Expert: Diane Cheryl - 7/21/2011

Question
Hi, I've used this site before for belly button piercing questions, so I hoped it would work for this too.
I'm 14 and maybe 8 months ago, I went on birth control for my irregular periods. My mom never told me that it made you gain weight. So, since I had started taking it I have gained 12+ pounds and never knew why. I used to have such a tiny figure, too. I went from 100 pounds to 114 within months. Since I've been on it I've also been super hungry.
Is there a way to control this?
If I go off the pill will I lose all the weight I gained?
Please help.

Answer
Hi Chelsea,

Yes, weight gain is one of the possible side effects from the birth control pills. I would not recommend that you be on pills because of your age and also the possible side effects. Oh, I see that you are not on the pill because of sexual activity but because of irregular periods. Did your doctor recommend this? I don't want to go against your mom but perhaps she could do some research about some other method of helping your periods without being on the hormonal birth control. Hopefully, if you stopped the pill, you could lose the weight that you gained. Please email me at CHERYL51@aol.com and tell me what happens. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Diane Cheryl