I also agree that birth control does contribute to weight gain. In reality the weight gain is mainly water weight, at least that is what I used to experience. In actuality there is no "magic" pill that will work the same for everyone. The certain type of progesterone that is in a pill is what causes different reactions when mixed with different body chemestries. I myself took Ortho-tri-cyclen and Ortho-lo with no problems at all except nausea. When I tried taking Loestrin 1/20, I had unbelievable bloating and hair loss. I felt awful until I switched pills again. The ortho pills have a different progestin than the Loestrin. I am now on Kariva (generic of Mircette) and have no problems whatsoever. Birth control is such a gamble until you find the right one for you.