I gained weight while I was on the Pill, (I used at least 6 or more different types and still gained weight.) I gained a LOT of weight on Depo Provera (which is a long term inject-able form of artificial progesterone, used for birth control and stopping menses for medical reasons) I have also gained weight recently, since I have been on an Estrogen creme and only a small amount of progestin, to help with some very severe peri-menopausal symptoms (mainly, having great difficulty having an orgasm, which never happened to me before the peri-menopause.)

I know that the inserts say only a small number of women gain weight, but those "studies" done on weight gain and the Pill usually only followed each women for a few weeks after starting the Pill, few if any studies have been followed women for more than a month on female hormones. As most of us know, most of the weight gain happens over time on hormones. I've just seen too many women, while working in women's health, who have gained weight on hormones to believe some 2 week study that was done to benefit the drug industry.

As a nurse and a woman who has suffered from this problem, I truly believe that MOST women gain weight while on estrogens and progesterones. Even natural female hormones cause added fat to be deposited on the breasts, hips, buttocks and abdomen (it's one of the signs that sexual maturity and proper hormone release has started in young girls) so there is no reason to think that synthetic hormones would do anything different.

And, since the Pill often simulates a pregnant state, (to prevent ovulation) and all women put on fat stores during pregnancy, it only makes sense that, at least over periods of more than a week or two, synthetic hormones in any form cause weight gain in most women.

Yeah, Depo is awful for me too. The insert says 4 to 5 lbs. I gained 40 lbs, which is a lot of weight for a woman my size. I lost it within months of going off Depo.

Never taken the pill but I'm hoping I wont gain.

I voted I have never taken the pill but that is a lie. I have taken it but not long enough to see if it does anything. I first was on the pill then quit. A few years later I started to take it again but I did not like how it made my cycle. I messed up and missed just one day, not even a 24 hour span, and my period started right back up after a few days of just finishing it. I took the 2 I was suppose to take and then decided I wanted a different method so I quit taking it and it happened again. I was very sure I didn't want to take the pill if it caused that change so suddenly.

I started taking the pill a few years ago and didn't experience any weight gain except my boobs got bigger which was a good thing for me. I stopped taking it for awhile then started taking it again and didn't experience any weight gain this time either. I've never had weight problems though if that plays a factor. I've been 105-115 for years now. It's hard for me to gain weight.

ive heard that u can i dont take the pill in general