Yaz, weight gain, estrogen?

mead1916 · 12-21-2007, 09:56 PM

Hi! I hope someone can give me some advice, since my doctors have been unhelpful.

I have had amenorrhea for 2 years and hormone tests confirmed that I had high androgen levels but also no progesterone and very very little estrogen. I have severe hair growth and breast atrophy as a result, but I did not experience weight gain, perhaps in part because I followed a low gi diet. However, since coming back to school, where complex carbs are back in my diet (the dining hall has few options for vegetarians that don't involve bread or starchy veggies - however, I do not overeat), and starting Yaz to get my hormones under control, I have gained 15 lbs!

I am a small woman, and this amount of weight gain in a 2 month period seems very excessive. I already felt insecure about my body because of the androgen and low estrogen symptoms, but now I feel horrible about it! Could this just be a result of the estrogen increase slowing my metabolism, or is it the PCOS getting worse!?

JosieFB · 12-22-2007, 01:13 AM

Yaz has the lowest estrogen of all the BCP out there, and it has a diuretic effect, so it is one of the least likely to cause weight gain. However studies have shown the BCPs can cause insulin resistance or make it worse. If you become more insulin resistant, weight gain could follow. You mentioned school. It is very easy to gain weight at school. Like you said, unhealthy food, plus lots of sitting in class and studying makes for a sedentary lifestyle.

guineapig · 12-23-2007, 10:03 PM

The Ring produces lower blood estrogen levels than YAZ, but its progestin is not as IR-friendly. Any time I add any estrogen to my body I gain weight. I was on spironolactone 100 mg for 2 years and my body did not really attempt to ovulate during that time (bled constantly though). I lost 40 pounds and was the thinnest I'd been since depo ruined my life. My point is, when my estrogen was low, I felt great and was thinner by far. When I was on letrozole (estrogen inhibitor, used for infertility and cancer), I felt great then and lost like 4 pounds the month I was on it. I am on the ring now, and haven't gained as much weight as regular bcp, but I'm not sure it's helping PCOS either.

Anyway, I would try to stick to the low GI diet at school...know it's difficult with all that starchy crap in the dining halls. I remember.

Also, estrogen can convert to testosterone and vice versa. It's possible your intake of estrogen is converting over. Spironolactone stops this, but I don't know if YAZ does or not. Maybe your doc can add spiro to your regimen?