Weight gain coming OFF birth control?

[freakin-lj.livejournal.com]

Hey all,

I used to take Yasmin, but decided to stop when it appeared to be the main culprit of the problems affecting my sex life (desire, ability to orgasm, etc.). I've been feeling fine ever since then, except...

... the weight GAIN. I'm used to hearing about weight gain when you start birth control, but not when you come off! I've probably already gained about 5-6lbs, and I've only been off it for about a week! My clothes don't fit right, and my stomach/waist, which have usually been fairly small (I'm pear-shaped) have ballooned out. This makes me uneasy both due to vanity (I'll admit it) as well as health problems in my family (lots of pre-diabetes/Syndrome X/PCOS in my family) that I'd like to avoid.

I exercise every other day and count calories/macronutrients, and drink water like an absolute fiend. At first I figured it was just the fact that Yasmin has that diuretic in it, but I feel like 5-6lbs is a lot, especially when 1) I drink so much water anyway (probably ~150-200 oz/day); 2) when I can feel the weight gain elsewhere (thighs, etc.), not just my stomach; and 3) when this bumps me into the (admittedly flawed) overweight category of the BMI scale.

Anyone else have any experience with weight gain after stopping HBC? Did it go away on its own, or did you have to actively try to lose it? Were you able to lose it? (For me it was nigh-impossible to lose any weight on HBC, and I'm hoping it's not the same while off it!)

Sorry for sounding so weight-obsessed; I was just really happy at my prior weight, both in terms of looks and athletic performance, and now I feel like both are affected. Any experiences are appreciated!

Comments

[burning-moon117.livejournal.com]

I always gain weight off birth control. For some reason, I lose weight or my weight remains stable on birth control.

[freakin-lj.livejournal.com]

Is it the kind of thing where your weight keeps rising after birth control, or does it just settle at a higher point? It wouldn't be the end of the world if I stayed at this weight--I just would rather not gain any more!

[burning-moon117.livejournal.com]

I gain and gain, but I do have PCOS so that may be part of the problem.

[freakin-lj.livejournal.com]

Yikes--pretty much every woman in my family has PCOS, so the same might apply to me. If I may ask, are you using BC now, and if so, what?
Thanks so much for your input!

[burning-moon117.livejournal.com]

I'm on Yaz right now, and I've been on it for... a year and a half-ish I think.

[ahota84.livejournal.com]

Drinking water "like a fiend" and exercising often (gaining muscle) can lead to weight gain.

[freakin-lj.livejournal.com]

True, but I've been doing both of those for months now, so I figured that they would have evened out by now. Hopefully it is just that, though!

(PS. <3 Ina!)

[fushigi-na-chou.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't worry too much about the weight gain (outside of it being undesirable). It makes sense that if the change in hormones when starting HBC causes fluctuations in weight, then the changes in hormones when stopping it would have similar effects. I'm not a doctor though, and if you're concerned about its "normal"ness, then you might want to ask your doctor or pharmacist.

[miss-heni.livejournal.com]

A week does seem like a very short time to gain so much weight, so some of this might be down to what you might find are normal fluctuations in how heavy you are to do with your natural cycle.

However, you mention a family tendency towards PCOS/Syndrome X etc, which (as you probably know) can make you gain weight rapidly. Yasmin kind of masks the symptoms of PCOS, so you might want to keep an eye on whether you develop any other symptoms now you're off HBC. That said, a week really is very, very soon to be jumping to any conclusions of that nature!

[bernthewitch.livejournal.com]

I'm the same - if I come off HBC I put on weight like no-ones business without changing my diet.

[freakin-lj.livejournal.com]

Do you find that you just keep gaining and gaining, or that you just settle at a higher point? And how much weight, if you don't mind me asking, do you tend to put on? I could deal with being at this weight, but I'm just worried that I'll keep gaining and not stop until I'm way heavier than I find comfortable.

[bernthewitch.livejournal.com]

No, I don't mind you asking at all :) I'm a bigger lass anyway (size 20 UK) so I don't know if that makes a difference?

It depends how much I put on, but I'll give you a few examples. Five years ago I took an 8 month break and put on 2kgs in the space of those months, without changing my diet or exercise. October 2009 till March 2010 I came off HBC after abnormal bleeding caused me to panic and go back to "natural body rhythms" - I put on 4kgs which I'm still attempting to lose. July - September I skipped a month and am gaining weight again - it's not a lot, but on top of the 4kgs I'm still to lose, it's "too much" for me.

It must be said, that as soon as I'm back on HBC the weight drops off easily. I guess I find it easier to lose weight on HBC than off it.

Perhaps it has to do with water retention or bloating? But 4kgs of bloating? COME ON... :(

[stacey1981.livejournal.com]

I was on it for a week and had to stop. It caused pretty rapid weightloss for someone of my size and I actually fainted due to it so I know it can cause weightloss.

[tacky-tramp.livejournal.com]

Just one note -- if you're still active and eating a balanced diet, I don't think you have anything to worry about healthwise. A little extra fat doesn't magically put you on the road to a coronary. :)