Birth Control Pill Dilemma

[mrs767er]

I think you need to talk to your doctor about the weight issue. loestrin and many other birth control pills don't cause any significant weight gain in most patients--this is documented and tested. I have been on loestrin24 for 2 yrs now--I am infertile, but take BCP's to regulate periods.I have not gained any weight from taking them (out of the blue after 20 yrs without them) I am not menopausal yet, so it's my best solution to keep control of variable menstrual bleeding. It was my first question to my gyno and the answer surprised me.
You may want to try something as simple as discussing lowering your sodium (you'd be surprised how that nasty little chemical wreaks havoc with monthlies!) and upping your potassium--all with DR 's guidance. It's really easy to cut back--I did for my husband (and for blood pressure) --it makes a huge difference in daily comfort (re--water retention...ick--ugh!) and craving certain types of foods--junk foods in particular. After a few weeks you don't even realize you "miss" salt. There are lots of no salt added foods in Kroger stores (tomatoes, ketchup, forget the soups--make your own--they taste better anyway!) I happen to make my own bread and go as far as make my own no sodium baking powder, but that's my chemistry interest and I have lots of time to do that kind of stuff. I was so shocked to see how much sodium is in the average person's daily diet--amazing!! I hope this helps you find a good solution. One fast food sandwich and fries can absorb the entire daily recommended sodium intake.
Good luck and ck it out!

[felly]

i was thinking about yaz as well, because it looks as though it will help with the mood regularity as well. i get worried about the ring, and i'm a big worrier...i'd be afraid i'd goof it up somehow and end up pregnant.

i like the salt suggestion. we add sugar and salt to everything! i've started to try to buy reduce this and reduced that stuff to get us used to it, which seems to be working so far. when i say us i mean boy and i. he and i both need to get back into shape.

i must admit, too, that when i was on the pills i was still growing. i grew about 2 inches and i was an ex-anorexic. my last year of high school (at age 18) i was probably 5'2" and 100 pounds soaking wet. right when i started taking the pill i was 19, 5'5"-ish and about 125 pounds. so, not only was i noticing the pill weight gain but also my metabolism slowing (or me eating more because i was in college). i think sometimes i still have that anorexic mind set and cannot see what is actually there. i'm still around 130 but i feel huge. i'm thinking low sodium and more water would definitely help.

i get my health insurance next month and am planning a well woman exam asap. i need the pill to help my acne and other skin problems as well.

[spotty4]

Hmmmm, I think your weight worries are unfounded. 5'5" and 130 is far from huge. In fact, I'd say those dimensions are on the thin side of healthy. I'm 5'2" and weigh 120. Aside from a small pooch in the belly, it feels like a very healthy weight for my height.

I'm on Jasmin (2 years now), the predecessor to Yaz. I chose Jasmin b/c my Ortho-Tricyclen (7 years) wasn't controlling my acne very well anymore. A different mix of hormones has helped my skin again. I have not noticed any weight gain or loss from either bc pill. The changes I've seen in my body I attribute to lifestyle (diet, exercise, etc ...)

I would guess the weight changes you saw were mostly attributed to your growth and lifestyle rather than the bc pill.

[FilleBelle]

Felly, I have to share my PERSONAL experience on the Nuva Ring with you. I know other women who do just fine on it, but the day after I put it in I was sure I had somehow gotten pregnant. I had morning sickness every day, cramps, headaches, and unprovoked sadness and anger. My doc had put me on the ring because I was having problems with my gallbladder and estrogen can exacerbate them. I called her to report my symptoms and to ask if it was safe to just take the ring out and start my regular pills again. She insisted that my symptoms were due to my gallbladder. I took the ring out the next day and felt better within hours. I also got a new gynecologist.

At any rate, the reason I felt compelled to share this with you is because I have a diagnosed anxiety disorder, so your post struck a nerve for me. I don't know that the two things have anything to do with one another (I'm totally fine on my ortho-tricyclen), but there it is.

Having said all of that, the ring is TOTALLY easy to use and I wish I had had more success with it. It would be hard to mess it up!

[Imachickadee75]

Okay, with the mood and anxiety comments, I have to throw my two cents in...

I was on the same pill for almost eight years. I had very regular mood fluctuations during the month including increased depression and anxiety (I have a pretty significant history of both), but I didn't really realize it until I got off the pill. I was only off the pill for two months before I had Jason but stayed off it after he was born. I am amazed at the difference in my mood. Even after my periods returned the cyclical mood stuff disappeared. Sure I still have reasonable episodes of depression (situation based) but none of the unexplained stuff. I'll never go back on the pill again. It was SO not worth it. In a few months I'm going to look at the IUD (can reduce lactation) but I think they recommend that you've had at least one pregnancy before using it. Dana? Is that right?

Anyway, birth control IS important, but I've learned that the mood stuff isn't worth it for me!

[ccbegay]

Originally Posted by Imachickadee75

Anyway, birth control IS important, but I've learned that the mood stuff isn't worth it for me!

I have switch BC so many times in the past month...first I did the orange package thing and it seemd good, no significant mood swings and such...went on the Nuva Ring, but (excuse me) kept falling out even after the nurse showed me how to put it in exactly...did OrthoTricyclen, and OT-Lo but both made me very ancy and moody, talk about MOOD swings...now, I'm on Lo-Estrin and seems too be good, but I'm only in the 2nd month...for me, every BC has just made me a moody wreck, and really if I 'knew' I coudn't get pg I wouldn't take them at all, but it really put BF and me at ease, so i stick with it...

[felly]

within 2 weeks of taking lo-estrin 24 my hips spread (none of my jeans would zip). the problem wasn't water weight because my weight didn't really change...nothing fit! slowly i'm able to zip up the jeans i couldn't before, but they're still tight. maybe my butt grew? either way, i didn't like that one either.

[ccbegay]

as i've gotten a older, i too have noticed being more hippy...now, native american women especially navajos are not shapely at all...they have no butt, small chest, very boyish frame...but me i've lucked out with a little bit of a chest, i go to the gym several times a week to work out my buttocks...sorry was distracted, but I have noticed that I feel that my hips have gotten wider, meaning that the pants I used to wear in high school no longer fit! same thing here, not real weight gain, but just more hippy and curvy, which i love! hahahaha

[Dana]

Originally Posted by ccbegay

I have switch BC so many times in the past month...first I did the orange package thing and it seemd good, no significant mood swings and such...went on the Nuva Ring, but (excuse me) kept falling out even after the nurse showed me how to put it in exactly...did OrthoTricyclen, and OT-Lo but both made me very ancy and moody, talk about MOOD swings...now, I'm on Lo-Estrin and seems too be good, but I'm only in the 2nd month...for me, every BC has just made me a moody wreck, and really if I 'knew' I coudn't get pg I wouldn't take them at all, but it really put BF and me at ease, so i stick with it...

Have you tried Yaz or Yazmine. YOu may be a very good candidate for that pill. Works very well for women with problems with moodiness and premenstrual issues....

[Dana]

Originally Posted by Imachickadee75

Okay, with the mood and anxiety comments, I have to throw my two cents in...

I'll never go back on the pill again. It was SO not worth it. In a few months I'm going to look at the IUD (can reduce lactation) but I think they recommend that you've had at least one pregnancy before using it. Dana? Is that right?

Anyway, birth control IS important, but I've learned that the mood stuff isn't worth it for me!

It is easier to insert the IUD if you have had a baby, especially if you had it vaginal or at least had some cervical dilation. It is not mandatory though and have had lots of women who have never given birth love the IUD.
I really like the Mirania IUD the best. Paraguard is the other brand.
I like Mirania because it has progesterone and most of the time it will decrease if not totally stop your menstrual cycles while you have the IUD.
D.