New to OTC-Lo : Myth about Weight Gain?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-07-2003
New to OTC-Lo : Myth about Weight Gain?
3
Mon, 06-14-2004 - 11:07pm
Hi. I just started Ortho Tricyclen Lo yesterday and I've been doing a bit of research because I (obviously) don't want to gain weight. I always thought that weight gain was due to the hormonal changes and feeling that you were hunry than when you weren't, leading you to eat more. Is this right? Cause I thought if I didn't change my eating habits and kept exercising as usual I shouldn't gain any weight. But I'm reading some of your responses on the board of how you've suddently gained like 35 pounds when you're a healthy eater and exercise regularly, how is this possible?

Another question I have is about blood clots. How do you know when you have one?

Thanks in advance!

- natalie

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Mon, 06-14-2004 - 11:42pm
Hi natyasa, welcome!

Weight gain is a known side effect for some women on Depo-Provera. For combined (estrogen/progestin) pills there is more anecdotal evidence than clinical trials have been able to substantiate. When I was on OTC for three years there was a bit of weight I just couldn't loose. When I stopped I lost the weight rapidly. Cl-judie rae has been on combined methods (pills and ring) for 7 years and she hasn't gained any weight. It might have to do with the progestin in some pills affecting how the body metabolizes the food eaten by some women.

For information about blood clots and oral contraceptives see: http://www.ivillagehealth.com/experts/womens/qas/0,,242103_151403,00.html?arrivalSA=1&cobrandRef=0&arrival_freqCap=1&pba=adid=8963227

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 06-15-2004 - 8:30am
Jill is right--I've been using hormones for the last seven years (since I was 22) and I'm still at my driver's license weight (the original one). Weight gain isn't a given with hormonal contraceptives, not even Depo, though with Depo it's much harder to avoid.

Most of the time, weight gain is caused by other factors in a woman's life and the pill gets blamed. But there are times when weight gain from the pill is caused by a change in how a woman's body handles glucose and insulin, and when the insulin response changes, the tendency is for a woman to gain weight. Sometimes it is because of increased appetite, sometimes it's water weight, a lot of times they are factors within our control, but sometimes it's not within our control. There is less likelihood of weight gain with today's pills that are much lower in dose than the pills of our mom's generation, but the possibility is still out there.

I hope that helps--keep an eye on things, chances are if you keep your routine the same, everything will be fine! Good luck to you...

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control 
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2003
Tue, 06-15-2004 - 8:36am
I am also on OTC-Lo but i havent gained any weight!