BCP = weight gain and depression - ?

Pursegrrl · Jul 2nd, 2008, 02:52 AM

Hey guys, I apologize if there are dupe threads floating around on this topic...not sure if this is a health or R&F type of thread but I'll start here.

I admit I've been down in the dumps lately and am trying to snap out of it. I broke off a relationship that wasn't going anywhere, am not happy with my job and have packed on a few pounds and am constantly feeling puffy and bloated.

I know I need to speak with my doctor, but I'm wondering if going back on the Pill was a contributing factor. I know it can trigger weight gain and boy I have done that for sure...but my bras now fit great, hee. But...I have also heard they can trigger mood swings or even mild depression in some people (I'm on Junel FE, btw). I've been on the pill for about 8 months and I am thinking of going off. While I love the shorter, lighter periods and fewer menstrual migraines, I'm not sure the cons are worth it. I worked very hard to drop about 35 lbs a few years ago and get physically fit and now a lot of that has changed. I am not sure if this is just being 40-something or if there are other factors.

Plus, I'm not currently in a relationship. As a few friends have reminded me, our fertility plummets after 35, so the likelihood of getting pregnant is slim (although I would never engage in risky behavior of course)...and frankly the 40s are for a lot of women the decade our bodies are prepping for menopause...so in short they tell me to stop the Pill because it's just not good or necessary.

I know everyone is unique and that I need to discuss with my doctor, but if anyone is comfortable sharing any benefits they experienced with weight change or mood improvement after stopping the Pill I'd love to hear your stories.

TIA!

lorihmatthews · Jul 2nd, 2008, 05:01 PM

I don't have a lot of advice, because with the big 40 approaching for me at the end of this month I have noticed that I can just look at food and gain weight. It's much harder to keep it off.

With regard to the BCP, my doctor said that the hormone dosages are so low these days you can take them clear through to menopause. No need to stop. Maybe you need to go on a different type and/or one with a lower dose of hormones?

BagLadie · Jul 2nd, 2008, 09:49 PM

^^ I am with you. I will be 40 next year and I swear to god just looking at food makes me gain weight. I used to be able to eat anything I wanted but not anymore. Sucks!!!
I get very depressed when I gain weight so I understand what you mean. It's a sad fact...the thinner I am...the happier I am. My god I need therapy.

gucci_girl_gg · Jul 5th, 2008, 07:53 PM

omg you have to stop taking your pill. These symptoms your describing especially the depression one is what happened to me when i was taking the mini-pill and it affected me so much, my doctor told me to stop taking it immediately and after a week or two i felt so much better in myself! i was crying all the time at such little things and it was ridiculous, nobody could say anything without me crying! it was really annoying my bf.
Since i stopped about 5 weeks ago ive just been careful and using protection. I am abit nervous, because we have had a splitting incident however i just went and got the emergency pill so i hope its all ok!
oh and just to add i started taking the pill because it was really important to me, i got pregnant by mistake and it ended in a miscarriage, i didnt want to have to go throguh that experience again so decided to take proper measures, and doctor wouldnt give me the full pill because of weight issues he said, it would be less effective because im slightly overweight.

good luck with what you decide to do, but honestly please at least go see you doc!
x

BagAngel · Jul 5th, 2008, 08:10 PM

Never took the pill Pursegrll so cannot help but just want to say hope you can work through this & feel better soon :)

Pursegrrl · Jul 7th, 2008, 01:51 AM

...thanks again, everyone! I'm finishing out this pack (meaning, last cycle of pill-induced Aunt Flo with one week of blanks) and then it's back to mother nature. At risk of TMI, my periods are super heavy and nearly a week, yuck, but with the pill they are 3-days at most, light and predictable. Bliss! But the downside from my first post overrides any of that.

So, as my SIL advised this weekend, be prepared for the first period post-BCP to be heavy. Hey, I was used to that prior, so I'm ready, ha ha. I need to get back to ME, and this is the first step.

Jul 2nd, 2008, 02:52 AM	#1
Pursegrrl Oh no she di-int!! Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 13,660	Hey guys, I apologize if there are dupe threads floating around on this topic...not sure if this is a health or R&F type of thread but I'll start here. I admit I've been down in the dumps lately and am trying to snap out of it. I broke off a relationship that wasn't going anywhere, am not happy with my job and have packed on a few pounds and am constantly feeling puffy and bloated. I know I need to speak with my doctor, but I'm wondering if going back on the Pill was a contributing factor. I know it can trigger weight gain and boy I have done that for sure...but my bras now fit great, hee. But...I have also heard they can trigger mood swings or even mild depression in some people (I'm on Junel FE, btw). I've been on the pill for about 8 months and I am thinking of going off. While I love the shorter, lighter periods and fewer menstrual migraines, I'm not sure the cons are worth it. I worked very hard to drop about 35 lbs a few years ago and get physically fit and now a lot of that has changed. I am not sure if this is just being 40-something or if there are other factors. Plus, I'm not currently in a relationship. As a few friends have reminded me, our fertility plummets after 35, so the likelihood of getting pregnant is slim (although I would never engage in risky behavior of course)...and frankly the 40s are for a lot of women the decade our bodies are prepping for menopause...so in short they tell me to stop the Pill because it's just not good or necessary. I know everyone is unique and that I need to discuss with my doctor, but if anyone is comfortable sharing any benefits they experienced with weight change or mood improvement after stopping the Pill I'd love to hear your stories. TIA! Last edited by Pursegrrl; Jul 2nd, 2008 at 02:55 AM.

Jul 2nd, 2008, 09:49 PM	#3
BagLadie Got a handle on it Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Red Sox Nation Posts: 4,238	^^ I am with you. I will be 40 next year and I swear to god just looking at food makes me gain weight. I used to be able to eat anything I wanted but not anymore. Sucks!!! I get very depressed when I gain weight so I understand what you mean. It's a sad fact...the thinner I am...the happier I am. My god I need therapy. __________________ She tucked her coral lipstick away and floated back to the party....

Jul 5th, 2008, 07:53 PM	#4
gucci_girl_gg serial 'moaner' Joined: Jan 2006 Location: merseyside UK Posts: 1,211	omg you have to stop taking your pill. These symptoms your describing especially the depression one is what happened to me when i was taking the mini-pill and it affected me so much, my doctor told me to stop taking it immediately and after a week or two i felt so much better in myself! i was crying all the time at such little things and it was ridiculous, nobody could say anything without me crying! it was really annoying my bf. Since i stopped about 5 weeks ago ive just been careful and using protection. I am abit nervous, because we have had a splitting incident however i just went and got the emergency pill so i hope its all ok! oh and just to add i started taking the pill because it was really important to me, i got pregnant by mistake and it ended in a miscarriage, i didnt want to have to go throguh that experience again so decided to take proper measures, and doctor wouldnt give me the full pill because of weight issues he said, it would be less effective because im slightly overweight. good luck with what you decide to do, but honestly please at least go see you doc! x __________________ Hannah

Jul 5th, 2008, 08:10 PM	#5
BagAngel LV obsessed Joined: Oct 2006 Location: UK Posts: 16,104	Never took the pill Pursegrll so cannot help but just want to say hope you can work through this & feel better soon :) __________________ My handbag collection

Jul 2nd, 2008, 05:01 PM	#2
lorihmatthews Luv my Persian Joined: Oct 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 6,442	I don't have a lot of advice, because with the big 40 approaching for me at the end of this month I have noticed that I can just look at food and gain weight. It's much harder to keep it off. With regard to the BCP, my doctor said that the hormone dosages are so low these days you can take them clear through to menopause. No need to stop. Maybe you need to go on a different type and/or one with a lower dose of hormones?

Jul 7th, 2008, 01:51 AM	#6
Pursegrrl Oh no she di-int!! Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 13,660	...thanks again, everyone! I'm finishing out this pack (meaning, last cycle of pill-induced Aunt Flo with one week of blanks) and then it's back to mother nature. At risk of TMI, my periods are super heavy and nearly a week, yuck, but with the pill they are 3-days at most, light and predictable. Bliss! But the downside from my first post overrides any of that. So, as my SIL advised this weekend, be prepared for the first period post-BCP to be heavy. Hey, I was used to that prior, so I'm ready, ha ha. I need to get back to ME, and this is the first step.