Hormone levels symptoms and conditions

I have been on Yaz for eight months and absolutely loved it at first...about three months ago, my boyfriend and i broke up and i had a full blown period when i wasn't supposed to.....I just figured it was from stress. But for the last 5 weeks, I have had two full blown periods that lasted four days each and spotting every week to the point that I have to wear a tampon just so i don't ruin any more underwear...ive heard this could be from stress or weird hormone levels, but its just weird that i did so well on it for the first seven months and now this???? whats going on??

Let your body heal from child birth before you get Mirena, that is my opinion. I didn't get Mirena until my son was over a year old and i haven't had any crazy side effects, at first the bleeding and spotting for about a month and then my period stopped. i love it so far and reading some of these comments i realized the common theme in them is that many of the women have had problems got the Mirena right after having their child. i really think your body needs time to process all the hormone changes and get back to normal before you add birth control to the mix.

I had Mirena in for two months - and it was hell. I had a non-stop period PMS cocktail, cramps, crazy mood swings, depression, irritability, dizziness, fatigue, etc. My doctor talked me into keeping it in for awhile. I wanted it out after the first week and instead of listening to me she just gave me a prescription for anti-depressants and told me that any side effects from the Mirena would go away eventually. After a few more weeks of torture I stopped listening to her and listened to my body. I've had the Mirena out since Tuesday (08/26/08) and I'm more depressed than I've ever been in my entire life. I don't know if the Mirena crash can happen since I had it in for only 2 months - but I wouldn't doubt it considering how strongly it affected me while I had it in. I had a baby in May and I think the Mirena messed with hormone levels that were already fluctuating post partum anyway. I'm hoping to achieve homeostasis before I go messing with my body anymore. I wonder if it would've been a better option to have had it put in much MUCH later after delivering a baby. Every woman is different and makes her own choices about which birth control works for her, but Mirena was hell for me and that's what I will be telling every woman I know.

I started taking Yasmin at the end of July due to abnormal bleeding of the uterus. At the time that I started the pill, I had been having a period for two weeks so I was relieved when it stopped. However, I have been extremely tired to the point where it is hard for me to keep my eyes open especially right after taking the pill. I have also had extreme tenderness in my breast to the point where I can not sleep on either side of my body. I have always had cramps but this time they lasted throughout my entire period, and they were the worst I have ever experienced.

My symptoms are not as bad as some of the ones you all have posted, but I want tot stop this pill before things get any worse. My doctor said it would also help me with my weight loss, but I'm too exhausted to even take initiative. I called my doctor to make an appointment so I can get my meds changed. Wish me luck.

"Unusual thickening of the endo lining" or what others have called
"Estrogen Dominant Condition"

There is a connection, although it's not talked about or addressed specifically in the Medical Forums or Mirena's own website, of the effect that this device has on your hormone levels and what it does to your body after it's been removed.
I had a normal lining, proven by ultrasounds prior to the insertion that progressed to 10mm a week after removal of the device and progressive thickening of the endo lining up to 13mm in the 8 week followup ultrasound.
So, a quick summar of what happened to me after removal of this device (after only having it in under 21 days):
* irregular complex cyst (gone within 6 weeks)
* thickened uterine lining (deemed abnormal) measuring at 10mm
* increase in lining thickness, now up to 13mm (6 week's time)
Note: at around 15mm, the "C" word starts getting used

Was any of this discussed with you by your doctor? Certainly not mine.

This will be submitted to the FDA, to be included with my initial report. Please submit your own reports! This cannot be ignored.

I've posted several times before, but it ahs been a while since I've updated on here. So a recap: Almost 33, have 3 kids(ages 13,11,and 7) Had insert on 12/27/07 after having used depo for many years with no major side effects...issues continually worsened over next few months. Had removal early May, 2008. Several issues cleared up within the first few weeks after removal, such as the joint pain, swelling, heartburn. Brain fog and moodiness became much better. Libido returned gradually as well. But I still have had no success in losing the weight gained over the last 6 months. Still 30 pounds heavier thatn was at insertion...increased workouts, decreased caloric intake, only lost 4 pounds in almost 3 months. Family doc even put me on meds to help with the weight loss, and they had opposite effect...I actually was hungry all the time and felt completely stoned! Acne still unrelieved to the point that I know have an appointment for a 2nd dermatologist as my first one ran out of options for me! Completely unable to clear up my face. Family doc wants to put me on antidepressants, but I don't' think that's the answer. Plus after all the problems I've had...don't trust a whole lot of meds anymore...especially ones that are known for reducing your libido! (Plus after all this and to STILL be overweight with acne...he'd be pretty depressed too!) Bloodwork all came back fine...actually a "Picture of perfect health!" The only thing he did say was that my testosterone level, although in normal range, was at the high end of normal. However, as I'm still young 30's, no one tested my hormone levels before...so I don't know what is normal for me. Will be talking to him about using an anti-androgen, like aldactone, to see if that will help. Not using any form of hormonal birth control any longer. As old-fashioned as it is...I now use a diaphragm and spermicide...and I'm actually pretty happy with it. I'm happy for all those ladies who had a flat belly again within a few weeks, and their faces cleared up almost instantly...but I must admit I'm jealous. I wish it was that easy for me. Good luck to all of you. Will post again in the future.

46 years young now and had nine years of "no period at all" bliss. I did have heavy periods up till then. First few months a lot of spotting and crampy pains to the extend that I nearly gave up. Now, I would never go without. My daughters are jealous as they are advised that they are to young for it. I already had my 3 kids so why suffer any longer.
Any one know a cure though for a low libido? I think it got worse since the Mirena.
Also, can anyone tell me how I'll know that my menopause has started seeing that I don't have any periods?

I recently began taking Loestrin 24 Fe because I actually stopped having my period. I have lost 80 pounds over the last 2 1/2 years. The Doctor explained that the weight loss had affected my hormone levels and advised me to take this pill. However, she also assured me that I would not gain weight. I have been taking the pill for two weeks, and I have already gained 4 pounds. I am a faithful Weight Watcher member and looking back over what I ate the past 14 days and how much I worked out - the weight gain does not seem possible.

Doing some independent research, this pill has the lowest levels of estrogen, supposedly meaning that it shouldn't cause weight gain like other oral contraceptives with higher estrogen levels. However, the scale shows different results and I also feel like I am retaining water. I don't want to appear "vain," but I have worked very hard for a very long time to lose 80 pounds. I do not want to see it creep back on because of medication, especially when I am only using it for regulation, not pregnancy prevention.

From reading earlier postings, I know some other people have had similar experiences. Did your Doctor change the type of birth control? Did you simply stop taking the pill and lose the weight? Does anyone have any advice? I really appreciate the help!

Just an update from some of my previous posts. As back ground, I had a need for birth control beginning about a year and a half ago. It was time for my annual anyway, so I asked my OB/GYN of over 20 years what my options were. He mentioned that there were two pills for women "of my age" (42 at the time)...Yaz and Loestrin 24FE. He mentioned that he had heard less about libido issues from his patients on the Loestrin, so I opted for that. 5 months into it, I had an episode of I'm not sure what...felt like I was having a stroke...rush of heat, extreme dizziness, headache the next day...went to my GP on Monday and found out that my BP was slight elevated (I'm normally on the low side) but what was alarming was that my cholesterol was way up and my blood sugar was off the charts. Although high cholesterol runs in my family, no one has ever had any blood sugar issues. Stopped taking the pill right away, retested my sugar in two weeks and it was back to normal.

My OB/GYN said NO NO NO, no more pills...let's try an IUD. two months later, went back since I had my next cycle and I got the Mirena. I spotted for like a month and a half straight. Lots of bloating, headaches. As the months progressed, I started having anxiety issues (again, never happened before), had severe cystic acne (always had good skin), bloating to the point that I looked the way I did when I was 5 months pregnant, headaches every single day, extreme fatigue, blurry vision, complete inability to concentrate, mental fog, insomnia and my libido was in the toilet.

Went back for my annual in Feb and had it removed (I had it for 5 months at this point). Dr was wonderful, said that he had been hearing of these side effects more and more from his patients. He said that we'd give my body a break and then consider a Paragard with my next cycle. I feel the fog lift before I get to the parking lot. Next cycle never came. Hot flashes and heart pulps start in March. Gets worse and worse. Have my hormone levels tested...they indicate post-menopausal. Have the blood work repeated first week of June...confirmed post-menopausal at the age of 43. No family history of this. Start on an estrogen patch and within 2 weeks start feeling a lot better, flashes gone. Am taking Prometrium 10 days each month to protect against uterine issues. At day 8 I really start getting dizzy. I am obviously very sensitive to any progesterone although this natural version is more tolerable.

From the time I had the Mirena out, however, ALL my side effects are gone except that my vision is still worse...having my annual eye exam in 2 weeks. The concentration issues, insomnia, fatigue, anxiety...all that GONE. Libido is almost back. Very distinct diminishing of symptoms once the Mirena was removed.

If Mirena works for you, that's great. It's good at least that you are aware of issues others have had so that if it happens to you, you know that it could be the Mirena, contrary to what some doctors say. My doctor has been wonderful and never doubted me. I wish everyone had such a doctor! Just trust your intuition and take care of yourself. No sense jeopardizing your health, relationships, etc just to maintain this type of birth control. I apparently don't need birth control any more....not certain why I blitzed through menopause so fast...could be related to the hormonal assault on my body in the past year between the pill and the Mirena.

Bottom line, take care of yourselves and don't be dismissed if you feel that something is just not right!!

I have Mirena for little over a year. My body fells tired and pregnant. I didn't gain weight but didn't lose the baby fat either. I am going to the OBGYN in the next hour for the removal. I am scared for the results that I will get right after, ( like heavy painful bleeding)... but my hope is not to have this thing hurt my uterus or have a pregnancy that could be complicated for the use of the iud.I will keep a diary here, hope to help somebody. Please, girls, wish me luck

I am so thankful that I found this site and these words on this drug!
I just started taking Loestrin 24; 2 weeks ago. Within a week I started "flowing." At first it was just spotting then it started into a full period bleeding. More so has been the extreme water bloating in my fingers, hands and feet; they feel heavy & sore/swollen. It's feels like I'm gaining weight or holding in everything in my body and it is swelling up. As well as the cramping in my stomach and back- that is worse than a regular period's symptoms off the pill. And the extreme headache pressure I've had for two days!
I have been off the pill for the last 5 years and only decided to get back on a pill to control my acne (hormone levels) and the strength/length of my periods. Reading these remarks and comments on this sites, makes me want to stop NOW- in taking this. I'm only a little into 2 weeks of this pill- and it sounds like from the comments posted that it can get even worse months on. I'm a little scared to stop taking now, but I'm going to as of today! Thanks all for sharing and making me feel like I'm not the only one experiencing this crazy-ness!

I was on Yasmin for 6 months before my wedding. i had to go to the hospital for the headaches I was getting....they were indescribably painful. i stopped Yasmin end of aug and got my period normal for sept-jan. then feb and march skipped but had weird cramping and nausea and then got in randomly in april but was brown blood only. then may skipped. i demanded blood work and got tested last tues for thyroid, glucose, insulin, and hormone levels to help rule out PCOS. i am worried i have pcos or premenopause from the pill. i should get the results tomorrow.

I am glad sites like this one exist because it makes it easier to become educated on all the different side effects women have. Of course, its a completely different experience for each and every one of us, based on our biological clock, hormone levels, etc...I've been taking Loestrin for about 9 days now. The first three days I was extremely irritable and moody. Everyone noticed it and pointed it out because its so unlike my character to be that way for no reason. I was snapping at people and I felt very sensitive. I've felt light-headed and weak but many of my back pain medications make me feel this way so I am unsure as to whether I should attribute the sensations to Loestrin. After the fourth day, I've felt normal. The only thing that concerns me now is that I started bleeding this morning. My doctor said I have what's called breakthrough bleeding and I hope it doesn't last longer than a day or two. I've never taken any oral contraceptives in my life and hope this regulates my excessively long periods (think 5-7 days).

hello all, i've been reading your stories and feel i need to write mine too. i started taking Yasmin about 4 months ago. and i really do not know what to think. i haven't put any weigh on or got acne (which were my worries) and my periods got very light and completely pain-free. i did have constant but mild headaches (which i never have) and my sex drive has gone down (never had any problem before). more importantly, emotionally i am feeling terrible. i cry non-stop and i feel totally unstable. I am going through a lot of changes in my life (change career, country, new relationship, etc) so i thought i could be just that i am feeling stressed. but i think this is more than that. my anxiety has rocketed, I never felt like this before, I have racing thoughts almost constantly, panic attacks, and something that i think it's called 'depersonalization' - has anyone got anything like this? it feels like you're looking from outside yourself, if that makes any sense...not nice at all.
as I have a tendency to feel anxious anyway I really don't know whether the pill is causing this or not, but i feel i am going mad. as i read the postings i became more worried that it might be Yasmin
i went to the doctor who suggested to carry on for a few more months to see if the symptoms go away. i followed his advice (as those days i was feeling surprisingly well, and was optimistic about it) but i am still very concerned.
also, has anyone had a really bad depression/anxiety attack when taking antibiotics + yasmin? i could have killed myself that day. felt better when i stopped taking the antibiotics.
again, is it my mind...? or is it Yasmin...?
any comments would be really great

I've been on Yasmin for about 3 1/2 years and had nothing but GREAT experiences. My face cleared up (not that it was ever bad though), I lost weight and it elevated my mood and evened out my mood swings. My husband thinks it's the greatest thing ever. One thing I do find interesting, however, is that I have been experiencing more headaches the last year or so. I never thought it was related to Yasmin and neither do my doctors (other than the week I go off of it to have my period and my hormone levels drop). I have stopped taking Yasmin this week as we will be trying to conceive soon. For any out there who are nervous about starting Yasmin after reading these posts, please know that all types of birth control will have side effects. I have had a great experience on Yasmin and so have some of my best friends.

Just reporting back with some information.
I've been off of Yasmin for over a month now. Overall I've been better but there have been a few "relapses" where I've become so dizzy/lightheaded that I hard-core started to panic. Those days can be disheartening.
I've read some previous posts from an RN who said that Yasmin in particular, suppresses your androgens (testosterone) which causes many of these symptoms. This also explains why sometimes it takes a while for these symptoms to "catch up" I know I was feeling great when I first started.
I'm a lot better now that I stopped Yasmin, but I know it's going to take up to six months to get back to normal. Have your doctor check your hormone level. Even if it's " low normal" that isn't healthy for say, a 20, or 30 year old.
For herbal supplements I would suggest Ashwagandha. It's supposed to help production of your androgens. Also keep hydrated and have plenty of Omega-3 fatty acids.
What I also encourage is to talk about your situation. Once you open up, you'll never know who you'll find that had the same issue. We women can be a very helpful resource for one another.
I'll keep you posted on the progress and I hope the best for all of you.

Here's a question- What are we supposed to say to our doctors to take this seriously and stop treating it like it's in our heads. Should they check our hormone levels? Have any doctors or nurses ever posted here?

My experience and a question...

Hello all,
I had mine placed 6 days ago. First 2 days were a little painful. But I was able to go to school and work (in my final year of college and am having a hard enough time in Calculus without missing a day). I have been on many different kinds of birth control (patch, pill, and shot). My problem is I suffer from severe migraines. At the worst point in my life, they were 3-5 times a week. The patch worked the best for me. I lost weight, periods didn't change at all, migraines went to 2-4 a month and I (still to this day) have never really experienced cramps. However, because of the cost and my financial situation at the time, I couldn't afford it. The shot was the worst. Gained 10 pounds every 3 months, very emotional and depressed all the time, and the migraines slowly became more frequent. Changed to the pill (Kariva) and took it so that I only had a period every 3 months. My migraines almost went away completely but I had a lot of lower abdomen pain. Had every test under the sun and they found nothing wrong. My doctor suggested changing my birth control so here I am. My question is are there any signs of complications from the placement of Mirena? About once a day or more I get a sharp pain in my lower left side. Not sure if this is just the same pains I had from the pill (didn't take anything for birth control for 2 months and all the pain stopped. didn't start up again till placement) or if others have experienced this when something was wrong. I am scared they may be something wrong but being a broke college student, don't really have $100 to spend at the doctor to have the usually *shrug*. Thanks! email ******

My name is Bobby and I've been dating a girl who has been through some tough times. She took my advice and started taking an antidepressant, Celexa, 5 weeks ago. 3 Weeks after starting the Celexa, we began to have the relationship I always knew we could. I love her so much and for one week I was the Happiest man in the world.
Unfortunately, against my advice she started taking Yaz a week after beginning the Celexa. I told her that beginning two new drugs at once will eliminate the ability to identify which drug is causing which affects whether they be positive or negative.
After 3 weeks of Celexa and 2 weeks of Yaz, my girlfriend started acting alive and excited about life again!! She even started losing weight because of her beautiful new-found energy and zest for everything. She was playful, she was laughing, she was sexual, she was the girl of my dreams and we fell more in love than ever.
One week later (After 4 weeks of Celexa, and after 3 weeks of Yaz) a monster emerged who no longer can stand the sight of me. She doesn't want me to touch her, hug her, or even kiss her. She doesn't sleep at night. She screams and yells at me for being annoying when I'm doing things that once made her smile with love in her eyes.
I found an apartment today and decided to move out... I have never been treated so poorly by anyone in my life before. She's aggressive and verbally abusive. She's been complaining that people are talking about her and she seems paranoid. I made the mistakes of taking steroids a while back and I can tell you she is the monster now that I was then and both Yaz and steroids affect hormone levels and I'm telling you I just can't believe how many relationships this drug must be ruining.
Tonight I took the Yaz and threw all of it out. She got mad at me because she's afraid that she'll stop losing weight... I mean she's just completely lost perspective. I showed her pictures of us happy together and she still chose losing 3 more pounds over our relationship. I'm losing my mind... Just a few weeks ago she reminded me again that she wants to marry me and give me babies. Where has my future wife and future mother of my children gone??

I'M LIVING IN FEAR THAT SHE WILL FIND A WAY TO GET MORE YAZ B4 SHE'S BEEN OFF LONG ENOUGH TO SEE WHAT IT'S TURNED HER INTO.

SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP!!!
******

I am 26 years old, have a great job, boyfriend, friends and family. Everything was great until Oct. 1st, 2007 - the day I started taking Yaz. The first week, I would get into bad moods for no reason, and by the 4th month my life was spinning out of control. Actually, my mind was - my life was still near perfect. Here were my symptoms during this period: Panic Attacks, nausea, shaking, de-realization and so much more. There was a point where I was scared to live and scared to die. I didn't even want to leave my house. This is when I decided to see a psychiatrist who percribed me Klonopin (a form of Valium to get me through the days.)

I stopped taking YAZ The end of Jan 2008 (after I put 2 and 2 together), so I have been clean of it for approx. 2.5 months now. But the upsetting part for me was I thought the day I stopped taking the pill, was the day I would get my life back. Not so!!! I have been feeling a little better but I cry because I I still do not feel like my old self, which was happy, outgoing and full of energy. Does anyone know how long it takes to feel better? I hear 3 months, but I just want to know how long it took for someone to feel normal again. My anxiety is mostly gone, but now I just feel withdrawn and like my head is in a constant fog w/ extreme fatigue :(:(:(

Girls - I feel your pain. And I also see the other side, with the women that had sucess on this pill. My two closest friends were on Yaz and loved it! But for me, it took many months from my life and I am still not 100%. Thanks for everyone who shared. I think this is the first time I ever blogged on a web-site, and you girls gave me the encouragement to share my story. Please feel free to send me a personal e-mail for support.

Yasmin - Sudden Panic/Anxiety-

I have been on Yasmin for 7 years. I started a new box and pack 3 weeks ago and 72 hours later had what I thought was a "panic attack". I had never suffered panic or anxiety before and I am 32. Then, the chest pain and anxious feeling wouldn't go away (not normal with panic I hear). I went to the Dr and my bloodwork was all "great". I went to a cardiologist and they tested my heart. It was indeed beating "extra" so I had to be one a monitor. Still, the entire time I was miserable and wondering what the heck had happened to me. How could I go from being a normal, well adjusted women to a crazy lady in one day. I was crying and couldn't function, concentrate or eat. I felt like an "out of body" type of experience almost, like it wasn't really me who was feeling all this. Very disoriented feeling. Well, the Dr gave me anxiety pills and I was going to take them. But, in the meantime I went on the "sugar pills" of my Yasmin and guess what? 72 hours after I stopped the pills I felt normal again!!! I'm still not 100%, I'm 90%. Now I have no hard evidence that Yasmin caused this, particularly since I've been on it so long but I can't help wondering if they changed the dosages or something. I have NEVER experienced any level of anxiety or panic before this and going off the pills was the only thing I changed when I started feeling better. Sounds like more than a coincidence to me.

Has this happened to anyone else recently???

Hello Everyone,

I am just amazed by how many people have the same side effects and how many doctors don't listen! I started taking Levoxyl in Nov 2007 after having RAI on Aug. 30th, 2007. I've never been in such pain. Most of it has subsided, but now it feels as if someone divided my body in half and my right side only gets minor muscle aches and joint pains and muscle spasms. But the left side of my body, from my neck to me toes...my muscles feel tingly, knotted, sore, burning points, spasms, itchiness, hives and it come and goes almost constantly. I am currently taking 125 mg. But the weird thing is that before this happened, I would get torturous menstrual cramps. Ever since I started Levoxyl, I get NO cramps - at all! I am trying to find info regarding Levoxyl and how and if it affects hormone levels. Can anyone help me on this? Thanks!!

Hi, I wish I would have found this site a long time ago! I had Mirena put in in Dec 2005 after the birth of my son. I was nursing and was told that the birth control that I could take and would not interfere with my milk was "not as forgiving" as regular pills (and, I definitely did not want to get pregnant again at that time) So, I went with the Mirena. It seemed great in the beginning. I had the strings trimmed a little after my husband felt them and got freaked out and then everything seemed great.
It's funny how this has worked out for so many of us because after having a baby, your life is so changed and your body is so out of whack that it's hard to say what could be causing it. I ended up becoming extremely hypothyroid after having my son (I wonder if Mirena may have had anything to do with it!??!?!) Even though I take thyroid medication now and seem to have it very under control, I still have no sex drive, have tremendous mood swings even though I am on antidepressants, my acne is worse than it was when I was a teenager, and what I consider to be worst of all, tremendous eczema! Last summer I became so covered in eczema, my face, neck, chest and arms, that my mother said I looked like a burn victim. I was insanely uncomfortable and extremely self-conscious. After going to all kinds of doctors who only kept prescribing topical creams and steroid pills, I started going to an awesome alternative medicine nutritionist and realized that there was something internal going on causing my skin to react like this. After seeing him for months, we came to see a pattern between my eczema flare-ups and my period. I always seemed to start getting really itchy around the time of ovulation and we also discovered that during that same time I would be gluten-sensitive. I had all the tests done and I do not have Celiac disease.
I can't believe that I am only reading about all of this now. Thank you all so much for confirming my hunch that it might be the Mirena. I am going to call my Gyno today and have it removed.

I am 17 and have been on ortho tri-cyclen lo for 2 years now I never really notice until I started having sex I wanted to do it for about the 1st 4 times than after that I never wanted sex, me and my bf had gone without sex for like 2months and every time he wants to do it I say I don't want to he says I never want to than it starts a huge fight, so we basically fight all the time. We have been together 11months yesterday. I don't know what to do I am really thinking its because of the pills, I get WAY moody, and I cry a lot. I'm always cranky and tired. I'm only 17!! I should want to have sex lots of sex not have no sex at all what is wrong with me? could if be the pills ? I have been on them for a long time now but I never really thought that it would be birth control to cause all of this.someone please reply.

I am only 20 and I am confused having read all these complaints about Yasmin. The thing is that the pills have been prescribed by my doctor because of a low-progesterone level and a high-testosterone level. He says this is the only way I can regulate my hormone levels. I am now having some side-effects like depression,headaches.And it's only been the second day of taking Yasmin. Could anyone help me?