July 1th
2008
5:21 AM
Ugh. I'm so glad I found this list and that everyone has been so candid!!! I am in my 2nd pack of Femcon and the symptoms are only getting worse. Toward the end of the first week I began spotting and did so on and off for 2 weeks. When I took the brown pills, I had my classic day-later start of a true period, as I have done with the Ortho versions I used to be on. Naturally, the period was very light--actually it never did go to red, only icky brown for a whole week. Then I started the first 2 pills of the 2nd pack before seeing my doctor for the pre-op appointment before my Esure procedure. (He put me on this pill when I told him that I didn't trust condoms alone in the 3 month waiting period while the procedure takes--I don't trust the Divine Sense of Humor this close to finally being sterile.) He told me to stop taking them for 5 days while they put me on something else that would thin out my lining so they could better see the entrances to my tubes, then continue them like I had never stopped. Great. I did that and the procedure has healed nicely. I went back on the pills--much to my dismay. I'm back to all-month-long PMS, tender breasts and spotting. I have been baffled and attributing the constant headaches, cycles of insomnia & exhaustion, lack of motivation, depression, acne breakouts, weight gain, dehydration even though I'm guzzling water, bloating, mood swings, and decreased sex drive to the stresses of everything BUT this pill, because I have never had this problem before. In fact, previous ones helped alleviate mood swings, cramping, irregular and heavy periods, acne, and bloating, but I've been experiencing the opposite for nearly 2 months now. The other day, in addition to the cramps and spotting, I started having major stabbing pains in my lower abdomen--where the Esure could be possibly causing pain--except that they didn't do it on that side because my fallopian tube is blocked naturally. My breasts have been getting more and more sore, and tonight they hurt terribly without touching anything except clothing! The cramps are continual, as are the headaches, and I wake up with my hands completely numb. I haven't been able to get to sleep well for weeks (it is 3:05 a.m. now) and I'm dragging all day. Trying to wake up from a nap is like waking from the dead, and then I'm disoriented and out of it. I'm having dizzy spells too. I can't focus and every little thing sets me off--my poor friends and boyfriend! I'm up and down like a toilet seat!! I don't know if the sore throat I've had for the past couple days has anything to do with this, but I don't feel sick. Could be allergies...??? The last couple days I've had diarrhea and an upset stomach, and with how quickly the breast tenderness level rose to horrible, my insomnia and anxiety rose to an all-time high as I feared I was pregnant. So I bounded out of bed to start looking up pregnancy side-effects, only to see that many of them could be caused by birth control--particularly this birth control--and hence I found this list. THANKFULLY! Grrrrrrrr. Needless to say, I'll be making a phone call to my doc tomorrow. Thanks again for sharing your experiences. I hope mine helps others!
-- By izzydancer | Reply | Send Private Mail
April 24th
2008
1:44 PM
I am 25 and have been taking Yasmin for about a year and a half. I switched to it because it would help my acne breakouts (face and chest/back),
as well as "reduce bloating" according to my doctor.
It did indeed help with helping calm down the PMS mood swings around 'that time of the month'.
However, especially in the last few months, I have noticed a very dramatic decrease in my libido and bouts of being down or 'blue' aka depression-like symptoms, as well as breast tenderness. Also strangely enough, one of the side effects listed on the info sheet claims it can cause bloating. So who do I believe? This is my point exactly...
Ladies, take 5 minutes and CAREFULLY READ THE INSTRUCTIONS that come inside the box of your Yasmin pills. When you do, you might be surprised by what you find, like I was.
I have been on several types of birth control since I was about 17, from Tri-cyclen, to Diane-35 and others.
What the doctors and pharmaceutical companies DON'T tell us, is that female sex hormones can cause cancer. This is literally written in the fine print on the info you get with your pills. It's there you just have to look for it.
Think about it... these companies get paid masses of money to keep you ignorant and thinking that there is little to no risk of taking birth control pills. They won't get paid if millions of women stop taking their doses.
Even my mom, who was taking hormones to balance out her menopausal issues, has a increased risk of cancer now due to taking hormones.
Just research it a little bit, google it and you will see.
Birth control pills can have permanent effects, and even temporary effects that cause you to feel miserable.
This is your life, your health, and we have to be aware of what we are putting in our bodies!!!!!!
Is gaining 5 lbs or having a few pimples really worth the risk of depression and the possibility of cancer??
I am not extremest, that is, I am not saying that no females should take birthcontrol pills. I understand there will always be a demand.
But this forum is important because it let's us share our worries. I am worried for myself (will these hormones contribute to breast cancer issues later in life?), and I am worried for all the girls out there who want the benefits of a pill (clear skin, regular periods) don't know that the side effects can be life threatening.
Educate yourself!! , don't believe everything the drug companies tell you, and what the doctors DO NOT tell you.
Remember, YOU are the only expert on YOU!
April 24th
2008
12:14 PM
I posted back in early March 2008 and figured I would update my experience with Mirena. I had many symptoms that most posted on here but not all. I figured I would give this option a few months and if the symptoms continued, I would have it removed. After a month, all symptoms have disappeared. Periods are lighter, no pain during intercourse and I can breathe a sigh of relief. No longer do I have to worry about pregnancy ( I always used natural planning going by my body cycle). I did have slight weight gain but started exercising more to offset the extra calories I was taking in with the sudden cravings for food. All and all, I am glad I stuck with it and let my body adjust to Mirena. Good luck to all of you.
-- By amy69 | Reply | (1) replies | Send Private Mail
April 16th
2008
11:35 PM
Has anyone expereinced an increase in acne breakouts after? My breakouts started about 6 months into it and have been getting worse. The breakouts are very sore and consistantly getting worse. I also too have gained weight and having a difficult time losing it. Also bad mood swings.
-- By erainey6227 | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail
December 17th
2007
3:59 PM
I have experienced uncontrollable acne breakouts on Lutera.. If you are acne prone, I would recommend trying something else. I am interested in Mircette, but afraid of the low libido remarks posted on so many discussion boards.
-- By americanlife | Reply | Send Private Mail
November 15th
2007
1:17 PM
My 12-year old son has been high dose prednisone for his asthma flare ups. I know that the "moon face" is common. However, since using this prednisone, he has bad acne breakouts on his forehead, cheeks, chin and even in his head. He also has broken out in a rash on his neck. Common or uncommon? There seems to be nothing to help with the acne, either.
-- By jolguin | Reply | (2) replies | Send Private Mail
August 28th
2006
3:32 AM
I've been on Advair 100/50 for about 2 weeks and have steadily experienced acne breakouts on my face. Could this be a side effect? I have experienced slight weight gain also. But my biggest concern is the acne. I just got it all cleared up for this to happen again? Frustrated, please help.
-- By cindyrrt | Reply | Send Private Mail
July 18th
2006
11:39 AM
After trying several Birth Control Pills, I switched to Yasmin about 1 year ago. Initally I had no problems. All was well, no spotting, less acne breakouts. About 4 months ago I started getting severe mirgranes. I have never had headache problems before. I also experinced a decrease in sex drive. I have been with the same man for 5 years and we were just recently married. I knew there was no problem with my attraction to him. It had to do something with the Yasmin. I quit taking the pill about 1 month ago. I feel like I am getting back to my old self. I hope this advice is helpful to others!
-- By amybc112 | Reply | Send Private Mail
May 31th
2006
9:03 PM
Hi all,
I started using Yasmin 2 weeks ago I actually started the pack The sunday after my period(the way my doctor recommended) I honestly haven't had any really bad side effects except for bad acne breakouts! Is anyone else experiencing this? Good luck to all.
a
-- By a3r3m3 | Reply | Send Private Mail
January 11th
2006
9:24 AM
Night sweats...in additon to flushing and sweating during the day. Problems sleeping, headaches, acne breakouts and constipation.
-- By candyscaramel | Reply | Send Private Mail
June 28th
2004
6:57 PM
I am on my 3rd week of Ovcon. I experienced nausea for the first 2 weeks till I starting taking it with a meal at night. Lots of cramps, acne breakouts on face and back and crying spells. I started spotting on the 3rd week and have been spotting and experiencing cramps for the past 6 days. I have gained at least five pounds. I was on Ortho-tricyclin before and it made me even more sick. Hopefully the side effects will get better. At least the nausea has gone away.
-- By jenniferpatton | Reply | Send Private Mail
Mirena (3) Yasmin (3) Lutera (1) Femcon FE (1) Ovcon (1) PredniSONE (1) Levoxyl (1) Advair HFA (1)
July 2th
2008
11:07 AM
I have had the Mirena for 1 1/2 yrs now. Within the past six months I have started to develop acne, all the while my period was starting to fade less and less every month. Now, the acne is severe and the periods are completely gone. I'm just wondering if this is all related. I have scheduled a appointment with a skin clinic, and also called my gyno. I am waiting on a reply from the nurse at the gynos office to see if I need to go on to the skin clinic, or if I just need to get this removed. I have never had more then a pimple or two on my face at one time. Now, I have them completely covering my hair line, almost like a rash.
-- By drea482 | Reply | (3) replies | Send Private Mail