Weight Loss on Birth Control Pills

[udsweetpea]

I was losing a good amount of weight the week of TOM, and I took a week off from BCPs because I just couldn't afford it. So this week, I go back on the pill and gain 3 pounds. I'm bloated (look like I'm pregnant!), have terrible cramps, and my weight just keeps creeping up! I never had these symptoms while I was on it before and my weight always maintained. Where are these new symptoms coming from and why am I not able to lose the weight?

[Janey]

I get this every month too. :( I use Nuvaring (BCP but in slow-release form) ... every time I take the ring out, I lose 3 lbs. Every time I put it back in, I gain the damn 3 pounds back. The only way I've found to combat the problem -- and it only sorta works -- is to drink LOTS of extra water, at LEAST 64 oz/day, but I try for more. I hope that helps.

[tigger8402]

I was on Depo for 3 years and gained close to 45 pounds very fast that i couldn't get off no matter how much i tried that I cant help but blame on the shot. I have recently stopped taking the shot and had Mirena, an iud with slow release hormones, inserted and have lost probably 5 pounds or so in a month. i cant help but think certain type of birth control are evil. my only suggestion is to switch to a different type of birth control, maybe one with less hormones.

[miel]

I had problems with the pill and gained 50 lbs. with Depo. We'd always used condoms and they worked great so why I went and did the hormones I don't know. But now we just use condoms again. If you really hate the pill you can go to a non-hormonal form of birth control like a diphragm or cervical cap and chart and use condoms on the days you ovulate.

Yes, it got worse later. I don't know if it was because I was older or what.

[jennylou]

I gained about 40 pounds in a year on the pill.

[pride&prejudice]

This kind of makes me feel better. I didn't have that bad of a gain, but I gained these 10 lbs over the course of the first 2 years that I was on it. I haven't gained since because I started to drink tons of water and watch what I eat, but I sort of plateaued. Whatever I do, I cannot lose more than 3-5 lbs. and it usually comes back.

This kind of makes me want to stop taking the bcp for quite awhile before ttc. ;)

[BethElena]

I gained like 10-15 lbs since i started the pill. I think I started the pill at least 3 years ago. It is annoying, because I can't seem to loose the weight. You're not alone!

[sportyj]

All of the research and Dr.'s will tell you that it is not the pill that causes the GAIN, but the pill makes it super difficult to lose any weight. Not sure if I believe it, its just what I have been told on like 3 different occassions.

[mel7dog]

All of the research and Dr.'s will tell you that it is not the pill that causes the GAIN, but the pill makes it super difficult to lose any weight. Not sure if I believe it, its just what I have been told on like 3 different occassions.

My Dr told me that the pill itself will only make people gain 2-5 lbs. Anything over that is based on something else. Sounds like your in the normal range udsweetpea so I wouldn't worry too much. I think once your body balances out again, you may have an easier time maintianing your weight. found a few articles for you..

From goaskalice.com

Birth control pills can alter your water metabolism. Both the estrogen and progestin in the pills can cause fluid retention, a temporary and usually cyclic effect that often begins in the first month as a result of an increase in sodium. The estrogen in the pill can cause weight gain due to increased breast, hip, or thigh tissue, usually after several months on the pill. This causes swollen ankles, breast tenderness, discomfort with contact lenses, or a weight gain of up to five pounds. Reducing your salt intake moderately can help control this type of water retention.

Some progestin-dominant pills can cause appetite increase and permanent weight gain. Pill-related depression may also lead to increased appetite and weight gain. There are hundreds of reasons why women gain weight that are not pill-related. Talk with your health care provider about the extra weight you've gained, and, together, you may be able to find the cause.

From drugstore.com
Will I gain weight on birth control pills?
Weight gain is a common complaint of women taking birth control pills. But research shows that most women gain little, if any weight because of the birth control pills. In general, the number of women on the pill who gain weight is equal to the number of women who lose weight. But for some women, the can be a factor in gaining weight.
The combination of hormones (estrogens and progestins) found in some birth control pills can lead to weight gain. These hormones can cause fluid retention, increased body fat, and a bigger appetite in some women. Changes in eating habits, lack of exercise, and some medical conditions can also affect body weight whether or not you take birth control pills.

Some birth control pills are less likely to cause weight gain. They include Brevicon, Necon 0.5/35, Tri-Norinyl, Triphasil, Ortho Cyclen, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and the progestin-only minipills (Micronor, Nor-QD, and Ovrette).

If you're worried about gaining weight, remember to cut back on calories and get more exercise. Talk to your health care provider about switching to another birth control pill if you think it's possible that your pill is causing weight gain.