Yasmin and headaches

I have been on Yasmin for 4 years now and I only recently started to question if some of the things that I have been experiencing are related to this pill. After reading your comments here, I'm more convinced then ever! I am a relatively healthy 31 year right now but for over a year now I have had a terrible ongoing ache in the back of my right thigh, just above my knee. I went to a vein specialist who just wanted to inject me to reduce the vein and "hoped" that it would help resolve the pain. He said that I had reticular veins and that they can be painful but as I understand it, you can get pain in your deep veins, which can result in deep vein thrombosis and even pulmonary embolisms (very life threatening). I have also had terrible ongoing headaches that last me 3 days at least once per month. I've always suffered from migraines so I didn't necessarily connect these headaches to the pill. I have absolutely ZERO sex drive. It's like I have to force myself to do it and it fills me with anxiety to even "gear up" for it. I have vaginal dryness, which can be very frustrating during foreplay and painful during sex. I had previously always been pleased that Yasmin resolved my 10 + year battle with painful cystic back acne. I have beautiful, clear skin on my back since I started taking Yasmin. I have also experienced fairly normal periods (for me). I used to have debilitating cramps and periods so heavy that I would wear a tampon and double my pads (with wings) so that I could live through the first part of the day at work without completely breaking through and bleeding through my pants. They would last for 5 - 7 days but with the pill I have more normal periods, manageable cramps, minor bloating, and still a heavy flow but not nearly as bad as before. I have always had good cholesterol levels and low triglycerides until 4 years ago when I started the pill. Since then I have had 2 blood tests where my cholesterol has skyrocketed and my triglycerides are triple the "normal" range. I eat healthier now then ever before and I regularly exercise as well so I cannot explain my cholesterol change, nor can my doctor (after showing a food diary of mostly fruits, veggies, limited whole grains, lean meat and optimal water). He told me to "go on a low carb diet" and "stay away from "sugars". I can't explain it either, I am always thirsty. I drink almost a gallon of water a day. I have this constant craving for a beverage and dryness if I'm not consistently sipping on water. My eyes are always dry, so dry in fact that it makes me feel tired or like I just want to close them to give them a break. I just started using eye drops, which has helped. Also, I'm tired, very very tired. It's summer so my energy is better only because I force myself to go workout, which always makes me feel better. I must say though, all in all, I have some concerning symptoms that seem to be prevalent throughout the blog but I've also had some positive effects from Yasmin. My concerns and your comments however are enough to take myself off the pill (Yasmin and all others) to try and live with my natural hormones instead of the synthetic in the pill. I think the potential risks outweigh the rewards. Thank you all for sharing and helping me in my decision making process.

Hi Guys

I am taking Yasmin since May 2006. I have been suffering from chronic daily headaches since March 2006 and wondered if Yasmin could be a factor in this? For my headaches I have tried so many different things and not been successful and hadn't looked at the possibility that Yasmin could be a problem until I started to google it. What do you guys think? Could Yasmin be adding to my problem of chronic daily headaches? Cos I have the headaches all the time.

Any responses would be greatly appreciated!

Regards
Warda

I had been taking this pill for a month and a half, i'm 23 and my gp said it would be good for mood swings etc, in the first month i was constantly tearful with headaches, i felt better on my week break and then when i started back on it i got a rash covering my legs and the itching was unbearable, i also got pins and needles in my head and face, i stopped taking Yasmin at this point and the rash went straight away along with the pins and needles/anxiety,im sure it was because of the pill.

hi
i am on my 2nd month of Yasmin. the first period i had was awful really bad pains and a lot of bleed compared to my normal period. I had headaches, trouble sleeping, been anxious and thirsty. Now on my second month headaches have gone, now have increased trouble sleeping and im even more thirsty as for weight gain i haven't gained or lost.I am going to see how my next period goes, take its for month 3 and evaluate the situation from there.But i used to have spots and now have very clear skin.the sleep problems are usually waking up in night and not being able to get bak to sleep not usually to start with and go away with herbal nytol tabs. as for severe thirst i hope its going to stop. No problems in the bedroom or dryness down below.

Hi ladies,

I just finished my last pack of Yasmin on Thursday because I felt I was pumped with hormones. I googled "coming off the pill Yasmin" and came across your comments.
I was originally put on Yasmin by my Doctor as I had put on a few pounds. I lost that weight with exercise (can't diet) but I have never lost my DD breasts (I was a C cup before Yasmin) and I've a tummy which when I bloat the week before my period, I look pregnant!
I've been experiencing a lot of the negative side effects of Yasmin over the last year and I was beginning to think I was going mad.
I suffer from very bad headaches, water retention, bloating and loss of sex drive.
In the last 2 or 3 months I'm now suffering with nausea, leg cramps, sore breasts, anxiety and feeling down.
As most of these symptoms have occurred in the last year, I just got fed up. I've been on the pill for 14 years (on and off), and on Yasmin for at least 6 years. I'm now 32, I'm married and would love a child.
I feel by coming off this pill, my body will settling into a routine before I hopefully conceive.
So glad I found your comments and I'm not alone in how my body feels.
Thank You.

I have depression and take medication for it, after taking Yasmin in combination with these drugs it was like i was not treating my depression at all. I became emotional, crying, I started to cut myself again, extremely tired, hopeless, I just felt horrible. My mother suggested It was the birth control and I came across this web page, thank you so much! it mentions briefly as a side effect but i was under the assumption it would be good for my PPMD, not make me worse
i also have god awful headaches

Yasmin is a steroid so when coming off it you can suffer all the same symptoms as someone stopping a steroid drug... and by the way, when people are taken off steroids it's done in a controlled way - they cut down on them very slowly by reducing the dosage. It's a real shock to the body to just stop a steroid. This could explain why a lot of us feel so terrible when we stop taking it. I know I had a real increase in severity of symptoms followed by months and months of exhaustion and fatigue.

Im a 21 yr old girl and started taking YASMIN about 1.5yrs ago. At first i thought it was great.. But then it al started really bad Headaches, extremely angry with everything to the point when my bf of 6yrs dropped water on the bench he would get yelled at! (and that's not the person i am) and also my sex drive was at a point of braking up my relationship as i didnt even like the thought of him touching me and a bunch of other things.. so i came of it in NOV 07 and my periods came back to a regular time each month and was not any heaver then when they were on the pill. I got back to my happy self and things picked up i started enjoying having sex and things went so well we are not talking about marriage.
But after so many months not on it and using condoms we decided i should give ti another go. maybe it was me ? I have been back on it for 4 days and i feel back to the bitch i was before... i am so angry and feels like i have OCD because i want everything to be perfect and in order (even to the way i place objects) i have lost my sex drive which last week was great! im crying for no reason and feel just really depressed..
I have came off it last night but i think its going to take a bit to wean off of it. I will NEVER use it again!

Lately my wife has been experiencing of depression, lack of energy, muscle cramps, nausea, enlarged and soar breasts (nipples are hot also), headaches, insomnia, vaginal discomfort and sourness with and without physical contact, constipation, and other symptoms, which I cannot as a male, properly describe. Is this accumulation of symptoms normal or should we look in another direction for birth control (besides condoms)? A concerned husband, Kenny...

My daughter has been on Yasmin for a year and a half - it was prescribed for irregular periods and spotty skin. She is 15 and has had a year of nausea, leg cramps, hair loss, headaches, elevated heart rate,fatigue , irritation,angry outbursts ,dehydration severe moodiness and depression and lately- uncontrolled crying for no reason. She also sees black dots after exercising. She has gone from a happy girl who loved exercise to a grumpy couch potato! The doctor diagnosed it as a viral infection and suspected glandular fever - she missed a lot of school!
Today she had a day from hell - fought with a teacher and cried for hours. She also takes Ritalin as she is ADD- so I thought it was that - I decided to look up Yasmin and am so glad I did! What a great website! She has just taken a multivitamin and mag.phos - NO MORE YASMIN!!! Any advice on what she can use for her skin? and irregular periods?
A million thanks
Caron

I'm so glad to find this. It's taken me a while to put 2 and 2 together, but I am absolutely convinced that Yasmin is responsible for the subzero sex drive I've had for most of the past year. After reading this page, I also have an explanation for the brown discoloration on my forehead after I got a sunburn this spring -- it hasn't gone away! It's been a week and a half since I took any of the active pills, and I already feel SO much better. I was beginning to think I would never be interested in sex again! I have an appt. with my doctor this week, but there's no way I'm going back on Yasmin.

I'm 21 yrs old and have been on Yasmin for about 3 years, I've loved it - well I thought I did. I have been with my boyfriend for 2 years now, and this past year has just been really hard. I'll love our relationship one day and the next not be able to stand it and I love him more than anything. Over the past year I've experienced extreme mood swings, anxiety, haven't been able to handle stress - I've been breaking out in rashes at least once a month and really think it's because of this pill. I've also lost a lot of weight in the past year, I've been getting headaches everyday some to the point that I have to go to sleep because I can't think it's soo bad, I've had no motivation to do anything I have always, up to this point, loved doing. I've tried many anti depressants and have been off of them for about 2 years now, and have been thinking of going back on them because of the thoughts and feelings I've been experiencing. I thought it was just me, maybe there was something wrong with me? I've been on this pill for so long, who would've thought that it's just now causing these symptoms?
Yesterday I layed out by the pool for about an hour and when I got inside I noticed all these bumps on my arms that itched really bad, but they also hurt, so this morning I googled "sun bumps" and found that it can be cause from birth control pills, so then I googled "side effects of Yasmin" and I found this site. I am absolutely amazed at how many other women are experiencing exactly what I've been going through! I cannot believe that doctors don't bother mentioning all of these side effects to you, I'm absolutely terrified to go off of them because of the weight gain and also the mood swings I will more than likely experience. I got on the pill so I would have a normal period and it's really helped in that aspect, the craping isn't as bad, but the mood swings have definitely gotten worse.
I have called and left a message with my doctor to speak with her about what I've been going through now that I have a pretty solid idea that it's being caused from this pill.

My experience with Yasmin was decreased aggression, mood stability and increased breast size. when I stopped taking the drug, I had an increase in aggression, less fatigue and no weight loss.

My T-3 levels are fine. My blood work is fine. Not many headaches. My mood became more depressed when I stopped taking Yasmin.

Not sure if I am suited to take the drug. So, I am starting Yasmin again to see if I notice side-effects. My estrogen levels were low prior to starting Yasmin the first time. So, I am wondering if my testosterone is a bit too high, and if Yasmin levels me out so to speak.

I think those with normal estrogen levels, prior to taking Yasmin, are badly affected by Yasmin. I wonder if those of us, with lower natural estrogen levels are as badly affected by Yasmin.

Will let this site know in a few months.

ALSO get this pill from Canada - ******
It costs $22 and it is the exact same packaging, etc.

Hope this helps

I was put on Yasmin for perimenopausal symptoms. I took it for three years. For the first two I had no issues at all. Then I began having intense anxiety/panic issues, dizziness and worsening migraine headaches. My doctor advised me to get off of the pill due to a chance of stroke related to the migraines. Since then the anxiety has greatly improved but I am gaining weight like crazy even though I'm eating less. For the first four months after stopping the pill my migraines were horrible and occurred about half of the month. Now its starting to level off as my own hormones start kicking in. I am having my adrenals tested as my doctor feels there is an issue there but no direct link to Yazmin to this. I know the weight gain is related to me going off the pill. I wouldn't recommend this pill to anyone.

I first started taking birth control pills about a year ago, and my doctor started me on Yaz, I continued to have an increase in headaches, nausea, and break-through bleeding, so she eventually switched me to Yasmin. To be honest for the first six months or so that I was on it, I was great, my headaches that I normally got decreased, and I didn't have any real side effects other then the expected break through bleeding the first months after starting it. Now I feel awful, my headaches come back with such increased severity I can't think and any medication I take for it doesn't work, during random times of the day I get waves of depression for no reason, I go through episodes of extreme emotion and the thought of even being close to my boyfriend at times sickens me. I didn't take any other drugs that could have interacted with the pill or increased the side effects as I know some people have implied. But I've never felt so horrible before in my life and I'm only twenty years old, I'm trying to get off the pill and find a different one, has anyone gotten off Yasmin and found a better alternative?

I just started Yasmin on June 22nd, now it is the 25th....I am noticing light headaches, but more bothersome is the bloated feeling in my abdomen/stomach area. My stomach feels thick, like it is expanding. I hope I don't end up gaining a ton of weight as I have always been a normal weight and kind of athletic. I actually started on Yasmin b/c I just got married and also I eventually want to quit the Paxil that I have been taking since early 2001. I have tried 2 times to quit Paxil and have had a difficult time and have noticed that when I am not on the Paxil or am on a low dosage of it, I have sever PMS, depression, anxiety, etc....hopefully Yasmin will help deter these symptoms when I do try to quit Paxil again.
Has anyone else tried to use Yasmin as a helper in quitting Paxil/ to alleviated PMDD symptoms? I know one of you is considering using Yasmin for PMDD symptoms...DON'T go on Paxil for it as that is THE HARDEST medication to quit! There is a lawsuit against the makers of that drug too!

My jaw dropped after reading all of these posts. I started on Yasmin 3 weeks ago. I've never really been on BC's before, so I thought that my headaches, numbness and fatigue were just because of school. I finally connected the dots and looked on the internet to see if it was the Yasmin or if i was just crazy. I am so thankful to have found this website. I wish it was in the paper or advertised. Doctors should not even be able to prescribe this drug.

I have waited long enough to tell my story. I am a 29 yr old single mother of 3. I started YAZ in Feb of 2008. I took it for 11 days. ELEVEN DAYS. It was about 4 days in that the headaches started. I couldn't stand light, I wore hoodies and sunglasses. I was nauseated. Saw double, black spots. Motion sickness.I could barely make it to work. I was out of control. I did not have control over my mind. I was crazy. My friend almost took me to the hospital to have me committed. There is no history of this in me or my family. The headaches would last from the time I woke up til the time I would go to sleep. Painkillers was the only thing that would keep me asleep through the pain. My dr immediately stop the the pills. I saw an eye doctor and they found nothing. They ordered an MRI. They found T2 Foci scattered throughout my brain. VERY unusual in someone my age. What that is, is my protective covering of my brain cells had been damaged there were gaps in its covering. I soon developed a stutter and a slur in my speech. The pain then moved throughout my whole body. They said fibromyalga and daily migraines. I'm now on topamax daily which gives me breaks in my headaches. I still get them daily. I still have pain in my body daily and I'm on painkillers daily. I have found a new dr who is wonderful. Who has recently taken blood. Who thinks that maybe it could be lupus. So I started researching Lupus...my symptoms and rashes match up. There is also a DRUG INDUCED LUPUS. and ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES is a KNOWN drug that can cause this!!! BUT IS THAT ON THE LABEL???? NOOOOOOOO!!! I was perfectly healthy before yaz, in kick boxing and now I walk and have the memory of a 60 yr old and my brain is permanently damaged. I have another MRI coming up to find out if there is more damage and I will find out the results of the blood work to find out what is wrong with me...but I blame all of this on YAZ and I hold them responsible. I SAY CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT....just have to find a firm with big enough BALLS to do it!!!

chest pains,
thrush,
cystitis,
headaches,
loss of sex drive,
and HAIR LOSS

Yasmin should be banned.

I was on Yasmin for 6 months before my wedding. i had to go to the hospital for the headaches I was getting....they were indescribably painful. i stopped Yasmin end of aug and got my period normal for sept-jan. then feb and march skipped but had weird cramping and nausea and then got in randomly in april but was brown blood only. then may skipped. i demanded blood work and got tested last tues for thyroid, glucose, insulin, and hormone levels to help rule out PCOS. i am worried i have pcos or premenopause from the pill. i should get the results tomorrow.

I'm in my early 30s. Prior to Yasmin, I had migraines 1-2 a year (each episode lasted a max of 5 hours). 5 months after Yasmin, my headaches occurred 1-2 A MONTH and lasted 1-3 DAYS!!! In addition, prior to Yasmin (while I was at my heaviest, not exercising, & not watching what I ate), my cholesterol was 181 & my triglycerides (?sp?) were 91. After about a year and a half on Yasmin (and exercising regularly, being 20 lbs lighter, & eater healthier), my cholesterol shot up to 256 & my triglycerides skyrocketed to 262!!! After reading info online, I decided there may be a connection to Yasmin & my cholesterol & migraines - there haven't been other changes in my life. So, this weekend, I decided to stop Yasmin cold turkey. I'll retest my cholesterol in 3 months & post the results. Has anyone else experienced a rise in cholesterol &/or triglycerides on Yasmin?

Hi Everybody, I wrote back in April about my horrible Yasmin experience, and just wanted to update. I've been off Yasmin for almost three cycles now, and although I'm still on blood pressure medication, I've had no headaches, no heart-pounding anxiety attacks, etc. I feel much better all around. Still, it makes me very angry that there are so many women who've had really bad experiences, and this garbage is STILL on the market. I checked the Yaz website, and in the fine print it says you can report your side effects to the FDA by logging on to www.fda.gov/medwatch, or calling 1-800-FDA-1088, SO LET'S DO IT!!!

Yasmin says it shortens and lightens your period but this is NOT TRUE! I have horrible cramps for about a week before I get my actual period, the flow lasts for about 5-6 days (on a different birth control mine lasted only 3 days), and it is extremely heavy. I have terrible headaches that cause me to feel dizzy and I often lose my balance. I am always tired and have no motivation. I absolutely HATE Yasmin and I am so glad that I am switching off it. I would NOT recommend this pill to anyone I know.

Anybody concerned about their pill symptoms, look up CANDIDA. It is related to so many symptoms and my latest thoughts are, The pill causes candida and candida causes the symptoms. This means your body may not go back in check after stopping the pill.

I have had
Mood "problems" we'll call them,
headaches mostly as a soreness in my temples,
Dizziness,
Sore feet,
Random cramps in legs,
Flu like aches and pains,
Chemical sensitivity,
Fatigue,
Stomach problems
Decreasing ability to concentrate,
Severe and sudden beer intolerance, meaning taking only 2 beers to get a wicked hangover,
Sudden noise and light sensitivity,

To keep it kinda short here, I just kept telling my doctors, I feel like I'm getting old. I'm 27! I think this pill gave me a great breeding ground for candida and candida did the rest. Look it up!

I've been on Yasmin for about 3 1/2 years and had nothing but GREAT experiences. My face cleared up (not that it was ever bad though), I lost weight and it elevated my mood and evened out my mood swings. My husband thinks it's the greatest thing ever. One thing I do find interesting, however, is that I have been experiencing more headaches the last year or so. I never thought it was related to Yasmin and neither do my doctors (other than the week I go off of it to have my period and my hormone levels drop). I have stopped taking Yasmin this week as we will be trying to conceive soon. For any out there who are nervous about starting Yasmin after reading these posts, please know that all types of birth control will have side effects. I have had a great experience on Yasmin and so have some of my best friends.

I am on my 2nd day off Yasmin. 9th if you consider the white pills. I have been taking this pill (no pills prior) for about 6 years. August 2006, I started having headaches and other symptoms. Been seeing many, many doctors ever since. None of them can see a problem, although now I can. I can say without a doubt I am not the same person I was 6 years ago. I have been blogging on ****** about my various health problems and seeing all of the doctors. I don't know that I can post links on here, so I would have to say if you searched for the user name ashallaya, you would find me. At this moment, I am terrified that some harm will come from suddenly stopping. Does anyone know what signs to look out for when stopping? And what kind of doctor do you see about this?

Hi, I am just after coming off Yasmin 5 days ago...
I 've been on it for 5 or 6 years and it's just really the last year, especially the last few months that I feel like I just can't take it anymore... Previous to taking Yasmin, I had never experienced any period pain, however when I started taking Yasmin the period pain started and got progressively worse from then. The last few months I have been all over the place when I get my period, awful pressure pains in my lower abdominal and emotionally up and down every few minutes, half an hour, I could literally be in great form, and then I'd just get really quite and I can't even tell whats wrong with me because, I feel, there's so many hormones in me my mind does not know how I feel.... Anyway, i refuse to take it anymore, but now I am left with the dilemma of what form of contraception to use and also experiencing very bad back pain and light headaches....If anyone has been in the same situation or has any suggestions at all, they would be much appreciated.....!

i've only been on Yasmin for two months, so maybe my body just needs to adjust or something...
that said, i've been experiencing:
-extreme mood swings (crying ...in harold and kumar, irrational random anger...generally just feeling kind of crazy), nausea, extreme hair loss, and headaches (when i usually don't get them at all).
I'll give it another month to clean up its act

Have any of you developed Leukemia after taking Yasmin? Or do you know some one who has developed it and they just happened to be taking it at the time? Any feedback would be appreciated.

I started taking Yasmin in May of 2006 and all the benefits that they talked about (helps with acne and weight in particular) i experienced. Recently I decided to come off the pill it's been about a month now just last week I started experiencing a few break outs (in the beginning) but now the break outs have gotten pretty bad, last night i had some headaches and this morning when i was to work they were occurring to fast one behind the other at one point i had the feeling as if my period was coming but it didn't and then today at lunch i felt extremely bad and wanted to vomit my coworker came in with some KFC and I could not stand the scent of it. For one brief moment i thought maybe i was pregnant. I decided today to go back on the pill. Didn't have any problems while I was on it.

hi guys. Im 18 years old and I started taking Yasmin about 3 and a half months ago .. i think. Anyways, I got on the pill because my boyfriend and I really wanted to take our relationship farther. It went farther alright ... We have always been so considerate of each other and so loving. He still was, I was horrible. Yasmin has caused me to be in such horrid conditions. I was /am (im in the middle of coming off of it right now) so irritable and depression was overcoming me. I was/am so snappy and completely not me. He even asked me where Chasity went (thats my name). Everything was hurting my feelings and I was crying about everything and I thought/think my life is falling apart. I have also been very suicidal during my trial with Yasmin. My calfs hurt really bad also, mainly my left one. I'm not sure if its caused my back to hurt simply because I have an overwhelming job in which I have to lift a lot. Also I noticed here recently right before I was coming off Yasmin that I was getting some horrible migraines, and I have never had problems with headaches or migraines in all my life. I'm simply just not a complainer. I know stomach pains are sometimes symptoms of Yasmin but I cant really recall any of those. Being on Yasmin I just took everything to the extreme and thought everything was falling apart, i even lost hope on all ambitions. Needless to say, Yasmin and I aren't together anymore, lo0ol. If you need to talk to me any farther about this medication please feel free to contact me at ***

i am on my second pack of Yasmin. In the beginning,i got really sick to my stomach, probably because my body was getting used to the pill. As soon as i began the week of sugar pills, i had terrible headaches on one side of my head. the headaches lasted about a week, and by the end of it, i was ready to lose my mind. now, today,i woke up and began feeling very dizzy and numb all over my body.after a few minutes my vision was fading until it got to the point where all i could see was outlines of things. Everything looked like a picture with really high contrast.i looked at my mom and her face was bright white with black detailing. it was really weird. i also noticed a sort of white glow all over everything. i was so terrified. i am not the type of person who ever faints or anything, so this was really odd. it went away after about 5 minutes, but it was so scary that it felt like an hour had passed. I'm not 100% sure if this is caused by Yasmin, but i haven't done anything different that would make this happen to me. i am going to the doctors, but in the mean time, i'm going to stop taking the pill. please let me know if anyone else has had an experience like this

My daughter is 17 and has been taking Yasmin for 5 months. She has gained a lot of weight, she has headaches all the time she shakes in the legs like she is going to fall, her back hurts and calf hurt all the time, she is tired all the time no matter if she just got up from a nap or 8 hours of sleep, she would also get upset and nasty, sometimes depressed which is not at all my daughter. She always has been nice and consider it of others. She would not hurt a fly. She has always been out going and she would always try to go the extra mile to help someone. Everything change went she started Yasmin. I call the doctor and they told me over and over again those are not side effects of Yasmin. Well I took my daughter off them and after a few I days I could see a improvement.

Hi all,
This is my third posting. I've been off of Yaz for two weeks and wanted to let you all know that I'm feeling pretty great. Headaches are gone, dizziness has mostly dissipated, mood is fantastic. Anxiety has diminished, heart palpitations are gone, and sex drive is back to where it should be. I'm having some joint aches and pains but it's hard to say if that's from the pill or just general wear and tear from working out. But I'm very optimistic! Best of luck to you all. My advice is if this pill works for you, great, stay on it. But if it's making you miserable, you have choices, and you should go off and try something new. Like my doctor said, there are tons of birth control pills out there, and you just want to find one that works for you and makes you happy. And if your doctor isn't telling you this, find a new doctor!
Good luck! I'm going back to orthocyclen next cycle.

I have been on Yasmin for approximately a year and a half. And I had nothing to complain about,... it did do it's job, up till recently. I always got severe headaches on one side of my head, and I just thought that was normal. Furthermore, I had noticed an increased heart rate for a while now... but having heart problems as a child, I thought that was normal. Then I had taken 2 pills at once the other day, thinking nothing of it, and an hour later my heart rate was approximately 148beats/min. That is completely abnormal! I have been reading some of these posts and other websites, and I've noticed some other people noticed this too. I was wondering if there was anyone else?

I started taking Yasmine in 2005 and almost imeemdiatley I started to have severe anxiety, depression, no sex drive at all and worse of all extremely bad migranes especially a few days before getting my period and during. My life had to be put on hold when I had my period because of the migranes. I stopped taking the Yasmine 3 weeks ago because I just couldn't take the migranes anymore. I have noticed I have gained some weight, my skin and hair feels alot oilier, and my hair has been falling out more than usual which is kind of freaking me out, don't have mood swings. My sex drive has gotten better which is a relief. I still don't know if my migranes will have gone away during my period. I'm just curious can anyone tell me if these side effects (hair loss, weight gain, oily skin) will go away after a few months.
When I went off another type of pill I actually lost weight, why is this one different?

Here's my story, and if anyone has any thoughts of which pill to try next, I'd love to hear them.
A while ago, I had been on Orthocyclen for several years, which worked great for me, but stopped taking the pill back in late 2005 when my long-term relationship ended. I just wanted to give my body a break, you know? I went back on a different pill, Loestrin 24-FE, the middle of 2006, because my doctor wanted me to try something low-dosage, and as a result I had lots of problems with spotting and readjusting to a new pill. Loestrin continued to piss me off with the spotting, which was the only real side effect, but my doctor wanted me to keep with it to see if it lessened. It never did. So in August of 2007, per my doctor's suggestion, I changed to Femcon (great name for a lady vitamin - it sounds like the name of a Transformer), and around this time started to notice some mild dizziness.
I'm in great shape and very healthy and active. Last summer I even ran a half marathon, and about a week later the dizziness started. At this point I didn't even consider that the dizziness could be related to the new pill.
The dizziness was steady, and I was starting to have some problems focusing on my computer monitor at work, so I finally saw my primary care physician, who referred me to a neurologist. He did some minor tests with me, and based on the results, told me he thought I was getting migraines. I've never had migraines before in my life, so this was all new to me. And it was interesting because I didn't really get headaches, just dizziness and lightheadedness and some blurred or jumpy vision. It definitely starting freaking me out, and even impacted my running because I didn't know if I'd lose my balance (I never did, but still) when out for a run. I'm 31 years old, by the way. The neurologist finally suggested the link between the dizziness and the pill, and suggested I try something even lower dosage. So I switched to Yaz.
I'm in my second month of it, and trying to power through to finish the pill pack just so I don't mess up my period too much, and I am a disaster. I should also mention I've had some major life changes as of late, moving to a new city, new job, and newly living with my boyfriend, so I'm sure this plays a part. But I have been an absolute train wreck since I started Yaz. The dizziness has gotten far worse, making me feel like I'm in a fog, sort of detached, hard to focus. Been awful to my boyfriend, when only weeks ago we were SO EXCITED to finally be living together and having this crazy adventure together. He asks me now why we can't just be happy. I get annoyed so easily, have had massive mood swings, and several panic attacks. Everything you all are describing - heart palpitations, headaches, nausea, insomnia. All the things I used to love to do, especially going out and exploring and being social (I just moved to NYC for god's sake!!!) are daunting and almost terrifying, and all I want to do is lay on the couch at home and hope the dizziness subsides. I was seriously contemplating psychological therapy, and my boyfriend was trying to get me to try yoga, but how could I possibly even do the poses when I can barely balance myself?? The only time I feel remotely normal is when I force myself to go for a run and just try to power through the light headedness.
I am finishing up the pack on Friday even though I should take it through the middle of next week, and I'm going to give myself a couple months off and go back to sucky condoms just to try and clear my head. Then I'm going to see if my doc will put me back on Orthocyclen.
Has anyone else experienced dizziness or light headedness on these pills? Have you found a pill that works for you?
Any suggestions on which birth control pill (or method) I should try next? I'm so tired of putting hormones in my body, but I'm not ready for kids yet and really hate condoms. I was looking into the ring but I hear that's just as bad. Sigh. If only they could do temporary vasectomies.

Hi
After reading this forum, I found my answers!!
I was diagnosed with endometriosis about 7 years ago and have been on a provera tablet which my doctor recently advised that I need to come off. We have been talking about a IUD but until then I decided I would start taking a pill to see how I go. I have started to get adult acne so my doctor thought Yasmin would be the best pill for me. So I started taking yasmin about 3 weeks ago.
I have slipped into a massive pit of depression, thoughts about death, not eating, vomiting, crying all the time (i recently had to leave work early because I couldn't stop crying), , headaches, fighting with my friends and family, being completly irrational.
All this happened so fast I didn't know what was wrong. I honestly thought I was going crazy and yesterday I ready to check myself into a clinic. I've never been on a pill before and a friend of mine came to my rescue yesterday and suggested it could be my pill. After reading all these, I know now it is my pill. I have never been like this before in my life and I hate feeling like this. I am coming off it today! No more.

Hi, I started Yaz about 2 weeks ago. I am already on Zoloft for minor depression and anxiety. Stared Yaz the sunday I started my period. First the moodiness started, then the headaches. I thought I was getting sick with a cold because I had razor blade pain in my throat that I ended up attributing to Reflux. Went to the doctor to get meds to treat that. The pain went away then I got a metallic taste that I couldn't get rid of. Went to the dentist and nothing was wrong with my fillings. I thought I was going crazy because then I had vaginal itching and odor. I wasn't have a full period but I never stopped bleeding from my period when I started the pack. After finding this website I stopped mid cycle. This has scared the crap out of me. I know I haven't been on it for long, but can anyone tell me if they have stopped in the middle of the pack and how long it took for your period to be on a normal schedule again.

I have just gone back onto Yasmin after an absolutely horrifying experience trying to come off it.

I have taken Yasmin for 3 years with minimal problems. My skin was fantastic - never a blemish. I actually LOST weight while on it and went up a up a breast cup size. I got lighter periods which was a godsend. I did get a few problems though - gas and stomach bloating as well as headaches sometimes shortly after taking it and occasionally break-through bleeding. But for me the pros outweighed the cons.

I came off it recently as I'm no longer in a long term relatonship and it was just awfull. My skin broke out, I got very oily hair and skin and felt like I was going through puberty again. The worst problem was that in just 3 weeks I blew up like a baloon. I literally stacked on weight every day and my family all made suggestive comments like "been enjoying the cake lately?" I was so angry since I'm such a healthy eater and excersize every single day!!!!! I have never had a problem wth my weight before and the only change I made in my lifestyle was coming of Yasmin. I was so upset with my appearance I have actually gone back on the Yasmin. However its ridiculus to stay on it for beauty's sake.

Has anyone ever experiecend this before??? If so what did you do????

I thought Yasmin was great. I took it for about 3 years. I had light periods, no pain, no weight gain. I wanted to try Yaz, though, because I can get quite emotional before my period. I've been on it for about 5 months now and have had painful periods, headaches before my period, breakouts on my face, and weight gain. So I am switching back to the Yasmin. I think everyone reacts differently and pills aren't for everyone so you just have to shop around and try different ones before you find the one that's right for you. I took Ortho-Novum in my late teens, early-20's and I gained weight from that, too.

I have been on Yasmin for almost 2 years. First 1 1/2 seemed great. I am taking it because my ovulation 8 to 10 days is very painful and bloated and constipated and then my PMS another 10 to 14 days severe cramps, severe all pms symptoms. Last few months have been exercising and cutting calories and have lost not one pound, always had headaches but could be worse, but weirdest thing is At the GI doc today my blood pressure was high. I have never had high blood pressure. I am going to be 45 and I am not over over weight, maybe e can lose 10 to 15 pounds. No HB pressure in family history. Very concerned I think I am just going to stop it. Anyone else with onset of High Blood Pressure, please e-mail ******

I have been on Yasmin for about 1 1/2 yrs. I had previously been on other birth control pills but after the birth of my 2nd child, I had a lot of spotting when I went back on that same pill. My OB/GYN recommended Yasmin so I gave it try. It seemed to work well but now I have experienced certain symptoms in the last 3-6 months that lead me to believe they may be related to Yasmin. I have migraines several times per week as well as regular headaches everyday that will not subside by taking a pain reliever. I have painful swelling in one finger of my left hand that will not go away. My legs and arms seems to ache all of the time and I have painful breasts constantly. I am only 38 yrs old and have 2 young children but sometimes I feel like a really old woman! I decided today, after thinking about the possible connection between these symptoms, then reading these messages that I am discontinuing use of Yasmin. I fear for what could happen next if I stay on it. Thank you for all of your posts in helping me make my decision.

So I started taking YASMIN in December 07. I switched to YAZ in January 08 and just quit a week ago. So about 4 months of bc. A week ago, I broke out in hives and rashes. I would itch one spot and then others would form. The areas get hot and the welts raise up my skin. It started when I was out in the sun but it couldn't have been sun poisoning because I never got burnt. I am diagnosing myself rather than a doctor because they do NOT know everything. After reading into the YAZ and YASMIN side effects, I am not risking anymore problems. Oh and I got an upper respitory infection along with the rash. This lingering cough has a weaze and phligmy sound. My friends are concerned with it too. I have never been the type of person to suffer from any major sickness or skin problem. I am tough skinned and have never gotten any kind of food allergy. I am 24, 5'6'' and in semi-athletic shape. I am an actor and model and I cannot afford to get rashes and a bad horsey cough! YAZ was great for 2 months and now bam! Downfall happening. Temporary relief-cortozone cream and antihistamines like benadryl.
YAZ benefit-clear skin, no PMS
YAZ side effect-rash, no sex drive/libido loss, difficult/no orgasm, appetite like a hog! Food #1 thought. Packed on pounds quick.
YASMIN benefit-clear skin, lost weight quick
YASMIN side effect- a little loopy, speech impediment, no sex drive/libido loss, no orgasm, couldn't even fake an orgasm!

I'm 23 and I got prescribed Yasmin because I have PCOS, where I only got my period every 3-9 months (very irregular) where I suffered severe period pain and my period would go for about 8 days. The doctor thought regulating my period would decrease the pain, which it did. My period is around 3-4 days, very light and no pain since starting Yasmin. But I have had migraines weekly, constant headaches, usually starting with my vision going blurry and seeing flashing white light. I also lost my appetite for the first month, but have gained weight. I was going to the gym and exercising everyday and now I have no motivation to exercise at all, but feel bloated ALL the time. I have had trouble sleeping since taking it. I suffered from depression and anxiety attacks about 2 years ago, but since taking Yasmin I have been feeling very depressed and had several anxiety attacks, although the anxiety has only started after being on it for 4 months. After having another migraine this week and having to leave work for teh second time in 2 weeks, I decided I was going to stop taking it. (I had also had 3 anxiety attacks this week) since stopping I have instantly felt relaxed, no anxiety, and I no longer feel depressed.

After suffering all of this for 4 months, 8 day periods and 4 days of being in pain doesn't seem so bad. The depression and Anxiety is the scaries part as I haven't experienced it for so long, and don't want to!

Does anyone know how long it takes to be fully out of your system? I just want to get back to normal weight, moods, energy levels etc as soon as possible!

Does anyone got multiple sclerosis because of yasmin?
i started taking yasmin when i was 19 and took it for almost a year.
i have always been a healthy person never really got sick.
i went off the pill because of the terrible side effects; first my sex drive changed in a bad way, then i had mood swings (i would cry or get mad for any reason) then my leg got numb then my arm got numb then i got speech trouble then chest pressure, then blurry vision on and off for two months. my doc sent me to a neuro doctor, did all the tests everything came up clear except for the mri. He told me it was up to me to start the medication for ms, and that he cannot be sure if i really have ms or not because of the test results. I decided to stop taking yasmin after my leg got numb and since i when off the pill (2yeas ago) i have not felt any numbness, or blurry vision, or speech trouble, or chest pressure, only 2 occasional terrible headaches in the passed 2 years (last year) and anxiety once in awhile).

Amanda I think we should all keep an open mind. As women we know our bodies and definitely know when something is not right. I have been a ballet dancer for almost 17 yrs. I was young, happy, very active and when i was 19 I started Yasmin to regulate my period. My first three cycles were the worst, I am talking about nausea, headaches, tiredness(did not feel like dancing anymore was just too tired),vaginal dryness that lead to yeast infections terrible mood swings right down to bloating and fatigue. However after the first three months my body adjusted nicely and i was fine. I had been on Yasmin for 2 1/2 yrs and finally stopped a month ago when the symptoms become worse. Instead of PMS my doctor diagnosed me with PMDD instead of mood swings i was depressed(really) my face started to break out and i could not understand what was going on. I finally went to my doctor and he took me of Yasmin completely and I am now on Diane 35. Again my symptoms are back and they are worse but I know my body has to adjust to the pill. To you Amanda be careful what you say. Every woman biological make up is different and we all respond to medications differently.

Hi everyone, ok i have never been a good 'pill' accepter, my body hates any kind of rubbish but I have ME and sometimes it's very hard to monitor symptoms related to pill, medication, virus or anything other. I haven;t got on with any pills, except microgynon 30, the only prob is you sometimes think they're causing something they're actually not. It turned out co-codamol causes headaches so it wasn't the pill. Yasmin seemed ok for first few days, but then small spot rashes on chest, forehead and shoulders, itching in places, extreme tiredness, which doesn't help with ME i am very aware of my symptoms and this is the only change i have encountered so must be the pill. I have chronic stomach pain, bloating, wind, constantly urinating, discharge thin and very regular, so a few are acceptable but this is the 2nd pack and the pain is uncomfortable, I'm like a balloon and feeling very anti social as it's not really the nicest symptom to have....thought gastric flu, but doesn't last 2 months????? I'm going back on microgynon. Will we ever find happiness as women..coming back as a man next time lol

37 yr old wife/mother of 2. I consider myself level-headed, analytical and have a strong Christian belief. I am a runner & healthy for the most part. (Gotta have the pizza & chocolate right?) That said...6 cycles on Yasmin28 for hormone regulation, stopped due to price doubling. Thinking about picking it up the next month at maybe a differ pharmacy but decided to do a little research on the side effects. Lightbulb/Ah-Ha moment.

Apparently the gradual changes I had been going through I have found others to be experiencing as well. I just completed a 2 week gentle body detox and called the health food store for some hormone suggestions. She told me to research "Vitex" aka "Chasteberry". I am now taking Standardized Vitex to recover from BCP as well as helping to naturally regulate extreme highs/lows (previous to Yasmin28). Because I am a "why??"-type, I explained away symptoms to stress/life's demands, not making a connection to medication. I was expecting Yasmin to help create the balance.

Most of the the following was progressively getting worse over time: Insomnia leading towards daytime problems of daily sluggishness/no-care hygiene, strong & frequent headaches unlike that of usual seasonal sinus issues, No sex drive (my hubby is a stud muffin & great guy too), eyesight worstened/blurry even to watch tv (not normal for me), legs hurt often but thought it was lack of REM sleep?, "moodiness" even when PMS was no where in sight on the calendar, bouts of sad/depressing/hopelessness thoughts which turned me to prayer for help. I was not feeling right to run (sporatic miles) so I don't know if jump in weight gain can be blamed on BCP or not. Digestive issue with soy became a Major problem, I'd look pregnant even if eating a little. Soy is in A LOT of stuff, read labels if bloating is a problem for you. I am more on the low sodium side so I knew it wasn't from that. I question if Yasmin escalated the results of a few stressful moments in my life - OR could it be that there would've been no stressful reactions/symptoms/effects if I had NOT been on Yasmin. I'm a firm believer in drinking water and a daily food-based vitamin and the power of prayer for help. I say this because dehydration and nutrient-lacking diets can reak havok and mask unexplained health issues.

It's a Godsend that I quit Yasmin, will not return to synthetic hormones. Since quitting? Fluid retention/edema elevated. With a late 1st period I lost 6 lbs of fluid/urine in 1 hour, 2 more lbs within the next few hours. I reluctantly started taking Direx, which is helping. I am on the backdoor of "Aunt Flow's" house for the 2nd time. I started running 3 miles regularly again, libido better, vision not as blurry-ok to watch tv (weird isn't it?), insomnia is slowly getting better. Overall I am not a moody, just some PMS which we all control the best we can right? I am smiling/laughing more again. After 3rd cycle I want some bloodwork done to check levels.

Wow, I am thankful for insightful websites like this one! I do agree Yamin28 should be taken off of the market. Let's educate the caring doctors with facts on our side effects. Maybe they will be more reluctant to prescribe Yaz (1 month on that was enough) and Yasmin. Pharmaceutical companies may listen up if sales are down.

I think It is wonderful...I don't understand why everyone can blame a little birth control pill. Come on now, is everyone honestly reading what they wrote it sounds ridiculous. My acne has cleared up and I haven't gained any weight except for the weight i put on myself not because of the pill. That whole weight gain thing all depends on you. I have headaches...but they are just headaches I had them before I started birth control -their not gonna disappear. Mood swings -we're woman like I said about the headaches- had mood swings before- their not gonna disappear... Thats all I got--- think about what your saying before you write it.