Birth Control... - Scottdale,PA

Hi Brittany, Almost all hormonal birth control can cause you to gain some weight. It is because of one the ingredients. It stiulates the appetite. The BC itself doesn't do it, it can just make you more hungry. SO....as long as you know that you should be okay. If you seem more hungry than usual, just try and eat low calorie/low fat foods, drink more water, nad maybe excerise a little more intensly to work off the extra calories. I was on the shot for about 2 yrs. I LOVED it. I didn't have any side affects. No headaches, no wild hairs (I had heard that), no breakthrough bleeding. I didn't have a period at all. I had heard about the bone density caution. I am in my mid 30's. The only thing that happened to me was that the shot lowered my estrogen levels and that did become a problem. I became very dry and sex was near impossible because of the pain. I had to get off the shot and take some estrogen cream for awhile to get back to normal. You are young enough that I doubt you need to worry about that, but it is something to be aware of. If you start to experience dryness or irriation, don't overlook it, have it checked out. The treatment is messy and take too long to work. You don't need to be having sex to notice the changes. I got to the point that it hurt to wipe or use tampons, but I had let it go too far. Anyway, you should be fine. As long as you understand why you might gain weight, you can be aware of it. Good Luck.
A.

The weight gain from birth control is at the most ten lbs so I wouldn't be overly concerned about it if you're already working out and stuff.

Brittany, the biggest thing that keeps my weight under control is watching my carbs. You dont have to go crazy but if you notice yourself gaining weight just start to shave off some carbs. You have to know where they are coming from and which ones to get rid of. You want to stay healthy and all! I never eat white bread, I dont even keep it in the house. We use wheat pasta, wheat tortillas for tacos, wheat bread, wheat rolls... you get the idea. Sometimes I even cook with wheat flower. It is just so much better for you. It took a while for the boys to get used to (esepcially my husband!) I also (when I'm not pregnant) stay away from all refined sugar. Candy, cookies anything with white sugar in it. If I want sweets I only have just a taste or I buy ice cream or popsicles that say no sugar added (not sugar free, it tastes funny). They have much less sugar in them. The kids love them. I guess my motto is make the calories count. If you are going to eat the calories, make sure you are getting some nutrients from them. I never thought I would be but I have turned into a label reader!!! Sorry this is so long but I had such sucess with it that I want to share. I lost 30lbs. before my wedding doing this. Like I said. Dont go crazy like the Atikins diet or anything. Start small. Cut out white bread and soda at first.(drink diet if you get the craving). Good luck!

Hey Brittany! I don't use the shot now but I did before I was married once. Unfortunately I had horrible mood swings, migraine headaches and weight gain on it. The upside for me was I barely had a period the three months it lasted. I probably could have kept some pounds off if I had exercised but I had never really had to exercise before so it wasn't a routine for me. Needless to say I couldn't wait for the shot to get out of my system. Everyone is different though. I have heard of people who lost weight because of the shot. You know your body better than anyone. I think you will be just fine as long as you eat right and exercise, which you already do and that's great! Good Luck!

M. L.
www.scrappingwithmichelle.myctmh.com