Birth Control Pills and Weight gain...help!!

HI K.
OH I feel your pain! Everytime I tried birth control I gained about 20 pounds a week and now I'm trying to work that off. Talk to your Dr and see if they have a better option for you. I know you need the pill for your cysts. I did try Yasmin for a time and I actually didn't seem to gain weight with that one, but I didn't lose any either. so you might consider that one. You might also talk to your Dr about water retention, birth control pills can do that to you and maybe your Dr can give you something to counteract that.

I am currently trying to lose 80 pounds and I have to take a pill everyday because I retain water like a sponge. But I started on new years day, Jan. 1st and I dieted and worked out regularly and it wasn't until last Sunday that I finally saw some results. The first 5-10 pounds are the hardest just keep going and you will see the results you want it just takes time for the first ones to show up ya know.

I don't know how careful you are being about counting calories and such but really look at EVERYTHING you eat, from the main course to the sides to the dressing you put on it to the oil you cook it in, all that adds up quick! Then add a drink and BOOM, you've not dieted at all. So take that into consideration this next week and like I said just keep at it. Keep going, you'll hit a breaking point and then the weight will melt off. You can do it! If you want to read what I've done and about my diet and workout routines I keep a blog on my myspace page. email me from here and let me know if you want the link to it and I'll give it to you. Good luck and hang in there!

C. C.

I understand what you're going through. About 10 years ago I was on bc pills and gained about 70 lbs. while on them. I won't blame my weight gain on them, but when I started working hard to lose the weight,it seemed like nothing was happening. After a few months of that I decided to go off the pill. I lost 20 pounds in 3 months doing exactly the same thing I was doing while on the pill. I also understand the need for the pill to help with cysts. Just a few months ago I was diagnosed with PCOS. The bc pill they prescribed was FemCon. I didn't have a lot of the side effects that I did with other bc pills. I am trying to get pregnant now, so I'm off the bc and now I take Glucophage (Metformin) to help with the cysts.
These are just some other ideas to talk to your dr. about. Being healthy is the most important thing and it sounds like you're trying to get there. There is always more than 1 option. Good Luck!

Hi K.,

The weight loss issue may be the result of your body being under stress from the cysts and your anxiety over your weight. Deal with one issue at a time. You are on the right track with working out and eating sensibly. Talk to your doctor about how soon you can get off the pills or if there is an alternative so you can better judge the situation. Also keep in mind that it took awhile for you to put the weight on and it will take time to lose the weight. Hang in there because you are doing great!

When I first went on the pill I gained weight, then I gradually lost it. I think my hormones went a bit crazy for a while, then my body figured it out. Do you eat dinner late? Try to not eat after 6 that does the trick for me :) Good luck!

I know where you are coming from. When I was taking the pill and trying to lose weight, I ended up talking to a personal trainer and nutritionist. Here is what they said:
1. You cannot lose weight efficiently without taking a really good multivitamin. Your body needs the minerals and vitamins when you are working out that hard.
2. You have to eat 4-6 small meals a day, because it keeps your metabolism revved. Even if you are not hungry, eat something small. You will feel very full the first couple of days, but your body will thank you.
3. Mix weight training in with your cardio 3 times a week. You will see results much faster if you are gaining muscle.
4. Mix up your workouts so your body doesn't plateau.
5. Must cut out soft drinks.

The personal trainer turned me on to a company called Melaleuca because they have amazing slim fast alternatives and fitness enhancing products. They have a product called the Access Bar that you eat 15 minutes before your workout. It turns fat into fuel, and allows your body to get the most out of your workout. They are only 120 calories and taste like a snickers. Ironically, when I ate a bar before my workout, I wasn't as sore afterwards. She also had me switch to their vitamins and supplements because they are 85% soluble, unlike GNC which are 10% soluble. About 3 days after I switched, I noticed that I had more energy and was sleeping better. I hope this helps. If you need more info go to www.livetotalwellness.com/wyn. I am a rep for this company now. I referred 8 people, and now the company pays for my products. As you know, it can get pretty expenisve trying to lose weight and be healthy. GOOD LUCK!!

First, remember that muscle weighs MORE than fat, so you might be getting thinner but weigh more.

Second, make sure that your work-out routine includes cardio and weight training. Building muscle will help to burn muscle while you're not exercising. Varying your routine will prevent boredom too.

Third, what I've done is really pay attention to portion control and eat 5 small meals. Additionally, the biggest meal of my day is actually lunch. I would eat a very small dinner, like toast or a sandwich. This logic is because food=energy and I don't need energy to sleep.
My sample diet that always works for me and makes me feel good:
breakfast: granola bar, banana, and any liquid
snack: cup or two of trail mix (10a)
lunch: sandwich and side (12) or whatever is decent at the cafeteria
snack: fruit or veggie or more trail mix
dinner: toast, snack, etc. something small

I know that it doesn't seem like enough calories or food but it's given me energy and great results.

Good luck -- you can do it! You're already on a great path by working out 6 days/week.

Hi Kristen,
Unfortunetly that is a "side effect" of the pill.
It is due to the hormones & that is why so many women are constantly trying to find the "perfect" dose. I opt for the good old fashioned condoms (no side effects, if it breaks you know you could be pregnant & I have less chance of getting pregnant unlike the pill where I have to constantly worry I could get pregnant, not to mention the ill-effects.

It is great you are eating healthy, and if you can exercise it will help. But have you had your thyroid checked too?
I worked out 3x a week for a year & only lost around 10 lbs. while eating very healthy, no pop (diet or reg.), low carb & lots of whole grains & veges. But finally after years of my OBGYN telling me my thyroid seemed "enlarged" it was check. I was severly hypothyroid. Once I got on my natural armour thyroid I lost 10 lbs. in a few months. I would suggest getting it checked.

Also I started an 8-week weight loss challange Jan 1st & while I am limited on the products I can use due to still nursing, i have lost 10 lbs. in less than 4 weeks. I hope this helps & good luck on your weight loss.
G.

K. H,
The doctors state that the birth control do not cause weight gain however, I disagree, everybody is different, my daughter and I both gained weight on these pills, and yes I have met some that have not. I would love to talk to you about a 90 day challenge, called www.vitalityforlife.com Also, Remember if you are working out that much you are probably turning fat into muscle and muscle weighs more than fat, so concentrate on either loosing weight or toning, not both at the same time. You can reach me at gotgreennow.fourpointwellness.com

To answer your question, yes. The pill can be hindering your weight loss. If it is, then you can talk to your doctor about an alternative pill that doesn't have that effect, but does help with the cysts. It may not be the issue, but it is possible that it is. So talk with your doctor about an alternative and see if it works. Good luck.

One thing to remember....Muscle is more dense than fat, so if you're building muscle, you're going to weigh more. Also, you NEED to build muscle before you really start to lose weight. The body needs a certain amount of muscle before the muscles can start burning the fat.
Don't believe anything about the BMI.....It's baloney. It doesn't take into consideration a person who is 5'6 with a large frame, or a person who is 6' with a petite frame. if both of those people weigh 160 one is going to be overweight, and one wil be underweight based on a BMI...however, because of the taller person being petite (scrawny) they will be an ideal weight. same as the shorter person, being built with broad shoulder and thick wrists, will be ideal.
Look at the bony parts of your body, your wrists, shoulders, hips, and ankles. How do they compare to your friends and family? Are they thicker (more bone?) or thinner? What is the height & build of the people you are comparing. Basically, look at how you are built. If you are shorter than, say, 5'7 with a large frame, up to 160 may be a good weight. Go by how you feel about yourself. Remember, you are comparing frames, NOT weight. and throw the BMI out the window.
Good Luck

first, remember.. muscle weighs more than fat.. so if you are working out that much, you are building lots of beautiful, lean muscle mass... so while over-all this is a great thing, you may not see big changes on the scale right away. If you belong to a gym, or even at home, i suggest you get your body measurements done. they go all over your body, arms, bust, waist, hips, thighs... you have probably already lost "inches" instead of pounds. for me this helps keep me motivated, even when the scale is not moving. I will bet that in another month your clothes will start fitting looser too... always a good thing!

and yes, the pill can affect your weight... talk to your ob about a different kind.

and lastly... i am a big fan of weight watchers, mostly because I eat healthy food, I just eat too darn much of it.. Portion control has always been my downfall. anyway, I'm not trying to imply that you are still eating too much, but am suggesting you give w.w. a try, it really helps me shine a big spotlight on my calorie intake and weed out those things that I need to cut back on or eliminate.

good luck! I'll be in the same boat after I am done having my baby and nursing.. I needed to lose about 25 pounds before I got pregnant, so I feel your pain.
:)

Talk to your OBGYN, there are other alternatives but birth control pills can keep weight on.
One thing that helped me lose 22 lbs last winter, and I am 44 and have some stubborn fat was drinking a lot of green tea, it helps big time with belly fat and energy levels. I didn't care for tea but brewed up green tea and made it ice tea with lemon and it was good! Now on a cold evening I will have some as it warms me up if drank warm. I drink probably three cups a day and I noticed when I was walking it melted off, not major dieting or anything.
I walked as I hate gyms and started walking a lot more, I didn't snack on anything past 7pm and ate a BIG breakfast every morning. Those things along with just the green tea and I lost 22lbs! I am off the pill too and I think that helped. Your OBGYN will be able to get you something that will help you a lot more and around your needs with your cysts. Good luck, keep the faith and don't give up.

Oh K. - I hate to tell you this, but that's pretty normal for chicks. I'm not sure the pill has anything to do with it. Girls loose weight more slowly than dudes, and they plateau more often. All I can say is just keep working at it. It's hard, and may not be the fastest thing you've done, but will be totally worth it when you get where you'd like to be.

Good luck - in April I'll be working on loosing baby weight, too.

Birth control pills can do that, and you can ask your doctor about other types. My sister had to do that.

I would also ask your doctor to check your thyroid levels. I was incredibly frustrated with being unable to lose weight in my mid-20s, and on a visit to the doctor to check for something else, my bloodwork showed I had hypothyroidism. It took about a year to get my dose correct, but now I've lost 18lbs! I'm back to where I was before with a standard 5 day workout routine and a healthy diet that allows me to splurge every now and then.