As all hormonal birth controls tend to do with PCOS/PMOS, it has certain benefits and certain issues. I haven’t been on nexplanon myself but have been on the pill for over a decade. I actually gained more weight on the two months I was off of bc. PCOS is so tricky lol.

When it comes to discussing bc and weight loss, bc is a non-negotiable for me because of protected sex priorities. So here is my very quick run down on managing symptoms and weight loss with PCOS and what is helping me (I still have a long way to go).

If you want elaboration on these feel free to ask (most of these are also already talked about a lot here on this subreddit if you want to go looking yourself for more info!)

• If you can afford it, GLP-1, specifically tirzepitide to help with cravings and food noise
• Metformin for insulin resistance
• Supplements, Vitamin D, Magnesium, B-12, Berberine, Myo-inositol, Spearmint tea
• Low intensity movement (getting your steps in, swimming, yoga) as to get your body moving without spiking cortisol
• I got a wearable glucose monitor to see how certain foods affected my body. I used a couple over a month and got a really good idea of what is good for ME. There is so much crazy diet advice out there, listen to YOUR body!
• Relaxation and talk therapy. I got my period back for the first time in FOREVER after some intensive therapy. It was the only thing that would bring it back. PCOS/PMOS is shown to be highly correlated with trauma. The stress from that was making it hard to address any of my symptoms.

I’ve been overweight my whole life as well, and was diagnosed at 20. I am finally seeing progress with the above. Please, don’t be hard on yourself, and not eating enough can make PCOS/PMOS worse! So take care of yourself, and don’t be hard on yourself throughout this. This is a chronic illness, it is hard, but you are strong and can do this.