Birth control pills are believed to be effective for weight loss, and women, instead of going on a diet or joining a gym, are looking for a miracle drug that will help them lose weight without effort. But when choosing this method of normalizing weight, you need to know that the desired effect of losing weight is only a side effect, while the main purpose of the pills is to prevent pregnancy. It is important to choose the right drug, because each drug acts differently, depending on the dosage of hormones and the individual condition of the woman’s body.
How to choose the right pills
Recommendations from a gynecologist for choosing contraceptives are, of course, mandatory. But, unfortunately, there are still situations when even a doctor recommends such pills “for acne”, “to normalize weight”, “for pain during menstruation”. This symptomatic struggle with the problem has nothing to do with treatment. If tests are not performed when selecting tablets, then the doctor usually focuses on statistics: age, weight, presence/absence of children, diseases and visible endocrinological features.
The predominance of certain hormones is indicated by the phenotype. In women of small or average height with developed breasts, dry or normal skin and a menstrual cycle longer than 28 days, an estrogenic phenotype is determined. They are prescribed contraceptives with an increased amount of gestagen. Fatness in women with this body type is often concentrated in the hips, legs and lower abdomen (pear or hourglass figure). Losing weight involves getting rid of fat “pockets” and local problem areas.
Women belonging to the progesterone phenotype are most often taller than average, have small breasts, oily skin and hair, and have a cycle shorter than 28 days. They are prescribed antiandrogen medications. If a woman of this type gets fat, this is often expressed in general swelling, distributed throughout the body, or concentrated in the upper part of the body (a “rectangle” or “inverted triangle” figure).
The intermediate option is a balanced type, when a woman is of average height, normal build and has a 28-day cycle. In this case, it may be necessary to lose weight in the waist (apple shape), arms and legs.
Of course, external signs are of great importance, but no one can guarantee that your reaction to the drug will be completely predictable and will correspond one hundred percent to your body type.
You should only take birth control for contraception. All other goals can be achieved with other medications.
The effectiveness of contraceptives for weight loss
OK should normally not affect a woman’s body weight at all. If the product is chosen correctly, then it corresponds to the hormonal background and cell structure. But an increase or decrease will be observed if the pharmaceutical is chosen incorrectly. It also depends on the individual reactions of the body.
pros
Oral contraceptives can reduce weight if the reason for weight gain lies in excess male hormones in the blood.
In addition they:
- protect against ectopic pregnancy;
- improve skin condition, remove pigmentation;
- suitable for long-term use.
Minuses
Weight loss occurs due to fluid excretion, not fat burning. After stopping the pills, excess weight can reappear even with a 90% chance.
The desire to lose weight using contraceptives is fraught with dangerous consequences.
What may happen:
- sudden weight gain;
- hormonal imbalance;
- decreased libido and lack of menstruation;
- increased swelling of the legs;
- the appearance of ovarian cysts or thrush.
Nausea and vomiting are possible.
Necessary tests
The first thing you need to do when you start choosing a drug is to find a competent gynecologist who will analyze all the data. In particular, blood tests:
- for hormones (prolactin, progesterone, testosterone, estrogens, etc.);
- for sugar;
- on the condition of the liver (bilirubin, protein, etc.);
- for coagulability (coagulogram);
- for biochemistry.
The second is to do an ultrasound of the pelvic organs to rule out diseases, assess the condition of the endometrium and the formation of the follicle.
The third important action that should precede the choice of contraceptives is a consultation with a mammologist.
If at the time of selection of contraceptives there are disturbances in the functioning of the hormonal system, then it is best to undergo separate treatment and also consult an endocrinologist. The cause of excess weight, when neither diet nor exercise produces a noticeable effect, is most often the incorrect functioning of the thyroid gland. It is imperative to examine her and, if necessary, treat her.
In order not to gain weight from taking birth control pills, you need to carefully monitor your condition, wisely assess the level of side effects, regularly donate blood and visit your doctor at least twice a year.
The period of adaptation to OK lasts on average three months. It is highly undesirable to suddenly quit or change pills, as this is additional stress for the body. Cancellation, as well as the start of treatment, should be supervised by a gynecologist.
Thyroid hormones
Thyroxine, thyrocalcitonin, triiodothyronine are active participants in metabolism. They stimulate metabolism, suppress appetite, increase heat production and accelerate the breakdown of fatty tissue. Deficiency leads to the development of a disease such as hypothyroidism, in which sleep deteriorates, weakness, fatigue, excess weight, and swelling appear. When the thyroid gland is overactive, hyperthyroidism develops. This pathology is characterized by metabolic emaciation, which also negatively affects health.
You can force the thyroid gland to work correctly by reducing the load on the liver. To do this, you should give up fatty foods, fried foods, marinades, smoking and alcohol. Freshly squeezed juices, lettuce, celery, cucumbers, and tomatoes will be beneficial. In addition to the diet, the doctor prescribes hormonal medications:
- Levothyroxine is a synthetic drug developed from the thyroxine isomer. In small doses, tablets enhance protein synthesis; in medium dosages, they increase the performance of the cardiovascular, digestive and central nervous systems. Hormonal diet pills are taken in a daily dosage of 25-200 mcg. The frequency of administration is 1 time per day. The course of treatment is selected individually. The average price of the drug is 150-270 rubles.
- Eutirox - hormonal tablets based on levothyroxine sodium. The drug affects tissue growth, stimulates the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. The hormonal drug is taken on an empty stomach 30 minutes before meals. The daily dosage and course of treatment are selected individually. The average price of Eutirox is 134–145 rubles.
Types of oral contraceptives
The drugs are divided into several groups, depending on the content of hormones.
One-component OK
Mini-pills are considered the most easily tolerated. The main active hormone in them is gestagen, it increases the viscosity of mucus in the cervical canal, changes the endometrium, preventing the attachment of the egg, and suppresses ovulation, but does not eliminate it.
The most common types of such tablets include:
- Charozetta (active ingredient - desogestrel);
- Lactinet (desogestrel);
- Exluton (linestrenol).
Progestin itself does not promote weight loss, and an excess of this hormone, on the contrary, can threaten weight gain. The mini-pill has a number of contraindications and side effects, but, unlike combined hormonal pills, their effect is more superficial. This means you are less likely to gain weight suddenly. During a diet and active weight loss, such drugs will not interfere with the process.
Mini-pills are less effective in protecting against unwanted pregnancy than multi-component drugs. And they do not contribute, but do not interfere with weight loss.
Multicomponent
Combined contraceptives (COCs) contain several hormones; they protect against pregnancy more reliably, but interfere more strongly with the functioning of the endocrine system. Among the active ingredients in such tablets is a hormone that, in addition to its basic properties, promotes weight loss. This is drospirenone, which has a decongestant effect and helps remove excess sodium ions from the body.
Let's take a closer look at a number of birth control pills with this hormone:
- Yarina and Yarina Plus. Contraceptives, in addition to drospirenone (3 mg), contain ethinyl estradiol (30 mcg). They belong to monophasic low-dose drugs, that is, the amount of hormones in each tablet is the same. They should be taken daily at the same time for 21 days, and then take a break for 7 days. Yarina Plus additionally contains calcium levomefolate, which serves to prevent folic acid deficiency. These tablets are prescribed to young women of progesterone or balanced phenotype who are sexually active. Teenagers should not use them. Analogues of this product: Modell Pro, Modell Trend, Christie and Midiana.
- Jess and Jess Plus. Hormonal substances: drospirenone (3 mg) and ethinyl estradiol (20 mcg), tablets are classified as microdosed. The drug is also monophasic, but the 28-day blister contains 4 placebo tablets, which are used so as not to miss the start of the next cycle. Jess Plus, like Yarina Plus, contains additional folates. Jess is prescribed to young nulliparous girls of the progesterone type. Names of generics (copy drugs): Dailla, Vidora, Simitsia, Dimia.
Analogues are most often distinguished by their low price and sometimes less availability in pharmacies. Reviews from doctors and patients on them are generally a little worse; they are not prescribed as often. Cheaper products, unfortunately, are not always of high quality.
Birth control pills with drospirenone promote weight loss when prescribed to women of the progesterone or balanced phenotype.
In addition to medications containing this hormone, weight loss can also occur while taking other contraceptives. For additional weight correction, low- or micro-dose monophasic tablets are prescribed, such as Janine, Belara, Visanne, Chloe. High-dose and two- or three-phase medications, according to doctors and patients, more often lead to fluid retention and the appearance of extra pounds.
Women who have undergone pregnancy and childbirth are often prescribed Regulon or its analogue Novinet. These are monophasic tablets that consist of 30 mcg. ethinyl estradiol and 150 mcg. desogestrel. Under the influence of a combination of hormones, the biochemical reactions of lipids and carbohydrates are accelerated, that is, fats and sugars are absorbed in the body faster. If physical activity is too low, then fat reserves may appear. But with sufficient activity, all nutrients are converted into energy, and this is facilitated by the drug.
New products use forms of hormones that are closer to natural; their dosage is so small that they cannot interfere with the process of losing weight. If you are looking for birth control pills that do not make you gain weight, pay attention to the dosage of the active ingredients.
Hormonal contraceptives increase appetite. It is important to monitor your calorie intake and lead an active lifestyle, then you will not be overweight.
Abruptly stopping taking pills is just as harmful as starting to take them without a prescription. The likelihood of getting a hormonal imbalance and gaining weight is very high.
Cortisol
This is an adrenal hormone that begins to be produced when a person experiences severe psycho-emotional shock or stress. If this condition persists for too long, cortisol increases the level of glucose in the blood, but does not use the fat layer to produce it, but muscle tissue and glycogen. An upward deviation of cortisol from the norm causes a number of negative processes:
- blood pressure increases;
- metabolism slows down;
- testosterone synthesis decreases, which promotes weight loss;
- Fatigue, apathy (indifference to what is happening around), and depression appear.
Taking hormonal diet pills with cortisol is not practiced; they are prescribed only for severe diseases of the adrenal glands, before surgery or radiation during the treatment of cancer. In order to normalize the functioning of the adrenal glands, it is better to use the following tips:
- prevent feelings of hunger, so as not to provoke a decrease in blood glucose;
- take a reasonable approach to physical activity - the more active and longer the workout, the more cortisol is produced;
- find time for daytime sleep;
- learn to relax in order to be able to lift your mood - take up meditation, aromatherapy, yoga.
Contraindications and compatibility
Combining OCs with other hormonal medications is not always possible. The attending physician must decide in each specific case. Duphaston, for example, prescribed during pregnancy planning, is not combined with contraceptives. Divigel, used for hormone replacement therapy, also excludes them. And Eutirox, which is taken to correct the functioning of the thyroid gland, allows the simultaneous use of certain contraceptives (Lindinet).
Each product has its own fairly large list of contraindications and side effects. You should absolutely not take any hormonal contraceptives if:
- the presence of cancer of the breast, liver or genital organs;
- thrombosis of the lower extremities, a history of pulmonary thromboembolism and a tendency to form blood clots;
- heart diseases and pathologies, such as coronary disease, infective endocarditis, disturbances in the functioning of the valve and conduction apparatus;
- long-term diabetes mellitus;
- Stably elevated blood pressure (160:100);
- hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver;
- smoking more than 15 cigarettes per day in combination with age 40+;
- pregnancy.
New generation drugs
The latest generation (fifth) drugs contain minimal amounts of hormones and therefore do not develop side effects. They are classified as contraceptives that do not affect weight.
Usually the following drugs are preferred:
| A drug | Price, rub.) |
| Yarina | 250-500 |
| Jess | 700-800 |
| Dimiya | 400-450 |
| Novinet | 450-500 |
| Regulon | 400-500 |
When selecting a drug, the gynecologist takes into account the woman’s age, the presence of pregnancies, abortions and childbirth, and her body shape.
Reviews
After giving birth, I started thinking about birth control. I decided to try the pills, but I was afraid of getting fat, there are examples among my friends. My gynecologist, who was excellent throughout my pregnancy, prescribed Tri-Mercy “by eye”, arguing that I was not breastfeeding. But it seemed to me that this somehow shouldn’t happen this way, so I went to an appointment at a paid clinic. I passed all the tests, was examined, and they picked up other pills for me. I’ve been drinking for a year now, no changes in weight, my mood before my period is even. I think they suit me well.
Olga, 33 years old
I probably protected myself in every possible way. And I put in a spiral, and I took pills, and I applied a patch. In principle, all this works, but everything has side effects. For me, the main trouble is the lack of libido. I don’t want anything, and in general my soul is not in the mood for intimacy. In the end, my husband and I settled on condoms, although he was not happy. The doctor recently said that mini-pills should suit me, specifically Exluton. I tried them and was pleased. Over the past 5 years, I have begun to gain a little weight, despite fitness and dieting. And now everything unnecessary has disappeared somewhere. In addition, the body does not seem to notice these foreign hormones.
Marina, 37 years old
I really wanted to choose the right birth control pills, as it is convenient and easy. I took tests, went to doctors, they prescribed me new generation drugs. But for some reason my stomach reacted negatively to any options, it was as if I was constantly walking around with toxicosis: I felt nauseous, sick, and heartburn began. As a result, the gynecologist and I came to the conclusion that I couldn’t take pills as such. Now I use NuvaRing, and it turned out that it is much simpler and more convenient than any OK, because I don’t have to remember it every day.
Irina, 40 years old
Contraceptives allow a woman to independently regulate the process of conception, and this is their main advantage. The only direct effect of these pills is contraceptive, all the rest are side effects. Losing weight sharply and quickly while taking birth control is just as unnatural as gaining weight. In no case should you use hormones just to lose weight, because the main thing is to maintain good health and well-being.
Actions on the body
It’s worth making a reservation right away: if you want to use birth control pills not to protect against an unplanned pregnancy, but only to lose weight, this is a mistake that can cost you your health.
- Firstly, you will disrupt your hormonal levels.
- Secondly, your chances of getting rid of extra pounds are minimal, but the risk of gaining weight is very high.
- Thirdly, all side effects from such drugs will be yours.
It’s another matter if your primary goal is to prevent conception, and at the same time you have ballast in the form of fat on your sides and several extra pounds, and you want to get rid of all this.
In this case, you should start selecting tablets. After all, if they fit into a woman’s hormonal background, they really contribute to weight loss:
- very often the cause of excess weight is hormonal imbalance, and contraceptives normalize it, as they contain progestin (a synthetic symbiosis of estrogen and progesterone) and estradiol (an estrogen compound);
- normalization of hormonal levels entails the smooth functioning of organs;
- this leads to the conversion of fats into energy, rather than storing them in reserve.
So birth control pills actually help you lose weight if they are chosen correctly. The results won't be stunning.
But since the use of such drugs is regular and long-lasting, the weight will go away gradually, and this has a very beneficial effect on overall health.
According to statistics. In the West, oral contraceptives are extremely popular. Whereas among Russian women, only 10% prefer this method of preventing unwanted conception.
Source: hudeyko.ru
