Tablet hormonal contraceptives are one of the most effective methods of protection against unwanted pregnancy. In addition, this group of drugs is often prescribed to women for the prevention and treatment of certain gynecological diseases.
One of the common side effects of taking hormonal contraception tablets is weight gain. That is why the question of how to lose weight after taking birth control pills does not lose its relevance. The most effective methods for normalizing body weight will be described in detail below.
Reasons for weight gain when taking OK
There are several key reasons why women gain weight from taking hormonal drugs. These reasons include:
- Accumulation of excess fluid in the body. An integral component of combined oral contraceptives is an analogue of the hormone progesterone. Under the influence of this component, excess fluid is retained in the body, as a result of which a woman’s weight increases by several kilograms. If we are talking about gaining body weight within 4 kg, then, as a rule, the extra pounds are caused by the accumulation of fluid, not fatty tissue. Drugs such as Jess and Yarina have a mild diuretic effect, thereby preventing the accumulation of excess fluid.
- Increased appetite. Under the influence of progesterone analogs contained in combined oral contraceptives, there is not only stagnation of excess fluid in the body, but also an increase in appetite.
- Lipid metabolism disorders. Another, less common reason for weight gain while taking hormonal contraception tablets is changes in fat metabolism that occur when the balance of sex hormones changes.
Why taking hormones leads to excess weight
Women who care about their appearance are frightened by the prescription of hormonal drugs. Cases where the use of medication causes weight gain are common. The question - how to lose weight after taking hormonal pills - is often heard in the offices of gynecologists. Since a woman’s health and the ability to give birth to a child are a priority, the problems of extra pounds are solved after completion of treatment measures.
Why does taking hormones lead to excess weight? Experts note several reasons:
- independent selection of contraceptives;
- increased appetite under the influence of drugs;
- high concentration of hormones in the medicine;
- the ability of some drugs to retain fluid in the body;
- the occurrence of a deficiency of microelements, vitamins, minerals;
- the appearance of neuroses, insomnia.
What hormones make women fat?
Changes in the amount of what substances produced in the body by the endocrine and reproductive glands, thyroid and pancreas can be blamed for gaining extra pounds? The appearance of fat in the abdominal area occurs when estrogen decreases in women during menopause. What hinders you from losing excess weight:
- decreased testosterone levels;
- increased production of ghrelin, the hunger hormone;
- fluid retention, weakening of metabolic processes by progesterone.
Women gain weight from hormones when their production is disrupted - processes accelerate or slow down. Excess weight gain is affected by:
- cortisol, produced during stressful situations, provides fat reserves of energy;
- thyroid substances of the thyroid gland - if there is a deficiency, they inhibit metabolism;
- insulin – regulates fat and carbohydrate reserves; as it grows, weight begins to increase;
- leptin – helps reduce appetite, and when it decreases, extra pounds are gained;
- adrenaline activates metabolism; in its absence, obesity develops.
Weight loss plan after taking OK
If a woman wants to lose weight after taking hormonal tablets, then she needs to familiarize herself with a set of measures that will allow her to normalize her body weight without compromising her health and general well-being.
Preparation
Before performing a set of measures to normalize body weight, a woman is advised to make sure that the gain of extra pounds is associated with taking contraceptive pills and not with any diseases. In addition, it is recommended to first discuss the issue of losing weight with your doctor, as well as undergo a comprehensive examination to rule out the chronic and acute course of certain diseases. In order to gently lose weight after taking hormonal pills, it is recommended to pay attention to the following preparatory recommendations:
- If, as a result of a comprehensive medical examination, certain health problems were discovered, it is recommended to eliminate them before losing weight.
- To normalize body weight after stopping taking tablet contraceptives, it is strictly forbidden to use the fasting method.
- It is recommended to begin the weight loss procedure 1 month after stopping the use of hormonal contraceptives, since within a month, the components of contraceptives circulate in the systemic bloodstream and can affect the female body.
Diet
In order to quickly lose weight after taking hormonal pills, you need to pay attention to your daily diet. It is recommended to completely exclude the following food ingredients from the daily menu:
- Chips and other types of snacks.
- Fried and smoked products.
- Bakery and confectionery products.
- Canned fish, meat and vegetables, as well as mushrooms.
- Alcohol.
- Mayonnaise, ketchup and other sauces.
- Any variety of sausages, with the exception of doctor's sausage.
- Rice, beans, potatoes.
- Fatty fish and meats.
- Hard cheese.
- Energy and carbonated sweet drinks.
- Semi-finished products and fast food.
In addition, the diet should limit the consumption of table salt to a minimum , since sodium retains fluid in the body, making it difficult to normalize body weight. An individually tailored diet that includes the following food ingredients helps you lose weight after taking hormonal pills at home:
- Lean fish and seafood.
- Green tea.
- Varieties of meat and poultry with minimal fat content.
- Fresh berries and citrus fruits, pineapple pulp.
- Vegetables and fruits with medium and low glycemic index values.
- Fresh greens.
- Natural fermented milk products without added sugar.
- Oatmeal without added sugar, cooked in water.
Also, the key to proper weight loss is split meals. It is recommended to eat food at least 5-6 times a day, and the portions should be small. For breakfast you should eat complex carbohydrates, and at dinner, you should give preference to protein foods.
Drinking regime
In order to lose weight if you take hormonal pills, you need to pay attention not only to your diet, but also to your drinking regime. Sufficient water consumption allows you not only to quickly remove the remains of hormonal drugs, but also to normalize water and electrolyte metabolism in the body. The recommended daily volume of drinking water is from 2 to 2.5 liters. In addition to regular drinking water, you can consume natural compotes and fruit drinks without added sugar, mineral water, as well as decoctions of rose hips, parsley seeds and chamomile flowers.
Physical training
If a woman has gained excess weight after taking hormonal birth control pills, she needs to increase the amount of daily physical activity. In the absence of any contraindications from the cardiovascular system, it is recommended to use the following types of activities as additional physical activity:
- Hiking in the fresh air.
- Swimming.
- Yoga classes.
- Pilates.
- Marathon running.
- Regular aerobics and water aerobics.
- Daily morning exercises.
It is recommended to perform such types of cardio exercise as cycling and exercise on an exercise bike in doses, after preliminary consultation with your doctor.
Doing morning exercises, consisting of the following exercises, helps speed up metabolic processes in the body:
- Regular squats, performed in several sets of 10-15 times, depending on the level of physical fitness.
- Lying on your back, you should raise your legs at a right angle, and then slowly lower them. The exercise is repeated 10 times in 3 approaches.
- While in a standing position, perform slow lunges with one leg forward with a multiplicity of 15 times in 3 approaches.
- Lying on your back, you need to raise both legs and perform the “bicycle” exercise.
- While in a standing position, swing your legs in a forward-backward direction.
- For 30 times, you should jump up.
After completing the gymnastics, you need to take 3 deep breaths with slow exhalations.
Drugs
In combination with measures to correct diet and lifestyle, certain types of medications can be used that indirectly affect the process of weight loss. As a rule, women are prescribed drugs that normalize the activity of the thyroid gland, restore cell sensitivity to insulin, and also accelerate metabolic processes. In addition, the following names of medicines can be used:
- Clenbuterol. This product accelerates the breakdown of fatty tissue and prevents its accelerated accumulation.
- Reduxin. This drug accelerates the onset of satiety after eating.
- Xenical. This medication blocks the activity of enzymes responsible for the breakdown of fats into free acids and monoglycerides. As a result, undissolved fats are excreted unchanged from the body.
ethnoscience
If a woman has gained weight from taking hormonal contraceptive pills, and does not want to use the previously listed medications for weight loss, then she can use alternative medicine recipes. The most effective recipes include:
- Herbal infusion. To prepare the product, you need to take 1 teaspoon of chopped fennel fruits, parsley seeds, dandelion roots and mint. The resulting mixture is poured into 1 liter of boiling water and left for 5 hours. You need to use the product a quarter glass 2 times a day.
- Water with honey. Every morning, on an empty stomach, it is recommended to drink 1 glass of warm water with 1 teaspoon of dissolved honey. To improve the effect and taste, it is allowed to add a few drops of lemon juice.
We recommend reading
- What contraceptives can be used while breastfeeding?
- Birth control pills and libido
- Comparison of combined oral contraceptives
How not to gain weight while taking OK
In order not to gain weight when taking tableted hormonal drugs, it is recommended to follow simple tips:
- Every day, it is recommended to follow the previously described drinking regime.
- You should eat at least 5 times a day, in small portions.
- Completely exclude the previously listed foods from your diet.
- 1-2 times a month, in the absence of contraindications, it is recommended to arrange fasting days.
- Maintain moderate physical activity.
How to lose weight after taking hormonal drugs
To put your body in order after using hormones in tablets, you need to know that the process of losing weight can take several months. Any woman who has set such a goal and adheres to certain rules can be able to lose extra pounds. How to lose weight after taking hormonal pills? First, you will need to consult an endocrinologist, then you need to:
- stop being nervous;
- calm down;
- rid the body of toxins;
- to drink a lot of water.
To lose weight after taking hormonal medications, doctors recommend trying:
- normalize nutrition;
- organize proper sleep;
- arrange fasting days;
- take vitamin complexes;
- to walk alot;
- use physical therapy;
- Do massage;
- stop smoking;
- limit alcohol;
- visit the bathhouse;
- take medicinal baths;
- increase physical activity.
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