Is it normal to gain 5 pounds in one week while on the pill?

59% Normal
13 Comments

Exactly one week ago, I began taking a generic version of Alesse birth control. In that week, I have gained close to 5 pounds. Clothes that fit me a week ago are too tight. There has been absolutely no change in my eating habits, so food intake is not the issue. Is it normal to gain this much weight in a short period of time? I am concerned for my health.

Voting Results
59% Normal
Based on 32 votes (19 yes)
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Comments ( 13 )
  • dappled
    11 years ago

    It's absolutely normal. The hormone system which governs how much water your body keeps (and how much it excretes) is directly affected by the hormones in contraceptive pills.

    The weight you've added is water weight and it will get to a level where it stabilises. If it becomes an issue for you, lower dosages can prevent water retention (but at the cost of being slightly less effective).

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    • forever_anon
      11 years ago

      Thank you! It's a relief to know that it will stabilize. Unfortunately, I think Alesse is an ultra low dose pill, so not sure if a lower dose is possible...

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      • dappled
        11 years ago

        I guess you may have to live with the fact that your body's equilibrium has changed slightly due to the pill and that, while you take it, you're going to potentially carry water weight more easily. It should equalise itself in time, though.

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  • thecoldhardtruth
    11 years ago

    Yupp, birth control makes you gain a lot of weight :/ I believe it's because birth control makes your body think its pregnant? I'm not too sure

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    • forever_anon
      11 years ago

      That makes sense. I certainly feel pregnant right now with all the bloating and food cravings (which I have thus far been able to resist). But a few pounds are better than an unplanned pregnancy.

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  • NeuroNeptunian
    11 years ago

    Normal, but if you continue to gain a substantial amount of weight, see your doctor. The weight might go away, but if it doesn't and you're worried, once again, see your doctor.

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  • lc1988
    11 years ago

    This happened to me when I first started taking birth control...it went away after a while...i think for me it was a few weeks. Hang in there! I believe I read somewhere it's normal to gain a max of 5% your body weight when starting the pill.

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    • forever_anon
      11 years ago

      Thanks for the info. Is the weight difficult to lose?

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      • lc1988
        11 years ago

        I didn't even do anything...it just went away after a month or two. All it is is just water weight.

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  • Xxwhiteboy96xX
    11 years ago

    My friend told me shell never take Bc cus it apperently makes your body act like its pregnate so mabie that's why? (I'm a dude I'm not gona front like I have a clue)

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  • VioletTrees
    11 years ago

    Sounds like bloating, which I think is normal for some birth control medications.

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  • Avant-Garde
    11 years ago

    Medication can have strange side-effects. If it starts to negatively effect your health, stop taking it at once.

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  • Allistalla
    11 years ago

    No this is perfeclty normal alot of medication will have the side effect of making you gain wieght talk to your doctor he may give you something that will not do that .

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