Expert: Eric Brandt - 3/16/2006

Question
Hello Eric,

My problem is this, i am 28, fit, very active person who has maintained a weight of around 130lbs for the past 6 years or so, but i have never been much heavier anyway.  I have been on the contraceptive pill since i was 17 and have just come off it about 3 months ago.  Well within 1 month i have gained about 12 - 14 lbs basically around my waist and stomach area, and it is quite distressing for me.  Dunno if it is important but the only meat i eat is chicken, but only about twice a week.  I have tried diuretic tablets in case it was water retention but that hasnt worked and am now taking an omega 3, 6 and 9 oil combo to see if that helps as i wouldnt have a big lot of fat in my diet.  I was wondering if perhaps i had a hormone imbalance due to coming off the pill and this has caused the weight gain??

Hope u can help

Thanks for ur time

Nicola

Answer
Hi Nicola,
This is an unusual response to coming off the pill. Usually taking oral contraceptives results in weight gain not vice versa. Your doctor can order a blood test tocheck your hormone levels to see if there is an imbalance. This is the only way to determine if there is an imbalance.
There might be some other underlying problem. See your doctor for an evaluation.
Thank you for using Allexperts
Sincerely,
Eric Brandt, B.Sc. Pharm