Hi!
Well, I'll take a chance on not being the sweetest EmpowHer advisor, but hopefully I can be helpful! ;-) Actually, I am just providing some "devil's advocate"-type information, just to be sure you've thought through all possibilities. It may sound like I'm advocating for you to take the pill, and I am not, it is just this information was not previously mentioned. I'm glad you are feeling better, and are using other safer sex methods...that is the most important!
I was skeptical when I read your question, as weight gain from taking the pill can happen (typical is up to 5 pounds), but weight loss is not a "side effect" from the withdrawal of the synthetic hormones. What causes the weight gain in the first place is the estrogen causing "increased breast, hip, or thigh tissue, usually after several months on the pill". Usually, many other factors cause the weight gain in woman once they are on the pill, as this is the around the time they would have began gaining weight in certain areas (read: hips, thighs and breasts). There are no "withdrawal symptoms" from the pill of "weight loss", unfortunately!
Another thought for you, regarding your better, more calm and happier mood. It is true that birth control pills are not a "one size fits all", and is the reason that there are so, so many different types, hormonal "concoctions" and doses. Some women experience negative mood, weight gain or other side effects with one pill, and not with another. Did you tell your doctor about your side effects, and request to try another brand?
Also, your changing mood could also be based more on your regular cycle, and not as much about the withdrawal of the pill (and its synthetic hormones).
You said your period stopped Sunday (June 21st), and lasted 5 days, so it started on/around June 17th? The day you asked your question (June 24th) was on/around "day 8" of your cycle, during the Follicular Phase. As you can see from this diagram of the Menstrual and Ovarian Cycle, "day 8" is right around the time that estrogen starts kicking in again, which can elevate mood. (We've primarily heard this in the negative, that low estrogen levels cause poor mood, and all sorts of PMS, PMDD and menopausal symptoms). The purpose, of course, of the estrogen and other hormones increasing is to start getting you "revved up" for ovulation...in which women have a higher sex drive in order to help them conceive.
(Side note about above link: I do not believe I have ever included a link to a pharmaceutical site for educational reasons--if it did not have to do with a specific medication--but this was the best online Menstrual and Ovarian Cycle diagram I could locate). A better source of this information would be from ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), and they only have a Powerpoint slide linked to their site. If your computer can read this type of file, it is really great information! Click here, and scroll down to 5th link titled, "The Menstrual Cycle").
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Hi!
Well, I'll take a chance on not being the sweetest EmpowHer advisor, but hopefully I can be helpful! ;-) Actually, I am just providing some "devil's advocate"-type information, just to be sure you've thought through all possibilities. It may sound like I'm advocating for you to take the pill, and I am not, it is just this information was not previously mentioned. I'm glad you are feeling better, and are using other safer sex methods...that is the most important!
I was skeptical when I read your question, as weight gain from taking the pill can happen (typical is up to 5 pounds), but weight loss is not a "side effect" from the withdrawal of the synthetic hormones. What causes the weight gain in the first place is the estrogen causing "increased breast, hip, or thigh tissue, usually after several months on the pill". Usually, many other factors cause the weight gain in woman once they are on the pill, as this is the around the time they would have began gaining weight in certain areas (read: hips, thighs and breasts). There are no "withdrawal symptoms" from the pill of "weight loss", unfortunately!
Another thought for you, regarding your better, more calm and happier mood. It is true that birth control pills are not a "one size fits all", and is the reason that there are so, so many different types, hormonal "concoctions" and doses. Some women experience negative mood, weight gain or other side effects with one pill, and not with another. Did you tell your doctor about your side effects, and request to try another brand?
Also, your changing mood could also be based more on your regular cycle, and not as much about the withdrawal of the pill (and its synthetic hormones).
You said your period stopped Sunday (June 21st), and lasted 5 days, so it started on/around June 17th? The day you asked your question (June 24th) was on/around "day 8" of your cycle, during the Follicular Phase. As you can see from this diagram of the Menstrual and Ovarian Cycle, "day 8" is right around the time that estrogen starts kicking in again, which can elevate mood. (We've primarily heard this in the negative, that low estrogen levels cause poor mood, and all sorts of PMS, PMDD and menopausal symptoms). The purpose, of course, of the estrogen and other hormones increasing is to start getting you "revved up" for ovulation...in which women have a higher sex drive in order to help them conceive.
(Side note about above link: I do not believe I have ever included a link to a pharmaceutical site for educational reasons--if it did not have to do with a specific medication--but this was the best online Menstrual and Ovarian Cycle diagram I could locate). A better source of this information would be from ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists), and they only have a Powerpoint slide linked to their site. If your computer can read this type of file, it is really great information! Click here, and scroll down to 5th link titled, "The Menstrual Cycle").
Any thoughts on this "other" perspective?
June 25, 2009 - 8:13pmThis Comment
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