Family

[softballhead]

I'm fourteen years old, and I used to be on birth control pill to regulate my periods.  However, a few months ago, I started gaining a lot of weight, even though I play competitive sports and power walk a mile every day.  I'm five feet four inches, and I got up to about 146 pounds.  Although the exercise has made me really muscular in my upper body, I know that most of the extra weight is fat.  So last month I got off the pill, and I've finally lost some of the weight, especially since I have softball six days a week now.  I'm finally starting to feel good about myself again.  But then my parents started getting really mad at me for stopping the pills.  Apparently, I'm "hormonal" and "out of control".  They're forcing me to start taking them again, and if I don't they threaten to stop taking me to my softball events.  Softball is my life, and I'm just so sick of coming in last in all the conditioning because I'm in bad shape, even though I eat right and exercise outside of practice.  So I also know that if they carry through their threat, I'll be miserable because I can't play.  Any advice will help, thank you.

[firestorm104]

if it's still not regulated, it may be better to stay on it for a little while longer. however, it is a personal choice, and it's entirely up to you how you want to handle. these things usually work themselves out after a while on their own. your parents strongly want you to stay on it, so i suggest you have them make another appointment, and talk with your doctor/gyno/etc about your concerns with the effects on your body. they'll appreciate your familarity and concerns with knowing your body enough to notice a difference. there are many types of the pill out there for that reason, so that may help. also know it may take a few different tries before you find something that works. good luck

[flamingoccm]

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softballhead wrote:

I'm fourteen years old, and I used to be on birth control pill to regulate my periods.  However, a few months ago, I started gaining a lot of weight, even though I play competitive sports and power walk a mile every day.  I'm five feet four inches, and I got up to about 146 pounds.  Although the exercise has made me really muscular in my upper body, I know that most of the extra weight is fat.  So last month I got off the pill, and I've finally lost some of the weight, especially since I have softball six days a week now.  I'm finally starting to feel good about myself again.  But then my parents started getting really mad at me for stopping the pills.  Apparently, I'm "hormonal" and "out of control".  They're forcing me to start taking them again, and if I don't they threaten to stop taking me to my softball events.  Softball is my life, and I'm just so sick of coming in last in all the conditioning because I'm in bad shape, even though I eat right and exercise outside of practice.  So I also know that if they carry through their threat, I'll be miserable because I can't play.  Any advice will help, thank you.

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I just want to ask you a few questions--

How long have you had your period? 14 is pretty young for doctors to want to use medication to regulate your period, especially since it is normal to have an irregular period in the first few years you have it. 

How long were you taking the birth control pills to begin with? Some weight gain can be a side effect of hormonal birth control. However, by your own account you are also extremely active and eat well, so I find it hard to believe you'd gain a lot of weight even with the added pills. Muscle is also heavier than fat is, so even though the scale says your body weight has increased, it's not necessarily a bad thing. So, how much is "a lot" of weight?

I really think you should go to your doctor about this whole thing. With your history of irregular periods, unexplained weight gain, and mood swings I think it is possible that you might have a condition called PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) or a different but related hormonal imbalance. While the weight gain is frustrating, I would be willing to bet that it actually was not related to the birth control at all, but instead a problem with your hormones. 

[girly90]

have them give you the lowest dose so you wont gain weight

[softballhead]

Thanks everybody who has posted helpful advice.  My parents and I have resolved the problem for now.  I proved to them that in the two months I've been off the pill, I've lost about 10 pounds!!  Thanks again to everyone!