How I Lost 13 lbs. Without Trying (it has to do with the pill)

Warning--I might get a little TMI in this post. Men may not enjoy reading it, but I hope it helps others.

Back in June of last year, I finally went off the birth control pill. I had the Paragard copper IUD implanted and while that was very painful and horrible, I now consider that procedure worth it. I had more trouble with the procedure because I have never had kids and they had to dilate me. I think it took over 20 minutes for them to insert the IUD. An OBGYN had to be called in at the last minute to help because my internist was having such a hard time with it.

This is the Paragard. It does not release hormones, like Mirena does. The Paragard lasts for 10 years.

source

After reading about how birth control pills can affect women, I really didn't want to be on them anymore. I suspected I was having trouble losing weight because of the pill and I think my doctors agree that they were negatively affecting me in this way.

This is what I have noticed since going off the pill:

-I gradually lost about 5 lbs. last summer. That's not a lot, but my pants were fitting loosely and my waist was getting smaller.

-I went back on the pill for about two weeks because I wanted to control when I was getting my period. After about 3-4 days, I noticed I was retaining weight and craving sweets again.

-I don't crave or eat as many sweets, like chocolate.

-People have commented that I look thinner. I think my face especially doesn't look as puffy.

-It's now been 9 months since I went off the pill and I have lost of a total of 13 lbs. without trying to.
My clothes fit more loosely in certain areas and I don't feel as curvy as I have for the last 10 years or so.

While getting my period more often is a pain, I consider it worth it. My cycle was becoming pretty regular, until last month.

My period never came in early January. I took two pregnancy tests and they both came back negative. I had some blood work done to see what was going on with my body. My doctor did not think I was pregnant, but I had a pregnancy blood test anyway. The other things she thought may be going on were hypothyroidism or early menopause. For about five days straight, all I saw on TV was menopause commercials and it scared the crap out of me.

Thankfully, all of my blood work came back completely normal. I had to take five days straight of progesterone pills to bring my period on though.

Ok, I'll end the major TMI post there and hope it's helpful for somebody out there. Let me know if you have questions!