March 22th
2009
3:25 PM
I am 27, married, and have been on birth control continuously for four years (right before we got married). I have been on Loestrin 24 Fe for five months and just stopped three days ago. I thought there was something wrong with me. Our whole marriage I've had sex drive issues, depression, tiredness, feeling sick all the time, and headaches. All of it got even worse on Loestrin 24. In talking with a co-worker and then doing research a few days ago, it occurred to me that my these problems could be a result of the synthetic hormones I've been taking in the form of birth control. Prior to Loestrin 24, I was on Ortho-Tricyclen, Ortho-Tricyclen Lo, and Yaz. I suffer from endometriosis and have problems with severe cramps and bleeding. My Gyn thought Loestrin 24 would help, with fewer inactive pills. Since taking Loestrin, the side effects mentioned above have gotten worse. In addition, I have had cystic breakouts on my chin and neck, horrible vaginal dryness, fluctuations between nausea and ravenous hunger (I've gained 8 lbs. in five months!), chest pain, muscle and joint pain that gets to be almost unbearable, moodiness, anxiety and paranoia issues, and hot and cold flashes. I think Loestrin 24 should be taken off the market. I've only been off of it for three days and already feel a bit better. My husband and I are now researching natural family planning. No more synthetic hormones for me. Keeping your body's estrogen levels so artificially high all the time is bad news. Not to mention it is a leading cause of breast cancer.
-- By thatgirlangie | Reply | Private Message me
March 10th
2009
6:56 AM
I am 27 had my Mirena inserted May 05 as I could no longer take the pill and I was diagnosed with endometriosis. It's known as a preventative for the spreading of endometriosis due to the lack of menstrual bleeding. I've not had menstrual bleeding since August 05 and not suffered from any side effects. I thought it was the best contraceptive ever invented, so happy with it.To think no periods, cramps, remembering to take the pill and not to forget how much money I've saved over the past years by not having to buy contraception or female toiletries. How ever I've had four UTI's since the Mirena was inserted. I never suffered from UTI's before the mirena was inserted. I have not changed my hygiene practises, fluid intake and I'm having less intercourse. So is it caused by the mirena??? I can't be sure but I'm am very suspicious. Think I'll consult my Gynecologist
-- By tessavanzetti | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
April 26th
2005
2:09 PM
I accidentally happened across this Website... I was looking for an anti-depressant medication that would help me to, not hinder me from losing weight.
My jaw hit the floor when I began reading the entries. Almost everyone one of them described me to a "T". I am still in shock and almost speechless... You better believe that I will be visiting with my doctor ASAP about getting off of Yasmin.
I was on Estrostep FE, prior to this, because I have to take some form of BC due to PCOS. I was on the Estrostep FE because it has iron pills during the "inactive" phase and helps you to not become anemic during your periods. When Yasmin showed up on the scene, my OB/GYN (who I trust very much) wanted to switch me to Yasmin, because as most other doctors have been - she was fooled by the drug companies into believing this would be the best thing for me.
Granted, at first, it worked miracles. Acne cleared up, I felt a lot better, etc. I have been on this medication for a while now and about a year ago I began to experience severe anxiety and panick attacks (so much so, that I missed work and had chest pains). Of course, it's all in your head, so I was put on Lexapro - which has halped quite a bit, but I also began taking a daily vitamin/mineral, calcium & iron supplements.
I have also become anemic, even though I am taking all these supplements and depiste my best efforts to lose weight, I cannot seem to. I have also experience the ravenous hunger, that some of you have mentioned - which I am sure does not help the weight issue. Not too mention the extreme fatigue and body aches so bad, that they have done multiple blood tests & were even going to send me to a rhuematologist. The aches and pains make it very difficult, if not impossible to exercise, which only exhaserbates the weight issue.
I have become morbidly obese, which I am not blaming on the Yasmin - but after reading all of this, I believe that it definitely has contributed. Like I said, I will be seeing my doctor Thursday and I will be taking copies of these entries as well as this web address to her. Thank you all so much for sharing your stories, I believe it may have saved my life and maybe many others'. I am also going to look into what it takes to get a lawsuit started, with my attorney. I will let you all know what I find out. Thanks again!
-- By hsteinle | Reply | Private Message me
May 18th
2009
6:31 PM
Hi everyone, I’m 24 years old and had healthy periods prior to starting Loestrin 24. I just stopped taking the pill yesterday after 2.5 packs. Although it’s recommended to stick with any pill for three months before making a decision, it’s just not worth it to me. Here are my observations. The first month on the pill I was extremely moody and scarily depressed. Although I can get frustrated easily, normally I would keep that frustration to myself and get over it. After about two weeks on the pill I was overreacting to nearly everything, I cried all too easily, and unfortunately I lashed out at those close to me when something wasn’t to my liking. All of which I thought was totally rational at the time, and only later did I regretfully play back certain incidents in my head and wonder why I had been so upset. I have a fairly demanding job with long hours and stress both at work and at home with my roommate. The best way I’ve found to cope with that stress and to keep my sanity is through regular exercise. Again, within the first month of being on the pill my energy dropped drastically, and I felt lethargic nearly all the time. Even getting up from my chair and going to the bathroom while at work seemed like too much effort (and I used to relish going to the bathroom just for a break from my desk). That said, I forced (and I mean forced!) myself to continue my regular exercise routine, because my sanity was already waning. In fact I found this forum in that first month because I was trying to figure out why I was so lethargic, and wanted to know if that was a common side effect of this pill. What else? I developed a ravenous hunger. I constantly thought about food (especially sweets). I already have an unhealthy sweet tooth, but prior to the pill I had some semblance of self control, but I lost that while on this pill. My breasts got bigger (which is nice although they’re sore all the time), but luckily I wouldn’t say I’ve gained too much weight. My lower abdomen, however, started looking bloated and distended. What I found really bothersome was that I never felt satiated. I would eat and eat and eat, and when I should have been full, I’d already be thinking about other things to shovel in my mouth. It was hard to think about all the food I had eaten through the course of a day, and yet not ever feel satisfied. And here is my biggest complaint: during the first month on the pill I spotted on and off, but I had read that that was normal and as promised, I had a very short period. That was nice. After the second week of my second pack of the pill I was bike riding with a friend and felt distinctive period cramping. I dismissed the sensation since I was mid-pack. When I got home and went to the bathroom there was a glob of fresh blood in my underwear. I then continued to bleed (not heavily) for about two weeks until I hit the placebo pills and had my period. That really really pissed me off, especially because I had planned a camping trip with my boyfriend during a time that I shouldn’t have been bleeding. Anyway, I was almost ready to go off the pill, but decided to give it one more month. I started my third pack and everything was basically hunky dory (despite the ever present hunger, sore breasts…etc.), and then one morning I went to the bathroom and found that I had started spotting again…less than two weeks into the pack. I said f* it. I’ve never liked the idea of introducing hormones into my body, and I really don’t like not ovulating. I went on the pill because I wasn’t ready for an IUD. Now I am. I had come to accept a lot of side effects on this pill, but bleeding for two weeks straight is not OK. I bet my body would have eventually caught on to the routine, but I’d rather try a different method, and I’d rather get back to ovulating normally.
-- By kat19 | Reply | Private Message me