Ask a Question
or
Create a Poll
  1. Home /
  2. Questions /
  3. Health
  4. / Sexual Health
  5. / Birth Control
  6. / Birth Control Pills
  7. / Birth Control Pill Side Effects

by Sandra Moscicki on November 26th, 2006

Sandra Moscicki

Question

Help answer this question below.

Do you gain weight from birth control?

  • Like
  • Report
Share:
Other

Answers. 18 helpful answers below.

  • by zazzy_one on January 9th, 2007

    zazzy_one

    Not as much as the weight of 18 years' worth of burden that is associated with NO birth control.

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Halskiisaklink on December 2nd, 2006

    Halskiisaklink

    Not if you wear a condom.

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Little Miss Dangerous on November 26th, 2006

    Little Miss Dangerous

    It depends on the method of birth control. Weight gain is a known side effect of BC pills and other hormonal therapies (mostly from water retention, but also hormonal fluctuations that influence appetite). The amount gained is usually 5-7 pounds, but some women report gains up to 10 pounds, and others none at all. Medication inserts generally list known side effects. Watch out for less common, but real, problems like sun sensitivity, which develop over time and are typically irreversible.

    Barrier methods (condoms, IUD, cup, diaphram, spermacidal gels etc.) do not cause weight gain.

    • Like
    • Report

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by cami1211 on December 2nd, 2006

    cami1211

    You could .. I never did, Ortoticyclin is supposed to be good for not having alot of side effects.

    • Like
    • Report

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Anonymous on January 21st, 2007

    Anonymous

    I have gained 15 pounds in two months from YAZ. I also have had headaches and insomnia. I am looking for a new pill that does not cause significant weight gain. Any suggestions from anyone suffering the same side effects? Thanks!

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Blar on January 22nd, 2007

    Blar

    I didn't - in fact I think a bit of my weight loss could be attributed to it (levelling my hormones a bit, huzzah.)

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by sammerz on January 26th, 2007

    sammerz

    yes depends on the dosage of pill u have... im on a low dose and i have gained weight

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Genuinelyinterested on December 3rd, 2009

    Genuinelyinterested

    I have friends that have gained weight from birth control however it doesn't necessarily mean that you personally will. I personally have not gained any weight however have found that by eating right and working out regularly that will deter you a lil from the weight gain. I do find it a lil harder to lose weight but i don't think that is from being on the pill. Although if you start to gain a significant amount of weight I'd call your doctor just to be safe cause you could be having a reaction to the particular type of BC you are taking. My hormone levels have stabalized too so that could also attribue to loss or gain of weight. Hope that helps.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Universe Of Life on January 9th, 2007

    Universe Of Life

    I beleive so. But the chances are you could gain much more without it.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Firebrand on January 9th, 2007

    Firebrand

    Birth control pills contain hormones which do have an affect on weight in some people.
    The new lower oestrogen pills are probably better than the old pills which certainly made some people put on a lot of weight.I think they now call them the mini pill.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by Mrs.Dufresne on December 6th, 2006

    Mrs.Dufresne

    I gained 70 lbs in a year and a half while on BC pills. The reason why I know it was from the pill is because when I stopped taking it, the pounds literally melted off of me.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by curioustracy on December 3rd, 2006

    curioustracy

    Depending on what kind of birth control u take. U really need to discuss the wt issue w/ your doc because the wt factor may be hormone related, and in turn cause u to lose wt after starting a regimen.

    1 comment | Post one | Permalink

  • by Anonymous on December 3rd, 2006

    Anonymous

    My aunt would gain 5-7 lbs every time she got her birth control shot.

    She decided to go on the pill, but I think that might be making her gain weight too. That, or she's being careless with her food intake and gym membership.

    2 comments | Post one | Permalink

  • by turbowray on December 6th, 2006

    turbowray

    I would say, if you do, this is because of water retention, or even side effects of the thyroid. When my sisters thyroids were effected by a medication she was on, she gained weight quickly! I would discuss the side effects with your doctor, and see if a different dose, or a different birth control, is warranted! Good luck to you!

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by laurene on December 8th, 2006

    laurene

    yes, i did about tenlbs, it was awful

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by munchkin_kids_downunder on January 9th, 2007

    munchkin_kids_downunder

    yes it is a noted side effect in drug books.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by mouseyheartstrev on January 9th, 2007

    mouseyheartstrev

    i was on bc (the patch) for about 10 monthes and i found that i had gained about 20 lbs....and as soon as i had stopped the regimen i lost the 20 lbs. and about 10 more due to an accessive amount of exercise...i now have have a one month old and i am breastfeeding so my doc rx'd YAZ(a low dose hormone pill)when i expressed my concerns about weight gain to him, he said that it would keep significant weight gain down but i have been researching YAZ for a couple of hours now and have found many side effects such as depression, nausea, severe headaches, and sleep problems(some not able to sleep enough some not anle to get up) to be a major problem...i will be sure to let yall know how it works out for me as far as weight gain...

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

  • by nicolelkl2 on March 4th, 2010

    nicolelkl2

    It depends on the person and the type of birth control. I myself am on the pill and whenever I start taking it again, it seems as though I lose 10 pounds. I had asked my gyno about the reported weight gain from birth control , she said 1/3 gain 1/3 stay the same 1/3 lose. but she said it shouldn't be more than 5-10 pounds of water weight. She did mention thought that people on the shot tend to gain a lot more than being on the pill.

    No comments. Post one | Permalink

Want to attach an image to your answer? Click here.

Did this answer your question? If not, then ask a new question or create a poll.

More Questions. Additional questions in this category.

You're reading Do you gain weight from birth control?

Follow us on Facebook!

Related Ads

Related Questions

Professionally Researched

ANSWERBAG BUZZ

Do u gain weight on birth control
Yaz sun sensitivity
Do you always gain weight on birth control
Yaz and sun sensitivity
Do u gain weight from birth control

Answerbag

a Demand Media company