NRR for ladies: Birth control and running

BTW, I realize it is running related. I just thought I'd add that flag for the men who don't care and don't want to read about this stuff.

Birth control jacks with your hormone levels. Sounds like the ring might be going too far for you. Any reason you don't take the pill? Did you check the reported side effects for the ring?

And screw you frednorris.

anyone else deal with weight gain on the pill (not nuvaring)?

Not a girl wrote:

Birth control jacks with your hormone levels. Sounds like the ring might be going too far for you. Any reason you don't take the pill? Did you check the reported side effects for the ring?

And screw you frednorris.

Great choice in words!

i will throw this out there - check on t3 and estrogen.

exogenous estrogen interferes with t3 (thyroid) t3 "is" metabolism. research estrogen dominance and t3 - this is where the weight gain comes from.

Get an IUD. I was on the pill for a long time and dealt with the weight gain, fatigue, the crazy and depression. I got the merina (I dont think I spelled that right) iud and I love it. I lost the weight and am running really well with it. It has a very small amount of localized hormone (doesn't make it into the blood stream) that keeps your periods light or completely eliminates them. I would highly recommend it.

anyone take contraceptives and not have signs of weight gain? Isn't there certain medications with low dosage?

Take Yaz. Just started 2 months ago and I have no symptoms of PMS. Used to eat tons and get crazy emotional for up to 2 weeks before my period and now I feel nothing. Hasn't effected my running at all. Only side effects I experienced was bloating my first month which has subsided. I def. recommend it.

anyone here take tri-norynal or I think its also called Leena and have symptoms?

palo wrote:

anyone take contraceptives and not have signs of weight gain? Isn't there certain medications with low dosage?

Lo Ovral. No problems (6+ years).

This might be of interest:

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/43210/title/Birth_control_pills_can_limit_muscle-training_gains

Personally, I've been on ortho-tricyclin LO for 5 years and haven't gained any weight (actually lost weight, though this probably isn't related to being on BC) or had any noticeable impacts to my running. Even if there was a slight impact, it's better than the alternative!

Seasonique has worked well for me. I didn't have any weight gain associated with it, and I really prefer the 3 month cycle.

I do hit a performance low at the end of each cycle, so I'll often either subtract a week or add a week to make sure that that week doesn't coincide with a goal race.

I started on Loestrin FE (LFE) after about 10 years on OrthoTricyclen (OT). OT helped with heavy bleeding, but did nothing for the five days of water weight gain, breast pain, cramps and vague feelings of doom.

LFE has been much better. I barely get a period and the other problems are either very or gone. I think the hormonal dosage is lower, plus the inactive pills contain an iron supplement, which never hurts a runner.

I had no weight gain on either one, so I can't advise you there.

I was on Ortho-cyclen for 10 years with fabulous results, but eventually started to develop an immunity. The doc switched me to Yaz and it was horrible. I gained 5 pounds within a month even though my appetite declined, cried almost every night, had cramps so bad I couldn't get out of bed at least once a month, and ran horribly. Not to question the other runner's posting, but if you cruise the internet message boards, the reviews of Yaz are over 50% negative. I thought I was going crazy until I read about the other women's horror stories and realized it was the pills. I switched after 4 months on it (I was assured that many people have a tough transition on Yaz, but then do fine. Otherwise, I would have switched back immediately.).

I'm also on Loestrin FE now (for almost 9 months) with minimal side effects. I like that my period is only 2 days, but I get very bloated that week. It doesn't seem to affect my times, but it feels uncomfortable. I had breakthrough bleeding for a while, but that seems to be gone.

Go with a progestin only pill. I use Nora-Be. No weight gain, my running got better....I had been on Seasonale & Ortho Tri Cyclene Lo. I had weight gain on both. With Nora-Be, there is no off week. It is a low does the entire month so that means....no period. But, with no estrogen, no extra protection for your bones so make sure you are healthy so you don't end up with stress fractures.

Maybe ManRam would have some suggestions.

I was at a meet where a womens IUD fell out during a 800 meter race.

palo wrote:

anyone take contraceptives and not have signs of weight gain? Isn't there certain medications with low dosage?

I lost 5 pounds in the first week because I was afraid of gaining weight. When I ate normally again I had no weight gain. My doctor said there really isn't any reason a woman on the right pill should gain more than 2-3 pounds.

My iron levels are much better on the pill than off. Overall, I run better on the pill than off it.

As long as we know you can't get pregnant.....you know the drill........

Pics?