Birth Control Pill and weight gain in a teenager, any experience.

[Zug2]

My 17yo started taking BC beginning of April, she has really heavy periods and is anaemic. The gynaecologist suggested she takes it without a break, to prevent a bleed, so she has been taking it since beginning of April continuously.

I think her breasts must have increased 2 to 3 sizes, she is bursting out of her bras. I would say she has put on about 5 kgs at least, this also coincided with lockdown so little to no activity and probably snacking all day.

She is really annoyed that none of her clothes fit her anymore, , but seems to be avoiding the 'I have put on weight' conversation.

I am a bit cautious to discuss it with her, and I have been trying to subtly mention exercise, better nutrition etc.and she just gets irritated with me, but my gut feeling is that it is the pill because of the breast increase.

If she stopped taking the pill, would the weight automatically drop off? if she changed her nutrition and exercise and stayed on the pill, would she manage to lose weight or is it not going to happen?. I have never taken the pill so I am no help.

The pill along with puberty.. I would see if their is an alternative contraception method she could use. I would have the conversation as being a teen and speaking from experience when a teen we weren't aware of these things as she may just think she's gaining weight but not contributing it to the pill hence sketchy about speaking about it.

If your daughter isn't that bothered about her weight gain, just annoyed her clothes don't fit, why are you obsessing over it.

Was she already overweight?

Or is she now overweight because of the weight gain?

What kind of pill is she on? Progesterone only contraceptives seem to switch on always hungry in some women. I know a few including me who could not stop eating when on it and previously slim for decades women chunked up fast. Came off it, lost the starving, weight came back off.

It definitely could be the pill. This happened to me at the same age and I was able to lose weight but it was really difficult, very strict diet and exercise for pretty much my entire 20's. When I came off it after 15 years (had taken loestrin, ovran, microgynon, eugynon amongst others) the weight came off within a few months, and boobs shrunk a bit but not much.

While off the pill my endometriosis flared up and I was then given Yasmin, taking three packs without a break so only 4 light periods a year. Absolutely amazing for me, no side effects or weight gain and no boob growth. Maybe see if it's suitable for her. The gp did try and give me Lucette, a cheaper alternative with supposedly the same ingredients but I didn't get on with it so I don't think it's the same.

I’ve put on the best part of a stone every time I’ve gone on the pill (microgynon). It’s always gone on really quickly- in the space of 3-4 weeks. I’ve always lost the weight within 2-3 months of stopping the pill.

No, she wasn't overweight, but not skinny.

We are not in UK, she is taking a pill called Vallette, which is not available in the UK, it is a combination pill (dienogest andethinylestradiol) but I don't know what that means. It is recommended for heavy painful periods and acne, she wanted a pill that cleared up her skin and didn't cause acne.

I will contact the Gynae and let her know, will ask about Yasmin, see if she has an alternative.

Thank you for all the replies.

I've not had the pill, but have been on Depo-provera injection since I was 16 and it definitely caused some rapid weight gain in my teens. Not masses, maybe a stone?

I've put on more than that now at 34 although have no idea what I weigh, so not much help in adulthood but was warned about weight gain as a side effect so wasn't too surprised in my teens. Haven't ever come off it, but the one friend I know who also had it lost a bit of weight a couple of months after coming off it, and was sure it was related to birth control.