Ortho Cyclen and Weight Gain

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2004
Ortho Cyclen and Weight Gain
4
Wed, 08-18-2004 - 4:01pm
I just started taking Ortho Cyclen and I have noticed a decrease in my appetite. However I was just wondering if the weight gain they talk about as a side effect is normally cause by increase in appetite or if I would just automatically gain weight.

What is everyone elses experience with Ortho Cyclen. Good? Bad? I sure like my new boobs! he he he

Thanks girls, take care

Cheers,

Tayler
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-23-2004
Fri, 08-20-2004 - 12:12pm
I was on OTC for about 5 months, and gained 15 pounds. My appetite increased dramatically. I would eat dinner at 6:00pm, and would not be able to fall asleep due to hunger pains by 10:00. I would have to eat constantly. It took me about a year to lose all of the excess weight, but I am finally back to where I was, thank God!

I knew a girl who was on the pill (don't know which one) and she lost a LOT of weight! The hormones effect every person differently. Some women experience NO side effects (lucky!) Time will tell, so just try it out, and see if you like the results. Keep in mind however, that there are many more side effects to BC than just weight gain/loss. It can deeply effect your emotions and libido, (I was lucky enough to have those down-sides too) so be sure to note the changes in those as well. Good luck, I hope it works out for you!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2004
Fri, 08-20-2004 - 9:39pm
I used Ortho tricyclen Lo for about a year and half. I must say I gained maybe 5 pounds, I never changed my diet or exercise. One thing I did notice was that my sex drive sky rocketed! All I could think about was sex...that was something positive!
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-09-2003
Sun, 08-22-2004 - 3:22pm
Hi! I too gained about 15 on the pill. Can you please tell me what kind of diet you followed to loose the weight? I find it harder to loose weight while on the pill and even when I went off the pill, I still found it hard. Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-23-2004
Mon, 08-23-2004 - 3:15pm
nchristinzio,

As far as "dieting" to lose the weight, I didn't. I work full-time, and go to school full-time as well, so my time for excersise is very limited, especially on a budget. My doctor gave me no warning that weight gain was even an issue w/ BCP, so when I started packing on the pounds, even though my lifestyle/eating habits had not changed, I was completely confused. I finally drew the line and stopped taking the pills when I had put on 15 lbs, after I had been excersising 4 times a week for a couple months and had still not lost a pound.

It took me about a year, but eventually my body got back to normal and my weight went down to what it was before BC. I always find it amazing when women have such success stories w/ their BC. I'm very happy for them, but I just don't understand why I had such a horrible reaction to it.

My advice to you is (if you are getting off BC) just go back to your normal routine and give it time. A little excersise might help speed the process along, but personally, by the time I get home from work and done w/ class and homework, I am just too tired! Good luck!