do birth control pills cause weight gain?
538670
I'm sorry but it's true. Weight gain is pretty much inevitable. I took it for about six months and gained ten pounds. I have a history of extremely high metabolism and have always been very thin, so I know it was the birth control. To be honest, though, which is worse: gaining weight or getting pregnant?
653224
There are quite a few different ones.. some that the pamphlets don't tell you about.  From my personal experience it makes depression worse.  There is the chance for weight gain (as with all forms of birth control).  And a few others that are listed in the pamphlets at any doctor's office or clinic
1116727
Different birth control pills do different things to different people.  That is why some people gain weight, some lose weight, and you may do different things when changing pills.  Talk to a doctor who is knowledgeable about birth control and maybe he/she can find one that is best suited for your body chemistry.  I think that generally speaking the lower hormone dosage you are taking the less chance of gaining weight.  Also keep in mind that taking the hormones found in birth control pills can cause fluid retention so some weight gain may just be increased water weight.
1008398
I took the birth control shot from the time i was 16 years old until i was 20 and i didn't gain weight.\n\nSome women/girls are different. Some may gain weight and some may not but i would rather gain weight than gain a baby that i did not want
13409
Yep.  It's like the first time that you took them, you gained a little weight probably, and your period was a little messed up.  The pills make some changes in your body, and now your body is trying to get back to the way that it was before you were on the birth control.  If you keep spotting then you may want to see a GYNO just to get things checked out.  Good Luck!
1151345
yes one of the complication is waigh gain\n\nWhat are the good points about the Pill?\n\nThe Pill has now been shown to have certain major health advantages:\n\n\nit abolishes period pain\n\n\nit makes periods shorter\n\n\nit makes them lighter.\n\n\nBecause of this, you are less likely to get anaemic.\n\nIf you have acne, the Pill should improve it.\n\nIn addition, it decreases your chances of getting certain cancers (though it increases the risk of others). Please see the section on cancer, below.\n\nBut can’t it give you a lot of side effects when you start? During the first few packs of the Pill, many women get minor, passing side effects, such as:\n\n\nheadaches\n\n\nnausea\n\n\nbreast tenderness\n\n\nslight weight gain\n\n\nslight ‘spotting’ of blood between the periods. \n\n\nThese side-effects usually go away after the first few packs. If they don’t, it’s very easy to get rid of them by simply switching to another brand of the 23 available brands of Pill.\n\n(For a full list of possible side-effects, see the package leaflet.)\n\nWhat about serious side-effects, like thrombosis?\n\nThere is no doubt at all that the Pill can occasionally cause serious problems like:\n\n\ndeep vein thrombosis (DVT) or clotting\n\n\nheart attacks \n\n\nstrokes.\n\n\nFortunately, these events are very rare. BUT ... they are much more likely to happen if you have certain ‘risk factors,’ which include:\n\n\nbeing a smoker \n\n\nhaving a bad family history of thrombosis or some similar illness (say, if your mother had a heart attack at 40)\n\n\nbeing severely overweight \n\n\nbeing diabetic (though quite a few non-smoking diabetics do use the Pill, under careful supervision)\n\n\nhaving high blood pressure \n\n\nhaving a high blood cholesterol level (hypercholesterolaemia) \n\n\na ‘past history’ of phlebitis (vein inflammation) or thrombophlebitis\n\n\nbeing immobile for a while (especially when having a surgical operation).\n\n\nThere are other ‘risk factors’ – for instance, making a very long journey in a plane or a cramped car seat. Your doctor or Family Planning nurse can give you more details.\n\n\nVaricose veins\n\nA lot of people (including some doctors) have the idea that ‘you can’t take the Pill if you have varicose veins'. This isn’t true. \n\nHowever, in recent years it has become clear that severe problems with varicose veins are a contraindication to the Pill. \n\nBut if you just have mild and superficial varicose veins, it is quite likely that your doctor will be willing to prescribe a low-dose Pill for you – provided that you have no other risk factors.\n\n\nMigraine\n\nIn 2004, new research showed that women who have severe migraine and who also use the Pill run an unacceptable risk of having a stroke.\n\nI’m not talking about people who have an occasional slight headache, like we all do. But if you have genuine migraine attacks – particularly migraines with ‘aura’ affecting your eyesight – then in my opinion you shouldn’t be on the Pill. \n\n\nDoes age make a difference?\n\nYes. The Pill is extraordinarily safe for young women in their teens or 20s who have no ‘risk factors’ (such as smoking). But when you get to the age of 35 or 40, the chances of having a thrombosis (clot) are starting to increase.\n\nIn practice, there are plenty of women of 40 who take the Pill. But as the years go by, there is more and more reason to switch to the mini-Pill, or to some other method of contraception, such as sterilisation and vasectomy for men. \n\nWhat about cancer?\n\n \nDid you know?\n\nThe Pill can increase the risk of some cancers and reduce the risk of others. Ask your doctor for advice. \n \n \nThe Pill does affect your risk of certain types of cancer, and when you first decide to go on it, you should be told about this. \n\nBut it’s important for you to realise that the Pill actually reduces your chances of getting some cancers – while it increases the risk of others. As far a
722098
alesse 28 is a oral contraceptive.  If I remember correctly, it is a progesterone only pill.  Lose weight, not likely.  However, your breasts might get a little bigger.  Watch your body carefully, and read the pamplet with the pills.  It lists all the side effects.  Personally I experienced weight gain, and not weight loss.  Good luck
379967
No. Patches are made specificaly for their purpose. It has been my experience that the pill and patch both produce more acne in women and weight gain as well due to the imbalance of hormones created. The birth control pill is NOT good for you. \n\nFurther problems can develope such as mood swings, depression, anxiety and liver disorders and toxicity are also some other side effects of these hormone based products.\n\nJust in case you have not tried any dietary supplementation here are a few well known ones for acne as well as some back ground info on acne. You sound like you have been through the wringer with cures and I am guessing you have tried plenty so this is really just in case.\n\nACNE\n \n \nAcne is usually considered an adolescent affliction affecting up to 80 percent of teenagers. Although acne occurs most commonly in adolescent males, it can affect people of any age.\n\nSymptoms\nAcne vulgaris, the most common form of acne, consists of whiteheads, blackheads, pimples and deep cysts that appear mainly on the face and to a lesser extent on the chest, shoulders and back. \n\nAcne is often worse during winter, improving during summer. \n\n\nCauses\nAcne commences when the sebaceous ducts in the skin become blocked by skin overgrowth to form a whitehead, or by plugs of sebum which darken on exposure to air forming a blackhead. \n\n\nWhen the sebum trapped in the whitehead or blackhead is forced into the deeper skin layers, an inflammatory reaction causes a red lump called a papule. If infection follows, pus collects and the classic pimple (pustule) is seen. When the inflammatory condition is severe, large, painful cysts may form.\n\n\nAcne is associated with hormonal imbalance, and will typically develop during puberty when hormonal activity increases the size and activity of the sebaceous glands. Some women also experience acne as a component of pre-menstrual syndrome.\n\n\nThe naturopathic view is that acne is aggravated by ineffective elimination from the body, which may be related to a build up of toxins in the system due to an inability of the liver to effectively break down circulatory toxins. It can also be initiated by food sensitivities, poor diet and stress.\n\n\n\nNatural Therapies\n\n\n\n\nZinc is an essential mineral used for wound healing and the normal oil gland function of the skin. It is also involved in the maintenance of vitamin A levels, transport and usage; for protein synthesis, (particularly collagen synthesis); and to help maintain hormonal balance. \n\nBeta-carotene is transformed into vitamin A in the body. These two nutrients act as skin antioxidants, and may be of assistance in the treatment of acne, other skin conditions, and the healing of wounds. \n\nSulphur is traditionally indicated as a liver tonic to support the body's detoxification processes, and for a variety of skin conditions including acne which are associated with sluggish liver function \n\nEchinacea has been extensively investigated and has been found to have a variety of actions on the immune system, including antibacterial and antiviral activity. \n\nCalendula has traditionally been used for the treatment of skin infection and to assist wound healing. \n\nVitex Agnus-Castus is indicated for acne problems which are worse pre-menstrually.\n \nPrevention\nThere are conflicting theories about direct dietary influences on acne. \n\nThe best approach is to adopt a healthy well balanced diet high in fibre, filtered water and fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid refined or processed foods, sugars and high-fat foods. \n\n\nRegular exercise is great for your skin, as it improves your circulation and aids in the removal of toxins. Try brisk walking, jogging swimming or any active sport 3 - 4 times per week.\n \nHope this helps.\n\nCraig - Naturopath.
99808
Birth control pills slightly increase the chances of breast cancer, especially if you have it in your family history.  But my doctor still wanted me to stay on it because it can decrease the chances for cervical and ovarian cancer up to 50%.
478151
yes hormones can effect your weight in either way (losing or gaining pounds)...if it is more than just a minimum amount, talk to a doctor just to be sure.
329323
JenniferLynn is wrong. The ingredients in the pill changes your hormone levels and most likely thats why you gained some weight.Your hormone levels will return back to the way they where before you starting taking the pill, but it just takes a little time for it to get out of your system.So YES, you can get back to your old self(exercise or diet to lose the weight) and NO, your body wont store fat easier.
903408
its normal especially in the first few months of taking the pill.one thing i hated about being on the pill is because i gained weight and my boobs get big too.so i asked my gyno what other options do i have and they recommended i get an iud implant i have had it since june ive lost some weight and i even went down a bra size
1184704
No. Plus you can miss a period when you are on the pill too.
872206
The modern birth control pill is far less likely to cause weight gain than the older ones. \n\nI'd say you're more likely to gain weight from getting married than from taking the pill.  Did you know that most women gain an average of 5 - 10 pounds after they get married?  It's not laziness, it's just the change in lifestyle.  So just because the pill isn't likely to increase your weight, you can't afford to relax and not worry about your weight.  Especially at your age.  Perimenopause starts about 10 years before menopause.  Your metabolism is going to start to slow down and your body is going to start hoarding fat to compensate for the slight reduction in oestrogen that's about to happen.  So do be careful!
321361
Talk to your doctor about the pill. They'll tell you everything you need to know, and they'll have advice you can trust (don't trust everything you read on the internet).\n\nThe pill can cause some weight gain, but that's mostly water retention.
552443
Sure it can. Your changing your estrogen level and anytime you change your body's chemical make-up, weight gain can occur.
698344
Birth control pill use.\nThe effect of using birth control pills on a woman’s subsequent \nmenopausal period is in large measure an unstudied phenomenon, \nbut birth control pills – which work by suppressing your native \nhormones, can themselves lead to many health problems. Many of the \nproblems of estrogen dominance, including fluid retention, \ndepression, headaches, and urinary tract infections, are experienced \nby women using birth control pills. Everything we’ve said about the \nnegative effects for menopausal women of using progestins applies to \nthe progestins used in birth control pills. Having altered your \nnormal hormonal cycles when using the Pill, you are more prone to \nsymptoms at midlife as well as potentially more serious health problems. \nThis is because the synthetic estrogens and progestins used in the \nPill can interfere with the body’s own progesterone receptors. The \nprogestins are more potent and may inhibit the product of your body’s \nown sex hormones.\n\nNeed more info?\nE-mail me!\nblessings~\nMichelle Jones