Your Question:
Dear Experts,
My girlfriend is going to be taking birth control and when she heard that it could make her gain weight she is going to start taking diet pills as well. Will this hurt her in any way??
nevetsvsx, 07.22.05
The Answer:
Dear nevetsvsx, This could be harmful. Diet pills are rarely an effective way to lose weight, and they may cause serious health problems, including - high blood pressure
- heart palpitations and irregular heartbeats
- dizziness
- blurred vision
- headaches
- insomnia
- anxiety
- depression
While weight gain or weight loss is a possible side effect of the pill, most women have no weight change. For women who do experience this side effect, weight changes usually clear up after taking the pill for two or three months. A woman who is concerned about weight gain from the pill may want to talk to her clinician about switching to another type of pill or a different method of birth control. Women can also take to their clinicians about healthy ways to lose weight — including a balanced diet and moderate exercise — if they need to lose weight.
Hope this information helps! Take care, teenwire.com ® Editors
This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.
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