Ortho cyclen symptoms and conditions

I have been on loestrin for two months and this is my last pack and I'm going back to ortho cyclen. This pill gave me headaches, acne, and depression. I went on it to lighten my period and it gave me my period every week and a half. It also lowered my sex drive and since I've been on the pill sex is sometimes painful. So ortho cyclen here I come

Almost everyone is affected differently by different types of birth control pills. They are not all the same, please talk with your doctor about what is best for you. Sometimes is DOES take a few tries with different pills to find the best one for YOU.
This is my personal experience with Yaz... I have been on it for 1 year and 1 month exactly. I am 22. I was on Ortho-Cyclen (not tri-cyclen mind you) for a full year previous to Yaz. My periods without birth control were usually very heavy and lasted a week plus a day or two without birth control. My doctor suggested birth control to help with those problem. Ortho-Cyclen helped somewhat shortening my periods to about 5-6 days and made them a "normal-like" flow. After taking it for a year, she suggested Yaz to me help make them even shorter and lighter. Well I switched immediately after the last pill of my Ortho-Cyclen and things proceeded very nicely since I had already been using a method to regulate my cycle.
Yaz has helped me tremendously, my periods are only 3-4 days now and much lighter. I start them after 2 days of placebo and usually have a little bleeding into the first 2 active pills of my next pack.
The only side effects I have noticed are;
1) Weight gain: (I have gained about 8 lbs on this pill) and I even get more exercise than I used to when I was on Ortho-Cyclen. I eat healthy as well.
2) Breast tenderness: I have more noticeable breast tenderness while taking this pill. (But it is not every single day)
3) Cramps: I get cramps now on the first day of bleeding, but they are well taken care of with an aspirin or ibuprofen.
4) Slight depression: I cannot directly link this to Yaz as I am not a professional. However, I do find that a week to a few days before my pill period, there may be a day or two when I find myself crying over some nonsensical thing. (I never noticed this with Ortho-Cyclen.)

Another thing I have noticed though, and it's pretty nice, while I have gained a little weight on this pill, I do not get bloating before/during my period as I used to before I started using birth control pills. And yes, I used to get bloated using Ortho-Cyclen. So I can say that I have to thank Yaz for this "desired effect."
Also, I never suffered from any bad acne problems before using birth control, just the occasional breakout before getting my period, and Yaz actually did away with even that little issue.

I have been taking Loestrin 24 FE for the past five days and i am doing pretty good, it actually stopped my period because i still had it when i started the pack which was awesome. Its hard to tell because i have a sinus infection if i am not feeling well from the pill or from the infection. I really think its just me being sick.

everyone needs to realize that this isnt the pill from hell, it just wasn't for you body, everyone is different, ill update you guys in like two weeks, see if im still saying the same thing

I am writing for my 14 year old daughter who was put on YAZ, not for birth control as she is not sexually active but for her mood disorder, which I believe is just being a teenager in general...but her therapist told her that it would help her moods, acne and that it even would help her loose weight! cant stand doctors at this point, have no faith in the system at all. I should have had her read this site because..... since day 2, severe stomach pains, throws up every day. shortness for breath ~ pains in her back and shoulder and down her arm like a heart attack. nose bleeds, headaches and OMG moods ~ cant even express the mood that she has been in for 3 weeks. so last week I take her to the doctor ~ of course a nurse practitioner sees her instead of the doctor that is not in. and asks my 14 year old if she would like prilosec or pepsid or zantac? asks a 14 year old and then offers her naperson and tells her that she should try these along with the YAZ. when I questioned the rational of keeping her on this drug she became defensive and said we should try it out for a couple of months. I allowed her to try this way for 2 days and then said nope no more pills. Just came home from the doctors office where they immediately took blood and is sending her for a sonogram to see if she has any cysts in her ovaries. I am just disgusted with the medical doctors who push pills and pharmaceuticals who don't give a damn but to make money. Will keep my eyes out for the lawsuits now. For camp refund for all the days she has missed for taking this horrible drug. hopefully she will not have any long term problems. will always think of this pill if she does.

Help me! I have stopped taking Yasmin for about 4 or 5 months because my husband and I want to conceive. I AM STARTING TO LOSE MY HAIR! I am so worried about this as I am losing at least double the normal amount everyday and this has been happening for about a week now. I have noticed the difference as my hair is not very thick. My husband has noticed. My friend says she can't tell, but if you look in my bathroom and my comb you would think I was undertaking radiotherapy. I went to my doctor two days ago and she thinks it could be thyroid or iron problems. She thinks it could be ceasing the pill but is unsure......PLEASE, is there ANYONE who has experienced this? And if so will it stop? I am so distressed about it.

I was recently changed from ortho-tri-cyclen after being on it for years and put on Loestrin 24 I had really bad side effects and then they tried to put me on Yaz and I did not feel comfortable with that so I called the nurse and she called me back today and put me back on ortho-cyclen which I love because I know when my periods are going to happen, they help my skin and I feel normal on ortho-tri-cyclen!!! Thank God I am being put back on it! I would recommend it to anyone!

I can't even describe how this website is making me feel. How could I be so stupid as not to consider my birth control as having large effects on my body. I was on Ortho Cyclen before and it was fine but I wanted to switch to something else because I gained weight on it. I switched to Yasmin and didn't notice much of a difference besides the annoying thing that I still get severe cramps and back pain during my period. In probably the last almost 2 years I have been suffering from depression and OCD symptoms that are very bad. I was not sure what was wrong with me! I have also developed IBS symptoms to the point that I can't even go out and eat dinner with my boyfriend or family without being anxious about having stomach pain, nausea, and having to run to the bathroom. I was tested for an ulcer (it's genetic in my family) but it has been confirmed otherwise. I am on Omeprazole (to decrease stomach acid) and feel at lest functional on it but still get severe stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea. No one seems to understand!!! I also get dizzy spells and feel faint and weak frequently. I was diagnosed with a thyroid disease but have been on medication for that and never really felt many side-effects from that anyway. I am going to request a different medication the next time I see my gyno and hopefully I'll be back to the fun-loving spontaneous person I once was.

Hair loss! My hair was falling out by the handfuls after about 5 months on Yasmin. It first I had no idea that it could be the BC, since I have never had any side-effects like that from any other kind. I stopped taking the pill immediately, but my hair still falls out! I've been off Yasmin and any other BC pill for over a year now, and my hair is still falling out! Help! My Dr. is completely ignorant and telling me that he's never heard of any side-effect like that. I also have really bad acne. I had thick hair and completely clear skin before I started this BC pill. What the heck is happening? I had all my hormone levels tested as well as thyroid, and those are fine. Any ideas? Anyone else having this problem? Anyone found a cure? What is going on, and how do I get my hair back?

I was on Ortho Cyclen for many years and saw the commercial for YAZ. I wasn't having any real significant problems with the Ortho, but more crampy during the week of my period. I switched to YAZ because it was suppose to help those problems associated with your period. I was on it for 11 days when I noticed I a subtle cramping in my lower abdomen. It felt like the cramping I have during my period, but now I have it at the beginning of the pill cycle. I realize that I was just changing brands and my body would have to adjust to the change, but I couldn't take it any longer. I too had sudden mood swings all of the sudden (anger). I just stopped taking it 11 days in and already my cramps have started to subside. I wished I would have seen this website before I made the change. This pill is WACKED and it should be taken off the market. I have seen many websites with many women listing the same problems!!!

I was on Yasmin for 3 years and have recently changed to Ortho Cyclen. My side effects built gradually over time. I became progressively manic every month during the last two active pills. I was starting to think I was crazy. I would cry for no reason, snap at people over nothing; I was super paranoid and highly over sensitive. I'd get violent mood swings that would throw me into a rage that I had never exhibited before - it was to the point my boyfriend was afraid of me and for me during those few days each month. I would get so depressed, I had no value on my life or anyone else and no concept of future or consequences - it was like the end of the world once a month. I was ready to go in for a Psychiatric Evaluation when I told my GYN what I was going through. He said he heard of Yasimin's reputation for causing psychotic aggressive mood swings. I notice a difference within 2 days of getting off the pill. My general mood was improved and I feel back to normal. I've been off the pill for six months without the slightest mood swing. The only thing that hasn't improved, and I think it's a consequence of my new pill, is my libido. My libido decreased the entire time I was on Yasmin, but was still present. Now that I've started Ortho I haven't be interested in the least. In fact, it's painful which only makes the libido lower (as if it were possible). I'm going to GYN again to continue my search for a better pill. My poor boyfriend - sometimes he'd rather have a scary psycho than a passionless non-physical relationship.

A few years ago my doctor gave me Zovia birth control. I was on it for about 6 months & skipped my period for 5 of those months. I was nauseous, nearly fainted several times, I would have days where I couldn't eat a bite & then days where I couldn't eat enough! My mood swings were terrible, too. By the 6th month I was so sick I could hardly make it thru college classes. Thankfully, my doctor switched me to a different birth control & I was fine after that- everything went back to normal & I was myself again. I will never, ever, take Zovia again!!!

I've also had so many problems that I never realized until recently were related to Yasmin. I'm so angry at myself for not realizing sooner. I started taking Yasmin about 3 years ago because I was on Ortho Cyclen for a long time and stupidly thought maybe I'd try something new. Ortho was great, the only reason I switched is because I like to run my packs together and skip periods and I was starting to have breaththrough with the Ortho. BIG MISTAKE. I've had nothing but issues since, and I consider myself a stable, normally functioning woman. Since staring Yasmin 3 years ago, my libido has completely dried up. In fact I can barely let my sweet hubby touch me, let alone initiate it. We're starting to argue constantly because things irritate me that never did before. I've had mini anxiety and panic attack symptoms, blurry vision, foggy head feelings, and weird inner ear pain with occasional ringing I never had before. The worst part is, shortly after starting this terrible drug I developed IBS when I'd never had it before. Now I literally run for the potty after every meal. I cannot even lead a normal life anymore. I've struggled off and on with depressive type feelings, but for the most part have been able to muster through. Some days I am just so fricking tired though I can barely get out of bed. Oddly enough, I also get very hungover from even small amounts of alcohol....(also unusual for me)

More recently I have developed increasing chest tightness and palpitations. I am only 33 and have been checked out and they say nothing is wrong, except for my BP which always used to be very low, and has risen steadily over the last 3 years. I have also experienced significant bloating to the point most of my clothing no longer fits, despite the fact that I eat little given the IBS. My thyroid has been tested and is fine.

Finally, my hair has gone from great spirally curls that I loved to limp, weird half staright, half frizzy. I've never had this ever before. You literally could see this happen over the last few years as new hair grew in, it pushed the curls out and left this behind. I actually blamed my hairdressers and went from salon to salon before I put it all togehter!

I stopped Yasmin 2 days ago as I have had enough. I want to take something though so I started Seasonale, but this will be it. I'm giving it 6 months and if things aren't better I'm done with hormonal BC. I think with so many women who have had serious problems on this pill, you'd think they would listen. My GYN said no way it could be the Yasmin causing the IBS, but Yasmin does increase serotonin levels and the number one side effect of serotonin is diarrhea...so I think it is the cause!!

I've been on Yasmin for 6 months now. I had previously tried Ortho Tri Cyclen, but I got pregnant with my son while I was on that, so my doctor put me on Loestrin Fe. Worst BC in the world! I had breakthrough bleeding ever week or so for about 3 months. Finally went back and she gave me Ortho Cyclen-one steady does of BC to prevent breakthrough bleeding. Worked very well, but my new insurance made it like $45 per month! So I switched to Yasmin. I love it! My breasts have grown a bit, no breakthrough bleeding, I know exactly when my period will end and when it will begin. My only complaint is that during ovulation, it feels like I'm pregnant. But I can live with that, its not a big deal. Just thought you might want a positive outlook on Yasmin.

I'm so happy I found this site. I've been thinking I'm crazy or just getting old for the last 3 years while on Yasmin. I started taking it at age 29 and almost immediately after started having mood swings, extreme irritability and depression. I had previously been on Ortho Tri Cyclen and the Ortho Cyclen before Yasmin and was on them for MANY years and never had one side effect. I only switched in the first place because I like to have very very few periods and I run all my active pills together to forgo periods very often and I was having breakthrough on the Cyclen. Hence, the Yasmin trial.

I'm actually a doctor (which is why I CANNOT have frequent periods with all the accompanying issues), but I didn't even realize the possible connection between IBS and Yasmin. This needs to be studied and taken seriously. I never once had IBS symptoms until a few months after starting Yasmin. Now, 3 years later I have almost constatnt trouble, to the point everytime I eat I run for the bathroom, yet my weight has never been higher. I asked a GYN friend at work if they could be related and she said definitely no, but reading all of these "real life" examples, coupled with my own experience has made me think otherwise. Often, the symptoms will occur shortly after taking the pill, even when I haven't yet eaten breakfast. It's crazy!!

I'm going to switch either back to Ortho Cyclen or to something new ASAP and will report back. I'm both excited at the thought that my "IBS" might really be Yasmin related but also scared that it might not go away and therefore might really be IBS. I'll report back... It honestly never entered my mind that all of it could be the Yasmin. I had just moved, started a new job in a town I hate and I thought it was all stress related.

I've also had an interesting side effect no one has mentioned yet- my hair texture has dramatically changed. It isn't falling out, but has gone from VERY curly with a nice soft spiral curl pattern to very dry, straight and hard to manage. Nothing else has changed and now I'm wondering if it's not the DRSP. If pergnant women can have hair changes, why not women on the pill?? It's all hormones.

As always with a drug, there are always possible side effects. No one drug is perfect, and humans are so complex in their make up and they way they process drugs. Therefore, please don't judge your family docs or GYNs too harshly as not even the best doctor in the world can predict every side effect.

Hey Gang,
Here's my brief story. Was on Ortho Cyclen for 5+ years and had to switch becaue it's not available in Italy. I always had a few side effects (weight gain) but nothing unbearable. I have since started Yasmin and am tredding lightly. You have all had so many painful experiences that I am a little nervous. Its week 2 of Yasmin and so far I have noticed weight loss, and still no sex drive (as with Ortho Cyclen). Although, I now have much more sensitive nipples that makes things more fun. Hope this has helpd someone. Thanks for all you insight!

My hives are almost completely gone!
I had chronic hives (cholinergic urticaria) every day the entire time I was taking Yasmin. After being off of this for 3 months +, my hives are much much better. I switched to OvCon-35, and progressively the chronic hives have been relieved. I am just sorry that it took the doctors so long to figure this out. Actually, since I still have some minor breakouts, I'm switching again to Ortho-Tricyclen, because I did very well on it in the past. I hope that this post helps anyone else who has been having trouble with hives while on Yasmin.

Here is my post from June 6, 2005

I've been taking Yasmin for 1 yr and 4 months. 4 months after I began taking Yasmin, I started breaking out in hives every day, sometime so bad that I required steroid shots to relieve the hives (diagnosed as cholinergic urticaria). I also began gaining weight at an alarming rate. My doctors found that I was severely hypothyroid, and linked this to both the weight gain and the hives and began treating me with thyroid hormone. There has been little relief from the hives, and now my gyneocologist has finally admitted that Yasmin could be the cause. She says that I could either be allergic to the special type of progestin that is in Yasmin, or just sensitive to the hormone balance (some pregnant women experience hives like mine).

I actually really liked being on Yasmin before I began to think that it could be the cause of this major problem. My emotions have been better and more stable than ever before, and my periods have been very predictable and light. Lately though, my period has been getting shorter and shorter. My doctor says that this is because the Yasmin does not have enough estrogen for my body. I've felt really good also because of the diuretic that is included in Yasmin, and I'm expecting some water weight gain when I change to OvCon.

I have used many different birth controls (Ortho Cyclen, Ortho Tricyclen, DepoProvera). Every person's body is different, and that's why you can search for any birth control on this website and find similar amounts of postings with similar complaints. I think that after a couple of years on any birth control a woman's body begins to change and adapt and requires a different type of hormone balance to stay healthy. If switching to OvCon really solves the problem of my hives, I will never recommend this pill to anyone. I will post again to let you know if my hives have been alleviated.

For the desperate boyfriend.....

Something similiar happened in my relationship when I was taking ortho tricyclen. I had a great boyfriend, but about a month into the pill I became very discontented with my relationship. So much so, I broke up with my boyfriend. After the breakup I stayed on the pill and I started having anxiety attacks about events that happened years earlier, and I started developing some obsessive behaviours. I stopped the pill, but not because of the side effects. You see, I wasn't aware that there was any. Those feelings I had about my relationship were very real to me at the time, and It's only in hindsight do I realize that those negative feelings were hormone induced. I got into another relationship and I decided that I was going to try a new pill, Ortho cyclen. Well, the same thing started happening! I became very discontented, and anxious - but this time I put it together and realized what was causing it, and stopped. Now I'm on Yasmin, and things are great. I'm back with the original guy that I broke up with - who incidentally is a saint for putting up with me.

These feelings your girlfriend has are very, very real to her. They may be justified, or they may be hormonal - There's no way to know. I just noticed similarities in our situations, and I thought you might like to know a different point of view.

I've been taking Yasmin for 1 yr and 4 months. 4 months after I began taking Yasmin, I started breaking out in hives every day, sometime so bad that I required steroid shots to relieve the hives (diagnosed as cholinergic urticaria). I also began gaining weight at an alarming rate. My doctors found that I was severely hypothyroid, and linked this to both the weight gain and the hives and began treating me with thyroid hormone. There has been little relief from the hives, and now my gyneocologist has finally admitted that Yasmin could be the cause. She says that I could either be allergic to the special type of progestin that is in Yasmin, or just sensitive to the hormone balance (some pregnant women experience hives like mine).

I actually really liked being on Yasmin before I began to think that it could be the cause of this major problem. My emotions have been better and more stable than ever before, and my periods have been very predictable and light. Lately though, my period has been getting shorter and shorter. My doctor says that this is because the Yasmin does not have enough estrogen for my body. I've felt really good also because of the diuretic that is included in Yasmin, and I'm expecting some water weight gain when I change to OvCon.

I have used many different birth controls (Ortho Cyclen, Ortho Tricyclen, DepoProvera). Every person's body is different, and that's why you can search for any birth control on this website and find similar amounts of postings with similar complaints. I think that after a couple of years on any birth control a woman's body begins to change and adapt and requires a different type of hormone balance to stay healthy. If switching to OvCon really solves the problem of my hives, I will never recommend this pill to anyone. I will post again to let you know if my hives have been alleviated.

Hi, all.

I'm really sorry to hear of so many people having bad experiences with Yasmin. I've been really happy on it. This is my second pack, and I've had as negative side-effects, only some early, nausea (gone after 1st three days) breast tenderness (getting better) and increased appetite (which I'm managing with exercise). In the plus column, my breasts got about 1/2 cup bigger (nice for small-chested me!), my skin has cleared up a little (still not perfect, though) and seems softer, my body hair is growing back noticeably slower, and my head hair seems to be staying put, looking thicker and more lustrous (I've been getting compliments on it). I think I may have something like PCOS, though I've never been tested for it, and my ob/gyn specifically suggested Yasmin when I mentioned problems with body hair, acne, and PMS. Seems to be working well for me. I think these things are *highly* individual, but if you're having bad side-effects, I'd say try a different pill! Ortho-cyclen gave me months of morning sickness, but many women swear by it. I wish they had cheap, reliable tests to measure hormone levels, and could then prescribe the pill based on your current balance (or imbalance, more likely). Anyway, I'm happy on Yasmin so far, and I hope you all find the right pill for you.

I have been taking Yasmin for two months now. I was warned by a friend of mine that it turned her into an emotional basketcase so I asked my OB/GYN about possible side effects like hers. She told me the typical response that BCP's have different effects for everyone and then that Yasmin was the LEAST likely to have emotional side effects. Man was she wrong (at least about how it would affect me!). I've had most of the symptoms listed in other postings:

-I've turned into a total emotional nut
-a lot of weight gain
-constant fatigue
-headaches
-dizziness
-difficulty sleeping
-dehydration
-my period has been late
-and my breast size has rapidly increased.....which has now caused STRETCH MARKS to appear (has that happened to anyone else?)

I seriously thought I was pregnant because the side effects of Yasmin are almost the same as those initial symptoms of pregnancy. I never had the problems above (except for weight gain) with ortho cyclen. I think maybe I'll try the patch next, anything would be better than this

Wow, I really had no idea that Ovcon could create cuch problems! Due to continual breakthrough bleeding my doctor switched me off of Ortho-Cyclen onto Ovcon. Threw up the first few days, then started taking it at night. I've gained 10lbs in 4 months! My breasts are huge and tender all the time (my husband loves this, I don't). I am incredibly irritable and weepy too...never been overly emotional before! I'm also breaking out like a teenager. To add insult to injury though, I still have spotting and have gotten my period during the last week of "active" pills EVERY time! I don't know what else to try, hopefully my doctor will.

June 21st will be my last dose of yasmine... after reading through these side effects - I have confirmed that I am not going crazy or just experienceing unrelated symptoms. I have gained about 15 lbs since I started this BCP (in JAN) - and I have not changed my eating habits that much, drink tons of H2O and started working out- yet am not losing any weight... also, my breasts/hips have gotten huge... I have also tried estrostep, ortho-cyclen, ortho-tricyclen and levlite (allesse)- none have had positive effects and all have made me depressed, and also given me sore/large breasts and just made me feel ughhh overall! I have been sad , depressed, anxious, irrational, quick tempered etc. Normally, I used to be a happy, positive, optimistic person, now I am just miserable. I think back now and I realize that my blurry vision, high heart rate, numb arms and feet are prob realte dto yasmine also.

I must comment that Yasmine works by causing your partner to avoid you as it turns you into a *itch! Lucky for me, my boyfriend (thus far) has been understanding and supportive and is pushing for an end to this madness too!

The only good result I have experienced is no more acne. But I would rather have acne tahn be miserable.

SO, I have decided that after a year and 3 months of trying BCPS - I am quitting... and let me tell you, I am looking fwd to June 21st and my last pill of the pack!

Has anyone on this list researched natural methods or alternative methods of BC. I would appreciate any info!

I started taking Ovcon 35 one month ago. I was suppose to start my period last Tuesday(Feb 4), but I still have not. I have been on Ortho Tri-Cyclen & Ortho Cyclen and never had this problem with them. I took a pregnancy test on Friday(Feb 7) & it was negative. Is this a normal side effect or should I take another test.

I have been on Yasmin for 1 week, I was on Ortho Cyclen I asked my dr. if I could switch because I was constantly bloated. I don't feel bloated now on yasmin but I have noticed I have to watch how much I eat because I get real bad stomach cramps. It's like my stomach has shrunk and I'm trying to eat what I normally do. I also was breaking about bad on my chin but it's dat 7 and it's about gone. I'm going to stay on this pill though cause I feel a lot better on it than I have any other pill.