Ocella and Yasmin have one thing in common -- they are alternate names for Yaz, a birth control pill used by many. It helps prevent pregnancy by altering the lining of both your cervix and uterus, making it more difficult for sperm to reach eggs your ovaries release. Like most prescription drugs, Yaz has a number of side effects, one of which may be weight gain.
The Hormones
Yaz is a combination birth control pill, containing both estrogen and progestin, a synthetic form of progesterone. These hormones are also used in hormone replacement therapy for women nearing menopause, as well as those having had hysterectomies. One side effect of estrogen is water retention, which some women believe causes weight gain.
Fat Cells
The effect of birth control pills on your weight is small, according to MayoClinic.com. The weight gain from estrogen, which often appears in your hips, breasts and thighs, may be the result of retaining excess fluid. Estrogen does have an effect on your fat cells, increasing their size but not their amount. The larger your fat cells, the more you weigh. Micheal Jensen, M.D., endocrinologist for the Mayo Clinic, explains abdominal fat occurs when fat cells increase in size, while lower-body weight gain is the result of an increased number of fat cells.
Choose the Right Diet
You can lose weight while taking Yaz, but you must choose an eating plan you can adhere to; one that doesn't leave you feeling hungry or deprived. The more often you diet without success, or lose weight and regain it, the harder it becomes to lose weight and keep it off. At some point, your body enters starvation mode. It feels it needs to cling to the fat you have to prevent depletion. The healthiest plan is one that includes five servings a day of fruits and vegetables, lean protein like poultry and fish and whole grain products such as brown rice, oatmeal and whole grain bread.
Talk to Your Doctor
If you find weight loss difficult, ask your doctor to help you devise a well-balanced eating plan comprised of foods you enjoy. He can discontinue Yaz and prescribe another form of birth control without weight gain as a side effect. Most importantly, he can order blood work to check for any medical conditions that might be responsible for your weight gain.
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