Oral contraceptive symptoms and conditions

Hi all! I'm 22 and will be starting on my 3rd Yaz cycle...I have noticed a few things about this drug...My PMDD symptoms have seemed to decline quite a bit-although i still get very emotional. My acne has slightly cleared up and my periods last 4 days the most with minimal cramps. I have been experiencing muscle spasms in my calves but this may also be from not having enough potassium in my diet. My biggest concern however, would be the decrease in my sex drive...Yaz was the last thing my boyfriend and i thought it could be but the more we read about it, the more we are convinced. I literally went from having sex a few times a day to not wanting to be bothered with it. this is lame, i'm young and enjoy being fun and playful and spontaneous with my boyfriend but no matter how hard we try, I can't reach climax (something that was never a problem before). since this is the only oral contraceptive I have tried that hasn't given me nausea or headaches, i am hoping this libido change will go back to normal. if it doesn't by the end of this cycle i will have to try something else. any ideas?

I am on my third month of Aviane and I must say that I find it okay. It is the first oral contraceptive that I have ever taken. The first month I was on it was terrible at some points due to the break through bleeding (spotting a week before my period and my period lasted a week after that and was rather heavy), including cramps, occasional headaches, etc. However, I stuck with it and gave my body time to adjust to the medication. By the end of my second month on it most of my symptoms dissipated. I HAVE NOT experienced any unusual weight gain, however, I do find that I tend to be more moody and/or emotional sometimes. My skin has cleared up since I went on the pill, which is a plus, (except for the occasional pimple during my time of the month.) Also, I've gone up a cup size, but my breasts are also a bit tender. I haven't found that it 'dries' me out down there, and my sex drive is somewhat still the same.

To people who are new to the medicine and reading all these other people's symptoms and experiences, I advise them to stick with the pill for the recommended 3 months before changing brands, and also to consider how long most of these people writing have been on Aviane. Your body needs time to adjust to any type of hormonal medication and also, everyone's body chemistry is unique.

I have been on the NuvaRing for 3 weeks now. I have been having bad side effects, I am 14 years old and I highly recommend you do not use the NuvaRing it makes you a depressed person all the time it makes you have headaches and serious cramps and pains which i have had. It makes you mean which I was happy all the time before the Birth control method my doctor put me on. I am not satisfied, I have felt like vomiting and my NuvaRing comes out when I use tampons and it gets in the way it hurts... it is not good... I have been feeling dissy very tired.. feel like I never have enough sleep my parents been wondering whats wrong with me too its kind of like having a major bad hang over.. ( not that I know ) but I have heard what there like. I have been feeling really sick really hot.. and eat a lot I have had rashes as I would say because I just don't get break outs... which is weird I have gotten a break out on my forehead and on my chin..
I have been eating non-stop my apatite has changed.. and I am taking this method out as soon as i talk to my doctor and get switched to the pill the 6th.
So I HIGHLY recommend you do not use the NuvaRing.. but thats your decision just know the consequences that come with it.
oh and one last thing i have been having weird periods with a darkish brown colored period it has a weird odor too.. you might not take my advice because I'm young but I know what its like and if i would have known the effects I would have NEVER put my self through all this, so check into the side effects before you start a new birth control method if you have already used the nuvaring.. some people think the NuvaRing is good which to some people it is.. but for me it is horrible at first it was GREAT!!!
now its not so great .. =\ I personally think the pill will be best.. people say how its so bad to remember but its like this is you want to be protected and if you make the dicision you will remember.. I seriously am thinking about the pill i have heard its bad and i heard its good.
( Some of the same side effects come along with it tho )
Just know that.
So if you have experienced any of these please let me know.
I have had trouble breathing to.
or just write me back on here let me know if you have had the same symptoms I'm kinda worried.

THANX
Alicia-

I WILL NEVER TAKE THIS PILL AGAIN!!!! I have been on it for over a year and have had fatigue, depression, anxiety issues, 13lb weight gain, bloating, decreased libido, bad headaches, sore breast, and moodiness. I just wished I would have realized sooner Femcom was the culprit. I have been on some form of an oral contraceptive for over 15 years and have NEVER experienced anything this unpleasant. Needless to say I have went off this pill and plan on getting an IUD this week.

Oh my god!!! I just read through all the posts looking for someone else with this issue! After using the NR for a few months, i developed this horrible back pain that kept me awake at night tossing and turning trying to get comfortable. I also had a tightness in my chest and although i did not develop a rash, i felt itchiness all over my body. I started having flu like symptoms and wondered if I developed adult onset allergies since I never had them before. I even went back to my GYN and told him and he made me feel like I was crazy...I had stopped the NR for a month and then restarted and the back pain returned...So, i stopped again...strangely enough though, the pain remained for another month...I did also develop a severe migraine headache a few days before I had to remove the ring each month. I tried switching to an oral contraceptive but the naseau always stops me from taking it. Reluctantly, I went back to the NR this month. So far, I have naseau daily which comes in waves, bloating, increased discharge, fatigue...I feel pregnant...just figure my body just needs to get used to it again. Not ready for another baby so don't feel i have much choice right now. Any suggestions?

i have endometriosis, as well. i tried doing the vitamin thing for a couple of months but my peroids didn't get any easier, so i gave-in and went on BCPills. i was on loestrin which worked great for the 1st 3 months but then stopped working and i gained 8-10 pounds of water weight. i took a month off and went on yasmin and LOVED it! for the 1st 4 months, it was a dream come true - i lost the water weight, had TONS of energy. well, when i started working out again, around month 4 - i was fine doing cardio but as soon as i'd add weights to the routine, i would be hit with TOTAL exhaustion, muscle fatigue, etc.. i thought i was coming down w/ the flu or a cold and would take some time off...only to try again and have the same effect. this went on ALL summer - then i found out it might be YASMIN!!! apparently the increased levels of potassium in the blood can mess w/ the acidity in the blood and make the muscles hurt. my OBGYN refuses to accept it could be the pill (suggested i get tested for fibromyalgia, depression, etc.). i'm off of the pill now for a week and am still REALLY muscle-achey (sorta feels like the flu). does anyone else have this? does anyone have experience w/ how long it takes this crap to get out of the body? i just started at the gym this morning, only adding cardio for awhile... i am so frustrated!! i'm getting married in 8 months and want to be buff for the wedding but keep getting sidetracked w/ exhaustion. *UGH* can't wait to get yasmin behind me.

I'm glad I came on this site.. My GYN gave me Femcon FE because he saw that I have a cyst on my left ovary. I hard horror stories about birth controls, like weight gain, acne, and nausea.. I am afraid of all three of those.
He told me to start taking them over the weekend and I asked him will there be any side effect and he told me that I would like the pill.. I just gave him a look and said I will be doing some research on this pill and if I read any stories about bad side effect I will not be taking them.
So thanks guys for your comments...
I WILL NOT BE TAKING THIS PILL..
I'll just wait for the cyst to disappear on it's own.

I've been on the NR for 4 months and was really happy with it.... A little discharge and I knew it was from the ring because I don't ever have discharge but it was not bad at all. This past month I started having the most horrible LOWER BACK PAIN. I started mattress shopping and ALMOST bought a $4000.000 mattress to fix the problem.. Then it came time to remove the NR and within 1 minute (or less) of removing my back pain completely went away and I'm again sleeping like a baby, when before I was up most the night with lower back pain. I haven't seen lower back pain as a side effect so I just wanted to post to see if anyone might have the same problem. Not sure if it was just in the wrong spot and I should try again this next month or not..

I have been on Yaz for a year, and the mood swings and crying spells started immediately for me. But I didn't attribute them to the pill because at the time I was going through some issues. However, about 9 months in I started to have migraines more and more frequently. Now I have them everyday and I have been put on Topamax and Imitrex for them. (Neither of which works really well, seeing as how I am home from work right now with a migraine that I have had for the past week that got really bad last night). I recently read up on how Yaz works and was horrified. I realized that the migraines, fatigue, weight gain, IBS symptoms, nausea, nonexistent libido, emotional rollercoaster, all of it is from that tiny little pill. I can feel that my body is dehydrated, and I'm drinking water almost 24/7 but it doesn't seem to be getting any better. To top it all off, when I went to see my doctor in May about the migraines, he did blood work and the only thing that was abnormal was that I have high cholesterol. It's 235 and I am only 21 years old. I thought that was strange, but since I am originally from the south and grew up on fried chicken and then moved to Maryland where I now enjoy crab I figured it stood to reason. Guess what Yaz also causes, ladies! High cholesterol. But it's the new age oral contraceptive that doesn't cause any of the common side effects. You know what? Legally, that's not a lie. These side effects don't seem to be common of any other oral contraceptive. I'm so angry! I can't even resolve to not think about it because the constant pain in my head serves as a reminder. You ladies on this website are the reason that I started my research on Yaz and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am coming off of this pill.

I haven't been on any type of birth control in 9 years. I stopped because after a year of oral contraceptives I was keeping a yeast infection. Since I wasn't sexually active (I was using the pill for cramps), I discontinued the oral contraceptive and the infections went away.
I am getting married in November and need to start on some form of birth control. I tried the NR on a recommendation from a friend. In less than 24 hours I had a raging yeast infection (swelling, discoloration, itching, burning and some mild pain). Taking diflucan has helped, but not made the infection go away completely.
Should I take out the NR / will it mess up my cycle if I take it out now??? I don't know if I can stand it much longer!

I was recently diagnosed with endometriosis. For the past 6 monthss i've been dealing with cramps so bad I had to be on percocet for weeks at a time just to be able to get through my days. After my laparoscopy two weeks ago my gyn suggested that I get on bc to help supress all fo the cramps and the cysts. As of right now i'm on day 7 and I'm miserable. I cry all the time and snap at my fiance constantly. I've been eating twice as much as i used to. I'm constantly exhausted and sex? What sex? No sex drive what so ever. It's completely gone. Not to mention I'm to tired to even bother anymore. And vaginal itching is very uncomfortable. No yeast infections, just itchiness. I'm calling my doc today to see if there's another bc that would make me a little less depressed. Last night I actually thought of suicide.
Ladies, you know your bodies the best. If something is not right, tell you doctors. Bug them until they listen and treat you properly. You do not need to deal with symtoms like this just because our docs got free samples from the drug companies. Tell your doctors what's going on with you. and good luck to all of you.

Hi everyone,

An update for you about my magnesium. I went to a kidney specialist yesterday (my doctor thought I might have kidney issues because my magnesium level was not increasing even with supplements). He was perplexed as to why I was there and basically told me that my magnesium levels were not low enough to be considered for any kidney problem (YAY!!!). He also said that he wasn't convinced that my heart palpitations were caused by my magnesium levels. He asked a little bit about my history and when I told him I was off of Yasmin, he said "GOOD. Find another form of birth control. I won't let my wife take any oral contraceptive". We continued our conversation and I thanked him, expressing how good it was to hear that from a doctor, since most of my friends think I'm paranoid. He repeated the warning to not take oral contraceptives and we ended the visit.

SO, basically I think my heart palpitations have been Yasmin/Orthocyclene related all along. I will wait to see how my body feels in a few months. Also, he said my magnesium levels seemed fine to him and they won't increase with oral supplements because it's very badly obsorbed, and if anything I would get diarrhea instead. (don't want that....)

I'll keep you posted... on the road to better health, I can feel it already! I'm so excited to get that validation from a doctor!

Hello everyone!
I have only been using yasmin for two months (i've just started my 3rd strip). I had been using dianette previously for treatment of polycystic ovaries. i had been using dianette for three years since i was 18 years old and had no problems with it whatsoever. (i decided to change because my boyfriend thought it was making me grumpy, but after a short spell of not using any oral contraceptive, and now being on yasmin for two months, we have both come to the conclusion that i'm going to be grumpy forever!!lol!) Anyway, since starting on yasmin, i have had severe "period cramp" in the first week of taking a new strip and have several SEVERE bouts of diahorrea during my cycle. has anyone else noticed these side effects? these are the only side effects i have experienced (so far).
thanks everyone!

Chloe
Newcastle Upon Tyne
England

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service Food and Drug Administration
Rockville, MD 20857
TRANSMITTED BY FACSIMILE

Nancy Konnerth
Associate Director,
Advertising and Labeling
Drug Regulatory Affairs
Berlex Laboratories
340 Changebridge Road P.O. Box 1000 Montville,
NJ 07045-1000

RE: NDA 21-098 Yasmin (drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol) Tablets
MACMIS ID# 11730

Dear Ms. Konnerth:

This letter notifies Berlex Laboratories (Berlex) that the Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising, and Communications (DDMAC) has identified a direct-to-consumer (DTC) broadcast advertisement (TV ad) for Yasmin (drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol) Tablets that is misleading and in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (Act) and applicable implementing regulations. Specifically, the 60-second TV ad entitled "Goodbye Kiss" is misleading because it makes implied clinical superiority claims to other combination oral contraceptives and minimizes the important risk information that distinguishes Yasmin from other combination oral contraceptives. As a result, the TV ad raises significant public health and safety concerns. Background Yasmin is a combination oral contraceptive ("COC" or "birth control pill") prescription drug product. Yasmin, like any oral contraceptive, is associated with increased risks of several serious conditions (including myocardial infarction, thromboembolism, stroke, hepatic neoplasia, gallbladder disease, and hypertension), although the risk of serious morbidity or mortality is very small in healthy women without underlying risk factors.

The risk of morbidity and mortality increases significantly in the presence of other underlying risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemias, obesity, and diabetes. (See the WARNINGS section of the Yasmin approved physician labeling (PI)) Yasmin contains the estrogen ethinyl estradiol and the progestin drospirenone. Drospirenone has antimineralocorticoid properties, which means that it can work against the body's normal mechanism for regulating salt and water balance, a situation that can lead to hyperkalemia in high risk patients, resulting in potentially serious heart and health problems. This additional risk is described in the Bolded Warning of Yasmin's PI: Nancy Konnerth. 2 Berlex Laboratories NDA 21-098 Yasmin contains 3 mg of the progestin drospirenone that has antimineralocorticoid activity, including the potential for hyperkalemia in highrisk patients, comparable to a 25 mg dose of spironolactone . Yasmin should not be used in patients with conditions that predispose to hyperkalemia (i.e., renal insufficiency, hepatic dysfunction and adrenal insufficiency). Women receiving daily, long-term treatment for chronic conditions or diseases with medications that may increase serum potassium, should have their serum potassium level checked during the first treatment cycle. Drugs that may increase serum potassium include ACE inhibitors, angiotensin -- II receptor antagonists, potassium-sparing diuretics, heparin, aldosterone antagonists, and NSAIDs.

Consequently, Yasmin can exacerbate serious heart and health problems, in addition to the potential problems common to all COCs. Women taking Yasmin must be concerned about drug interactions that will increase potassium, in addition to the drug interactions common to all COCs. Therefore, these women and their healthcare providers must weigh Yasmin's additional health risks when considering Yasmin over COCs without drospirenone. Misleading Efficacy and Safety Presentations Prescription drug ads are false or misleading if they contain a drug comparison that represents or suggests that a prescription drug is more effective or safer than another drug when it has not been demonstrated to be safer or more effective by substantial evidence or substantial clinical experience (21 CFR 202.1(e)(6)(ii)). The TV ad misleadingly overstates the efficacy and safety of Yasmin by suggesting that Yasmin is unique and therefore clinically superior to other birth control pills because it contains the chemically different progestin drospirenone. The unifying theme of the ad, typified by the tagline "Ask about Yasmin, and the difference a little chemistry can make" (emphasis added) suggests that Yasmin is better than other birth control pills because of drospirenone and the way in which it is metabolized in the body. This "chemistry" difference is presented as a product benefit. FDA is not aware of substantial evidence or substantial clinical experience demonstrating that Yasmin is superior to other COCs or that the drospirenone in Yasmin is clinically beneficial. On the contrary, FDA is aware of the added clinical risks associated with drospirenone as communicated in the Warnings/Bolded Warning, and Precautions/Drug Interactions sections of the PI.

Specifically, the following claims in the TV ad address Yasmin's efficacy: "You don't settle when it comes to the guy...so why settle when it comes to the pill? The Yasmin birth control pill uses a different kind of hormone. One that may work with your body chemistry. Yasmin is over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. So when you're looking for the right pill, ask your doctor about the difference a little chemistry can make." (emphasis added) These claims are misleading because they suggest that Yasmin's "different kind of hormone" offers unique "chemistry" benefits and that this difference contributes to the high rate of drug efficacy. Moreover, these claims are misleading because they imply superiority to other COCs (and thus do not offer the same product benefits as Yasmin Tablets) when such has not been demonstrated by substantial evidence or substantial clinical experience. Finally, these claims are misleading because they misrepresent Yasmin's mechanism of action by stating that Yasmin "uses a different kind of hormone. One that may work with your body Nancy Konnerth. 3 Berlex Laboratories NDA 21-098 chemistry." However, COCs, including Yasmin, prevent ovulation by working against the usual body chemistry of a woman of childbearing potential by suppressing endogenous gonadotropins and, thereby, inhibiting ovulation and altering other changes associated with the menstrual cycle.

In addition, the statement "Yasmin contains a different progestin, which may increase potassium" is misleading because the "may increase potassium" disclosure fails to communicate that the potential to increase potassium is a risk. Furthermore, consumers may interpret the statement as a product benefit claim rather than a risk disclosure due to the overall positive message that Yasmin's "chemistry" is a product benefit. The ad conveys this positive message to consumers, notwithstanding the disclosure that "You should not take Yasmin if you have kidney, liver, or adrenal disease," because the "different kind of hormone" and "chemistry'" messages are never clearly identified as potentially leading to increased potassium levels or that increased serum potassium can be dangerous. This important risk information is in a Bolded Warning in the PI and clearly conveyed in the Yasmin Brief Summary Patient Package Insert and in the Detailed Patient Package Insert: Yasmin is different from other birth-control pills because it contains the progestin drospirenone. Drospirenone may increase potassium. Therefore, you should not take Yasmin if you have kidney, liver, or adrenal disease because this could cause serious heart and health problems. Other drugs may also increase potassium. If you are currently on daily, long-term treatment for a chronic condition with any of the medications below, you should consult your healthcare provider about whether Yasmin is right for you, and during the first month that you take Yasmin, you should have a blood test to check your potassium level. Thus, by failing to add the necessary context to clarify that increased blood potassium is a safety risk rather than a clinical benefit, the ad misleadingly represents or suggests that Yasmin is safer than has been demonstrated by substantial evidence or substantial clinical experience. In summary, the TV ad not only misleads consumers about the efficacy of Yasmin, the ad also minimizes important context about the health risks of the drug. ]

Conclusions and Requested Actions
Berlex should immediately discontinue the TV ad and all other promotional materials and activities for Yasmin that contain the same or similar violative presentations. Berlex should submit a written response to DDMAC on or before July 24, 2003, describing its intent and plans to comply with the above. In its letter to DDMAC, Berlex should include the date on which these and other similarly violative materials were discontinued.

Berlex should direct its response to the undersigned by facsimile at (301) 594-6771, or at the Food and Drug Administration, Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising, and Communications HFD-42, Rm. 8B-45, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857.

Nancy Konnerth. 4 Berlex Laboratories NDA 21-098 In all future correspondence on this matter, please refer to MACMIS ID# 11730 as well as the NDA number. DDMAC reminds Berlex that only written communications are considered official. Sincerely, {See appended electronic signature page} Joan Hankin Consumer Promotion Analyst Division of Drug Marketing, Advertising, and Communications

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This is a representation of an electronic record that was signed electronically and this page is the manifestation of the electronic signature. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /s/ --------------------Joan Hankin 7/10/03 03:40:53 PM

Hello again,
Sarah-thank you so much, once again, for your comforting words. It is amazing that after I read your post telling me that where I am in the process (and what I am currently experiencing) is normal, I actually feel physically calmer and less anxious! I feel now that I know what to expect. Do you have any idea how long that second "phase"--when your own hormones take over--will last? Thank you thank you for comforting me!

Silke-as I was reading your post, something struck me. You mentioned a few times that you feel like something is missing in your body. Ever since my Yasmin nightmare started I have been reading up on Eastern medicine (like Ayurveda) and Chinese medicine because I do not trust Western medicine at the moment. Anyway, have you ever studied it? There is an idea that your lifeforce, or "chi", runs through your body and that each of your systems are connected to each other, instead of operating exclusively from one another. If one system is sick, Western doctors simply provide a pill that will make it better, never thinking that it might not be treating the root problem. In Eastern/Chinese medicine, this idea of chi brings everything togther holistically. There are several different areas in your body that this chi may be centered. If one of the centers is "blocked," it can drain your life force from smoothly running throughout your body at all times. (Anybody who knows about Eastern and Chinese medicine...please feel free to chime in or say it better than me--the amateur!)

Long story short, there are ways to "free" this blocked chi. That might be the answer to what you feel like is "missing." I have a friend who struggled for a long time to heal from being on a terrible oral contraceptive (not Yasmin, actually) and she swears by this alternative medicine. She has an acupunturist and an herbologist and feels so healthy, holistically. So if you feel like traditional medicine, doctors, and tests are not working to help you heal, just google some alternative methods. They have been around a lot longer! I considered it for myself, but unfortunately I cannot afford it at the moment.

I hope everyone reading this is doing well today!
Best, Erykah

Sabresgirl,

I recently posted a message on this site regarding the rise in blood pressure I have since being on oral contraceptives. I wasn't on Yasmin, I was on estrostep. My BP went as high as 151/100. I came off the pill a little over 2 weeks ago and my BP is now 145/94, so it is coming down. So to answer your question, I think any oral contraceptive has the potential to give you high BP. I am excited that my BP is on its way down. I hope it continues to go down. I wish the same for you.

Well this site helped me make my decision. Today is my first day off Yasmin. And now I can look forward to all the post-Yasmin symptoms.
In the 4 months I have taken Yasmin, I have suffered from many side effects, including: depression, anxiety, mood swings, very low sex-drive. headaches, lethargy, frequent yeast infections, nausia, among others.
I don't know why it took me so long to connect it. I recognized the severe mood swings right off during the first week when I had severe mood swings and crying fits for no logical reason. I also experienced intense feelings of anger and irritability that suddenly appeared out of nowhere. However, i know my body was adjusting and decided to hold out for at least a month to give my body time to adjust.
After a few weeks the intense feelings subsided but I continued to experience reclusiveness, inability to cope with stress, depression, headaches, and low sex drive. The only time I felt slightly sexy was during my period.
I feel very jaded by the oral contraceptive industry and have developed a bad attitude towards birth control in general.
Now I only hope the post-Yasmin side-effects aren't as bad for me as for others who have posted here. And I hope for all of us that these symptoms are temporary and we will all return to our normal states.
Women should be informed about these things. This drug has caused me alot of emotional and physical trauma.
S

Post your symptoms since stopping Yasmin!!!

Hey everyone it's Kay21 here and I just wanted to post my 3 month off Yasmin update. Because stopping the pill is a hard decision, I figured we should all post are updates here to help/support those who are planning to stop or who have recently stopped Yasmin.

I have been off of Yasmin since April 17. As some of you already know, I was experiencing horrible side effects while on Yasmin for 3 years (particularly stomach problems, vaginal dryness, muscle cramps, increased blood pressure and heart rate and anxiety).

The first 1 month off of Yasmin was okay. In fact, I felt the best I had ever felt in a while. My blood pressure and heart rate decreased and the migraines and muscle cramps went away. But when I hit the 2 month (8 week) mark, I felt HORRIBLE. I was severely depressed and anxious. I was crying all the time and felt a severe sense of DOOM! The physical symptoms also started to become problematic. The acne increased and I started growing more facial hair. The worse symptom, however, was that I started losing a ton of hair. I would lose stray hairs all day (probably about 200 a day). Since I have hit the three month mark, the hair loss has gotten MUCH WORSE! Now I am losing CLUMPS of hair all day. I have seen several doctors about this. Some say it's because of stress and a few (a derm, GYN and endo) say that hiar loss is common after stopping bcp. I have already loss about 1/3 of my hair.

I am also really concerned, because I have not had a period since April 22. So my doctor has put me on provera for 10 days to induce a period.

For those who have stopped Yasmin, what have your symptoms been (i.e. increased acne, weight gain, anxiety, etc.). Has anyone experienced hair loss? How long did it take to get a period???

Thanks...

I've been off Yasmin for almost 4 months now and have gotten a lot better, but still deal with some anxiety, depression, and mood swings. The panic attacks are less frequent and the depression has gotten much better, but it is taking some time and I am not quite back "normal". I'd say the absolute worst time was about 1.5-2 months after I stopped Yasmin--the anxiety and depression was unbearable then. The toughest part about having been off Yasmin for a while now is that I have greater expectations and get so disappointed when I have residual symptoms of anxiety. Furthermore, people are not as sympathetic after a while with my symptoms and cannot believe that it would take this long to recover from an oral contraceptive. This website is amazing and all of your support has been so helpful in my recovery. It's hard to find acknowledgement from people because many do not understand what this drug can do to the mind and body. Yasmin has made what would have been one of the happiest times in my life, one of the most challenging and I wouldn't wish this experience on my worst enemy. Good luck to all of you in Yasmin recovery. Take one day at a time and don't forget to praise yourself for every bit of progress you make.

One more thing...

I was on Mircette for 5 years with no obvious complications. The one time I switched to the generic brand, I absolutely spazzed out! But once back on brand-name Mircette, I was acne and cramp free and had a high quality of life for years after. If someone is looking for an oral contraceptive that's stable, I'd try it. Also, I really liked the fact that Mircette doesn't go cold-turkey on week 4. It tapers you off even on that last week so that your periods are lighter and less intense. I have a Rx for Mircette I'm going to have filled if I can't put up with the Yasmin after next month.

As a Registered Nurse who works in Women's Health, I am empathetic toward the many of you who have had such negative side effects from Yasmin. I, too, just started Yasmin a couple of weeks ago, but fortunately, I am not seeing the same effects as many of you. All I have really noticed so far is a pretty constant headache, which is a very common side effect from any type of oral contraceptive.

It is our right and responsibility as women to ask questions when we are prescribed a medication - irregardless of the type of medication being prescribed. Your health care provider must provide you with that information when you request it. Ask specific questions, demand answers. Be very proactive!

Pharmacists are also a great resource of information. Get the info on your meds in writing - manufacturers are required to provide this information for patients. If your health care provider won't give it to you, your pharmacist will. When I got my Yasmin prescription filled the first time, I read the whole information packet because I wanted to know all the risks and possible side effects. We should all pay attention to what our bodies are telling us. If you don't feel right, don't let anyone (including a physician) convince you that you are OK or dismiss your concerns. Get a 2nd or 3rd opinion. Listen to your body and do what you feel is right, like stopping a medication like Yasmin.

I know of several women who have taken this OC without difficulty. I know others who have problems with other types of OC's. Everyone is different and everyone's body reacts differently to the exact same medication. While most of the posts here refer only to the negative side effects, I am confident that many women out there are taking Yasmin without difficulty.

Unfortunately, some women are being prescribed OC's when they shouldn't, including those who smoke and any woman over 35. Many studies prove the increases in serious health risks for these groups in particular where OC's are concerned. Again, it is our responsibility to request information and ask questions of our health care provider before taking any type of medication.

To all of you having such a negative experience with Yasmin - good luck to you. Please seek another opinion if you are dismissed by your doctor. Request a change in OC's if that's what you want. If you can't get it changed, make an appointment with someone who cares what you have to say and will listen to your concerns. That is your right as a patient. Best of luck to you all.

I'm 18 and have been on the pill for about 2 months now and have not experienced any really serious side effects. I thought what I was experiencing, though, was just me! It's sooo nice to read this board and see other women who share these symptoms. I have noticed that my heart beats rapidly sometimes, I'm more prone to nausea and feel hungry all the time. I actually forgot to take my pill last night and today I feel really depressed! One plus is my breasts have grown! Does anyone know of other, more effective, forms of oral contraceptive?