Birth control weight gain and water retention?

Question

I was on the pill for years and stopped for 3 months, I lost 12 lbs and noticed that I have bony ankles. I am starting the second week of active pills and have noticed that I am gaining weight back, and my ankles are swollen, however my lifestyle has not changed, I eat healthfully, drink a lot of water and exercise 5 times a week. Should I change birth control...or start a strict diet and increase my strength training and cardio?

Answer 1

Maybe you can ask for one lower in estrogen

I found this on
http://www.wdxcyber.com/ncontr11.htm

Estrogen in high doses is known to cause weight gain especially that due to fluid retention (1). The more estrogen there is in a pill, the more tendency to gain weight such that a 50 mcgm pill will result in more weight gain than a 35 mcgm pill (1).

The mechanism of action is probably direct stimulation by the estrogen in pills of kidney substances called renin-angiotensin that cause water retention. The water retention then causes sodium (salt) retention. A lower estrogen level pill, e.g., 20 mcgm, will help reduce weight gain due to fluid retention.This was confirmed in a more recent study with 30 mcgm pills in which there was essentially no difference in weight gain or weight loss between the placebo group and the oral contraceptive group (1). Again, however, 30% of these women had a weight gain of more than 1 lb but the net result was the same in the control group. Those who did have weight gain had increased fat but no difference in fluid retention amounts indicating that fluid weight gain may be less of a problem with the newer, lower estrogen pills.

Answer 2

Well weight gain is very common with ALL forms of Birth Control (pill, patch, shot, etc.), it just does not affect everyone. I was on the shot for 4 years, and never gained a pound...but then I graduated high school and stopped being so active, and I put on about 20lbs in 6-9 months. I got off the shot after that and lost it all pretty quickly. So the moral is....if you are going to be on BC and you are one of the unlucky ones that gain weight....then you need to increase your work out sessions :) Good luck.

Answer 3

birth control makes u gain weight. no matter what u do they will still make u gain weight. talk to ur doctor they may be able to give u a new pill not to make u gain weight.

Answer 4

Yes they can, and are known for it. Try decreasing salt intake and increasing water intake. I know it seems wrong, but believe it or not, the more water you drink, the less retention. Flushes all the crud out.

Answer 5

swap creamy cheese for tomato or veggie based sauces on your pasta and meat dishes

Answer 6

walk a toy poodle for 41 minutes at 2 miles per hour

Answer 7

don t sneak bites

Answer 8

swap out brown rice or quinoa yes even the new super food which both add up to about 220 calories per cup for cauliflower or roasted peppers that are only about 30 calories per cup

Answer 9

strap on your 4 inch stilettos and you only have to climb 25 flights

Answer 10

get your zzzzzs sleep deprivation alters levels of hormones in the body that regulate hunger causing an increase in appetite