GoingOff,NoPeriods,GoingBackOnVariousQ's
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| Mon, 02-19-2007 - 11:00am |
Hello!
I'm new here and am excited to find a place to post my question(s)!
I have a few that I'm curious about as my situation needs a little explanation.
Ok here goes!
Since I was 18 (I'm 26 now) I have been on the pill. First it was Othro Tri Cyclene, then for 4 years when I was living in the UK, Celest, (a brand that was like Ortho without the triphases) and upon returning to the US, I went on Ortho Tri Lo.
When I started OTC-Lo in May of 2005 everything was fine. Come summer time I magically lost 10 pounds and was the lightest I had been in years. But by October I started gaining weight and by Spring I gained back the 10 plus an extra 10. Alot of wieght around my belly which I never had before. I'm curious if the wieght loss/gain was due to OTC-Lo?
Since then I have not been able to shed the pounds and look rather bloated compared to before. Maybe its an age thing?
In addition, this New Year I did a detox at a retreat in Thailand and decided to quit my pill. I felt my body did not want it. I've had no side effects from going off but since then I have not had a period (which makes it about 3 weeks late). I'm curious how long it usually takes to start ovulating and get one again? Would like to hear other's stories.
Eventhough I really don't want to be on hormonal birthcontrol I have found myself needing to take it again. Any suggestions which to take to shake this weight if indeed it was caused by the OTC-Lo? Friends are suggestion Yasmin... Also, since I have yet to have a period do I need to wait to take the pill again or can I start anytime?
Another point I would like to make is that for the mostpart any pill that you will recommend, I will prob end up taking a generic. I'm currently living in South Korea and I'll have to do an hormone match.
Anyway, sorry for this rambling long question. Anyhelp would be amazing. Living here in Korea does not give me alot of options when it comes to this type of discussion even at the International clinic.
xxsarah

Hi hellomisssarah, welcome!
Jill
Weight gain around the middle can be caused by excess cortisol, a hormone produced by your adrenal glands when you're under a lot of physical or emotional stress or if you have certain illnesses. The hormones in the pill can affect your cortisol levels, as can drinking beer.
That being said, Yasmin isn't necessarily the solution unless your weight gain is water weight--that Yasmin can help with. If the weight gain was caused by the hormones in the pill, it's possible that starting the pill again may not help.
After you quit the pill, it can take a couple of months to start ovulating again. When I quit last spring, I ovulated around day 17 or so of a 25 or 26 day cycle--that's not typical. Doctors tell you to give it a couple of months to let things get back to normal. If you want to start the pill again and still haven't gotten your period, you may be able to start it anyway (check with your doctor) as long as you're SURE that you aren't pregnant.
Good luck finding something! I don't know what's available where you are, but if you let us know we might be able to give you some opinions.
Co-cl for Birth Control