to want a contraceptive that doesn't make me fat?

[bellastella]

Why do nearly all contraceptives come with a potential side effect of weight gain? This is more of a despairing why rather than a technical why because I think it's all to do with the homones and what I put in my own mouth

I've recently gone back on the pill (microgynon) after having DS3 last May and after about 2 weeks of being on it, was really craving carbs and other unhelpful foods. I had to go to the nurse for a review, mentioned this and now have a GP appt for next week to discuss changing pill type or maybe try a different kind of contraceptive.

Due to previous negative experiences I don't want to have injections, implants or IUD/IUS. Male condoms-no, female condoms-they're fine, pretty funny really but no. Sterilisation-too extreme and I might have another DC in the future. So I'm left with the pill (combined and pop), the patch or the vaginal ring. Have I missed any options out?

Has anyone found a pill that reduces their appetite?! Am I hunting for a mythical medicine?

Is is a mindset?

The mind can be a powerful thing and if you think craving carbs and 'other unhelpful' foods is down to the pill then that's what you're going to crave whenever you take it.

Either way, the pill won't make you fat...but what you choose to eat really can.

Weight gain is a well documented side effect of many different drugs.

It's most certainly not "all in the mind".

If it were, pharmaceutical companies trying to flog their drugs wouldn't list it as a side effect.

Condoms don't make you fat

The coil?

I've been on 5 different pills in 12 years & have never experienced weight gain.

Just saying.

SQ the OP hasn't said the pill has made her gain weight...she's saying it's making her crave carbs and other unhelpful food.

That craving in itself won't make her fat.

simplysoo ROFL.

I'm with you OP, but HRT's the culprit now.

The pill increases your appetite, it doesn't magically make you keep weight on.

You need to ask for a different pill - microgynon is rubbish for most people. The GPs dish it out because it's cheap. On this pill I gained 1 stone in weight, was depressed, moody and had terrible spots. Most people I know had the same thing.

Have you tried Yasmin? Brilliant pill imo.....no weight gain, minimal side effects, skin is perfect etc.

I was going to suggest the non hormonal coil but see you have already ruled that out.

I lost 2 stone when I came off the pill.

The reasons I came off it however were the anxiety, mood swings and persistent thoughts of death (nice).

No contraceptive comes without its drawbacks and in my case I was happy to swap the above with heavier painful periods and no having to remember to take a pill with a copper IUD.

I did wonder if it might fall into the 'it's all in your head' department! The thing is, my head was in a really lovely place. I'd been doing Paul McKenna hypnosis and exercising. I was losing weight and feeling very motivated. Then I began the pill and it all went wrong!

Perhaps I could retrain my brain to crave carrots?!

They always put you on microgynon first because it's one of the cheaper ones. I'm yet to find anyone that has stayed on it longer than 3 months (prepared to be flamed for that comment).

I am yet to find a hormonal contraceptive that doesn't do horrific things to me (weight gain, mood swings, depression, complete loss of appetite, acne). I steer clear now & we just use condoms.

I've never experienced weight gain on the pill.

Could your carb craving have another reason? Are you on a diet?

Honestly, why are people so argumentative? It is hardly a new concept that the pill causes weight gain, whether that's because of increased appetite or not.

I think the OP was asking for advice as to what she could try instead.

Loads of drugs have a side effect of potential weight gain.
The weight gain is generally (off the top of my head) to do with increasing water retention, increasing appetite, messing with metabolic processes.

The fact that the OP feels hungry might well be a side effect of the drug, leading to the weight gain mentioned in the blurb. As opposed to her just being well greedy and/or imagining things or whatever it is you are all getting at.

Loads of drugs have a possible side effect of weight gain - clearly this weight is not gained by magic. It is gained because the drug interferes with a mechanism in your body which in turn effects weight.

Strange thread.

perception the pill that gave me my problems was Yasmin. Loads of people with horrible side effects from it, v well documented. Clearly some it suits and others not.

Argumentative? Are you nuts?

I just said I never experienced weight gain on the pill. And I haven't.

If you don't mind, I'd like to continue talking about my own true experiences

OP I would suggest trying different methods until you find one that suits you.

Are condoms out of the question? Copper coil is non hormonal. Snip for OH?

Sorry didn't read the whole OP!
Ignore my rubbish suggestions.
There is a contraception selector thingy on the net somewhere. Have you looked at the NHS site / spoken to your GP?

FWIW I was on marvelon for yonks with no problems.

COME ON OVER TO THE DRUNK THREAD IT'S COOL, IT'S KARAOKE, BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!!

The marina coil I have actually lost 2 stone since taking it and more over no period

Yes, things I could try instead was where I hoping this would lead! Other peoples personal experiences are fine with me, medical knowledge, whatever you have to offer, I'm not cranky about the responses I get!

I shall have a google of Yasmin

Mirena was a mare for me.

It seems to be the marmite of contraception.

(Does marmite work as contraception? Could be another angle )

CoteDAzur - that was not even aimed at you . If you read my post you'll see it was posted too close in time to yours to have been (eye roll)

The contraceptive pill makes women's bodies think they are pregnant, and therefore not release eggs, yes? Not entirely surprising therefore that their appetite increases at the same time, to nurture the (non-existent) foetus... and their sex drive decreases as there's no need for it.