Being a woman symptoms and conditions

I am a few days away from my 19th birthday and i've been taking Yasmin since the age of 11. I was diagnosed with PCOS when i was 11 and Yasmin has been what's keeping my period regular and more or less pain free since then. In May of 2008 i was switched to the generic version of Yasmin called, Ocella and started to notice more and more symptoms and side effects. My stomach pain in the mornings grew greater by the day and when i was on my sugar pill i would gain an unbearable migraine. Thinking it was just part of being a woman i ignored it and went about my life. It wasn't until December of 2008 while out with a group of friends i came into some serious stomach pain. thinking it was just a typical stomach ache that i normally got i ignored it. when i came to be about 4 am and the pain hadn't stopped i started to worry. first thing in the morning i went to the doctor who referred me to get an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed that i had gall stones and that i should have my gall bladder removed before more complications were to occur. Being a college student only a week away from returning to my second semester i opted to wait until spring break to have the surgery. During the 3 month wait i experience extreme diarrhea whenever something was put in my mouth, extreme stomach pain, heartburn, nausea, headaches, sore muscles, the list goes on and on i felt like i had been hit by a truck every day and i still had to go to class. in March of 2009 i had my gall bladder removed thinking that the symptoms would finally stop i returned to school only to find that nothing got better. It's been 7 months since my gall bladder has been removed and i'm still having the same symptoms as before and now i've added depression, stress, lack of energy and interest and many other things to the list. I'm still taking Ocella because i've never been advised otherwise but the symptoms are taking over my life. I am a sophomore majoring in electrical engineering at college and it's just become harder and harder to focus on my work or to enjoy the aspects of college that i should be with the frequent trips to the bathroom or having to opt out of a fun activity because of stomach pain. I was wondering if anyone can help me, maybe point me in a direction where i can get better and get back to enjoying what a 19 should be. Thanks.

Hello. I am 25 years old and have been using the ring for about three months now. I just removed it today. I have also tried the patch, Yasmin, and yaz before switching to the ring. I am very sensitive and birth control has always seemed to make me sick. Although lately i have been having weird vision things like little flashes of light, or very quick dimming for like a 10th of a second. I also suffer from anxiety and have many physical symptoms of anxiety including headaches which seemed to have increased since starting the ring. Has anyone else heard of weird vision changes. I saw my doctor today and she wasn't sure, she wants me to come back tomorrow morning. My blood pressure is also elevated. I also have chest pains which are due to anxiety but seem worse with the ring. And it takes me a long time to have an orgasm with the ring. I feel scared lately and man my husband and i hate using condoms but i don't know what else to do! Ahhh it sux being a woman. Why cant they hurry up and make a birth control for men huh? any responses would be really appreciated.

I'm so glad I decided to visit this site today. After reading the post by christinaf (8-28-09), I decided that I too would research IUD self removal. I've been wanting mine out forever and I had made an appt this past January to remove it. My ob, however, talked me into keeping it because I've been wanting my tubes tied and she wants me to wait a little longer to think about it... so until then she wanted me to keep the IUD. Anyways, after deciding not to spend the money with Planned Parenthood I've been seriously thinking of removing my own for several months. I read christina's post and afterwards searched IUD self removal. I found a site ****** where there was a video link instructing on IUD removal. The video can be accessed by going to ****** After watching the video, I realized just how easy this would be and decided to give it a try. Sure enough, once I located the strings all I had to do was pull and it took about 10 seconds of gentle pulling and OUT it came!! I'm so relieved.... I cannot wait to see the expression on my ob's face when she learns what I've done. No more pushy pep talks about how "wonderful" this device is and "what a great decision keeping it is because it's reversible." I'm thinking of searching for an ob who will do the Essure product... no hormones and it's permanent!
Finally, I'm going to go back to being a WOMAN!! I can't wait to have my first REAL period, it's been a year!

I'm 44 with 2 kids & started Loestrin 24 about 3 weeks ago. I just wanted to say that if you are experiencing any side effects, please keep in mind to give the pill AT LEAST 3 MONTHS for your body to get used to it. Your body has to adjust to the hormone level. I am already being treated for PMDD (extreme PMS resulting in major mood swings & depression) so I really don't want to mess with that situation since I have finally gotten that under control with a low dosage of Prozac. I feel fine now but started having long, heavy periods so I decided with my doctors guidance to try the Loestrin. If it doesn't work, I will consider ablation surgery since I don't want anymore kids. I have had some spotting & feelings of slightly more depression on the Loestrin but I will definitely give it 2 more months. Good luck to all and HANG IN THERE!! It sure sux being a woman sometimes!!!

Okay. I have been on Yaz for the last year. I have been having horrible migraines. I have been told to switch from Yaz to something else. The doctor prescribed me Loestrin 24. Now, ever statement I read someone says they have had a lot of spotting. Is there anyone taking Loestrin and is not spotting? I am not sure if I should take this pill now?????? I also need to loose about 10 pounds from taking the Yaz. I am afraid that taking the Loestrin I will gain more........ I just don't know what to do.

I always had irregular periods, maybe 2 a year. And my periods didn't affect me at all when I did have them, it was just another day. I was very normal.

Started taking Sprintec 2 years ago. Gained 5 lbs, (no biggy), and very gradually starting getting depressed and dry down south. Periods gradually got more uncomfortable too. Now when I'm wet all I gotta do is touch myself and I go dry. Now I'm a psycho who wants to kill myself and I hate sex with a passion. I hate being a woman my periods are SSSOOOO unbearably uncomfortable with the bloating and the murderous cramps.

Thanks Sprintec.

I used to receive a Kenalog injection once a year to treat my skin. It worked great. Best drug, nothing compares to it. After a few years it worked so great that I didn't have to receive the shot anymore.

This drug is far too helpful in the medical field for it to be removed because of its side effects. Never had a problem with getting a hole "in my butt" either... Not that I let A LOT of people look at my butt anyway. There's a reason why you're told what the side effects could be, if you don't like them then tell the doctor you don't want to take the medicine.

If you're a model, then have it photoshopped out... We know now that's what they do anyway. You give young girls bad impressions thinking they have to be perfect, when you're not.

So heres the deal ladies.... No matter what, ALL BIRTH CONTROL SUCKS........... But we're ALL in the same boat. They ALL have side effects, different to each person. My Nuvaring story goes like this... I have tried EVERY birth control only to have HORRIBLE MIGRAINES. So, after years in my 20's of constantly thinking I was pregnant, freaking out all the time which is what I think has psychologically screwed me up the most, I tried Nuvaring. I was 27 years old, 5'5, banging body w/ NO fat in the mid-section. I'm not even kidding that w/in 3 days I gains 10lbs. of fat(love handles) in the mid section. I work out 3-4x per week and have ALWAYS been a fitness fanatic. I have never been able to get this stomach fat off since. But here's the deal......... I could go on forever about how BC sucks as I had MANy other side effects, nausea being number one. But we don't have a God damn choice. I am now 31 years old and thats just the way it is. You know, heres even the more real deal. When I was in college I gave a speech on MALE contraception. Hello, it's out there. But they don't market it because it will be a waste of money because men are stupid and won't take it. Men assume that all women when we have sex are on BC and they could give a shit if we aren't. We need to stand up as women and make THEM take all precautions. For the most part, I wouldn't change being a woman for anything. I love it! But when it comes to birth control and constantly having to worry about pregnancy, it sucks................................ But we dont have an option, seriously!!!!!!! What's worse??????????? Losing your mind because of side effects or losing your mind constantly thinking your pregnant??????????????????????????????? After 31 years of age, I know it's just a no win situation........... J., Chicago......

I am 29 years old and have SUPER heavy periods so my OBGYN prescribed me the NuvaRing. I have had trouble with pills and the patch making me feel crazy, she said this one would distribute the hormones much more evenly. HA HA HA, well I obviously don't need any more hormones than I already have. I put the ring in about 2 weeks ago and for the last 4 days I have been a raging lunatic. I am the most bubbly girl in the world, except when I'm PMS-ing. But this ring makes me feel like I'm PMS-ing 24/7. I feel irritable, sad, don't wanna get out of bed, i have hot flashes, headaches, wake up dripping from sweat, and now that I think about my sex drive has depleted. I just start crying for no reason, over-analyzing everything my sweet loving boyfriend says to me. Thought I was a freak because all BC i have tried does this to me. It makes me feel better to know I'm not alone, and I'm not crazy. I recommend talking with your Dr. before removing the ring. I'm calling tomorrow!!

I have now finished my fourth month on Loestrin 24Fe. Still no period. Prior to being on it, I was on Seasonale--now, sure it's great not getting your period for 3 months, but that is another side effect page! Since switching to LoE24, for the first 2 months I had CRAZY mood swings and 6 out of the 8 signs of peri-menopause (I'm only 37). I did find out that Seasonale has a higher dosage of hormones and LoE 24 has less.

When I first switched, I LOVED the Loestrin--it made me feel so much more alive and like me again from the Seasonale. After two weeks, I started the "yogurt-like" discharge that went on for two months--no, not a yeast infection or anything, just weird hormonal stuff according to my doctor. After the two months, the discharge and the major mood swings went away all of a sudden, I was just fine one day and those symptoms have gone. Still, no period...it's been four months and 6 pregnancy tests. Now, I'm still a little moody but I'm not sure if it is pill related or frustration at not knowing what is wrong.

A girlfriend of mine loved this pill, so I guess everyone is different.

I have been using Nuvaring for about 5 years now and I'm surprised to see all these posts about people being very unhappy with the method. I have nothing but positive things to say about the ring, except that it's an annoyance to have to take it out during intercourse (not due to the ring itself, but I think b/c of the size of my bf). Of course, as long as it's back inside in s not fair to blame every crying spell or pounds gained on the method. Take a good look at your mental/emotional health, physical health, stress levels, stressful events, medicines you are taking...these can all effect our bodies just the same as any hormonal method!!!

I had my Mirena IUD removed on Monday, May 5, 2008. I had it inserted on November 10, 2005. I was having major side effects from the birth control, and every doc I went to said that there is no way that Mirena would cause the side effects I was having because the "progesterone amounts are too low to cause these side effects". I have had the following side effects:
WEIGHT GAIN
JOINT PAIN
LUMPS IN BREASTS
BREAST TENDERNESS
HUNGER (as if i were pregnant)
DEPRESSION
LOSS OF SEX DRIVE
HAIR LOSS
SWOLLEN ABDOMEN (BLOATED?)
HEADACHES
GROUCHY/ON EDGE
ACNE
CYST (had a couple weeks ago... i was on vacation in Vegas and had a cyst burst.. never had these issues... this was the last straw)
STABBING PAINS IN ABDOMEN AND IN AREA OF OVARIES
PMS SYMPTOMS EVERY OTHER WEEK FOR TWO YEARS
BREAST GROWTH D TO DD
VAGINAL BLEEDING AFTER INTERCOURSE
FATIGUE
TENDERNESS OF ABDOMEN
BACK PAIN
HIP PAIN

As of today, Friday, May 9, 2008 (4 days after Mirena has been removed) I have lost 9 pounds. I am sure this is probably water weight? I am feeling a little better every day. The night I got home from having it removed, I had major mood swings... would be happy one minute and crying my eyes out the next!!! I would not recommend this IUD to ANYONE.. not even on my worst enemy (if I had one). This needs to be taken off the market. It is not safe! I have spent thousands of dollars on ultrasounds on my breasts (thinking i could have cancer because the lumps i had in my breast) and on other doctors bills to figure out what was wrong with me.. only to find out that "Mirena is not the cause"!!!!

I was just prescribed lisinopril a few weeks ago, for HBP, my pressure was always low but, I recently had a malfunctioned defibrillator change and my BP went very high, so the MD put me on lisinopril. I have been on it for about a month now, but the only symptoms I have been getting is severe fatigue,sleeping a lot and very thirsty. Are some of the symptoms putting on weight, I don't want that, and I did or have not had a bad cough. But sleeping is bad and very tired all the time. Should I ask my MD to change my meds? I did have 2 heart attacks and two by pass surgeries, l4 years ago one in 93 and one in 99. Then my heart weakened and I came down with arrhythmias after passing out. They inserted a pacemaker/def. thanks to medtronic after the pacemaker and def. were recalled I had to get another one, but if this drug is causing everyone a lot of problems I don't want to take it. I do get up a lot during the night (constantly going to the bathroom) due to thirst and am constantly tired I am 51,and came down with this disease (it is a childhood disease and have had it since I was l9), but it is a scary one, heart problems. They never ran in my family. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am going to get my blood taken on Tuesday to see if this Lisipril is working or not. Thanks for anyone help, I really need it on this new drug. Thank you.

Julie

Wow good to read all of these thought I was just a little crazy, I can't loose a pound and I am running five to six days a week, and as for my sex drive I have None I could care less all I want to do is sleep by the time I hit the bed, sad for my husband.....I am consulting with my ob today to see if there is was to make this better, as for not having periods and having to take a pill this is the best part... Wonder if its truly worth it, isn't being a woman just grand ....

I have been on some form of LoEstrin for about a year.At first, I thought the side effects were normal hormone changes with pills.But as months went on, I was incredibly anxious and having panic attacks constantly and that's not my personality.I was more irritable and just didn't feel like me at all.My boyfriend tells me I'm freaking him out because I'm not acting myself at all.I feel like I'm literally going crazy.
I wanted a low hormone pill because my body seems to react to crazy amounts of hormones.I have never gotten a period on this pill and being a woman, I feel it's healthy to have one and it can cause more damage in the long run not having one.Every doctor I see says it's totally normal to not get a period.I disagree.I'm off my pill this week and have no intentions of ever getting back on this pill.
I've been looking into no hormone birth control and am interested in IUDs, specifically Copper IUD.I just can't find any luck with pills and am sick of all these side effects.When are they coming out with the male birth control????

Dr. put me on Loestrin 24 on Dec 9, 2007. Immediately my period stopped (after a non-stop episode for 14 days) but then I started gaining weight (15 lbs), rapid heart rate after climbing 5 steps, extreme irritability to almost psycho stage and the kicker, my blood pressure kept shooting up. Today, it was at 154/99.

At the time I saw my OB/GYN a week ago, my BP was at 150/99 and she said she wasn't concerned. She doesn't feel that the pills have anything to do with my BP, weight gain or increased irritability. All my life, I've never had high BP until I got on these pills. I know my body.

Funny thing, my general practitioner was very concerned about my BP and told me to bring it down in 2 weeks or he's putting me on pills.

I've spotted for 5 days and am now on full-blown period (day 3) and it's heavy and my cramps are very painful. I have decided I will not to take the Loestrin starting tomorrow even though I risk the chance of having on-going periods.

I don't feel comfortable putting my heart at risk because of some pill supposedly regulating my period. Doesn't seem regulated with 5 days of minor spotting/clotting then full-on period. I have no clue how long it will last but at my age (45) guess that's just part of the cycle of being a woman.

I have taken Estrostep Fe for as long as I can remember. I have always experienced pretty much all of the symptoms I have read here since I began taking it. This was the first and only birth control I have ever tried.

From what I'm reading though, it's hard to tell if what I have been experiencing is normal problems women have when their hormone levels change (anytime you change a birth control or start taking one for the first time this WILL HAPPEN guaranteed-it's a product of being a woman) or if the problems are caused by the pill.

I have however noticed through the years that certain things make the symptoms worse. Mostly dietary changes, things you eat during hormonal changes, among other environmental things actually contribute to the problems.

I'm wondering how many people that have posted here about their problems started on the pill for the first time using Estrostep Fe and also how many were just reaching the age where that wonderful gift of getting a period arrives?

A lot of teenage girls don't realize that BOTH the pill AND your period (even without the pill) cause big changes in hormone levels...and starting both at the same time, well.....if that's the case, then a lot of these posts make sense and seem to be completely normal.

FYI-to anyone frequently switching birth controls and not waiting at least 3 months in between to let your hormone levels stabilize..you can expect hair loss and/or facial hair, migraines, weight gain, and a host of other problems.

My point is, you can read things in these forums and think WOW I HAVE THOSE SYMPTOMS TOO!! DOWN WITH ESTROSTEP! without stopping to think about these things as well:

1. Women always have and always will be known for their mood changes, and bouts of depression. You also have to remember that during menstruation your body goes through a little phase that closely mimics that of being pregnant according to many doctors..PMS is a common thing. not just caused by birth control.

2. It is normal to have sore/tender breasts around the time of your period, before during and even after it. Look it up on any medical website!

3. read the side effects of the stuff BEFORE you decide to switch. they are put there for a reason.

4. the pill warns against taking it if you have or could have certain medical conditions. don't just blame it on the pill, go tell the doc EVERYTHING no matter how embarrassed you feel about it (trust me, they hear and see worse all day long)....don't be surprised if you find out you have some underlying condition you didn't know about. also, if you are overweight..taking most birth control pills is NOT a good idea for many reasons..the risk of blood clots (that can lead to stroke/heart attack goes WAY up)-also if you smoke..but did you know that if you are overweight your chances of getting pregnant on the pill DOUBLE (if your BMI is over 27%)..

My point is, keep an open mind, and for those of you just becoming a woman-learn more about how your body works because you'll need to be able to differentiate throughout life between the normal aches and pains and the ones that require a Dr. or hospital visit.

good luck!

I think maybe you all need to consider - The side affects you mention could be because you are a woman!! The following side affects that women search for and try to find answers for are all typical symptoms that I have had all my life as a woman. Whether on birth control, off birth control, pregnant or not. My life circumstance, relationship, age all make a difference. At any given time I could blame these symptoms on "birth control" but I don't think it is that simple.
-anxiety/mood swings/erratic behaviour
-headaches
-weight gain
-cramps, water retention, swelling etc.
Anyway, I suggest you all try to be reasonable and consider other possible causes of your symptoms? Exercise, eating right, relaxation, relationship building, all of these things can eleviate MOST of these symptoms. By the way, been on Aviane and switched to Yasmin, no difference, sex drive is actually increased, feel good not symptoms if anything , better now and had serious cystic acne and is now gone.

I have been on the Nuvaring for about 5 years now. I agree that my sex drive has diminished greatly, but I just thought I was bored of my boyfriend, didn't consider the ring to be the culprit! I never had a history of depression but in the past two years there have been times I have felt so sad that I didn't want to get out of bed and I'm not that type of person at all. I, too, blamed it on my long-term boyfriend, thinking that I just wanted happy in my relationship when the the truth is I just wasn't happy period. As for pregnancy paranoia, well, the ring is 99.9% effective so if you're using it right you really have no worries there. But it does affect your body, for sure. You just have to ride it out, get medication to counter-act it (which isn't the best solution but it works,) or try something else. Not everyone has negative side-affects, so they could go away if you give your body a chance to get over it - but weigh the consequences, Nuvaring is convenient but not if it pulls you down. Being a woman is tough sometimes!!

First, thank you for your posts and providing me that extra push to stop taking this pill. For the past 5 months I've been on Yasmin. After the first few days I experienced dizziness and increased anxiety. I spoke to my pharmacist (in retrospect this makes me laugh) and he suggested I continue for a month to see if the side-effects subside. And they did. And sure enough my skin cleared, I lost some weight and my periods became quite light. Yet now, near 5 months later, the side-effects have resumed. I'm lightheaded, am having trouble with blurriness and am very anxious. Overall I'm feeling disconnected and a bit manic. Yasmin is the ONLY drug I am on. I actually am dedicated to an organic lifestyle and have for the past year injested almost all things organic. And so after reading your posts I realize that these feelings are not a function of being a "woman in her twenties" balancing stress, work and home, but actually a chemical reaction to the ONLY prescription or non-prescription drug I injest.
Now I pose the question - do I look for a replacement or give my body a break from BCP all together (I've been on them for 10 years now?) And can someone please confirm what alternative medications they took after stopping this pill to help bring the body and mind back to equilibrium? BComplex?
Thank you
Jacquelyn

I started on 50 MCG of Levothyroxine last late May, due to a slightly underactive thyroid. The sides effect I am experiencing that is troubling me the most is that my hair is thinning dramatically. No bald patches, just thinning, and I had thin hair to begin with, so that makes it even more bothersome. I've also noticed that hair has completely stopped growing on my lower legs and upper thighs, and my eyebrows have thinned also. According to my doctor, my latest blood tests indicated that my thyroid levels were in ideal range now, and thinning hair isn't a side effect of the levothyroxine. I've read that it is, unless my thyroid levels still aren't ideal..and the levothyroxine is making my hair thin more than usual when in conjunction with the hypothyroidism. I'm also taking 25 mg of toprol to control tachycardia. If anyone could give me some advice, I'd really appreciate it! I'm at my wit's end as it my hair.