Time of the month symptoms and conditions

I know that for every woman, the side effects or various medications and hormones are different. I personally had the Mirena IUD inserted a little over 3 years ago on the recommendation of a friend who, at the time, had nothing but positive things to say about it. I went on that recommendation alone, and now wish that I had done more research into the side effects before having one inserted.

The initial insertion was not horrible, but not great either- a pinch at insertion, severe cramping and pain within a few hours, and a dull aching feeling in my abdomen for about a week. After that, though, I couldn't feel the IUD at all.

It was not long after that when I began to experience side effects. Like many of you, I attributed my symptoms to stress and life changes. I figured that my migraines, back pain, fatigue, dizziness, increasing urinary tract infections, and weight gain were a result of a changing metabolism and high-stress job.

When I went to my family physician to have blood work done (because I was declared anemic when trying to give blood), I was told that I wasn't getting enough iron and I went on iron supplements. (The supplements then made me constipated- sorry if that is TMI, but that was a very unwelcome result!) When I took trip after trip to my ob/gyn for antibiotics to treat UTIs, I was told that the UTIs were unrelated to the IUD. When I saw a urologist to have three separate tests done (one for hormone levels, another for uterine function, and yet another to test kidney function), all tests came back within normal range. Even when I went to the ER one Saturday morning, when my back was spasming so badly that I could barely walk or stand, I was told that my back pain was stress-related.

All the while, my friend (the one who recommended the IUD in the first place) was dealing with similar problems- weekly severe migraines, back pain, etc. She was being told the same things by her ob/gyn- none of her symptoms were related to the IUD. Since she and I trusted our doctors completely, we went on about our lives, upped our workout regimens, tried to de-stress as much as possible, took OTC pain meds when it was all too much to bear- and yet for both of us, our symptoms continued.

Then, in July, my husband and I decided to begin trying for a baby. I made my appointment to have the IUD removed (which was a painless process), and it was only then that I began to research the Mirena IUD online. My former ob/gyn had moved, and my new one seemed ill-informed about what to expect once the IUD was removed. I wanted to know how soon I could conceive, and she knew very little about the process- heck, she didn't even know what the hormone was called that she had given me to jump-start my period (it was progestin, by the way- a very common prescription that my paramedic husband knew quite a bit about, but the ob/gyn didn't even know the name of!).

Once I got online and found this site (among many others), I finally began to put two and two together. I am now firmly convinced that my symptoms were directly related to the Mirena IUD. Again, different women are affected in different ways, but I know that for me- nothing good came of messing with Mother Nature like that.

Now that I've had the IUD out for about four months, I feel like a different human being. I did experience the "Mirena Crash," but once that passed, I almost immediately began losing weight, my abdomen was no longer blown up like a balloon, my energy level and sex drive increased, my back pain is now gone, and I haven't had a migraine or UTI since.

I've since switched ob/gyns, but I now have a healthy distrust of anything medically new and experimental. I will never have the Mirena inserted again, and I will definitely research anything and everything regarding my body. Ladies, listen to your bodies- mine was screaming at me loud and clear for over three years, and even though I knew that something was very wrong, I didn't listen. I'm just happy that I "accidentally" figured it out. (Oh, and my friend will be having her IUD removed later this week. She and I now call ourselves the "sister skeptics!")

Was prescribed avelox for bronchitis. Took it for the full ten days. began having diarrhea. It has been 5 weeks since i stopped taking the medication and have continued to have diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain. The diarrhea is a loose stool. Have had stool tests done and do not have a secondary infection from this.

I understand there is a lot of negativity surrounding this drug, and although I read a lot of similar stories before filling my prescription, I started taking Yaz. Since I have started my period, I have suffered extreme back pain, moodiness, cramping, bloating and a flow so heavy I would go through a super tampon almost every hour. So when I was 14 I started on Alesse. It helped a little with the bleeding and did nothing for my pain. I am now 20 years old and just switched to Yaz. My life has changed. For the first time in 8 years I feel no cramping, bloating, nausea, back pain or diarrhea that was associated with my period. My flow is much lighter. My moods are completely stable and my sex drive has improved. Not to mention my skin is in perfect condition. I have the energy I have always wanted at this time of the month and finally I can get myself out of bed (I have missed school because of my pain). For some, this drug may not help. But for others, like me, it can change your life. I am so happy...maybe it has something to do with actually having PMDD symptoms. If you do not have PMDD maybe this drug will backfire. I don't know. But for now, I am so grateful for Yaz.

I had teh Mirena inserted in February 2009. The last two months I have had BAD back pains, hair loss,hair loss,hot flashes and headaches like crazy!! At first I thought something was wrong with me other than side effects from the Mirena but when I found this website and read the comments..... I ALMOST LOST IT! I will definitely be having this removed! I can't take it!! Not only that I bleed at any given time of the month sometimes light sometimes not!! Now I'm scared they won't be able to find it! The first couple of months I didn't see or remember any side effects but now they are definitely there!!!

Like many of you, I am relieved and thankful that I had the patience to click around a bit and find this website.

I have only had the ring in for five days and this afternoon I realized that my breasts were extremely tender and swollen. The more I thought about it, the more I also realized that my mood has been absolutely awful for these entire 5 days. I'm a pretty emotional girl as it is, but it's been ridiculous! Angry, impatient one minute, sad and pensive the next minute. Really not what I'm used to. Not only that, but I've had some spotting as well. What's worse I've already gained about 6 lbs and have been eating like a monster. At this rate, I definitely do not want to see what happens if I keep it in any longer.

I've been on birth control for once in my life prior to this, for about a month in high school, and that also messed with my body a bit. My mother raised me not to put any hormones in my body, and although I'm older now and it might be an added measure of protection, I know that I am not willing to allow my physical and mental well being to be this affected. My boyfriend and I always have protected sex, and although I can get a bit paranoid around that time of the month, I am going to make it a point not to since we use condoms properly and they have been around for such a long time for a reason.

Hi, I just posted something a little while ago but after reading more of people's side effects feel that I have some more in common.

I have been taking lamictal for 2 years/ 300mg a day. The reason I was unsure if my side effects were actually related to it or not was because i didn't have any and now suddenly do. I have SEVERE dry mouth constantly and it is hell. I am also waking up with night sweats to the point where I have to go to bed with ice packs. I have become oilier and hairier. I have had all my hormones tested as I first believed it was that but the results came back fine. Has anyone else experienced side effects quite a long time after starting lamictal? Thanks again

I have never before posted on a forum like this, but if my information helps or forewarns one other woman .... I am grateful.

I am 51 years old, been in perimenopause since Lincoln was President, it seems. I was prescribe a generic version of Yasmin, and, because I had been experiencing general symptoms of perimenopause before, did not attribute to Yasmin by increasing feelings of being in hell.

I will say one positive thing about it: I have had only one mid-life zit since I started on it. However, the experiences I am going to list now dismisses that aspect completely.

I have been on it for 4 1/2 months. The awfulness of it crept up on me, but there is no denying that now. I have gained weight. I have always been slender; however, I've gone up a pant size and even those pants are feeling tight. I'm constipated, no matter how much fiber and mild laxatives I take. My stomach pooches out and feels tight. My breasts are tender. They have NEVER been tender or sore, no matter the time of the month. My hot flashes and night sweats have reached an unprecedented level, and I have been having those off/on for a decade. I don't have hot "flashes" anymore. I heat up and I am uncomfortable all day, save for maybe a couple of hours.

Now, here is the WORST side effect: I am so f-ing angry almost all the time and my energy goes into hiding that from others. And there are the companions of anger: depression, feeling SO alone, feeling like a freak and that there is something fundamentally wrong with me... something wrong w/ my very soul. I recognize that some of these symptoms reflect aspects of my personality, but I work on that very hard in a spiritually/practical way and achieve successes along the way. This is different. This is very, very bad.

I will NEVER take another one of those horrid pills. I am going to see a doctor who works w/ women's issues and prescribes bio-identical hormones. And if THAT doesn't work, I will find another answer; rather, another answer will come to me, because I hit rock bottom and my intention is SO strong that the Answer cannot NOT come to me (okay, that's a metaphysical pronouncement, but there you go) .

For those of you who want to talk to me on this forum, or email me personally, I welcome and appreciate your thoughts. We are ALL together in this! Much Light and Love along the Way, K.

If I can feel the string inside, can I pull it out myself??

My 12 yr. old daughter had her first gardasil shot last summer and her 3rd in January. She has been complaining of headaches, nausea, stomach pain, dizziness, confusion, as she put it 'she felt like an alien'. I just figured it was preteen/body change/that time of the month stuff and thought it would pass. She only complained of headaches a few times after the first shot, didn't even think of them being from the shot but then more after the 2nd shot, still didn't make a connection, and now it's an every day thing. This morning again the headache/nausea/stomach pain, crying from the pain and Tylenol isn't helping. I got her to go to school but after 2 hours had to go pick her up. She said it was worse. We will be back at the doctors for the 3rd time in 2 weeks. With the possibility of this being from the gardasil, I wish I had never gotten the shots. The not knowing, is this from the gardasil? will it pass? get worse? and what she is going through. No it's not worth it

this is not a serious side effect like many described here, but has anyone had problems w/ acne or their skin breaking out after stopping Yasmin? part of the reason i'm taking Yasmin is that of all birth control pills, it is one of the ones that is supposed to help with that (and i think it has helped somewhat). however, i am planning to stop in about a week, and really don't want to break out.

I had the Mirena put in a year ago. Experienced bleeding for approx 3 weeks.Not really seen my period since(Wooohoooo),except for some light spotting round "that time of the month". I recently have been experiencing very bad acne breakouts.Have always felt that my tummy is bloated and have a very low sex drive. But my BIG QUESTION is Has anybody experienced a burning sensation in either of their bum cheeks,(especially when sitting,feels like it's on fire)which is unexplainable by numerous doctors and endless tests I have had done. Not sure if it's related,but so desperate for this burning to stop.

I have Endometriosis and had my Mirena IUD put in on Aug. 8th, 08. Since then I've noticed a lot of changes. I'm crabby, A LOT! I have severe mood swings. One minute I'm happy go lucky and then the next minute I could kill people. I have cramps all the time. At first I thought it was just my period, but it can't be. I don't bleed at all anymore. I spotted the first two weeks and nothing after that. Now, I just have pain all the time. Like I said I thought it was just what was suppose to be my time of the month, so everything hurt but that isn't the case. My breasts are tender, as if I were to be pregnant. I feel bloated most times. I have abdominal cramping, to the point where I can feel the outline of my ovary and uterus. My back hurts all the time. I have endometriosis and my doctor swore that this would take care of the pain related to that, but I think this just started a whole new ball game. My boyfriend swears since I got it put in, that every time we have sex he can feel something..I don't even like sex anymore. When I agree to have sex, I usually end up making him stop because I can't take the pain any more. Then afterwards I hurt for a week..I know this isn't normal. I never had any luck with the pill, and depo almost killed me. I thought this would be perfect for me, but it's not, and now till I get insurance I can't even get this taken out. I don't know of any long-term side effects to Mirena, but I don't think all of this trouble is worth it..

I had a gorgeous baby girl in April. My future husband and I spoke about our B.C. options after her birth and decided that the Mirena would work great for both of us. I spoke with my Dr. because I had been on the Depo in the past (progesterone based) and I had gained a ton of weight. She said that because of the low continuous dose of progesterone, weight wouldn't be an issue. At the end of June I had the Mirena put in. I went in for a recheck to make sure that it was in position in the beginning of August after my wedding (I know... The cart before the horse). At this time I weighed 132 lbs. It is now mid November and I have been having some pretty severe gastric problems. I went to my internal med Dr. a couple of weeks ago and I weighed in at a wopping 146 lbs. I know that it doesn't sound like a lot but to gain that much weight in a short time is nauseating. I am not pregnant anymore. Here is what my symptoms were and why I chose to go to internal medicine and not the gyn. I had TERRIBLE gas. Not only often but the smell. My new husband and baby looked at me like I was a monster. Not to mention the horrible side and back cramps. Bloating was now my best friend and not saved for "that time of the month". My internal med Dr. thought that my gall bladder might be failing because she said that she sees a lot of this in post natal women. I went through 2 weeks of tests from blood draws to scooping my stool into test vials for analysis to having radiographic dyes shot into me to make a movie of my gall bladder function. I couldn't hold my baby for a whole day because I was radioactive. The results turned up nothing. I sat at home on my couch that night (11/13/08) feeling defeated and not understanding what was happening to my body. I reflected on what was different about me, since the birth of my daughter, and all I could come up with was the Mirena. I decided that it was a shot in the dark, but I was going to check out the side effects online. Then I found all of you. OMG, I am a text book case of everything that you all are reporting. The following are my other symptoms that I have been dealing with. I hope it helps you when trying to find a B.C. that is right for you. My sex drive has gone out the bottom... Not to mention my new found skinniness. My headaches are dull and nagging and I am on the verge of massive panic/anxiety attacks on a weekly basis. I lost about half of my head of hair (it started falling out about 2 months after the Mirena was inserted). I go from massive, can't find a bathroom fast enough diarrhea to really soft obnoxious smelling stools. My husband has stated, on many occasions, that he is a man and can "appreciate a good, healthy fart" but what I have makes him want to throw up. Did I mention the bloating? My periods are lighter but last almost 2 weeks every month. I have night sweats and hot flashes. I am irritable and tired all of the time. Funny enough, my tolerance for alcohol has decreased dramatically and I go from having fun and drinking a cocktail to wasted, hammered drunk in seconds. I have acne all of the time and its everywhere... my face, back, chest. I have never suffered from acne. I hope that I covered all of my side effects but I may have missed a few because there are so many things that I am experiencing. Needless to say, I feel like a have a voice and a remedy to everything that I have been going through over the past 2 months. Today, at 30 years old, I going to take a stand for my body... I am having my Mirena taken out at 1:15 this afternoon. Hopefully life will smell and feel so much better... LOL

I have had Mirena now since August 29th '08. I was one of the people that was lucky enough to not experience any pain what so ever when it was inserted. Not a single bit of discomfort at all!!! I did have my period though so that may have had something to do with it. But ever since I've had Mirena I've gained 12 pounds, my husband and I fight all the time, we have been together for 15 years and haven't fought this much as long as we've been together, I'm always depressed lately which is weird for me at this time of year because until Christmas I love this time of year!! I've had a few anxiety issues, I don't sleep at night, my poor kids I snap over the stupidest things, the fatigue oh my the fatigue. I've had sleeping problems for many years now but I can't even sleep on sleeping pills most nights either and I could before. The last couple of weeks now I've experienced gas (I mean gas very regularly) out of the blue didn't think that had to do with Mirena but then I started reading this site, some days I'm constipated others I don't stop going. It seems I get the "spotting" one week straight done for a few days then here it is again. My husband feels it when we have intercourse. If and when we have intercourse these days it's not enjoyable for me and not him either, he can tell it's not enjoyable for me, let alone he can feel the thing. I have a very clear completion (normally only get acne at that time of the month and only a couple), lately I've broken out along my hair line, getting pimples in spots I didn't know you could get them. And with the weight gain and acne it makes me feel real good about myself. I look like I'm pregnant again some days. And I'm bloated all the time. Oh the one I almost forgot about the hot flashes, I'm 31 years old having hot flashes.
I was thinking that my body just needs to "adjust" to this thing inside me, but after reading this why wait and make it worse with more symptoms I don't have yet?! Like the cysts, I guess as far as I know I don't have them yet.
I just want to feel like myself again. I'm a happy person, normally motivated to clean my house, normally don't feel like I have a grey cloud over my head, I hate feeling like I have a scowl on my face all the time. These are the memory making years for my kids, do I want them to remember the always crabby yelling mommy? No I don't. Well I'm gonna go cry now and call my doctor to have it removed. Thank you for having this site it's made me feel like I'm not going crazy and it's not just me! And you know what I will respond back in a few weeks after having it out and let you know if I've gotten rid of any the "side Effects" the doctors claim have nothing to do with Mirena!

Thank god I read this. I have been on Aviane for about 1 1/2 now. I was fine for the first few months.

Then I started losing my hair which girls usually do but for me I never ever lost hair, in my brush on my clothes, in the shower never lost hair and I am noticing for the last few months that I have been losing considerable amounts of hair and I've been wondering how this could be all of a sudden.

and I have been so mean to my boyfriend, I thought I was just so unhappy at this point in my life. I found myself nagging for no reason at all but just to do it. and I'll tell you he is absolutely perfect and I have no reason at all to be unhappy in our relationship. I'm not the kind to have mood swings of any kind or suffer depression, I have always been very pleasant.

I started suspecting my bc even though I had been on it for a while. 2 months ago, while on my sugar pills (and I don't think I have to remind you but my period, which is supposed to be our "crazy time of the month") within in a day of not being on this bc, that entire week was the most pleasant I can remember being this whole past year. So again one more month I take this bc, again bitchy, nagging, crying for no reason at all after one day of being back on the pill!

I just can't believe that "pmsing" while not on the pill gives me a more pleasant attitude than taking Aviane!!! I thought I was just depressed thank god I found this website, I am switching immediately!

On another note, I haven't had any side effects like breakouts, not anymore than the usual one or two a month, no cramping, no migraines. But I have been noticing busted blood vessels, quite a few on my arms and one under my eye. I am relatively young, early 20's, I thought it may have a side effect like this because of the heart, blood clotting, strokes etc. anyone else with that problem???

Thanks so much for your posts, ladies, I am on the phone with a gyn as soon as I post!!! No More Aviane!

I had Mirena put in about 5 weeks ago to control heavy periods. After about 2 weeks I started experiencing a foggy head feeling and bouts of dizziness. I didn't relate this to anything and thought it might be from lack of sleep. Last week I stated having spells of rapid heartbeat and nervousness that lasted anywhere from 10 minutes to 10 hours. Exercising is out of the question since it makes me now feel lightheaded. I feel like I can't think or concentrate. At first I didn't think the symptoms were related to Mirena, but since I am otherwise very healthy and don't take any other medications, I started doing a search online and came to this website. I called the doctor and told the nurse my symptoms and she called me back to say that they never heard of anything like that and I must have some other medical problem...They insisted it was not Mirena causing the symptoms. I mentioned that my symptoms are actually ones listed by the manufacturer as "possible" side effects. They disagreed with that. Now I'm thinking of going to another doctor to remove it, if they'll do it. Can anyone tell me if they had these symptoms and if they got "better" with time? Or do they just get "worse"..??? If I knew that they would improve I would hold on a little longer. Has anyone had improvement after the first few months?

I just had Mirena inserted on Oct. 21, only three days ago. The pain wasn't to bad, just very crampy. I had to concentrate on making sure I wasn't holding my breath due to the discomfort. It otherwise went well, quick. Mine was inserted by a nurse practitioner. She wanted me to come in and have it inserted during my time of the month. She said it goes in much more smoothing that way for a couple of reasons, moisture acts as a lubricant, and during our cycles, our cervix dilates slightly. I was at the beginning of my period when I went to have it put it. Just spotting waiting for the gates to break loose. I still am just a little heavier than a spot, my period has yet to come full force, cramping like it wants too though. The past two days, I have had the worst mood swings. Feels very similar to the baby blues. I am hoping this is just my body adjusting to the hormones and it will subside as I had postpartum depression after my daughter was born (4yr). After my son (6mos) I was ok, just baby blues for a couple weeks and I was back to my old self. With my history though, it scares me, I don't want to experience that feeling again. I have been getting very angry over little things the past couple days as well. Almost uncontrollable. I came home and found that our cat had got in our blinds and broke a slat (I guess that is what I can call it) I was so mad, I kicked her and she slid across the kitchen floor. I felt so horrible and guilty after. That is so not like me. I would just ordinarily scold her and forget about it. I am worried that it is going to get worse. Ever since I have had Mirena placed, I have noticed these changes and it seems to be increasing each day. Like I said, I have a 6 mos baby and my husband is deployed. The last thing I would want is a Dr to dismiss my side effects. I already have a stressful life situation right now, if this makes it harder for me and my family, it is going to have to go.

I have been on ortho tri-cyclen for 7 months. I have noticed a difference in my moods. I am a lot more emotional now and my fiance notices a big difference in me. I feel more sad and we conflict more when it comes to that time of the month and it is more me being emotional, I never was like this before but my wonderful fiance has been very supportive during this time. I decided to quit the pill and just be more careful since we will be married and trying for a child in a couple months. Also another one of my friends suffered from depression when she took the pill and when she switched pills she was no longer depressed. So FYI, please monitor your moods when your taking the pill, it took me 7 months to even notice when my fiance noticed right away.

The first month wasn't so bad. Once the second month rolled around, I had to stop. I was tired, sad, crying for hours, always bloated, and got diagnosed with mild depression. It was all random, where at any time of the month I would burst out in tears, and just stare at the wall wondering what was happening to me. I had a total lack of concentration in anything. Hopefully things will get better from stopping Yasmin.

For all of the poor girls who are searching "mirena experiences" because you are looking for a sure thing contraceptive-
This site is only for people who have had BAD experiences. Read them all if you want, but take into consideration they are the 3%, or whatever number, that had problems. None of these women deserved it, asked for it, needed it, or wanted it, but unfortunately their bodies responded to it in such an ugly manor.

Here's my experience so far....Had it inserted 8/06/08. Insertion was fine. Felt that speculum more than I could feel the actual insertion of the mirena.
Slight cramping afterwards...not immediately-went home and for like 20 minutes had cramps lighter than my period cramps.
For the first week bled lightly, second week had an actual period, week three and week four just spotting. The doctor told me this can go on for up to six months...kinda worth it if you think about it.
No acne problems so far, my hair is fine (and trust me, if my hair was thinning, falling out, or anything like that I would take the mirena out!), muscles and joints feel like they did before pregnancy, still breastfeeding (I know that they say that the mirena will make you produce less breast milk-tell that to my breastfed 13 pound 24 inch long 2 month old. he would disagree)
My breasts are a little tender and at first I was slightly bloated (less than if I were on my period) but that has subsided. Abstained from sex for a month after insertion per my doctor's orders, so I will come back and post if there were any problems with that...NEXT WEEK! yay!
Know that I understand the side effects could show up later.

Now again, EVERYBODY will experience something different. We are interfering with nature. Birth control is one of the most unnatural things we could do to our body.

Again, since this site commonly comes up when searching the mirena, I want for women to know that it might work for them better than it did for others.

I have been on birth control since I was 16 due to severe cramps during that time of the month. I have been on several different kinds. They placed me on Yasmin about 3 yrs ago. I thought that was the best one that I had ever been on until I went off of it. I have been off of Yasmin for about 2 1/2 months, since then I have developed anxiety, panic attacks, depression, with racing thoughts. I have contacted my OBGYN who said that this would not be a side effect. I have to say that everyone's body is different. I would like to know if anyone else has experienced any of these symptoms and if so how long will I feel like this?

I'm 22 years old and I have been on Yasmin for 3 years. The first year it was fine, but the next year I began getting panic attacks which I never even believed in until I had one myself. I've had severe anxiety that is uncontrollable and doesn't allow me to sleep at night. Let's not even talk about the emotional mood swings during my period. My boyfriend knows when it's that time of the month because I'm not myself. I will cry over things that would never make me cry in a million years. I'm mean and moody and then 20 minutes later I feel bad, but then I'm crabby again. Weight gain has not been a problem for me only about 3-5 pounds, but my breasts did go from a large B to a D. My boobs definitely do not fit my body. I have noticed a lot of hair fall but I just thought it was normal. I too have had problems with my potassium levels as I would get leg cramps in the middle of the night so I began drinking Gatorade and eating bananas every morning which has helped. I love being on birth control because it helps me plan accordingly, but I just don't feel like myself anymore. I am always hungry and am never full. I literally have to tell myself out loud that I'm done eating because it doesn't trigger for me. I have had a stomach ache nearly everyday of being on the pill. I became addicted to TUMS which only made it worse. I thought it was stress related which it might be, but I literally do not go to the bathroom for 4 or 5 days and it is soooo painful. Another thing is that I have no sex drive. I really have to prepare myself for it otherwise sex does not even occur to me. My boyfriend thinks I'm not attracted to him, but I AM! We just moved in together and you would think it was "freedom" but I'm just motivated to have sex. This is not normal for a 22 year old healthy female with an extremely hot man.

Anyway, I just went to the doctor and told her I was interested in Yaz. She gave me a few sample packs which I will begin next week. I'm hoping for the best and I truly do believe that birth control is a trial and error process. Everyone's bodies are different and you need to find the one that works best for you! I will write again once I know how Yaz works out.

-MCL

This is an update to my experience. I got my Mirena IUD removed mid-May, and it has been amazing to see the difference in my body and health. My cycle has always been very predictable. I'm one of those every 28 or 29 days ladies. About every 2 weeks - coinciding with either ovulation or the onset of my period - my body heals a little more. For example, just this last ovulation a few days ago my joints quit hurting. I have seen my energy level, concentration/focus, and mood improve at about every 2 weeks. So for me, my body is getting back to normal by doing what it's supposed to do - Ovulate! Menstrate! No more hormone contraception for me!!! I'm still slowly losing weight (at first it was immediate weight loss of about 7 lbs). The last couple of weeks, since my joints aren't hurting anymore and my energy level has risen dramatically, I'm able to exercise like I used to prior to all my problems with the Mirena IUD. So at every event in my cycle my body is a purging of more and more of the artificial progesterone. My husband and I have grown closer through this too. We have decided to work together and respect my body's natural cycles. I'm aware now of when I ovulate by looking at the signs - mainly the time of the month, a twinge of pain (not uncomfortable at all) telling me I'm ovulating, and cervical music - when it's stretchy and looks like egg whites. By paying attention, I know. I can't believe I didn't trust myself before. We use condoms when I am ovulating (a few days before I predict it to happen and a few days after). I'm fortunate to be so regular, but even if I wasn't nothing could convince me to ever use hormone contraception again!!!

I had it inserted after my second child (she is now 3-1/2). It took 6 months to NOT feel it anymore. I have not had my period. However, at the time of the month, I get all the side effects. Is it b/c my body doesn't release the blood? Twice I have felt tht thing poking me to the point where I could hardly walk. I have a pooch which won't go away, headaches, dizziness, ab pain off and on to the point where I bend over to feel better. I am making an appt to take this dumb thing out. It is not worth it. My breasts get extremely tender too. And sometimes during sex, it pokes me and hurts. Its not worth it. All of you have confirmed it.

It is so funny to read all of the negativity but nothing positive! I came here looking for side effects and get a bashing about how horrid Yasmin/Yaz is! Let me first start off by listing my side effects that I wanted to know about:

breast tenderness
change in appetite
tiredness
red spot in eye

Next, let me tell you that I researched BEFORE taking this medicine because 1. I have MS 2. I suffer from migraines and seizures and 3. I take a whole boat load of medications! My doc recommended Yasmin for PMDD coupled with Sarafem to help my mood right before and during my time of the month. I must say that I have only been on it for about 10 days so I do not know anything of how it works with my period.

I am APPALLED at the fact that there are few, if any, positive comments about this pill! I know for a FACT that it works because I know 7 people personally that are on it that have NO PROBLEMS! So, I ask you all that have negative comments, what is wrong with you, other than you HATE the pill? What OTHER meds were you on while taking it? I read a few comments about stopping for a month and then starting again and then wondering why they felt like crap?? Well HELLO?! You are effing with your body's hormones! And there is a difference between Yaz and Yasmin hormones. If you had a bad experience with Yaz, make sure you are not confusing it with Yasmin! Yaz is a 24 day hormone pill where Yasmin is only 21 days.

I am not a doctor, but like I said, I have done my research. I have suffered with adult acne and PMDD for years. It sucks. If Yasmin helps, I want to know. I don't want to read a bunch of bull about people who mess up their cycles by taking the pill and smoking or taking the pill with meds they shouldn't be taking them with. I know what I can and cannot take. Most of what I take is natural and what is not, well, it CAN be taken with Yasmin. Like the website for Yasmin says and like most of the informational, non-biased websites say, Yasmin and Yaz is not for everyone. Some people cannot handle this type of hormone.

I can guarantee you that some doctor or pharm company can tell you that whatever symptom you are having is from something completely unrelated to the BC you are taking. Warnings are clearly marked...read them and obey!