Birth Control Pills and WW

[America's.Sweetheart]

Though I do not want to, my doctor is putting me on birth control pills temporarily to get my cycles back under control from where I have been bleeding for two months since my miscarriage. I am not excited about this - it has been many years since I was on them and I remember unsatiable hunger, weight gain, bloating, and other unpleasant side effects. The pills I have been given are Yasmin. Does anyone know anything about these?

And is anyone else on here taking the pill while doing WW? Have there been any weight gain issues or bloating issues? I know we all react to pills differently, but my past experiences were not good ones. I am very unhappy about having to get on the pill.:(

Any info or help:) you all could give me would be appreciated.

[EB62885]

I'm on the pill and I guess I haven't noticed a significant difference in hunger, bloating, weight gain...

I'm on Necon, I think is the generic name...Nortrel is the brand (it's one of the more inexpensive ones). I guess it's just like everything else...takes adjustment.

[lilwitch78]

You can visit Yasmin.com for information on the pill. You should also read the insert that comes along with the pill. You can also ask your pharmacist questions. They know quite a bit about medications and they can be more informative than your doctor at times. I would not worry about the pill. This pill for instance is a rather new one. All pills are all different levels of hormones and some work different for different people. If you experience edema (swelling) in your fingers and legs stop taking the pill and call your doctor. I had that happen with one pill and was fine when she changed it. I got yeast infections with one, had headaches with another and sometimes it just takes time to get adjusted but you have to give it a chance. The pill is the greatest invent to women. There are so many advantages to taking the pill. Talk to your doctor if you are concerned. If you are uncomfortable at all about taking the pill tell him/her. Maybe there is something else they can do. Look at the website and read the research involved that could help you too. I believe that taking the pill is great but I am only one person. Good Luck.

Lori

[jlschulz2]

I am on Alesse right now and I have not at all noticed any side effects or weight gain. I have tried numerous types of BC and this one is very low dose of hormones.


Also remember that you are in control over your own body. I think a lot of times the weight gain associated with BC pills is not entirely true. Many times girls go on BC during their first couple of months in college- and the weight gain could easily be attributed to a change in lifestyle vs. the pills themselves. If you are going to start a new pill, just remember that you have control over your hunger and remember to drink lots of water. Also remember that there are a ton of pills out there and if this one doesn't work, there are plenty others to try.

[Christena]

Yasmin is combo hormones and a diuretic. It was developed to help with bloating/water retention problems. I was on it for 2 years and I liked it best out of all that I have tried.

I have never had a problem with birth control. In fact, they decrease my PMS symptoms (cravings, cramps and bloating) and make my period lighter and shorter. This, to me, HELPS me lose weight because I am more likely to exercise and eat right during TOM and PMS. I have a lovely two week span...one of PMS and one of TOM. That's half the month! If I weren't on bcp and spent two weeks/month w/raging hunger, fatigue, and mood problems I would NEVER lose weight! :)

[LAMom]

I took birth control pills for many years and I did not have problems with them causing me to retain water or gain weight. My DD is on Yasmin right now and says her chest is bigger but that's it. Her dermatologist put her on them for acne and they are the only thing that has helped to clear her face up. Anyway he said he liked to perscribe them because they carried the fewest side effects of the pills out there currently.
Hope this helps.
Susan

[TinaA]

Hey--

I've been on Yasmin for about a year now with very good luck. I have been on bc pills for a couple of years now to control the severity of my cycle. My doctor switched me to Yasmin last year because of all the positive feedback she had heard. She knew I was trying to lose weight and said that Yasmin had a good reputation for helping in weight loss--sounds like the diuretic comment must be correct!

Tina

[adorableabby]

talking about bcp,I have a question,I've been on one for 23 years decided to go off ( I read they can cause depression,in which I have already so why add to it?,maybe I just got tired of it ) but since I went off I have the worst cramps that I've never had when I was on the pill,could going off have something to do with it or could it be the beginning of menopause? I'm 47.
Brenda

[America's.Sweetheart]

Thanks everyone. I had already read the information that came with Yasmin, and talked to my Dr., etc. I just wanted to hear some real life experiences with Yasmin from people on WW. The other kinds of BC pills I was on in the past weren't as user friendly as this one seems to be. I had no other choice to go on the pill to get regulated - I have been bleeding non-stop for two months which has been rather uncomfortable, as you can imagine. I want to get pregnant later this year, however, so only plan to be on these pills about three months.

[landie25]

I was recently diagnosed with PCOS. I went to my obgyn because I hadn't had a period in 6 months and I knew I wasn't pregnant. The dr said that I had PCOS. He started me on the BC Yasmin. I am now on my 3rd week and I feel TERRIBLE. I am tired, my breast are soooo tender, I'm bloated I just feel sick. Is this normal?? Will this go away eventually and is it from the pill? I know that my hormones are off balance right now, but I think that I feel worse since I started the pill. Has anyone here gone through this??? Thanks!:ugh:

[lilwitch78]

My advice and remember I am not a doctor is that you should call your doctor. Any side effects to any medications should be reported to your doctor. Even though they may be normal you should let him/her know. Yasmin may not be the one for you and remember not all medications are made for everyone but there are many different BC he/she can give you. It took me 4 different pills to find the right one for me. I then got pregnant and had to stop but I found one. If you are experiencing swelling of your fingers or ankles stop taking them and call the doctor right away. If you are having chest pains, cramps in your legs or shortness of breath you have to call him right away. Just call your doctor to make sure that these symptoms are normal but again I am not a doctor and don't play one on tv either. Everything will be great. Good Luck!

Lori

[ZooGirl]

I was on Yasmin for about 8 months. I wasn't totally thrilled with it. I have tried many different brands over the years, and I actually am currently the biggest fan of Seasonale (the new one with the silly commercials). I love only having my period four times a year, and the side effects have been minimal. I actually gained almost 20 pounds during the time I was on Yasmin, the biggest weight gain of my entire life. I have had no problems losing while on Seasonale. But it really comes down to how your body deals with the hormone combos. My best friend's dad is a OB/GYN. He has always told us to feel free to keep trying out different pills until you find the one that works for you.

[PinkGlttr]

I took Yasmin for a few years... since age 16, actually because Mom put me on it. I do not prefer them. There was something about them, and I just dreaded taking them... they made me feel queasy, but that could have been all in my head. I also started taking Seasonale last year, and they don't seem to bother me as much, but I have to admit that I have stopped taking them and just have them stashed in the cabinet. I am not active with anyone, so it just seems a hassle for me to take them. You won't be on Seasonale, because the whole point of them is to make you "irregular". Also, I don't want them to interrupt my weight loss. I would rather deal with them once I reach goal and I am stronger. Good luck, if you don't like Yasmin, ask to switch to another brand. You can also go to generic, which is probably a lot less expensive.

[Psyche45]

Has anyone tried Nordette 28?
I was on Alesse for years without any major problems. My doctor just switched me over to them when, after losing weight on WW, my period started coming early. I ran into another person who just started the same pill, and she was having a really hard time adjusting to it - she says she hasn't stopped feeling queasy since she started. :(

[ZooGirl]

I was on Nordette for a year or two. I really like it - it helped with mood swings for me. After a while, my period started being irregular - which defeated the purpose of taking BC for me. But I didn't have any other side effects - no stomach/nausea problems or anything. If I haven't started having the spotting/irregular period problem, I would have stayed on it indefinately.

[maukgirl]

I took Yasmin for about 3 months while they were trying to figure out what was wrong with me (turned out I had chronic yeast infections and a sensitivity to yeast). I didn't like Yasmin at all - I was much moodier and it definitely increased my breast size. I've been using the Ortho-Evra patch for about a year now and it is the best bc I've been on, I have less symptoms (exercise helps with this too) and its much easier to use.

[Treeling]

I'm on the pill (Desogen, same as Orthocept) and so far so good in terms of weight loss. And when I did Atkins (I mention it because I've been on WW a very short time) while on the pill, I also lost weight without a problem. I think the weight gain I experienced afterwards had everything to do with eating and very little to do with the pills. :embarrass

[Elizabethlea]

I was on the pill to treat PCOS, and while it did regulate my TOM, I got bad headaches and light sensitivity. I quit taking it because I felt so bad.