Perimenopause Help

Question by Daisy Buchanen: Is it the estrogen in birth control pills that causes weight gain?
I know that everyone has different reactions to birth control, but has switching to a pill with a lower dosage of estrogen been shown to have a lesser frequency of causing weight gain? Thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by wah hoo
The weight gain is caused by the fact that birth control pills fool your body into thinking its pregnant, therefore you tend to gain that ” baby weight” regardless of the dose of estrogen.

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Question by Waitin’ 4 Next Year: What would a women take a high estrogen birth control pill?
Most doctors reccomend a low-dose estrogen pill for the least side-effects. Why would one opt for a high dose pill?

Best answer:

Answer by NurseBunny
Every woman has a different level of hormones in her body. Some will experience breakthrough bleeding and other symptoms with low-dose pills so they may need a higher concentration of estrogen in their pills. It’s always best to start with a low dose and work your way up if need be.

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Question by I Have Answers: What’s the benefit to taking low estrogen birth control pills?
What’s the benefit to taking low estrogen birth control pills as suppose to regular ones? Is estrogen harmful? Are there more side effects?

The only side effect I’m aware of is that across the board low estrogen pills are more likely to lower your sex drive, curtesy of the famous Dr. Drew, so I was wondering if there is anything else to consider.

Thanks so much!

Best answer:

Answer by Q
Estrogen CAN be harmful–lifetime exposure to estrogen is positively correlated with lifetime risk of breast cancer and uterine cancer. So it’s thought that the lower estrogen pills will be better in that regard. But your risks are still very small, so it’s not a huge difference. Other problems you might have with the low estrogen pills are constipation and dry skin. But all pills affect libido, so you migth want to skip them all.

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Question by ilovekitties52: Can taking estrogen pills and Birth control cause any health problems?
I was just wondering if taking estrogen pills and birth control at the same time can cause any health problems. I know birth control already contains estrogen and my body already make it. So would the extra estrogen throw anything off balance?

Best answer:

Answer by JessicaM
Yeah it can throw lots of things off balance… Never take anything with out talking to your doctor about it first. However if they prescribed the extra estrogen then perhaps your body is not producing enough.

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Question by College girl: What is the best way to increase estrogen levels in my body without taking birth control?
I am a college student who loves to run. I usually run 4-6 miles 6 days a week, and am 5′5 at 112 lbs. I also dont eat a lot of meat. I haven’t gotten my period for almost 2 years and realize that I must do so to reduce my risk for developing osteoperosis in the future. My doctor recommended birth control, but I really do not want to take it for several reasons, one being the side affects that result from pumping my body full of hormones. Is there another way to increase my estrogen levels and start menstruating again? I think if I try to gain about 5 lbs that should start things flowing again, but that’s easier said than done considering I eat a lot now (I have to walk a lot plus the running). Are there any other suggestions for me, or any tips to help me “thicken” up without “jelling up”? Thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by mibr
There are naturally occuring estrogens in some foods (like soy and others), and then there are certain supplements derived from foods that increase estrogen. Someone at a health food store could point you in the right direction for both of these.
You can also ask them about what foods have a high caloric level to try and increase your weight. A nutritionist could be something to consider as well.

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