Are Birth Control Pills and Weight Gain a Myth?

The discussion about birth control pills and weight gain will never stop. This discussion is pretty much like the epic battle between light and darkness, good and evil, ordinary milk and non-fat milk, it goes on and on and on and on.

Birth control pills contain synthetic hormones which go straight to the pituitary glands. Once there, the synthetic hormones block the production of LH and FSH hormones. This prevents the body the natural growth of the egg and ovulation.

According to some doctors and medical practitioners, birth control pills can also cause an increase of appetite, at least to some women. But studies have shown that this situation is more of an exception rather than the rule. It has also been found out the said increase in appetite is more coincidental and is no different from what happens in the general populace.

This also brings us to the next point. Some doctors and medical practitioners continue issuing statements that weight gain has been observed or that weight gain is a possible side effect to their patients, adding to the confusion. Oftentimes these statements from doctors are accepted as statements of facts. Instead of clarifying already false information to begin with, they contribute to the continued spread of this myth.

Another perception of feeling bloated or fat when you are taking the pill is that the body is said to hold more water, compared to when it is not. This is another fallacy in a string of rumors, gossips, and misinformation.

Women are very conscious of their weight. Ask any man who made the wrong move of commenting on a woman’s weight. I’m sure it got messy. This consciousness or even subconscious wariness of gaining pounds might contribute to false admittance or observations that birth control pills cause weight gain. Women often fear the added pounds. Because of this fear women don’t take or totally avoid taking birth control pills.

This is detrimental to any birth control program. That’s why it is important to squash the myth of weight gain once and for all. The pill is quite an effective method of birth control after all, when used correctly of course.

Because of the weight gain issue, women will tend to go for other means of contraception. Although some other methods are quite effective, the pill is still a better option with 99.7% chance of preventing pregnancies. Women should stop worrying about something that isn’t real or they will really begin to worry about weight gain when they get pregnant and after giving birth. These two situations pack more weight related issues than what they have now with birth control pills.

Weight gain and weight control is all about balance. A balance diet combined with a balanced body work-out. That’s the ideal way of living. You prevent any significant weight gain by eating healthy and exercising.

How many women do you know, that when they stop taking the pill, expect a massive drop in their weight, only to find they don’t! How many women do you know do not take the ’sugar’ pill in fear of weight gain? I personally have known many. Unfortunately though if you believe it will happen to you, that extra sweet won’t make any difference, will it?

Oral Contraceptives For Your Family Planning

If you are not ready to start a family then there are many oral contraceptives your doctor may prescribe to avoid becoming pregnant. Many of them have a 99% chance of preventing a pregnancy but there is still a risk of it occurring and you need to be aware of it. Oral contraceptives only prevent unwanted pregnancies, you still need other protection against sexually transmitted diseases or STD’s.

Oral contraceptives are commonly referred to as birth control pills. They come in a package with enough pills for the entire month. The woman has to remember to take them daily and is encouraged to do so around the same time each day. Many women do it when they brush their teeth in the morning or at another set time so they won’t forget. Even while the woman is menstruating there is a pill to take so that she continues to stay in this routine. It is known as the ’sugar’ pill.

A doctor will have to do a complete evaluation to determine the right type of oral contraceptive to give to a women. This includes talking about how regular her period is, what type of flow they have during menstruation, their weight, and the balance of hormones in their body. A woman many need to try several different oral contraceptives before she finds the one that works the best for her.

Many women like the fact that their birth control pills help them in other ways too. They have a good idea of when their period will start depending on where they are with their pills in the cycle. They also report lighter flow, fewer cramps, and less irritability around that time of the month. The find that oral contraceptives aren’t evasive either like some other methods of birth control tend to be.

Many women choose to take oral contraceptives because they can stop taking them when they are ready to get pregnant. Most women are successful at becoming pregnant within a few months of going off the pill. When you decide to start your family, you may want to allow for this small gap although be careful as it is not uncommon to fall immediately!