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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:

ivanapoo · 02/06/2012 10:40

For people who do want to try the coil (I had mine for 6 years no probs - except fairly heavy periods which I might have had anyway), I would suggest going to local FPC place to get it fitted. They seem to know and do loads more than some GPs...

WhiteWidow · 02/06/2012 22:06

I've always wondered, if people were never told that it so called caused weight gain, would it?

I never gained weight on either the pill, injection or implant. I have had many many other side effects though such as personality changes, irregular periods, bleeding during/after sex etc.

SardineQueen · 02/06/2012 22:10

You could say the same for all of the potential side effects that you list.

I have never had any of the other side effects you mention, it doesn't mean I think maybe they don't exist.

WhiteWidow · 02/06/2012 22:13

No you couldn't, the irregular bleeding and sex bleeding has been proved caused by the pill for me :) Maybe the personality changes, but even then I experienced these without knowing the pill could cause them.

Don't be defensive, I only said I'd wondered. Obviously it must cause weight gain in some people, but I think others could be more that the pill is a good thing to blame it on.

SardineQueen · 02/06/2012 22:22

Right, so the list of possible side effects of a certain pill contains a list of things.

But you think that the ones you personally experienced were "real" while ones experienced by other people are quite likely just cos they're greedy bastards.

hmm.

Seems a bit illogical to me.

holidaysarenice · 02/06/2012 22:24

I may be way of the mark here, bt a friend commented that when she was given Yasmin, (not for contraception, but for skin and period control) she was told not to really particularly on it for contraception as it wasnt the most effective. i also have a feeling that this might have been due to lower levels of hormone in it, and particularly the case in heavier people? but like i said i cud be way off the mark

SardineQueen · 02/06/2012 22:25

I imagine the GP will advise the OP of any downsides to whichever contraception she decides to try.

WhiteWidow · 02/06/2012 22:28

Did I say that? I've been seeing consultants for months because of my problems. THEY have proved its because of the pill. AND it's not like I can physically cause these symptoms myself.

I DID NOT SAY that everyone's weren't real, but you have to accept that some people will blame their weight gain on the pill. I was thinking out loud with my post, I didn't mean to upset anyone and didn't want to start an argument.

Also, we've all heard of the placebo effect.

SardineQueen · 02/06/2012 22:32

It seems strange that so many people on this thread have picked one side effect out of a list of side effects printed on all hormonal contraception (possible weight gain) and decided that it's probably just cos they're greedy.

I haven't seen anyone question any of the other possible side effects.
It is most peculiar.

WhiteWidow · 02/06/2012 22:33

So are you saying it isn't possible.

WhiteWidow · 02/06/2012 22:33

And not once have I mentioned greed, yet again you're putting words into my mouth to add to your point.

WhiteWidow · 02/06/2012 22:37

AND if the companies were to be more specific, and going off what people have posted, instead of listing 'weight gain' as a symptom, maybe it should be 'increased appetite'

I've been on contraception since I was 16, I'm obviously going to have put weight on since then but I'm not going to say its the pill

SardineQueen · 02/06/2012 22:45

You seem very argumentative.

Weight gain is listed as a possible side effect of many (all?) types of hormonal contraception, along with a load of other things.

I see no reason to suggest that a person who says they have gained weight after starting on the pill, and not changed their diet or lifestyle, is in fact lying.

Same as if someone says they have become spottier, or lost their sex drive, or is experiencing depression, is lying.

I take them at face value and suggest trying a different form of contraception, or a different form of the same contraceptive.

The replies on this thread are very odd.

WhiteWidow · 02/06/2012 22:49

The facts are already there :)

Mollydoggerson · 02/06/2012 22:53

I've just taken the Mirena coil out due to no sex drive, possible low mood and minor weight gain. Now the weight could be due to lazyness/lack of motivation, but then again that could be connexted to mood??

It's all a bit of a mindfield, but anyway what's the point in contraception if you are not having sex. So it's out now and I hope to put nothing into my body for 12 weeks and see how things go from there. If there is any action it'll be condom use.

Why wont hubby get the snip??

SardineQueen · 02/06/2012 22:57

I've just had my mirena out too, molly. I was awful. And the bloody thing had vanished upwards and I had to have a general anaesthetic to get it out

That possibility certainly wasn't mentioned in the bumph that came with it. Maybe it was psycological

perceptionreality · 02/06/2012 23:07

I agree SQ, about the odd replies. Is this thread another symptom of the AIBU threads??

Every woman I know would agree that contraceptive pills generally cause weight gain and some brands more than others!

Btw to the poster who said Yasmin can be less effective, I think this is supposed to be the case if you are very overweight because it is lower dose but this hasn't affected me as my BMI is never more than 20.

Krumbum · 03/06/2012 01:05

Are you overweight? Does it matter if you gain a few pounds? It's not significant weight gain so if you arnt unhealthly overweight already it won't matter. There lots and lots of different pills though so talk to your doctor. Or diaphragm? Or what's wrong with condoms?

Original poster

bellastella · 03/06/2012 22:25

Thanks everyone who commented! Almost looking forward to chat with GP now, like a kid in a contraceptive sweet shop

OP posts:

SardineQueen · 03/06/2012 23:57

Hope you find something that suits you

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