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[Keilebakescupcakes]

So, about 4 months ago I started a generic version of "ortho-tri-cyclen" called "tri-nessa". I have experienced a slight weight gain (about 5-6 lbs mostly in my hips, arms and face) and my cheeks especially always look puffy. I have heard that birth control pills can cause your face to be puffy.

Although this may seem like a small price to pay when you finally have (for the most part) clear skin....but it's really starting to bother me, this sudden weight gain. I've always been a small girl and now I'm starting to look a little disproportionate because my boobs are now about a cup and a half bigger, and my face is always puffy looking. I'm 21 and I already look very young, so this chimpmunk cheek look isn't doing my any good.

Any other women experience this problem? Any suggestions on what I could do to fix it?

[Green Gables]

Honestly there's not much you can do. How you look now (with a little extra fat and roundness in the face) is probably how you are "supposed" to look if you had had perfect hormones.

When people who are trying to change from men to women undergo hormone therapy, they add estrogen, and this gives them the softening of features and fat deposits you describe. This is simply a feminine trait. Unfortunately you have become used to a thinner, more angular look due to a previous balance of hormones that had more androgens. So while you may prefer your previous look (which strictly according to the hormones is more masculine), there isn't much to be done about it. Unless you're willing to have acne again.

You've probably heard this before, but you'll love that you had chipmunk cheeks at 21 when you turn 40. Not that it helps now

If the very slight weight gain and roundness is making THAT much of a difference, you may possibly have a bone structure issue in your face. Many people have slightly underdeveloped jaw bones. They will comment that they "don't have any more weight to lose" yet still have a round or "fat" face. If you have a strong developed jaw line then 5-6 pounds will do little to your features. If you have a weak profile, however, it will be noticeable.

If your profile picture is really you, just based on a cursory look over, you may very well have a more petite bone structure, slightly weak profile and a somewhat narrow face, which means that tiny changes in weight and water retention are more noticeable on you than other people. And when I say that, I mean noticeable to you, other people won't notice nearly as much if at all.

Edited by Green Gables, 12 January 2013 - 10:23 PM.