Sudden weight gain after stopping birth control?!

I've been on lo lo estrin also for about 10 years & just cut it off cold turkey 3 weeks ago because it was giving me unreasonable depression. Also as I've always been a health freak I heard how harmful in BC & decided to stop. Little did I know the nightmare that follows. I'm so mad at my doctors for giving it to me in the 1st place (had irregular period, sometimes due to low body fat). I'm also a runner, never skip workouts & have also incorporated strength training to improve my body. I eat processed sugar once a year on bday or something. When I say I couldn't eat healthier & workout harder I mean it. Last 3 weeks I have ballooned it feels like. Ok the water retention is expected, I gotta have patience... but this is unreal. Where is this weight coming from? I hope an actual doctor with no BC pushing agenda replies in this thread. I'd rather starve myself to death than live as a fat woman. I'm sorry, it's just how my identity was shaped. Thanks for everyone who wrote here. Hope there's a solution

Check your hormones and policystic ovaries. Trust me that's the answer

Could you tell me what they did for your pre diabetes?

Sorry to break it to you, but eating 1000 or less calories a day can really kill your metabolism making you actually gain more weight. Especially in the long run and as you age! The faster your metabolism the more calories you burn. You have to eat the right foods of course when consuming more calories. So killing your metabolism may be the reason for gaining so much weight!

Hey Brandi! I've had the same problem. I went off a ortho-tricyclen around late march. Since then I've gained 27lbs and im still gaining more and more weight! It's terrifying. My doctor seems to think nothing is wrong and that I should be eating better. But I go to the gym 3-4 times a week and eat about 1,000 calories a day. I've had my thyroid checked along with diabetes and ovarian cysts which I was negative for. This is literally so frustrating and in the mean time I continue to gain weight! Just wondering if you've found the answer or I guess "diagnosis." Please let me know!

Girl, most women would LOVE to weigh only 128! Don't ever feel bad for weighing that amount!

I'm going through the same thing right now. I stopped taking birth control about 2 months ago because it was making my migraines worse (I get migraines on a regular basis before starting the pill). In those 2 months I've gained 10 pounds! I'm so bloated I look like I could be 5 months pregnant. My breast have also grown a cup size. I know for a fact I'm not pregnant. Nothing I have tried has worked to get rid of the bloating. Im honestly considering going back on the pill despite the migraines, just to see if it will help. If anyone has any advice, I'm all ears

same thing with me! was on Yaz for years until I read that basically by taking a synthetic hormone that is not natural, you are screwing up the natural order of things for your body. I used to be 123lbs always happy about how i looked and now i weigh 138. i don't look terrible but i don't like it one bit and I am convinced it's because now the hormones are out of whack. the question is how do i get back to normal???

I stopped taking my birth control pills (Nortrel) 3 months ago because I didn't like how they messed with my hormones. I had been on them for 10 years. I have gained 20 pounds since I stopped taking them! I'm getting married in April and I'm scared I won't be able to lose the weight I've recently put on. I eat fairly healthy (cheat day) and I've been active and going to the gym. So frustrating. I'm definitely not pregnant, as my cycle is regular.

Yep contraceptives can do that, maybe not all but i think some can so gotta be careful

Hi girls, I gained a lot of weight getting off birth control and had a ton more experiences. I'm on month 7 now. I gained 10 lbs in the first two months. Now after visiting my endocrinologist, I have elevated TSH... 

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Thank you for your advice!!! I'm going to visit a naturopath tomorrow to see if they can recommend anything, and have made a list of these.

I've been on the pill for 9 years and came off and in one month gained weight

Birth control basically controls your water weight so it sounds like you're just holding water. Keep doing what you're doing! Your body will adjust to the change of hormones over time.

I am experiencing the same thing. Major bloat and weight gain! I think I am starting to understand why. I am not a doctor and plan on going to a naturopath but this is what I think is going on.

1. the liver needs to detox. We have been putting an excessive amount of synthetic hormones (among other things) in our body and our liver needs to get rid of the toxins. There are many signs that your liver needs to be detoxed, but for me, it's the bloating and heartburn. When the liver isn't working correctly it is nearly impossible to lose weight. Milk thistle is supposed to help detox the liver or a dandelion root tea. Take probiotics to keep you gut happy.
2. We are overloaded with estrogen. Check it out online, it's really a thing. Estrogen overload causes weight gain, mood swings, bloating, headaches, breast swelling, and irregular cycles.
3. Hormones need to be normalized. When we are taking synthetic hormones our natural hormones don't produce. I have read Maca can help with this. Magnesium and B complex. The herb Vitex is also supposed to aid in restoring hormone balance.

These are just a few things I have learned. Hoping they will help.