Do birth control pills cause weight gain?

[Hafsa226]

Hello everyone. I recently changed methods of birth control and switched back to the pill. But I'm extremely upset, as it seems to cause weight gain. I put on 25lbs! PANIC PANIC PANIC! :yikes I had lost 83 altogether, and this freaked me out big time! I managed to lose 5 last month, (I only weigh once a month) but I had to increase my exercise regimen greatly. I'm pooped but feel better. Has anyone else experienced this? Is there a good way to overcome it? Appreciate any help.

[Pau]

There are different brands. Just change it.
Some pills may cause liquid retention (I don´t know it the expression is right)

[Lyssie]

I didn't gain any weight or anything on mine (ortho tri-cyclen) but different people's bodies handle things in different ways. I don't know how much you weigh, but if you're under 200 lbs I've heard great things about the patch instead of pill (studies show that effectiveness in people who weigh over 200 lbs does decrease, although not dramatically, according to the package insert on it).

my two cents.

[Hafsa226]

Thanks you guys. I feel better now. Just having people to ask is such a comfort. So nobody has ever experienced this? I have some friends who have, but none of them are on Atkins, so I would much rather have the opinion of people who eat like I do. :hug Thanks again and BIG HUGS!

[New_Me_In_2005]

They Can

Yes, birth control pills can cause weight gain. When I went back on the pill, I noticed pounds appearing out of nowhere. I called by doctor immediately. She said that in some cases they do cause weight gain, but over time my body would adjust.

[dawnlea1979]

i know when i was on the pill it made me gain major weight i mean major plus i was never of of TOM so they switched me over to he nuva ring which you insert yourself no pills its bettterd that way for me plus i havent gained any weight and trust me it works i have been using it for a year and have not got pregnant and imreally fertile i already have 2 kids dont need anymore right now until i try for my little girl but if i were you look into a different method

[artgirl7]

No, birth control pills do not cause signifigant weight gain, generally it is only about 1-3lbs. Time after time, I spoke about this topic with my GYN and he assured me that it was not the pill making me put on lbs.

Truth is...The only way you gain weight is consuming more than you are burning.

[dawnlea1979]

also everbody is different i never ate much and i still gained weight once i was off the pill i didnt gain anymore weight so everyone is very different and my doctor said it does cause weight gain in some people

[LadyDanaDragon]

I think each person is different. Hormones do very strange things, their is not way to tell how they may effect you. As others have said I think you should try a difffent brand. Lets us know what happens if you do.

[cnwade]

Yes the MAJORITY of people may only gain 1-3 pounds...but every doctor will tell you it varies greatly depending on a variety of factors.

Read the drug label, go to the company web site and they will tell you (in very fine print) SOME people will have significant weight gain on birth control pills or other methods for a variety of reasons. Usually it is not added fat-- but water retention or the pills cause you to have EXTREME cravings that will in turn cause you to eat more than you normally would.

I took a birth control pill for a few months when I was 20. Supposedly one of the brands that does not cause significant weight gain in most people. I had such extreme cravings --- I wanted to eat all day long suddenly-- that I gave them up.

I switched to Depo Provera. Was on it for 8 years and even though I was told most women gain 5-10 pounds on this option I did not gain a pound and was steady at 137 pounds the entire time I took it (5'.
Then I went off it for three years or so and came back now that I am 30.

Within the first two months I was completely bloated, I went from a B cup to a D cup because my breasts were so swollen. Wearing a bra hurt and definitely no sleeping on the tummy. This would go on every month for the two weeks or more prior to my period. One day I'd be fitting into my size six jeans then the weeks before I would normally have my period (periods usually cease on Depo) I would suddenly be a size 10 and popping out of my bras.

I thought it would go away..but then one month I was like that the ENTIRE month and then the next. So last month I quit the Depo and restarted Induction. The difference has been tremendous. Just had my TOM and just a little bloating and doing Induction has flushed out most of the water weight I accumulated while on Depo.

Luckily I am single and celibate so this isn't hurting me to not take birth control pills (heck I'm saving 65 bucks it costs me to get the shots) although I really liked not having a period and trying to remember a pill.

Double check those prescription side effect labels and ASK your doctor what kind of feedback he's gotten from other women in your age group in your pill. That will tell you alot about whether its something you are doing OR if your personal chemistry not working with that pill. Good Luck.

[Hafsa226]

Okay guys. I stayed in Induction all month and exercised. I DID lose 3 pounds! I know it's not much, but I'm so happy anyway. I really do think that it was the pill that made me gain the weight, and my obiegynie told me that the pill generally causes a 15lb or less weight gain. That's why I got the LOWEST dosage pill of them all. I think that it probably is just water wieght or whatever. I know in my heart I wasn't pigging out but I'm glad I increased my exercise. I may have only lost 8 out of the 25 pounds I gained, but I feel so much stronger and the knee pain I was having is practically all gone. I truly believe in this WOE, but my faith in myself was what got shaken the most. Thank you all for your responses and help. :yes