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I've seen a few people mention the fact that they're on birth control, and therefore losing weight is more difficult for them.

I'd just like to let everyone know that this correlation is actually FALSE. There is no magic involved-- Calories in, calories out. That's what weight gain/loss has to do with, and birth control shouldn't cause a SEVERE hormonal problem. (If it does.. you're taking the wrong dosage)

At the most, the weight "gain" you can expect is 1 to 2 pounds, caused mostly by fluid retention that the hormones can cause. If you're taking oral birth control (pills), this fluid retention will stop after a few months. In EXTREMELY rare cases, if you're gaining weight-- it's likely because your body is STARVING for fat (people who are severely underweight), or because the hormone dosage you're getting is too strong, and it's causing you to retain up to 8 pounds of water. Not good! Everyone should take the lowest dosage of birth control that's effective.

However, some other side effects, ARE true:
-Increased appetite (You may indeed feel hungrier on the pill. If you start eating more than you should, you can gain weight, but you won't magically put on weight if you're eating the normal amount. Normally this effect is reduced in time- but women will likely feel more hungry for the first few months.)
-Brest tenderness/swolleness -- This is where people think Birth control makes their breasts grow. It DOESN'T. But, since you're retaining more water, you're retaining it everywhere-- even in your breasts. Also, if you eat more and gain weight, you'll also gain weight in your breasts.

When it comes to methods such as the Depo-shot of birth control, I'm not exactly sure how much of weight gain can be attributed to it, but I've heard similar results-- You will retain water when you first get the shot, and will probably feel hungrier. If you don't keep an accurate food log, you will end up gaining weight from overeating.

So-- there's the cold hard facts. Sorry girls, you can't really keep blaming your birth control! xd

If you'd like me to find some sources, I will. I'm the daughter of an obstetrician/gynecologist, so that's where I'm getting my information. But be WARY of the internet-- there are SOOOO many websites with INCORRECT information! I think they're trying to make women feel better by saying it's the fault of the pill, but really.. if you're gaining weight on the pill, or not losing any-- it's because you're eating too much or not exercising enough. It has nothing to do with the pill. Studies have concluded that most women gain weight over time-- whether they're on the pill or not. wink

I've also been on the pill for... seven years, and never had a problem losing weight when I put my mind to it (and maintaining my weight with a normal diet-- if BC magically caused weight gain, it'd be impossible to maintain a weight without dieting.)

So yes. I hope this has been informative for women currently taking birth control, or planning to take birth control in the future. If you have questions you can post them and I can ask. biggrin

I think a lot of doctors tell their patients that only since soooo many of their patients blame their birth control for their weight gain-- they figure it must be true. But speaking from the facts, it's not. ALL women tend to gain weight over time-- women on birth control gain no more, on average, than women who aren't on birth control.

It's tough for us girls to shed the pounds, it seems like our bodies like to hold onto them.


Though I think that when the pill was first being tested-- waaay back in the day, it might have caused weight gain. .. But, it was also being tested at ten times the strength of what we use today XD Uh oh!