depo v. norplant?

[circusgirl]

Hi folks, I realised yesterday that there was a direct correlation between my weight gain a few years ago and starting depo-provera birth control. Having done a search and found out that yes, that's quite likely one of the culprits, I'd like to come off it, I'm considering the implant method (norplant/implanon) - is there weight gain with these? More or less?

 

[we5happy]

I am not to sure...

I dont really know much about the implant thing although I am quite curious also. I too gained alot of weight from the Depo. I did 4 shots and stopped after that. I got really bad headaches too (I get them with the pill or any birthcontrol for that matter). Any suggestions for me?

We

 

[evilqueen]

DON'T DO IT!
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I've heard some women also have pronounced weight gain with Norplant.

After experiencing the many wonderful side effects of Depo-Provera, I will never, EVER take another hormonal form of birth control.

Just my view.

 

[wilson6]

Norplant contains a 19-nortestosterone derived progesterone = water retention and weight gain.

If I were a chick, I'd be doing the lowest dose, latest version of E + P oral. Norplant is a long-term commitment. If there are unwanted sides, you're screwed. Orals clear rapidly. If you don't like it, stop them and switch to something else.

W6

 

[Gladiola]

If I were a chick, I'd be doing the lowest dose, latest version of E + P oral. Norplant is a long-term commitment.

Excellent advice (not surprisingly). I agree.

I heard of women's hair falling out from Norplant. I even had a docter tell me not to consider depo or norplant b/c of the 'long term committment' issue.

I am on the LOWEST DOSE pill - I believe it is 20micrograms of Estrogen - Alesse. Was on Mircette before that & Levlin as well - all the same lowest dose.

Everyone discusses the evils of estrogen & there is no question in my mind that these pills leave me with LESS E than I had naturally. I recently got off & gained weight in hips & butt - got strict on diet, lost weight in upper body & not lower body. Strange indeed!!!! Also was WAY more moody & emotional. I will never go off these pills again - my ovaries are going to stay supressed - the little fuckers!!

 

[pryncess]

IUD/Nuvaring

I've heard pretty much about the same (bad) things with the Norplant and the Deprovera.

I was put on a really strong pill when I first got my period (to control it) and stayed on it for about ten years. One day my insurance just stopped paying for it, they gave me orthotryclene. I didn't really like it though, made me really bitchy and had breakthru bleeding at least two days a week.

I stopped the pill altogether for about 7 months. That seven months was the first time in my life I could get (lots) of my extra weight off and maintain the loss. I decided I would never go back on.

After a while, I got the Mirena IUD--unfortunately the progesterin (it doesn't have estrogen) made me get my period all the time. Six months later (tried to wait it out) I got it removed. Just wasn't worth all the fuss.

I was out of nonpill alternatives and waiting for the Nuva Ring to start selling so started taking Yasmin--can't really complain about it except I had gained like 12lbs in 5 days from Zoloft (no kidding) and I couldn't get it off for trying.

About 6 weeks ago I switched to the Nuva Ring--I have also dropped about 10 of the 12 pounds (dieting, not from ring). I couldn't lose 1lb on the Yasmin.

I'm not saying the Yasmin caused wt gain--only it made it impossible for me to drop the wt while I was on it.

I think the Mirena is a good non-pill option and I think it almost enhanced my weight loss efforts. About 50% of women react to Mirena like I do. The good new is the other 50 actually lost weight and barely got their period (like 1-3 days).

The Nuva Ring is working very well and I have had good results with my dieting so am very happy about that.

I would look into the Mirena or the Nuva Ring if you are wanting to get off the pill.

Btw--the Mirena IUD you can get in one year or five year version and can have it removed at any time. The Nuva Ring you insert once a month (and you can leave in the extra week to prevent your period like on vacation or something) too.

 

[circusgirl]

I think I will go with the low-dose pill option. I won't go with a coil because they don't like fitting one here unless you've had at least one kid. And condons only not a good idea coz I hate 'em! .
Don't want to get my man snipped, as we might have kids some time in the future.

I originally went for depo because I kept missing pills, I was worried it was an unconscious desire to have kids as I was getting "broody" at the time. I think though seeing as I manage to take my antidepressants every day without missing I should be able to manage the pill...

BTW weight gain from an SSRI? That is so odd, they never affected me like that at all! (Then again, they ddn't work either...). I'm now on Effexor and it didn't cause weight gain.

It's been nice not having periods for the last 2 years though...

 

[pryncess]

Surprised me too

I wanted it for smoking and then when I found out they it was really Wellbuterin kind of weirded me out. So I went an researched and read how it's actually HELPED so many people lose weight. I thought cool--quit smoking, maybe lose a pound or two and feel better, what more could you ask for.

I noticed it right away like three pounds the day after I started taking--blew it off, thought I was getting bloated or something. By the time the five days had passed I couldn't button my pants. When I saw the scale I nearly died. You don't even stop smoking until the 14th day so that the drug is in full effect. I seriously don't remember eating out of my norm during those five days, believe me I was retracing every moment. Anyway, the thing that really sucked was I could actually feel it start to effect my smoking--it was like the cigarettes were doing less and less for me. Think it would've worked too and dammit I still haven't quit.

I checked the pamplet for sides, it said may cause severe wt loss or gain. WT F? They are trying to market it as a diet aid now. I know people too said it helped them lose weight--I can't figure it out? I normally don't get crazy reactions from supplements or meds. The pill I took for the longest ended up being the strongest level of estrogen you could be prescribed--wish I'd known that before staying on so long.

Anyway--the Yasmin is low dose if you were interested and there is also a low dose patch out that last one week--don't know anyone whose tried it though.

 

[wilson6]

"Everyone discusses the evils of estrogen & there is no question in my mind that these pills leave me with LESS E than I had naturally. I recently got off & gained weight in hips & butt - got strict on diet, lost weight in upper body & not lower body. Strange indeed!!!! Also was WAY more moody & emotional. I will never go off these pills again - my ovaries are going to stay supressed - the little fuckers!!"

This is exactly what I've been thinking would happen with very low dose OCs. Keeps the endogenous production down and stable which is probably better in many ways (body comp wise and psychologically) than no pill at all.

Wonder if there is any lit support out there on this. MS?

W6

 

[Gladiola]

This is exactly what I've been thinking would happen with very low dose OCs. Keeps the endogenous production down and stable which is probably better in many ways (body comp wise and psychologically) than no pill at all.

I thought it was somewhat in my head at first - but in the past year I have been without the pill for a month last month & then back in November, & both times I was SOOO much more emotional, plus fatter without a pill (diet & training the same). I'm surprised I haven't heard more people talk about these benefits - but it makes sense when you put the pieces together. I LOOVE my pills!