Mirena contains a hormone called levonorgestrel, which is a form of synthetic progesterone. Women who take progesterone-only birth control sometimes report increased appetite, reports FamilyDoctor.org. Mirena doesn't list weight gain in its consumer information about side effects, but clinical trials indicate that 5 percent of women gained weight while using the contraceptive, according to pharmacist Kristi Monson, writing for eMedTV. This could be due to increased appetite, hormonal changes or unrelated causes. A few lifestyle changes can help get your weight back on track.
Step 1
Schedule an appointment with your doctor to rule out other causes of weight gain and to evaluate your hormonal and reproductive health. Weight gain can be caused by an underlying medical condition, pregnancy, hormonal changes and other factors. Understand the cause of your weight loss to help you safely reverse it.
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Step 2
Start an exercise program to help create a calorie deficit, which will help you lose weight. Exercise for 30 minutes, most days of the week. Aim to get at least 150 minutes of exercise each week that you consider intense and challenging.
Step 3
Perform strength training exercises to build lean muscle mass, which causes your body to burn additional calories throughout your day. Do eight to 10 different exercises twice per week, recommends the American College of Sports Medicine. Work up to 12 reps per exercise.
Step 4
Eat a heart-healthy diet to promote weight loss, recommends the American Heart Association. Choose whole grains, including 100 percent whole wheat bread, and brown rice over processed white grains, including white bread and white rice. Increase your fruit and vegetable intake. Pick lean meats and low-fat dairy products. Cook at home instead of eating fast food. Carry healthy snacks with you to help you make healthy food choices.
Step 5
Continue these lifestyle changes even if you don't see immediate results. Remember that even though you had your Mirena removed, it might take a few menstrual cycles before the medication is completely out of your body and things return to normal.
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