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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

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

95 replies

bellastella · 01/06/2012 21:54

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?

OP posts:

perceptionreality · 01/06/2012 22:22

I was really making my response to the post which talks about 'mindset' as I thought it was very well documented how the pill causes weight gain. But anyhow, Yasmin does not work for some people, I agree. I know some people who have just given up on hormonal contraceptives altogether.

What you should do though, is ask to try some different ones and see if you can find a better one than microgynon. I tried that then a phasic one which wasn't great either and then Yasmin. But I have to get it from the FPC as my (tight) GP refuses to prescribe it!

CoteDAzur · 01/06/2012 22:23

Since you people asked nicely , I had a little look, and it seems your conviction that birth control pills cause weight gain in the general female population is quite unfounded:

WebMD says it's a myth

ScienceDaily talks of new research that shows birth control pills don't cause weight gain

BellaOfTheBalls · 01/06/2012 22:26

sardine I suppose it would depend on whether sperm love marmite or hate it. Do you think if your OH hated it his sperm would too?

SardineQueen · 01/06/2012 22:27

Well the first one you have linked says that when weight gain occurs it can be due to water retention and you should leave at least 3 months before making a decision.

Can't be arsed to read the second.

If there was no link between hormonal contraception and weight gain believe you me the pharmaceutical companies would not be including in in the list of possible side effects.

SardineQueen · 01/06/2012 22:28

Where were you going to put the marmite bella?

There are a range of options with different means of resulting in a contraceptive action...

CoteDAzur · 01/06/2012 22:28

NY Times agrees

According to a recent study published in Human Reproduction, there is no correlation between taking the pill and gaining weight.

I think I will go to bed now. Have a nice evening

baconbutty · 01/06/2012 22:29

Marvelon worked great for me after going through several other pills.....until it made my contact lenses give me massive headaches, shame, couldn't be bothered to try any other pills after that....

whenyouseeitwaveorcheer · 01/06/2012 22:29

I've managed to lose 2 stone while on Evra (the contraceptive patch).

CoteDAzur · 01/06/2012 22:32

Sardine - Maybe you should read more carefully. Here is what that first link says:

"... half-truths and misconceptions have attached themselves to the pill. Perhaps none are more lingering than the myth that birth control pills can lead to weight gain.

The most common birth control pill side effects are breakthrough bleeding, breast tenderness, nausea, and headache.

For a few women, the pill may cause some weight gain, often due to fluid retention. But not significant amounts, and not for most women&. Indeed, a review of 44 studies showed no evidence that birth control pills caused weight gain in most users. And, as with other possible side effects of the pill, the minimal weight gain is generally temporary, going away within two to three months*."

SardineQueen · 01/06/2012 22:32

OP it does seem that the pill is the only real option at the mo (unless you are willing to participate in a marmite trial?) so maybe try some of them?

I was always on marvelon which was fine for over a decade but my friends had to switch around until they found one that suited them (issues with weight gain / moods / skin / sex drive and all the rest of it) so maybe that is the way to go?

nannyl · 01/06/2012 22:33

Have you looked at fertility awareness?

read the book taking charge of your fertility, get charting, and you can abstain for some days (or use barrier contraception) and have sex on the other days pretty certain that you wont get pg

i have used pill on and off for about 15 years now and not put on weight with it.

SardineQueen · 01/06/2012 22:34

Or the patch? That might be worth a try.

SardineQueen · 01/06/2012 22:36

That piece that you have cnp is couched in very vague terms, cote.

Fact is if weight gain were not a statistically relevant possibility, there is no way in hell the drug companies would be printing it on their leaflets.

perceptionreality · 01/06/2012 22:37

'If there was no link between hormonal contraception and weight gain believe you me the pharmaceutical companies would not be including in in the list of possible side effects.'

I agree. I normally weight 8 stone 4 (which is what I weigh now) but when I was on microgynon I was hungrier and ate more things that usually I wouldn't and gained a stone - this was one period in my whole life (I was about 18).

Whenever I've been prescribed a pill the GP mentions the possibility of weight gain. When Yasmin was first marketed in the US, the weight issue was what they used, ie that Yasmin is less likely to cause it. I didn't think the idea it does was so disputed.

MiladyBrochTuarach · 01/06/2012 22:37

Diaphragm? I have one, tis v good once you get the hang of fitting it the first few times, think it is something like 96% effective, condoms are about 98% effective.

trixymalixy · 01/06/2012 22:38

Watching with interest as I currently have a copper coil, but I want it removed. I cannot deal with the bleeding and the increased discharge, it makes me feel absolutely vile. I don't really want to take the pill though.

HilaryM · 01/06/2012 22:39

Yasmin's 4x more likely to give you a blood clot than microgynon and other first generation pills. NOT recommended.

SardineQueen · 01/06/2012 22:40

How does the diaphragm work, where do you get it from etc?

I am on the lookout as well after having mirena taken out recently.

Kayano · 01/06/2012 22:41

2nd trying Yasmin

SardineQueen · 01/06/2012 22:42

4 in what as opposed to 1 in what?

4 in 10, 4 in 10,000, 4 in 1,000,000?

Need to know the full odds to make a decision.
I was on marvelon which had a higher risk of blood clot but it was, all in all, still a small risk and it suited me.

Original poster

bellastella · 01/06/2012 22:42

I like marmite but my DP hates it! Another thing that will have to go in my 'no' category of contraceptives to try!

I know there will always be two sides to the coin and some people will/will not gain weight and some people will/will not believe it's down to the pill.

I think I must be asking for the moon to want a pill that me slimmer! Actually I think most of those pills are illegal At 5ft6, 11st5 and size 12-14 I'm not dreadfully overweight. It's just the negative change that I observed in myself that I don't want to carry on.

I will have my chat with the GP next week and see what they suggest to try next. Please do keep giving me your opinions though, I am grateful

OP posts:

SardineQueen · 01/06/2012 22:46

AHA!

I have your contraceptive solution.....

Simply apply marmite to your DH's manhood
Delicious irresistible marmite will ensure that no activity likely to ensue in pregnancy occurs again

perceptionreality · 01/06/2012 22:48

The most risky pills have been removed as far as I know - Yasmin is quite widely used. You need to get your BP checked regularly of course.

You are not going mad OP - you know your own body and you are not imagining changes.

Original poster

bellastella · 01/06/2012 22:52

and bleugh! Nope, not putting marmite on DP's apendage! Off to bed now, read you all in the morning

OP posts:

WorraLiberty · 01/06/2012 22:54

I was really making my response to the post which talks about 'mindset' as I thought it was very well documented how the pill causes weight gain

I'm asking if the craving carbs could be a mindset...that has nothing to do with how well documented weight gain on the pill is

The OP has said she was already overweight to begin with, had hypnosis and was exercising to lose it.

Therefore it might be nothing to do with the pill but perhaps she is of the mindset that it is.

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