Yasmin and breast tenderness

I began taking Yasmin in July 2006. I had been on bcp for about 10 years at the time, mostly due to bad cramps and pms symptoms. Yasmin worked out well, but there was just one side effect, I would become extremely emotional right before my period. In October 2007 I went for my yearly check-up and mentioned this to my doctor. He switched me to Apri (Desogen) saying that this would be a better pill for that side effect. I began taking it that next month. Right away I had feelings of nausea and breast tenderness. Even though I felt like this I gave Apri a chance. In January 2008 I couldn't take feeling like this anymore and stopped taking it. In February I noticed my hair began falling out. I hadn't gotten a period this month either. I went to the doctor in March and she ran many blood tests. My estrogen came back extremely low (at a level of a menopausal woman). Instead of exploring any other options as to what to do, the doctor put me right back onto Yasmin, since now I went two months without a period. I figured that I would have to learn to live with a little moodiness before my period that Yasmin gave me. The doctor also made me believe that this would put an end to my hair loss...Nothing could have been further from the truth!!! I went back on Yasmin in March 2008 and what a HUGE difference than from the first time I was on it. Not only was I emotional now ALL the time, but I physically felt much worse. I had constant breast tenderness, acne (which even as an adolescent I never had), oily skin, and my hair was constantly falling out. Emotionally I was a wreck! I was constantly crying and very depressed! I began going from doctor to doctor, which is unlike me. I hate doctors and would only go for a serious illness. Now I was hoping that one of these doctors could give me an answer. But 6 months later and NO ANSWERS. The only thing that a few doctors said was that Yasmin was good for those with hair loss. So after reading many of the entries on this website and after much soul-searching...I am going off birth control for good!!! I have lost well over half of my hair, have practically pushed everyone that means anything to me away, and have personally hated myself! I have literally lost the past 6 months of my life! It is now time to see what my body is capable of on its own. I'm done putting this poison into my body and would tell anyone else to do the same. I always knew that there were side effects associated with any kind of medicine, but I could not have ever imagined that all of these side effects could have and would have happened to me. I felt like I had to write this after reading all of the other entries. Many of those entries gave me the courage to quit and I would be happy if this could help or inform even just 1 person! I would appreciate if there were anyone out there that had a similar experience to either post it or reply. Thank you.

I was on Yasmin from November 2005 to February 2007. I didn't have a period until June 2007, and have only had 4 periods since then (and one was medically induced). I have been to a gynecologist and an endocrinologist. I have had a battery of blood tests done and all have come back normal. I have some more coming up.
Before going on Yasmin, my periods were relatively normal. I didn't have a "set your watch by it" kind of period, but I did have a period every single month (just different times during the month). While on Yasmin, I can't name specific side effects that I noticed. Looking back, breast tenderness increased (and continues), increased propensity to headaches and fatigue, and weight gain were all present. It is going off of it that has really messed up my system. My doctor originally thought I had PCOS, but blood tests have come back normal. I was even convinced, because since going off Yasmin, I have developed some of the classic symptoms. I am at a loss as to why my cycle has not returned to normal.
I am so frustrated, and while it is nice not to have periods, I want to know that I am okay. I am wondering if my being on Yasmin is still haunting me.
Has anyone else had difficulties for such an extended period after coming off of Yasmin?

I recently started Yasmin about 9 days ago and I have not experience any real bad side effects. The first two days I felt a little emotional but I think it was because I had just started my period and decided to take the pill on Day 1 of my period. However, I am still spotting and wondering if this is normal. I am also experiencing some breast tenderness and stomach cramps. I usually have have breast tenderness and cramps two weeks before my actual period but I am thinking at this point it has nothing to do with my period but the actual pill. Can someone please let me know if this is normal?

Wow, I am so shocked to read all your ladies' comments!

I just started using YASMIN about a week ago and suddenly I started feeling very anxious and depressed, at first I thought that it was because I recently moved to my current apartment and had a lot of stress.

Then the more I thought about it the more I realized that whatever was happening was not normal because that's now who I am. I felt it had something to do with the pill, but I didn't think the side effects could be so awful. I have breast tenderness right now.

I just went to my GYN today and let her know what was happening and all she said was that it was too early for me to be having those side effects and gave be a paper to go and get a blood pregnancy test done.

I am 27 yrs old and I had been off BC for a long time, but the pills I used years ago did not give me any of those side effects.

I plan on going back to the DR ASAP and let her know that I want a different BCP.

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!

i have been on Yasmin for 14 days now.i am glad i stumbled on this site. my doctor put me on it for acne. my face has not cleared up infact i feel like i have a rash that has developed on my face. i am feeling so itchy. also i feel so bloated and have breast tenderness.i do not want to wait for results. i have purchased a 6 month supply. i decided to stop taking it. does anyone know how i can sell it.please e mail me if u are interested. ******

Hi! I can't believe this all....I am reading your stories... I am on YASMIN for 14 days. I have two little children and I choose birth control again after almost 5 years. So I thought all my side effects are because my body needs a chance to get use to IT and I am over reacting, etc... Well NO, I am NOT!!!
Headache, mood swings, itchy skin, breast tenderness, got my period 4th day after my first pill (my doctor said it's the "breakthrough period") dizziness and feeling very nervous and sad, etc.....
My doctor said to stay on it, that my body will adjust to it...well, I am NOT!!! My body it totally resisting IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But now, I am stuck with 4 month worse supply....any idea where to sell it?
thank you

I have been taking Yasmin for 3 weeks now I am into my 4th week. I have taken two white dummy pills already and I have yet to get my period. I wasn't aware that Yasmin takes your period away. Is that a normal side effect of this birth control? I have had breast tenderness since I started taking Yasmin. I started the pill in the first 24 hours of my period and for the first week I thought my period would go away and just come again when I started the white pills at the end of the month but that did not happen. My period lasted 7 days while taking the pink pills in my first week. There was a lot of blood clots during my cycle which I never had before. Has anyone else had this symptom when they first started taking Yasmin? I have a doctors appt on the 29th of this month for a separate condition but I plan to ask the doctor about these symptoms. Has anyone else had any of these related experiences?

I am 25 and have been taking Yasmin for about a year and a half. I switched to it because it would help my acne breakouts (face and chest/back),
as well as "reduce bloating" according to my doctor.
It did indeed help with helping calm down the PMS mood swings around 'that time of the month'.
However, especially in the last few months, I have noticed a very dramatic decrease in my libido and bouts of being down or 'blue' aka depression-like symptoms, as well as breast tenderness. Also strangely enough, one of the side effects listed on the info sheet claims it can cause bloating. So who do I believe? This is my point exactly...

Ladies, take 5 minutes and CAREFULLY READ THE INSTRUCTIONS that come inside the box of your Yasmin pills. When you do, you might be surprised by what you find, like I was.
I have been on several types of birth control since I was about 17, from Tri-cyclen, to Diane-35 and others.

What the doctors and pharmaceutical companies DON'T tell us, is that female sex hormones can cause cancer. This is literally written in the fine print on the info you get with your pills. It's there you just have to look for it.
Think about it... these companies get paid masses of money to keep you ignorant and thinking that there is little to no risk of taking birth control pills. They won't get paid if millions of women stop taking their doses.

Even my mom, who was taking hormones to balance out her menopausal issues, has a increased risk of cancer now due to taking hormones.

Just research it a little bit, google it and you will see.
Birth control pills can have permanent effects, and even temporary effects that cause you to feel miserable.
This is your life, your health, and we have to be aware of what we are putting in our bodies!!!!!!
Is gaining 5 lbs or having a few pimples really worth the risk of depression and the possibility of cancer??

I am not extremest, that is, I am not saying that no females should take birthcontrol pills. I understand there will always be a demand.
But this forum is important because it let's us share our worries. I am worried for myself (will these hormones contribute to breast cancer issues later in life?), and I am worried for all the girls out there who want the benefits of a pill (clear skin, regular periods) don't know that the side effects can be life threatening.

Educate yourself!! , don't believe everything the drug companies tell you, and what the doctors DO NOT tell you.
Remember, YOU are the only expert on YOU!

Hi, I just wanted to say that I was on Yasmin for one month a couple of years ago and I had a lot of symptoms people have been describing. The anxiety, depression, uncontrollable crying at random times, the soreness, etc. When I stopped taking Yasmin it all went away. There are many other brands of birth control out there that have different hormone combinations, but are still just as effective (99.9%+). If you still want to be on BC you don't have to take Yasmin. After that I switched to orthotricyclin-lo for about 6 months and my only side effect was a little bit of breast tenderness. You have to try different ones before you find the BC pill that works for you. So if you are having those symptoms, get off the Yasmin! You will feel so much better. Many doctors are not aware of these side-effects of Yasmin, and actually think that its the BC pill with the least cases of harmful side-effects. I took a printout of a forum similar to this one to my doctor and let her know. You would probably be doing your doctor a favor if you did the same.

I have been on this pill for 11 months now and it has almost gotten to the point of ruining my life. I've experienced weird symptoms and I thought it was just from some mild changes in my life (just graduated from college, moved away from home, got my first job). But now that I have read all of these comments, I realize that ever weird symptom was from this pill! I have a non-existent sex drive (which almost ruined my engagement to my fiance), I've experience weird hives on my legs, arms, hands and feet. I'm constantly tired. I can concentrate (which has been detrimental to my home and work life). I've gained 11 lbs in 2 months. Hair loss, which is super scary for a 22 year old! I was taking a shower one day, washing my hair, and 2 big clumps of hair just fell out. I was scared to death. I've even experienced an increased heart rate. The scariest time was when I woke up one morning, had a horrible migraine, and my heart was racing. I took a shower and collapsed shortly afterwards. I was rushed to the ER and they did a TON of tests: cat scans, xrays, blood test. All the test results came back normal. I am convinced now, after reading these posts, that it was due to Yasmin! I've never experienced these symptoms on other birth control pills that I've taken. I am stopping this pill immediately & I am looking forward to starting my life, back on track again.

The worst part is that these symptoms that thousands of womens have experienced these symptoms & it is not warned on the label or website of Yasmin! The only side effects they list are the normal ones that are experienced with other BC pills: Headaches, Nausea, Bloating, Bleeding between periods, Breast tenderness, etc.. BUT NOTHING as severe as what we have experienced!

Is there a class action suit against Yasmin? I mean, for all the doctor's visits, ER visit, vitamins, how it has hurt my relationships, work-life & home-life, extra hours of exercising, many months of weight watcher membership fees, the list goes on and on.... I should be reimbursed for this! I could not afford to live like this any longer.

Almost finished with my 3rd pack of Yasmin and still no complaints. The breast tenderness has almost completely disappeared. Although lately I've been having nausea/heartburn on almost a daily basis, but I'm not sure if that's related to the Yasmin or not. Other than that, I have experienced NONE of the major side effects mentioned here.

I used Yasmin for almost 3 years between 2004 - 2007. I loved it....my periods were regular, I had little acne, and I hardly had any PMS. Then I got pregnant (after stopping the Yasmin!) with twins and delivered them in late November 2007. I was so happy to know that I just knew which type of birth control I wanted to use, I had a great experience while on Yasmin so of course I would go back to it!

BAD IDEA! 4 weeks after the babies were born I started the pills. Mind you, I had a great pregnancy and lots of help at home...no post-partum or baby blues here. I started the pills on 12/23/07 and by 12/25/07 (Christmas Day) I was feeling majorally depressed, having emotional outbursts, having irrational thoughts....I felt alone and as if no one cared about me. I secluded myself and had suicidal thoughts. I thought about leaving my family and living in a hotel. I would get so mad at the littlest things....I almost threw a chair at my husband and tried to punch a hole in the wall. I cussed family members out. I was so irrational. I felt like a crazy, psychotic woman and all in less than a week. This was NOT me.

I quit the pill after the first week, realizing that this pill was causing all these side-effects. I called my OB and spoke with the nurse who told me what I was experiencing couldn't be from the Yasmin - those weren't common side-effects. I told her that I was 1 day Yasmin free and felt like a completely different person...I was myself again. She tried to tell me that maybe I was experiencing post-partum depression and I decided then to just make an appointment to talk to my OB (about Yasmin & his nurse!).

I have an appointment next week and am curious as to what he will say. I know it was the Yasmin and I am glad that I found this website & that I am not alone!

I thought this was a miracle because pill until after about a month ago.....breast tenderness, bloating, fluid retention.......makes you depressed when you are not even having a period. Been on Yasmin for about 6 months......just started skipping the inactive pills and starting a new pack.....that way you don't have a period at all. The edema itself is a nightmare. I have been on Yasmin in the past....with no problem...then 3 years ago I had a child and only started back six months ago. I thought I was gaining weight from overeating until I realized that my eating habits haven't changed at all. And to top that....I have exercised at least 3 times a week for the last six months (which is more than I have in the last 2 years) and I'm not losing any weight? I've also experienced the terrible muscle cramps in my legs.....thought it was shin splints.....but now that I read what people are saying I honestly believe that my problems might be from taking this because pill for way to long. I've taken my last pill this morning and I am not going to finish the pack. Taking a break from the pill period!!

nursehl

I started taking Yasmin this past sunday, so far, so good...reading all these posts worry the crap out of me...i'm only really on this because i have really BAD pms, which people i know including my boyfriend thought it could be PMDD because how "crazy" i'd get, bad cramps and my period sometimes likes to show up almost whenever even when i track it....i'm a moody person already and so far i feel pretty good, pretty stable which is nice, i guess the only complaint is that i'm kinda constipated and i'm exhausted, but i'm unsure if this has anything to do with this pill or not. i travel constantly and eat bad food since i'm away at college so sometimes i have some issues....oh my sex drive is usually pretty fine, i haven't noticed anything there yet, i still think about doing things and want to...so, my question is what should i do? shall i continue to use it and see what happens, or should i stop it or get a different pill?? i go to therapy and i am also making sure that my boyfriend and immediate friends notice if i act a little stranger than usual....
and i was on a different pill back when i was 15 and i don't remember much of it besides i don't think i had any side effects so i've had a little experience with birth control before...

I was on Yasmin for about 2 years. For the first year I could not have been happier. My period was regular and it was light. I would start 4 days after my last active pill and it would last about 2 days. Before this pill I only had a few periods a year. After about a year, I became extremely emotional for weeks at a time. I would start crying over anything and everything. I could be fine one minute and an emotional wreck the next. It would start on week two of my pac and last until my period was over. I had never been this emotional before taking the pills. I never had weight gain, had a few headaches (but had those before BC), never had acne, not really any breast tenderness, did/do have a small problem with my contacts (I dont think that is specifically Yasmin, but I hear this with most OBC), but I just can't handle the emotional rollercoaster every month. It was starting to affect my marriage. Yasmin was perfect in every other way, but I hate feeling like I will cry if someone looks at me wrong. My doctor switched me to Loestrin 24 and I have been on it now for a couple of days. I still have the emotional side effects of Yasmin but I kind of expect that until my body gets used to Loestrin 24. If this doesnt work I will try a different pill.

Hello Yasmin Sufferers out there, I have currently been taking Yasminfor four months exactly, I started my cycle today which means that I would start to take my new pack of pills come this Sunday, except I have most definately decided that I am going to stop. Especially after reading all of these posts and have come to the realization that all of my health problems seem to be Yasmin driven. I will now list the long list of symptoms that I have expierienced over the last four months:

Water retention, dry mouth, dehydration ( also note: drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day), blurred vision, shaking, headaches, backaches, crying at the drop of a dime, moody, irritable, constipation, nightsweats, coldsores, breast tenderness, as well as numbness in legs. I also have naturally thin hair, but have noticed that my hair has become thinner. I have also gained 10pds.

I am 24 years of age and have been taking this pill for four months. When I was younger I took Ortho Tricyclin for years and gained approx: 60pds. I went off of that pill and dropped the weight almost immediately along with changing my nutrition completely. So, it wasn't just the pill. I then stayed off of the pill for years, and was absolutely fine. Last year I tried to take Yasmin, I went on the pill for one month and withing the 1st week gained 8pds, I stopped taking it after one month, because I am so weight conscience because the pill had made me gain weight in the past.

I tend to have moderate adult acne. I went to my Dr. for an acne treatment, and he suggested the Birth Control Pill. He suggested Yasmin because of the water pill which is in it. This time my Dr. convinced me that I did not give the pill enough time last time and should give it three months minumum.

So, I have given it four months and the symptoms seem to be getting worse as well as the weight gain, and irritability.

I have also felt depressed and wondered if have been depressed which I have never had thoughts of in the past.

One thing that Yasmin has done well for me has been clearing up the acne, which was what I wanted to stop, but after enduring all of these other symptoms, I would rather have adult acne in trade for all of these.

Like I mentioned above I took my last pill last Saturday because that was the end of my pack and I do not plan on starting a new one this Sunday. I can only hope that I do not get any negative side effects when coming off of the pill.

I hope that this helps you ladies out there looking for info and highly recommend researching a birth control pill extensively before taking it.

Wishing you all the best of luck, thank you all for voicing your symptoms as I didn't even realize that these were all pointing to one problem.YASMIN.

EVERYBODY REPLY TO THIS Let's see exactly how many women have had negative side affects from Yasmin. Just reply with the sideaffects. I see lots of posts and was wondering how many women are out there sharing similar problems. So me.... migraines, extremely horrible mood swings all from taking yasmin for 8-9 days next..........? lol

I recently discovered that my Yasmin birthcontrol could be what is making me feel anxious and depressed lately.It comes in bursts one or more times a day where I feel lots of axiety, depressed and thoughts that I cant live like this anymore. I have stopped taking it and was wondering if anyone knew anything that could help me to relax when ever I start feeling out of control. I'm hoping to get it all out of my system soon and start feeling back to normal again. I'm tired of feeling scaired and sad and anxious. Any one else feel the same way? Any success stories from stopping the pill and how soon did you start feeling good again?

I've been taking it for 10 days now, and I have the same side-effects like most of the women... Extreme fatigue, sleepy (yet waking up every few hours at night), difficulty breathing while running (I'm a runner 25 miles/wk), breast tenderness and breast enlargement, dry eyes, nausea, hungry all the time. Can anyone please tell me, that if I stop taking it today, when can I expect my period back? I'm getting married in 11 days and I really don't want my period on my wedding day or honeymoon. Any good advice from anyone?

Hey everyone i have been taking yasmin for almost a year now and during the first month i bled almost everyday. When i went back to my gyno she said this was normal because my body was getting used to the hormones and that it would level out over the first two months. When she told me this it really didnt worry me too much bc i had an irregular period anyways. After the first month everything was fine until my third period when i experienced horrible cramps, mood swings, depression, and breast tenderness, and i dropped about 5 pounds. Yasmin is the only birth control i have ever taken so i'm not sure if i should switch bc i can deal w/ the cramps and breast tenderness but i'm not sure about the depression. I am only 18 and recently i have noticed a couple more side effects like reduced libido and dizziness...i wonder if another type of BC would be better?

I have been on Yasmin a little over 2 years now. I have been on other BCP, such as Tri-cycline, Alesse, Diane 35. Yasmin was great in the beginning, no major side affects, except for the breast tenderness. This past year, the breast tenderness has increased and I cannot even touch my breasts. They are larger and very sensitive. I am very moodie, very emotional. Every month now, for the past 4-5 months, I have been having yeast infections. I went to see my gyno and did tests and nothing is wrong. He has no idea why the yeast infection is reoccuring. I've done some research and read other postings and some other women have had the same issue. It's very frustrating and I cannot take having yeast infections every month. I take Yasmin to help with my cramps, and primarily the endometriosis. I have had surgery (5years ago) to remove endometriosis and my gyno mentioned to say on the BCP to decrease the spreading of endometriosis. Although, Yasmin has been a pretty good BCP, I just can't take the breast tenderness and most of all the yeast infections every month. I will be going off Yasmin next month.

I posted yesterday a response to a message from another woman. I have stopped birth control before and it caused me to begin my menstrual cycle early. I had been thinking about not taking YAZ anymore as I was convinced it was making me feel crazy and not myself. I felt out of control hormonally and that my brain and emotions were not connected. I was very moody and would be come depressed and anxious for no reason. I also felt like another person both physically as well as emotionally... I was exhausted all the time and felt like I lost my self confidence. I felt I was missing out on my life. I stopped taking the pill last night. I will let you know what the side effects I have experienced are. I am calling my DR. this morning to check to make sure I am not putting myself at risk by stopping the pill. I think I am doing the right thing for me. I think it would be best to call your Dr. and ask.
Also item to note: YAZ is used to treat the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), such as anxiety, depression, irritability, trouble concentrating, lack of energy, sleep or appetite changes, and feeling out of control. PMDD can also cause physical symptoms such as breast tenderness, joint or muscle pain, headache, and bloating or weight gain.
I feel like this describes my symptoms to a tee.

I was on Yasmin for about 8 months then I got off of it for about 2 months. Then I decided to get back on it 2 weeks ago and I was overloaded with side effects this time around. I never got any before now I have weight gain, breast tenderness, fatigue, my sex drive is gone, I have mood swings like no other and I am just not feeling myself. So as I was reading what everyone else is experiencing and realize I am not alone with these symptoms. So I am guessing it is probably not healthy being on them and I don't want to just wait for the side effects to go away because my husband isn't very happy with me right now. Does anyone know of another pill that is better? Or should I just stop BCP's all together??

Where do I begin??? I have been taking Yaz for six months. Migraines! The worst migraines ever, I cannot function for one full day and sometimes more, the pain was so intolerable.

Hives! For the past two months, I keep thinking that I had a food allergy; even my doctor diagnosed it as that. After going to the allergist, I was told that I have developed an allergy to the Yasmin pill. No part of my body has been discriminated with this medication. Hives from the top of my head, in my eyes, right down to the bottom of my feet! This has been the worst experience of my life with this pill.

Fatigue to the extreme! I fall asleep sitting up and never feel rested. Yaz has caused me to go up two cup sizes so far, I went from being a 38C to a 40DD and I can't fit into anything. My boobs are sore a lot.

Weight gain, at least 20 pounds heavier. Nausea; Indigestion; Diarrhea & Constipation; Decreased Sex Drive; and Mood swings; Uncontrollable Rages; Severe body aches; Hot Flashes/Chills; Crying Spells; Blurred Vision; Lack of Concentration; Trouble sleeping; Dizziness; Shaking; Restlessness mainly after 9pm when I should be winding down to go to bed; Terrible night sweats; Never ending cravings for junk food; Inability to cope with stressful situations; Feeling of being inadequate; Can’t concentrate; Gassy; Hate family & partners; Irrational.

It was nice to find this website, finally figuring out a reason why I get my yeast infections, headaches, naseau, pain on my left breast bone, fatigue, mood swings, etc... I always thought it was just me, but I'm now thinking that maybe it's not. I've had recurrent yeast infections ever since being on Yasmin (I've been on it for over 4 years) and my MD has never mentioned it could be the pill. I finally started seeing a connection between the two when I started tracking what happens to me when I miss taking the pill (ALWAYS a yeast infection). And it got me to thinking that maybe there are other women out there who suffer from the same thing. Also, at some points I actually thought I had serious mental/health problems b/c of my consistent headaches, fatigue, and mood swings. I used to be really active up until I was 19 when I started on Yasmin, and it went downhill from there. I guess I just thought that this was just my normal grown up self (I know sounds kinda lame). And I've totally experienced the lack of sex drive, it seems I'm only interested the week before I get my period or when I'm on it.

I am so glad I found this forum for this pill that has changed my life for the worse since I started taking it. I have been to the ER because I fainted at work and had a very rapid heart beat. My PMS has been the worst I have ever experienced since I started Yasmin. In addition to that - I have experienced the following since starting Yasmin in November 2006: Rapid heart beat, vertigo, breast tenderness all the time, sleepness nights, bouts of drepression, nausea any time of the day, my eyes burn after all day and are extremely dry, shakiness in my hands. I thought I was going crazy at first or that something was seriously wrong with me medically but looling back - all this started about a month after I started my first Yasmin pack. I took my last pill yesterday after discovering this site and all the other women out there who are experiencing exactly the same thing. I hope to see an improvement in my mood and personality soon.

Hi ladies! I am in complete shock at what I am reading on this site! I thought I was going crazy but now I know I wasn't and I am not alone!!! I was on Yaz for two months and in the first month, I noticed that my libido went from moderate (sex 3-5x a week) to completely non-existent- like a light switch. Then at the end of my second pack, which was this past week, I experienced breast tenderness, non-stop headaches (bordering on migraines) and my abdomen was extremely bloated. Also, throughout this past month, I have noticed my joints have been achy and my muscles have been sore. I have been weak and tired all the time on top of feeling anxious and restless. These premenstrual symtoms are completely uncommon for me to have. This past month in particluar has been oddly confusing and almost like an out of body experience. Now, in retrospect and after reading about others' experiences with Yaz, I am convinced that all those symptoms were/are side effects of Yaz. I hope this posting is helpful to some, in the same sense that other postings were helpful to me. Good Luck!
Kara

SIDE EFFECTS OF YASMIN AS NOTED ON THE INISERT THAT COMES WITH THE PRESCRIPTION:
Nausea
vomiting
headache
diarrhea
bleeding between menstrual periods (spotting)
weight gain
acne
stomach cramps
rash
swelling or bloating
skin spots
breast tenderness
or difficulty wearing contact lenses may occur.

If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur:
dizziness
flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, unusual weakness/fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches)
mental/mood changes
trouble sleeping
hair loss
vaginal infections.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:
severe headache
pain in the lower legs or groin
trouble breathing
chest pain
vision changes
severe stomach pain
one-sided weakness
yellowing eyes or skin
lumps in the breast.

If you notice any other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of:
heart problems
stroke
gallbladder disease
diabetes
high cholesterol or triglyceride levels
high blood pressure
migraines
seizures
irregular vaginal bleeding
depression
any allergies.

This medication is not recommended for use if you have the following medical conditions:
liver problems
kidney or adrenal gland problems
history of blood clots (thrombophlebitis)
blood vessel problems (e.g., cerebral vascular disease, coronary artery disease)
history of certain cancers (especially endometrial or breast cancer)
heavy smoking (especially if older than 35 years of age).
If you are near-sighted or wear contact lenses you may develop vision problems or have trouble wearing your contact lenses.

Contact your eye doctor if this occurs. If you stop taking this birth control medicine and want to become pregnant, it may take a longer time than is usually seen with women not taking birth control medicine. Consult your doctor.

Do not smoke cigarettes. Birth control pills combined with smoking cigarettes, especially in women older than 35 years of age, puts you at a much higher risk of developing serious health problems than with birth control pills alone. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

If you will be having surgery, be confined to a chair or bed for a long period of time (e.g., a long plane flight), or have recently delivered a baby, notify your doctor beforehand. Special precautions may need to be taken in these circumstances while you are taking this drug. This medication must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. This medication passes into breast milk and has had undesirable effects on nursing infants. Consult your doctor before breast- feeding.

hi kim123.
sorry i was not around yesterday,my youngest has just gone off to nursery school so has been a bit manic. as the Guest below seems to think we should not use this forum to chat (even though support is a MAJOR part of why people come to this forum) i will email you personally.

hi,guest 35696.
sorry if the above remark sounds rude,it is not meant that way. i understand what you are saying,that new people come here to find out if their symptoms are linked to yasmin and all they can find is personal chit chat and not a full list of symptoms,but i have no idea how to set up a forum for all the ladies here that find just chatting to other sufferers helps.this site and chatting to people on it literally saved my life. if you know how to do it then please let us know. a lot people seem to post side effects on the other page (yasmin forum) that is where i initially found all my symptoms.
once again sorry if the above sounds rude it really is not meant that way but i am passionate about this site and helping support the newcomers as they did when i was a newcomer and nobody understood me and how i was feeling. i am a computer idiot so have no idea how to start up a forum,if any of you ladies out there know how to do it please post on here.

To the lady with the sore breast... mine were agony pre menstrually and just plain huge the rest of the time. i agree with you saying that it feels like engorged breast like when you were breastfeeding that is exactly how mine felt. they were solid and shiny most of the time!!!
i have been off yasmin since june 06 and mine are much better now although i still get a little discomfort premenstrually but they no longer feel lumpy and hurt just with a t-shirt touching them.i used to cringe if my kids wanted a hug as they were so sore. apparently evening primrose oil is good for breast tenderness.

sarah

I have just read all of your comments on the Yasmin birth control pill and would like to state a few of mine. I have been on Yasmin for about 2 1/2 years, the first side affect that I experienced is my heart rate felt out of control at times during the first 3 months or so that I started taking it that went away thank god! I also lost about 5 pounds instintly, can't complain there. The only side affect that I am a little conserned about is my horrible mood swings and depression about 4 days before I start my period. I will take a small problem amd make it into a huge deal and I feel like crying my eyes out. Unfortunatly the one that I take this out on is my husband poor guy! Do any of you girls feel your mood swings and depression only during certain times of the month? I am honestly starting to wonder if I should change.

I've been on Yasmin for one full month now (without a break...I take it continuously). The first couple of weeks I experienced a lot of nausea (to the point of vomiting sometimes) and breast tenderness. That has all subsided. I'm just waiting for my skin to clear up, the main reason why I wanted to try this pill. Fingers crossed. So far, no improvement.

I have been off birth control since 2003. I had been taking Alesse and started to get terrible mood swings and horrific nightmares. I quit taking the pill all together and felt great. I recently decided to try the pill again. My doctor put me on Yasmin as a day 1 start. I started 3/11/06, I instantly gained weight, had terrible mood swings, headaches, breast tenderness and unstoppable "break thru bleeding." The final straw was when I woke myself and my boyfriend up with blood curling screams from a night terror. That was it, I quit cold turkey. The last day I took the pill was 3/26, since I wasn't on it very long I'm hoping I won't have any side effects while it gets out of my system however I have noticed that I have been extremely clumsy. I've been constantly dropping things, spilling things and I have even went so far as to cut my hand while washing dishes to the point of needing stitches. Has anyone ever had anything like this happen to them?

hi greeneternaleyes. i just read your post and i to have noticed some breast tenderness recently. i too am not sure if it is the yasmin but i did read a few mention it in some post. i am really questioning wether i should ever go back on this pill after reading everyones thoughts on it. before i was on yasmin i was on the depo shot. i dont remember any side effects from it other than when i stopped it to have a baby it took what seemed forever to get pregnant again. i only started using yasmin because my insurance wouldnt pay for it. all the side effects of pills is why i dont take anything unless absolutly nessecary.

I have been on "Yankmearound" for 4 months now. I was on it about two years ago and don't remember have the same side effects as I do now. In fact then I remember only really having anxiety which I am predisposed to, breast tenderness and loss of libido which I thought had to do with my relationship. Well this time my anxiety is pretty bad despite the fact that I am willfully unemployed and exploring a creative direction in my life- I should be much more relaxed! I have also started to notice a sleepless night aroung the start of menstruation each month since I started that has gotten noticeably worse. This month it lasted for the entire duration of my period and seems to be continuing on post starting a new pack! I have never had such problems sleeping thnakfully before taking this poison. I'd really like to know if anyone has experienced such syptoms of insomnia though because of course it is hardly discussed in the Package Insert. I am looking to go off this and looking for non- hormonal options that are not scary like the IUD which can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility! Have anyother methods worked out there ie. female condom, diaphragm, cervical cap? For the typical "no can do condoms man" that I always seem to date.

So my symptoms this time were: breast tenderness, marked loss of libido, anxiety- sometimes creeping up and intense with no conscious indentifiable cause, and this wretched insomnia and ssleep disturbance ie: can't fall asleep maybe until late mornig hours, or wake up after every few hours or wake up early in the morning.

I started taking Yasmin just over a month ago because my former bcp was giving me a lot of breast tenderness. There have been some things that are better...less moodiness during pms. BUT, I found that I was much more emotional when I was actually on my period. And, for the past several days I have had little to no appetite and constipation. Has anyone else had those symptoms?

Okay, today I picked up my new prescription that will enable me to get off Yasmin in four days, after a whopping three weeks on it (my last active pill is this weekend.) I hate this pill. I have not been on the pill in several years, at which time I was on Alesse (symptom free) after two other attempts at other pills. I have a history of fibrocystic breast pain, which means that my cyclical breast tenderness, swelling and pain is worse than the average woman's. About a month and a half ago I decided to start BCP again, and at my exam my doctor was about to prescribe Alesse but then suggested maybe I should try Yasmin, because it supposedly is a really good, mild pill for women with bloating and breast pain like I have and was comparable to Alesse as well. Supposedly, some special hormone acts as a diuretic.

Um, wow, how wrong he was! Day one and day two were actually fine. A little touch of nausea but that's all. Then day three and I started to notice the problems, which have been drastically increasing in severity each and every day since:

Breast tenderness has now turned into extreme breast pain and bloating.
Unbelievable fatigue.
Absolutely no energy (and I am an extremely energetic, healthy woman.)
Loss of sex drive (just what I need in a new relationship, right? Thankfully my boyfriend is extremely understanding.)
Foggy feeling in head.
Anxiety.
Turned my regular period (which I was in during my first week of active pills) into a full week of breakthrough flow that was VERY different from my normal menstrual flow.
Yeast infection (although that may be a relapse of one I had before I started this pill).
Depression.
Irritability.
No desire to exercise at all (I love to swim and I can barely drag myself to the pool!) I just want to lay around.
General "not right" feeling in my mood and head.
Cramps all month.

I called the dr's office at the end of week one about the breast tenderness but was intercepted by a nurse who insisted I give it a few months. I was willing to at the time but the other effects started to take hold after that and finally yesterday after three calls got my own doctor on the phone, who, after hearing my list of symptoms, didn't even argue with me and immediately wrote me up a new script for Alesse which I picked up today. I find the better doctors are the ones who accept that your body may not be adjusting well to a particular pill and willingly change your prescription upon request. That's how I found Alesse years ago, after trying to others. I was pretty much problem free on Alesse.

I cannot wait until this Saturday, my last Yasmin tablet!

Hello Ladies!
I am so glad to have found this site! As many of you will probably agree, it INSTANTLY reassured me that I wasn't going crazy or dying of some incurable disease! What I would LOVE to hear is how long it takes for someone to start feeling like they did PRE-yasmin, including the weight gain and bloating. I KNOW this is different for every woman, including how long they were on it, but it sure would help! Also, if ANYONE knows of a way to SPEED up the process, SING OUT!(SMILE!).

I, too, amy being treated by a femal OB-BYN, who totally denies any involvement with Yasmin for my problems. I'm working with a nutritionist to gain some relief from the continuing side effects(sweats, breast tenderness bloating and weight gain) as my gyno only instructed me to take Evening Primrose Oil, which is used for PMS-type symptoms!

Sigh!
Hang in there!
RioRita
PS - I remember seeing an email about the site for "curezone". I don't know if this is a supplement or not but plan on checking it out! I'm DESPERATE!

I've been on Yasmin for about six weeks, as an alternative to my long-time favorite, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7, which started giving me vaginal dryness at 41. The sexual problem cleared up instantly with Yasmin, such a big relief, so I felt I could live with the 2 1/2 weeks of breast tenderness I had the first month.

Now, in my second month, I am troubled with crippling insomnia. I have always been a poor sleeper, but this is really different, only 2-4 hours of sleep night after night for two weeks. I have tried various sleep patterns (with my history I'm pretty adept at manipulating my sleep), but nothing works. I really can't go on like this. No wonder sleep deprivation is often used as a torture device.

Other symptoms include unusual fearfulness (not quite physical anxiety attacks), irritability, weepiness, and foggy brain, amounting to loss of function so bad that I really worry about driving my kids around. My refrain has become, "Another lost day!" I thought all of those were triggered purely by the sleep problems, and I've been working up to asking my primary physician for sleeping pills, a first for me in all my years of being sleep-challenged. But after reading most of the posts on this site, I believe Yasmin may be causing those emotional problems directly.

Meanwhile, just 3 pounds of weight gain has caused me to go up a full pants size (it's ALL on my belly, basically overnight), and I hate to think where that is heading. I do have somewhat increased appetite some days, but I've increased my exercise sufficiently, which is a struggle in this state of sleeplessness. Yes, I know that growing belly fat is part of being over 40, but I'm very aware of and careful about my diet and exercise and this undeserved weight/belly surge does coincide with starting Yasmin.

Two questions:

Has anyone gained weight BOTH on and when going off Yasmin? I've read both situations, but from the same person?

Has anyone had insomnia early on with Yasmin that went away after a couple more months of continued Yasmin use? Can those of you who have also had this kind of serious insomnia, and who have discontinued Yasmin, report on how long the insomnia specifically took to subside?

I've just made an appointment with my gyn for a couple of days from now. I just want a different pill or no pill--I don't intend to let him talk me into continuing on Yasmin over my increasingly serious concerns. However, if others on this site have had experiences like mine that then got better, that would be more persuasive.

Hi Ladies, Yes some of our bodies are not made for the hormones in birth control. And it does differ depending on our age and how our body is changing as well. I was on various Ortho products for quite a long time with many side effects. However I think my body chemistry had alot to do with it. Now, I am 33 and have been on Yasmin for over a year. I love it. My only side effects are extra breast tenderness a week before my cycle. However, very little menstrual cramping and NO weight gain. And my cycles are like clock work each month. I love Yasmin.

I have been on Yasmin for nearly a year. I have noticed some changes. The side effects are pretty mild for me and I don't think it has done more harm than good. However, I have noticed in myself

-Breast Tenderness/Swelling
-Weight Gain (we're talking like 20 lbs..)
-Blurred Vision (suddenly needed glasses?)
-Constant achy feeling

Other than that, I can't say much else other than it's helped me from getting pregnant. There were some other positive effects such as going from an A cup to a C cup over three months. :P

Good luck, ladies!

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 started taking Yasmin four months ago. I've been on and off the pill for YEARS and other than Yasmin, I've only taken Ortho Novum. My only issues with Ortho Novum were breast tenderness, weight gain and my boobs got bigger by at least 1/2 a cup size. Ok, to many of you and my boyfriend, what's the problem? But when you've already been breast blessed, you don't need any help from a BCP.

After the first week on Yasmin, I thought I better look into the side effects because I was having some serious irritable bowel. Read lots on this site about women who had similar experiences. I won't go so far to say no one should take this pill or it should come off the market, but for me, this pill is not right. It hasn't helped acne really and the biggest side effect for me is raging, unpredictible, and painful moments of extreme bowel discomfort. That's the clean version. The first week of the first month was bad, but then no reoccurance. The next month was only a day or two near the end. The third month was back to the same I expeienced in month one. I decided I'd give it a try for one more month, but into my second week now and still have had a couple of episodes. I'm a healthy woman, I've not changed my diet at all or my exercise routine. The only thing that has changed in my life is the addition of Yasmin. Even if these symptoms were to start to subside, I'm so nervous and anxious about being more than 20 feet from a restroom within 2 hrs of taking my pill that I don't think I can continue with this. I keep pepto in my drawer at work and in my purse at all times. That's a crazy way to live just for a BCP. So I'm going to try something else. Good luck to the rest of you.

I switched from Solia (a generic brand of Ortho-Cept) and started Yasmin last sunday because I had terrible side effects on my last BCP. First off, I am on Birth Control because of Polycycstic Ovarian Disease, so I'm also on Aldactone, which can have a problem with Yasmin. *Sigh*

I was so happy to get off Solia and get away from the side effects that I endured for 3 months! But since starting yasmin (just 7 days ago) I have had just about the same side effects as the last pill... and then some!

Old ones that came back when starting yasmin:
Bloating
Breast Tenderness and swelling (to the point where I'm getting nasty STRETCH MARKS)
Acne all over my chest
Low Sex Drive

Now I'm noticing some new things as well as the old:
Severe Daily Headaches (some of them turn into migranes)
nausea
fatigue, Ive yet to spend a full day awake since starting.
Acne on my face in ODD places (around my eyes???!)
NO sex drive

My gyn told me that I would know if this pill was right for me after a week or so... and it's been a week and I KNOW that Yasmin just ISN'T right for me. I'd rather be on the other one I was on! It was MUCH better! (And in actuality it was TERRIBLE)
I'm calling my doctor on monday and requesting something different to start at the end of my next period. Perhaps Ortho-Low or something...

So glad to see that a lot of people are posting here and talking about what happened to them while on Yasmin!! Its very helpful for those of us who are just starting to experience these problems!

I just wanted to make a quick post and state that although some may have adverse reactions to Yasmin, my "adjustment" phase has so far been very smooth.

Although I have noticed a few minor symptoms, (very mild nausea for the first week, two extra days on my period, mild breast tenderness), none have been any more traumatic than normal PMS-type experiences.

Today I will begin my second pack of pills and I have every cofidence that though Yasmin may not be for everyone, it works with my body chemistry.

I have been spotting every single day since I started taking Yasmin. I have had to wear a tampon all day everyday for the last at least 2 1/2 weeks. I also have the Intrauterine device right now while I am taking Yasmin so that in another week and a 1/2 when I get it removed the pill will be fully effective. The reason I am having the IUD removed is because my periods were absolutely horrible with it. I have had it going on 9 months now and they haven't gotten any better. Also my skin has broken out really bad all over my body! (which my doc said is due to hormones) My derm told me to start taking Yasmin for my skin so that's what I'm doing and also to lighten my periods and cramps. I have experienced a lot of breast tenderness and swelling as well as some headaches in the morning (i take it at 9 p.m every night). Is there anyone else experiencing the spotting? I know there is "break-through bleeding" in the beginning but I am hoping it subsides. Thanks for your comments!

I was on Yasmin for three years. I went off it last week because I am tired of NOT wanting sex, tired of headaches, tired of vaginal discharge that pretty much made me insane, and reocurring yeasties.
So I've been off it one week and now have breast tenderness. I called my DR and they say i;'m probably getting my period...and to do breast exams to rule out cancer. Uh, I am 27 and a worrywart, dont tell me THAT.

So anyway, I am going to stick it out, and if I have tenderness for too long, I guess I will call back. However, I think Yasmin is ok for some people, but I am not cut out for the pill in general. I have adverse affects for most of them. But the lack of sex drive put me over the edge.

Best of luck to you all....

Thanks all of you for adding your experiences.
I dont have much new to add, but I do want to tell you the effects I have been feeling. I am usually a very together person. I used to sleep 7 hours a night getting up with no problems at 6am to start my day with a workout. Now, i can barely get out of bed by 7:30am, no matter how early I sleep. I am just exhausted. I am usually a very good multitasker, but I am now distracted and forgetful. Some other symptoms are:

- dry mouth
- panic attacks
-crying ( and I am a pretty tough person, I was shocked to cry over a missed telephone call)
- anxiety
- insomnia
-weight gain
-diarreah
-spotting in second and third weeks
-dry facial skin
- breakouts on face and body
-breast tenderness and swelling in second week
-hands swelling during the night when I sleep
- i cant get through a night without getting up to go to the bathroom at least twice.
-distracted

I am going off this pill. This is the first I have ever taken and the experience has been horrible.

I have not decided on a new on yet, or if I trust any of them not to affect me the same way.

I can't post side effects from this pill because I have not yet begun taking it. I can however thank all of you that have posted and listed your side effects.

I have a hyperthyroid and am very sensitive to medications. I was diagnosed a year ago with uterine fibroids and was put on the pill to try and treat the symptoms of the fibroids. At first I was fine, PMS improved, cramps were managable but after going on and off this one pill when I chose to stay on it I began having bad thyroid test results, extreme fatique, headaches, severe breast tenderness, etc. They changed me to Ovcon 35 and I started suffering from extreme nausea, can't sleep, shaky hands, extreme nervousness. Today I called my doctors nurse practitioner, she didn't want me to change pills, I insisted. When I went into the office my gyno was sitting at the front desk, his attitude was "Well, what can you deal with better, severe breast tenderness or nausea." I decided that before I would take Yasmin I would research it. Thank you to all you wonderful ladies that have shared your symptoms. Unlike the person that calls for people to have an open mind, after seeing only a few positive post out of the many negative ones, I have decided to throw the pills in the trash.
Thanks again.

I am so glad I found this website, finally. I have been on various BC pills for 15 years, on and off. I was on Yasmin for 4 months until I realized the terrible and severe diarrhea I was having was being caused by the Yasmin! Yes, like many others I had severe breast tenderness for the first two months, and almost stopped it then (I wished I had). But the diarrhea started in the first month, and then just kept getting worse. My internist didn't connect it either, and sent me to a gastroenterologist. He sent me for pelvic and abdomenal X-rays, and then scheduled me for a colonoscopy. It was so bad, on the worst nights, I was running to the bathroom 10 or 12 times with cramps and diarrhea. I lost weight, sure, but I was also severely dehydrated and of course fatigued. Right before the colonoscopy, I had the week off the pill, and finally connected that those were the only days I wasn't getting sick. I called my Ob/gyn right away, and she said she was surprised - she had had good luck with the pill (or perhaps she benefits in some way from prescribing it?????) and she switched me to Lessina, which has been wonderful. I am so glad I made the connection before I ended up in the hospital!