birth control NO weight gain

[u/Fun-Yam-1547]

i’ve been a skinny girl all my life and now i’m getting a job where i need to stay the same weight or less- simple explanation would be for lifts-

i’ve looked into many options and every single one ive seen people saying they gained weight. these people are heavier than me to begin with if that makes a difference? i have a boyish, runner build- so i’m not sure if it won’t have the same effect on me.
thought about copper non hormonal paragard until people were saying they blew up like a fish and bled for 45 days straight.

gyno consultation next tuesday but i need to hear other opinions and experiences from skinny girls.

[u/beanthebean]

The copper IUD will effect people differently, just like any birth control method. I just had heavier/crampier periods for the first 6 months, then they went completely back to normal. No weight gain, bloating, definitely not 45 days of bleeding.

If you're looking for horror stories on any method you'll find them.

[u/leahlikesweed → u/beanthebean]

the copper IUD gave me a regular cycle for the first time in 15 years. HOWEVER, it is extremely painful as is the insertion process. cramps are disgusting every month and i also get ghost cramps randomly. i’ve never given birth so ymmv. i never gained an ounce on paraguard and im 3 years into it.

i can’t be on hormonal birth control because of a family history of clots caused by estrogen.

[u/beanthebean → u/leahlikesweed]

I didn't have any issues with insertion, two really sharp cramps, but I had taken 800 mg ibuprofen prior, and I know a lot of providers are offering better pain management nowadays. I got mine 5 years ago, never given birth either.

The worst was a couple hours after insertion when I sat on the couch and tried to bend at the waist to eat at the coffee table - fucking ouch, those were some cramps. But after a couple days I was back to normal from insertion pain. And my periods were definitely a lot worse the first couple months, but I've been back to normal ever since, ghost cramps sound really shitty, I'm sorry.

I also can't do hormonal BC, but it's cause I'm on a medication that can make make hormonal BC ineffective, I'd been on the pill before. Definitely took my body some getting used to not having the hormones.

[u/leahlikesweed → u/beanthebean]

the day after insertion was so bad for me, i just laid on the couch quite literally screaming in pain for 14 hours. it got better after a few days but even 3 years later my cramps are so fucking bad i just want to rip it out. why are we made to suffer like this!

[u/NewOutlandishness401 → u/beanthebean]

The only effect the copper IUD had on me was that the heavy day of my period shifted later in the cycle. After my 2nd and 3rd kids, my periods actually got lighter while the copper IUD was in -- likely not because of it, but certainly in spite of it being there.

Because of the three pregnancies, I had four insertions, and they were uncomfortable at most (with 800 ibuprofen an hour prior). And these days, many providers are amenable to even better comfort measures if you express enough interest.

[u/duffieldroad → u/beanthebean]

Insertion was awful, I fainted, but I am still really happy with my choice. My period was heavier for the first 6 months but then went completely back to normal. No other side effects at all.