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I want to go on the pill, do you put on weight?

Just started sleeping with my boyfriend and would like to get the pill rather than using condoms. what are the side effects of the pill and do you put on weight because i'm already a size 12 and don't want to get any fatter!!!

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Reply 1

Glory

no most people dont put weight on. I find if anything im less bloated when im due on so i appear thinner.

I would never use the pill instead of a comdom, but a backup if the comdom fails.

Reply 2

Helenia

Some people do put on weight; some people don't. If you are gaining a lot of weight then you can always change pills.

But yeah, I'd use both together to be doubly safe (especially if you haven't both been STI checked)

Reply 3

tishysquishy

i think sometimes the pill can make you wanna eat more food, hence weight gain. But your appetite will prolly stay the same :smile:

also (dont wanna sound mumsy) but check that your bf is completely clear of infections before you stop using condoms; cos if its a new relationship, or if he's had sex with other girls without condoms, he may unknowingly have an infection.

Reply 4

shopaholic_soph

Ok then thank you for your advice, i will continue using condoms and go and speak to the doctors about which pill is right for me!!! thank you!

Reply 5

Lauren18

I didn't put on weight noticeably... but some of my friends did. I think the type of pill may have something to do with this. I'm no medic, but I know types of pills alter your hormones etc in different ways, so some are probably worse than others for gaining weight.

I'm on dianette and have never gained much weight... although it's hard to tell as we naturally gain a bit of weight at this age. During my period, though, I gain a LOT more weight than I seemed to before going on the pill - my tops ride up my stomach and my jeans only *just* zip... nice!

Hope your doctor can tell you more!

Reply 6

magicalmonkey21

I lost about a stone when I started taking the pill! According to my GP, hormonal contraception causes just as many women to lose weight as put it on, but far fewer women complain about losing weight! If anything, you are probably more likely to gain weight from the "security" and the eating habits a lot of people develop from being in a long term relationship (eg eating out and takeaways together) than the pill.

Reply 7

shady lane

I didn't really gain weight (maybe 5 pounds) when I was on the Pill, but I LOST a ton of weight when I came off it. All of my clothes were falling off. It was great until I went home from uni for the summer and started eating whatever I wanted and went back to somewhere closer to my normal size (although a little less).

Reply 8

natalie_p

I put on weight when i first went on the pill, not drastically, but i went form a loose size 10 to a tight size 10 if u know what i mean. And since then, my weight has fluctuated quite a bit, and my diet hasn't changed ot anything :frown:

Actually, I may go off it..... i was using it only as a failsafe with condoms.

My other friend didnt put on wight, but became REALLY moody.
Another friend couldn't stop vomiting until she got used to it.

Different side affects, different people, ur doctor will tell u all about it.

Reply 9

tiny_nina

i didn't put on any weight, however its because i do alot of exercise
however it makes me lose/put on weight easily which is good and isnt
i also tend to get mood swings at the beginning now im just really use to it

Reply 10

Adarah

every time a thread like this comes up it make me not want to go on the pill... after reading all this i think I'll only ever use a condom... if it breaks there is the MA pill and if I get pregant anyway - well, I could just as well forget to take the a pill or do something stupid with it, so risks of that are probably the same.
yep, right now (I'll change my mind again in a week) I'm never going to use the pill :p:

Reply 11

Ellie4

I put on about half a stone and went up two cup sizes, and I'm on microgynon, but it's affected some of my mates differently.

Reply 12

~*Sweetness*~

I put on a few pounds, but it mainly went on my chest which I wasn't too happy about.

Reply 13

Cazzi

i was a size 12 when i went on the pill, over the first year a gained half a stone, made me a small 14. But its worth it, as i now dont have to worry anymore. being on the pill is the best

Reply 14

FunkykindaGal

I am on the pill constantly (for another reason other than sex), but I do not put on weight. The only reason a person puts on weight is because the pill tends to create a bigger appetite, I guess it depends how strong you are as a person to stop yourself from eating too much.

Reply 15

Agrippina

My appetite increased enormously after going on the Pill, which I think is why people associate it with weight gain. I didn't put on any weight because luckily I never put any on, but I have had other side effects: loss of libido, massive growth in size of breasts, and I threw up the night I first went on it because of the change in hormone levels.

Other than that, it's very liberating when it comes to making love. Bit annoying having to remember to take it though, especially on holiday when you're out of your normal routine! It was great though, meant I could put off my period til I was back from holiday.

Reply 16

Elles

magicalmonkey21

If anything, you are probably more likely to gain weight from the "security" and the eating habits a lot of people develop from being in a long term relationship (eg eating out and takeaways together) than the pill.

*sheepish*
but probably a fairly astute judgement, damnit. (with modification of being cooked for by a man who's probably on ~5,000-6,000 calories a day at times..)

& yeah, i've heard it's an appetite thing basically. though the specific distribution might be under some sort of hormonal influence (bust & hips)?

Reply 17

~*Sweetness*~

I don't think my appetite changed at all though, which is annoying because then it would explain the slight weight gain. Must have just been my hormones :rolleyes:

Reply 18

Little Girl Red

I didnt gain any weight, but went up a cup size. I also lost a bit of definition in my stomach muscles (I'm quite a skinny gal, so I noticed it). However my boyfriend likes my post-pill body (and no wonder really) and so do I!
Only other thing is that although it is meant to get rid of PMS, mine has become slightly exaggerated. Also, if I run two packs together then I am ill for the majority of that month - even though I'm really anaemic and so should in theory feel better than in a normal month!!

Reply 19

-sophie-

IT MADE ME PUT ON WEIGHT!

Make an educated choice, both dianette and cilest tablets made me really gain weight, but the weight gain is certainly (imo) much better than a baby, and is really good security for the horrible instance of a condom breaking. It gives you peace of mind.

The pill is supposed to make you more hungry...that it did do. If your strong willed you can regulate your snacking, but its v.hard to do, from experience...I put on over a stone and didnt realise. It's a hard decision but its nice to be able to control your period too.