STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

treschic · BCBG

Birth control pill and weight gain?

daiz519 · Dooney & Bourke

I definitely gained some weight with the pill...I stayed on it though because my doctor said "you'll gain even more weight if you get pregnant" and I'm in no place to be having a baby right now. I've been out of a relationship for awhile now, though, so I recently went off the pill. We'll see if I lose any of the weight I put on.

lsubatgirl · Gucci

maybe try a different one. I was on OTC though and I was able to lose weight when I changed my diet and exercise. I've been on Alesse and have been able to lose weight also. I think it just has to do with my lifestyle choices because when I went on it 5 years ago I did manage to gain 20 pounds but it was my own fault not the pills.

Joina · Kenneth Cole

A few years ago, I was on Ortho and gained 20-30 lbs so I went off the pill and got on a major diet. Recently, I went to the doctor to get on the pill again and told the doctor I was afraid of gaining weight, so she precribed Alesse to me saying that she sees less weight gain with Alesse than Ortho. I guess you are on the right one then.

There will be some weight gain no matter what type of birth control you're on (at least ones that change the hormone level of your body).

When I got on Alesse, I knew I was going to gain weight, so I tried to counteract it by going to the gym more often and not succumb to mood swing eating. I think it's worked out so far.

Good luck!

e_doli · Dooney & Bourke

i had been on the pill for years and decided to stop taking it. then a couple months later i got envolved with a guy and went back on it. i slowly gained 20 lbs in the 6 months after that and it took a while to get it off. (i wasn't back to my original size until 1 1/2 yrs after i had started back up on the pill)

i just went off the pill for good, and have not noticed any weight loss. so anyway, i guess what i'm saying is that i think the pill can make you gain weight when you start taking it but i'm not sure that you will lose that weight when you go off it.

Dizzy · Marc Jacobs

My friends have had real problems with the shot, but no one has really said anything about the pill. I'm on the ring, and I probably gained five pounds. But that could be because of school, too.

bex · Chanel

i have been on alesse for almost 3 years. when i first went on it i LOST 7-10 pounds. then i gained back to normal... i really don't think birth control makes you "gain" weight and neither does my doctor. i think if you make smart choices with your lifestyle- you'll be fine.

sfcaligirl · Dooney & Bourke

i was on ortho tricyclen for years but i stopped taking it about a year and a half ago. i've noticed that i currently weigh about 10 pounds less than i did for most of the time that i was on the pill and it's easier for me to maintain my weight. however, i was under a lot of stress two years ago and i dropped a bunch of weight even though i was on the pill. i think that the extra hormones just make it easier to gain a few pounds- if you're doing things to counteract that (eating right, exercising), you should be fine.

Maven · BCBG

According to my ob-gyn, estrogen binds up water molecules, which makes you hold on to water, but not more than 5-10 pounds. The progestins are notorious for causing weight-gain due to water retention and making you feel hungry. You might try a different form of oc.

However, as you get older, it is normal for the metabolism to slow down and to start gaining weight. Also, as women finish school and settle into a more sedentary life-style (sitting all day) they aren't burning as many calories.

Weight gain could be caused by any or a combination of the above.