Does birth control cause weight gain?

[Triceratops]

LOL here's my first p101 thread. :P

I'm just wondering, how the hell can it cause you to gain weight? I understand some people might get water retention - but actually gaining fat?! It's not like birth control pills have calories, or slow down your metabolism?

I'm aware they might increase your appetite, but if you don't give in to hunger or cravings then I don't see the problem?

I know it sounds really silly, but the thought of piling on the pounds freaks me out a lot. Especially with my history. >__>

[AutumnDae]

Basically, the pill tricks your mind into thinking that your body is pregnant. So, for some it may cause some weight gain.

Oh wait, are you going on the legit pill? Because I know that the shot makes you gain more weight than the pill, or something. I'm not sure about the patch compared to the pill or the Nuva ring or anything.

It shouldn't be too much weight, if any though.

[Bougainvillea]

Apparently, in most cases they don't.

http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab003987.html

[Triceratops]

Nah, they're Yasmin pills. My mom takes them as well, and she said the only side effects she got were that she felt sick and had stomach aches. Everyone's different, and I'm just reluctant to take them in case I get really bad side effects.

[AutumnDae]

Apparently, in most cases they don't.

http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab003987.html
Huh, weird. Not weird, maybe it's just the fact that the people I know legit gained the weight then blamed it on the pill or something. :P

Nah, they're Yasmin pills. My mom takes them as well, and she said the only side effects she got were that she felt sick and had stomach aches. Everyone's different, and I'm just reluctant to take them in case I get really bad side effects.

I'd suggest taking them. Then if you get the side effects you can always stop or switch kinds.

[Loislane]

Personally, I think you should give them a try, and if they do cause lots of side effects just stop taking them :)
It really depends what you are taking the contraception for. If you don't mind me asking, is it because you are sexually active, you want it to help your periods or other?

[Triceratops]

Personally, I think you should give them a try, and if they do cause lots of side effects just stop taking them :)
It really depends what you are taking the contraception for. If you don't mind me asking, is it because you are sexually active, you want it to help your periods or other?

It's fine, don't worry.
I've been prescribed them ages ago because I was rarely getting periods. I haven't had one in about 8 months.

The thing is, I don't feel good about fucking around with birth control pills. They play havoc with your hormones for a few months (apparently), and I'm not willing to go through that. Even when some people come off them, the hormones still play up. I'm convinced I'd rather risk health problems (due to no periods) and become infertile than become on edge, covered in acne and about 10 lbs fatter.

[Triceratops]

*Bump is legal*

I've just taken my first one today lol. I can't help but keep looking at my thighs and think that I've gained about 20 lbs, but that's just all likely to be my distorted mind telling me a bunch bullshit.

I've looked around the web, and I've probably heard more GOOD things about Yasmin than bad. Eeesh, I just hope I'll be okay. The people who are adament that Yasmin caused them to gain weight probably just couldn't control their monster appetite or something haha.

I do find it infuriating that my biggest concern with BC pills is the weight gain instead of more serious issues. Trust me when I say it's nothing to do with vanity, it's just the fixed obsession (that comes with the *disease* we shall not speak of here) that I can't get rid of.

[MadManWithaBox]

Excuse me for intruding on something which I don't know about, but anyway. You've been taking the pills for 3 days? And there's no weight gain. From what I know your past, I can understand your concern. But if the good effects weigh out the potential bad effects, you're sound.

[Triceratops]

Haha, it's alright, and yeah fair point. I've taken my 6th pill today, which makes it almost a week. So far, so good. I think I've lost a bit of weight actually, which is probably all down to my dance instructor who is a complete bitch and overworks everyone, lol.

[MadManWithaBox]

Well there you go. Bobs your uncle and fanny's your aunt :D 2nd puberty forums post!