birth control pill that doesnt cause weight gain

gennifer · Silver Member Joined: 21 Feb 2000 Posts: 257

Hello. I am a 23 year old female who has been on the birth control pills since I was 17 years old. I'm very satisfied with their primary effect- keeping me out of possible pregnancy but I'm not satisfied with their primary side effect- weight gaining.
Luckily, I still have no problems with being overweight, but I'm far from being skinny. I'm positive, if I continue with it- I will have serious problems with my body weight although my eating habits didn’t change for years.
Please tell me what I could do to prevent this from happening.
Is there any birth control pill on the market that doesn’t cause weight gain?

welt · Newbie Joined: 31 May 2005 Posts: 15

Hello. I was also wondering about the same thing and I have read several articles about it. I will tell you something I've read.
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. I must tell you that this is unavoidable. There isn’t any birth control pill that could guarantee you different because they all have the same hormones in them- estrogen and progestin.
If you're worried about gaining weight, remember to cut back on calories and get more exercise.
Reducing your salt intake moderately can help control this type of water retention.

patsgirl08 · Newbie Joined: 16 Jul 2006 Posts: 1

I sympathize with you about the weight gain with birth control pills. I just decided to come off of Yasmin after a year of mood swings, depression, and signigicant weight gain. (Of course my GYN said it is definitely not the pills, just my diet). Yeah right!! I found a website that is great for any questions about Hormonal birth control pills. They directed me to a pill called Centrochman (It is from India) and it is a non-hormonal bcp. I just googled the website and its aphrodite womens health! I think it would help with your questions. Good LucK!!!! Laughing

Guest · Guest

Just a little sidenote...I am 22 and have been on yasmin for over a year...and I too have had significant weight gain..I have had no change in my diet or exercise...I must say in Yasmins favor that it has been a great contraceptive and it has regulated my period to a "T"

Guest · Guest

I gained wieght when I was on Othro Tricycle and Mercette. Now I am on YAZ, and I have not gained any weight. You might want to try that.

Guest · Guest

I am also on Yaz - have been for a year. Unfortunately, I have gained a ton of weight while being on it. (It is possible, however, that this could be from a thyroid problem, which the pill may or may not have caused.) Anyway, I was always a size 2-4 and now I can barely fit into a size 6 (though I've always enjoyed more lose clothing). My roommate last year was also on it and also gained quite a bit of weight - I have no idea if she started taking it more than a year ago, though. Just saying, I think you just have to see what works for your body.

Guest · Guest

I was on Yasmin and in the past i stopped using a couple of times. Every time i stop using, I gain weight. It was unexplainable gain since I'm a healthy eater and I'm always active. I have been trying to find the cause and now I think i found out that it was from quitting the pills and withdrawing on the hormone.
I was googling and found out also that Yasmin uses different type of hormone than most birth control pills.
Just go look and make do some research.

Guest · Guest

I have been on Ortho Trycyclin LO, which is a low dose pill, for 5 yeares now, it has the same effectiveness as the regular dosage, but it hasn't caused me ANY side effects what so ever. I highly recommend that anyone interested ask their GYN about it.

When my sister was taking the regular dosage, she also experienced significant weight gain.

abs2684 · Newbie Joined: 01 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

I have heard that Yaz contains a diuretic to help in reducing the water retention for women who use it. A diuretic helps you to pass fluids rather than retain them. If you use diuretics too often, they may have reverse effects, causing you to retain fluid. Sodium intake is also a huge factor in water retention. If you limit your sodium(salt) intake to 1500 mg or less per day, you will have a less likely chance of water retention. Also, many women have noticed an avg 5 lbs weight gain, but larger breasts. The weight gain can be from the extra breast tissue. Hang in there and watch your salt!

birth control pill that doesnt cause weight gain

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