday, July 20, 2006, 11:07 AM

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I went off the pill in January, at that time I was right around 150, I have/had been trying to drop 10 or so pounds. I had been working out 3x+ a week since September with little to no change. Anyway, after going off I am down to 140-145, 145 with no effort or change in effort and 140 with increased exercise.

Thursday, July 20, 2006, 11:26 AM

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When I was on a LOW dose of the pill a couple years back, I put on twn pounds almost immediately. I went off for a while, went on a HIGH dose of the pill, and am currently on the Patch, and I haven't been noticing any sort of obstruction to losing weight, nor have I gained any due to being on birth control. I think it really is different person-to-person.

Thursday, July 20, 2006, 12:17 PM

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Hormonal sensitivity

For me, I noticed weight gain from the pill, even more from depo provera and I also started getting migraine headaches for the first time in my life. My doctor said that some people are significantly more sensitive to hormonal fluctuations. I wasn't able to drop most of the weight back off, despite being physically active, until I got pregnant with my daughter. It was like flipping the reset button on my hormonal levels and made it MUCH easier to lose weight. Kinda defeats the purpose of the pill, don't you think? ;)

Thursday, July 20, 2006, 1:44 PM

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the pill "Yasmin" has a special form of progesterone that cannot interact with your kidneys. It causes less water retention than the regular kind. I started the patch, gained 10 pounds, switched to Yasmin and lost the 10 pounds.

Thursday, July 20, 2006, 9:54 PM

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I am getting ready to go off the pill ( I can't WAIT) but was wondering if I should go through and finish a pack or stop in the middle of the month. I am thinking I should follow through and finish. Also REALLY hoping to find it easier to lose weight once off the pill. I have gained about 10 lbs in 5 months and it started right when I took the pill again.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008, 9:40 AM

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I LOVE YASMIN!!!!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008, 3:20 PM

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I am going to the doctor tomorrow to switch pills because i do not like mine (spotting) and the more I research different pills the more I realize that each person reacts very differently to them! It sucks, but i guess i will just have to experiment until i find the right one. i think i am going to try Yaz...

Wednesday, April 16, 2008, 5:07 PM

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I love yasmin too, and for the OP, why are you going of for a month or so? Birth control pills are safe to take for as long as you want (going on 18 years).

It is better than the alternative of hauling around a 9 lb kid along with all the pregnancy weight, then add in weight you can't get rid of after the kid, stretch marks, cellulite ...... just to name a few. Euuuuucccccchhhhhhcno thanks.



Wednesday, April 16, 2008, 6:50 PM

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hahaha PP that is SO true - 5lbs w/ a pill is way better than 20 lbs of pregnancy weight (unless of course you want to get pregnant).

Wednesday, April 16, 2008, 7:01 PM

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I gained about 10 lbs from my birth control pills. ugh

Thursday, April 17, 2008, 4:01 PM

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I don't think BC effects weight. It may very well affect it, but it doesn't effect it.

Thursday, April 17, 2008, 4:49 PM

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I am taking Yasminelle... a weaker version of Yasmin. I think it really supported my weight loss.

Thursday, April 17, 2008, 8:49 PM

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MD just put me on ortho cyclin today - i told her i wanted something that wouldnt give me breakthrough bleedlin (leven was a nightmare), wouldnt make me moody and wouldnt make me gain weight. she said we will just have to experiment until we find teh right one but she thinks this is our best place to start.

Thursday, April 17, 2008, 10:53 PM

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