Weight gain

sarahmarie · 03-01-2005, 05:45 PM

I started taking birth control about 4 months ago. I tried Seasonale first, but I had so much breakthrough bleeding that I switched to Zovia. I was on Zovia for two weeks without any side effects. Then in the course of one weekend, I gained around 15 pounds. I was so bloated and that lasted about 3-4 days. I'm on the 4th week of my cycle and I'm still like 7 pounds overweight. Is the weight gain caused by water retention? Do you think it will go away after my period is over? What kind of birth control has the lowest incidence of weight gain? I lost 20 pounds in the past 3 months and I don't want to gain it back! Please help!

GLSheridan · 03-01-2005, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahmarie

I started taking birth control about 4 months ago. I tried Seasonale first, but I had so much breakthrough bleeding that I switched to Zovia. I was on Zovia for two weeks without any side effects. Then in the course of one weekend, I gained around 15 pounds. I was so bloated and that lasted about 3-4 days. I'm on the 4th week of my cycle and I'm still like 7 pounds overweight. Is the weight gain caused by water retention? Do you think it will go away after my period is over? What kind of birth control has the lowest incidence of weight gain? I lost 20 pounds in the past 3 months and I don't want to gain it back! Please help!

Sounds like water weight, although I find it hard to believe that you gained 15 pounds over a few days.

It might decrease once your period is over, or it might not. The pill causes some women to retain water always. It also causes increased appetite in some women, which usually accounts for the major weight gain, contrary to popular belief.

There is no "weight-free" birth control, although one of the hormones in Yasmin acts as a diuretic, helping to shed some of the water weight. But if it isn't water weight, and is due to increased caloric intake, it's not going to help.

sarahmarie · 03-01-2005, 09:32 PM

I eat a low-fat diet and I rarely go over 1000 calories a day. I don't think I gained the weight from eating. Although I have noticed an increase in my appetite lately. I definitely haven't eaten enough to gain this much weight in such a short period of time.

I've heard that low hormone birth control pills don't cause as much weight gain. Is this true?

This may seem like a stupid question, but if I stop taking the pill will the water weight go away?

GLSheridan · 03-01-2005, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahmarie

I eat a low-fat diet and I rarely go over 1000 calories a day. I don't think I gained the weight from eating. Although I have noticed an increase in my appetite lately. I definitely haven't eaten enough to gain this much weight in such a short period of time.

I've heard that low hormone birth control pills don't cause as much weight gain. Is this true?

This may seem like a stupid question, but if I stop taking the pill will the water weight go away?

1000 calories is way too low, unless your on a medically restricted diet.

But anyway, all pills have the potential to cause weight gain. One type doesn't really seem to be better than the other.

Theoretically, the water weight should go away, but it might not. Most physicians say with enough exercise, the water weight can be worked off.

lovinmemphis · 08-24-2006, 12:53 PM

Okay, I know everyone says that you don't gain weight from BC pills... but that is complete BS. I was on OTC for a few years, then Nordette, then Yasmin for a few years, and now Zovia... All in all I've been in BC pills for seven years. Zovia has been the ultimate worst one because I DID gain weight. I did nothing differently in my diet. I work out 5 or 6 days a week and run about 20 miles a week. I'm 23 and very health conscious and have been 5'3 and 115-120 since I was 14 years old. THIS made me gain 15 lbs in ONE MONTH! That is obscene, even if it is just water weight. I even started eating salad with no dressing on it! I mean, what else is a girl supposed to do!?!? I can't bear Zovia just for this reason... I always had small B breasts and now they are D's! I called my doctor today to switch to Mircette and sooooo hope it works out better for me.