Yasmin and headaches

I'm not quite certain if my symptoms are Yasmin related but a little birdie told me I should start looking around to see what might be going on. I'm a normally very healthy 27-year-old woman that has taken Yasmin for years I can't count any longer. I do not remember experiencing symptoms of this nature until after my child was born two years ago (got pregnant while taken Yasmin). This year alone, I have been to the doctor 4 times for problems that I've had to assume were unrelated. My husband thinks that I'm going crazy! I've had an MRI of my head, full CBC and metabolic panel done... all uneventful. Once again, I'm not certain if my birth control is the problem but I'm certainly willing to stop taking it if the symptoms may be related and might go away! Thanks for venting on this site because you all may have just saved my life... I hope, anyway.

I was taking Yasmin for 2 months & in that time I experienced total numbness in my fingers - generally around the time of my periods, anxiety, nausea & headaches, hair thinning, lots of little pimples on my forehead, muscle spasms & shaking, dizziness to the point of having to lie down & ridiculously emotional behavior. I am certain these were all side effects of taking Yasmin.
I am an extremely fit & otherwise healthy 25yr old. I have taken 3 brands of other b/c in my teenage years & the only side effects I experienced were premenstrual bloating, increase in bust by 2 cup sizes & light weight gain - 1kg. While Yasmin did not cause any bloating or weight gain for me, I did experience intense sugar cravings. The size increase in my breasts was the same but they were intensely tender.

It's been two weeks since I stopped & the only symptoms I still have are a few remaining pimples on my forehead & far less frequent muscle spasms. Obviously I will not be taking Yasmin again. If you are going to take Yasmin I strongly recommend you do your own research on it in conjunction with asking your doctor about ALL the possible serious short & long term side effects.

I was taking Yasmin for 2 months & in that time i experienced total numbness in my fingers - generally around the time of my periods, anxiety, nausea & headaches, hair thinning, lots of little pimples on my forehead, muscle spasms & shaking, dizziness to the point of having to lye down & ridiculously emotional behavior.I am certain these were all side effects of taking Yasmin.

I am an extremely fit & otherwise healthy 25yr old. I have taken 3 brands of other b/c in my teenage years & the only side effects i experienced were premenstrual bloating, increase in bust by 2 cup sizes & slight weight gain - 1kg. While Yasmin did not cause any bloating or weight gain for me, I did experience intense sugar cravings. The size increase in my breasts was the same but they were intensely tender.

It's been two weeks since I stopped & the only symptoms I still have are a few remaining pimples on my forehead & far less frequent muscle spasms. Obviously i will not be taking Yasmin again. If you are going to take Yasmin I strongly recommend you do your own research on it in conjunction with asking your doctor about ALL the possible serious short & long term side effects.

For all those out there suggesting taking a lower dosage and blah blah blah hormone levels are different in everyone yadayadayada, everyones body is different yah yah yah WE KNOW

all that that information applies to is mood swings, headaches, breast tenderness, irritability, feeling sick which is common symptoms for EVERY birth control

But people who are having severe symptoms such as gallbladder disease and heart problems and blood clots and not being able to eat or drink the same things that you use to such as caffeine, getting anxiety, asthma, disorientation, and most of these people being young and active and healthy, theres a problem somewhere

severe symptoms are a lot more common in older women who smoke and drink or maybe none of those at all

BUT WHY IN SO MANY YOUNG HEALTHY ACTIVE WOMEN WHOVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE

bottom line is theres more people suffering than people having a great experience on this pill. The fact that the FDA approves of this stuff is just outrageous. And if they are going to keep it out there than at least own up to it. I didn't appreciate going to the doctor and them telling me they dont know where my problems are coming from when so many other women are having the same EXACT problems. and all only after being on the pill. All a Dr need say is "It may be from the pill because other women have experienced the same symptoms while on the pill. If you like we can offer you something else." wow is that so fucking hard. Instead they give you 0 answers

Thank You all so much

I am such a mess right now!
Two months into the pill i had an extreme anxiety attack out of no where but it wasn't an attack like being panicky about a specific thing. It just came as trembling then beating heart then the next thing i was going crazy in my mind. I was petrified of lying in my own bed i was going CRAZY. i was hysterical for 2 weeks non stop shaking, crying, panicky about nothing it was completely out of my control. The things that were happening to me i actually believed i had SCHIZOPHRENIA< PERSONALITY DISORDER OR SOME TYPE OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE.

I had no idea what was going on and without looking into anything a doctor prescribed me anti depressants - biggest mistake. Thankfully i stopped the pill the day i started the effexor(AD). The entire of December and JAn was a ride off. i experienced every emotion in the world

- constant guilty
- depression
- felt like someone close to me had died and i was grieving
-empathy
- anger
-fear

Unfortunately i never got better from stopping the pill because the anti depressants were giving me sever side effects due to me not needing them in the first place. They gave me a different anxiety as well as phsychotic episodes. I know this sounds actually crazy but some days i would think so deep i convinced myself i didn't exist that reality wasn't real. Another day i was convinced i was dangerous and that sooner or later i would kill someone. Apparently this was a side effect of the effexor ( i hope) i went off the effexor cold turkey its been one week and i feel gross/anxious/nervous/headaches etc etc

im giving myself a month to detox everything and am hoping i return to my normal self.

On good days i was convinced that i simply had really bad side effects to the pill and then had really bad side effects to another pill that was treating the first side effects.

Other days i think that my doctors are right and that my blood tests are normal so therefore i am a hypercondriac. "Ive never heard of the pill having such side effects". Oh also ive been seeing a psychologist for the past month. Its like seeing a therapist for bad PMS. There is no cause its just hormonal!

This is the most frustrating thing of my life because as much as i want to believe its the pill what if its not and this is the start to something much much major.

seriously if anyone has a similar story please pm me or something :)

I know everyone is different but how long did people take to get back on track after stopping? will it stop or is this something that will be with me?

-

I've been taking Yasmin for six months and have been experiencing extreme anxiety and panic attacks ever since the second month or so. My life has been a constant nightmare of never ending panic. Over the past six months, I've convinced myself that I have schizophrenia and need to be locked away in a mental hospital forever, am experiencing a stroke, have a brain tumor, that I am going to die at any moment, or that I am going to go insane. For one month I had at least ONE panic attack per day relating to the fears I've mentioned. I have a constant feeling of uneasiness that never goes away until a few days into the off week (or sugar pills). Until now, I had seriously though that I might be this way forever. I felt like a part of me had died, like my life as I knew it was over. I cried over this.

As you can imagine, I'm very relieved to finally figure out that Yasmin is the cause of this! I am seeing a doctor in a few days and hopefully I'll be able to start a new pill asap!

In addition to anxiety, I experienced nausea during the first 3 or 4 months, and have started to get headaches during my off week. My eyes are also very dry.

I started this pill to help with my oily skin/acne issues, and it hasn't helped one bit. I would rather deal with oily skin than face this. I also must say that I have ALWAYS been a worrier and have experienced panic and anxiety in the past, but nowhere near as severely or out of nowhere, so this isn't necessarily going to be a side effect for everyone.

Hello all

granted that many of you have several symptoms with Yasmin have you considered perhaps going on a lower dose pill. I was on Yasmin for approx 6 months and had several side effects such as irritability, mood swings, irrational behaviour, headaches, anxiety and breast tenderness etc... However when it comes to birth control you need to know your body and say yes or no this isn't right for me. I suggest to any of you that are having symptoms 1. read through the inserted booklet in your contraceptives and 2. talk to your doctor, nurse, gyne to switch you to another pill if your contraceptive does not work for you. Remember all our bodies and hormone levels are different and some people do well on certain pills that will make other people feel awful. It all comes down to knowing yourself and your body, besides most of the people posting on this site appear to be knowledgeable adults so know when to say no and outweigh your own personal risks and benefits to any contraceptive that you are on.

I started taking Yasmin in 2005. About 7 months ago, i stopped taking it. I had headaches all the time, sometimes I had problems breathing, I would get high pressure, blackouts.
About 4 months ago I started having KIDNEY infections, and I didn't even know how that was! And now I have them all the time, and my lower back hurts a lot. I've been taking pills for the kidneys. But now I'm scared, after a friend told me what she saw on T.V. :-(

I have NEVER had any problems my whole life until this pill

I started taking Yasmin when i was 19 and i LOVED it for the first 6 months, no mood swings no headaches no symptoms at all, and it was the first BC id ever taken so I thought I was pretty lucky. Then I started getting headaches eventually it was a constant headache no breaks for 2 months I thought i had a tumor or something, my toes and fingertips were tingling and partially numb, i was getting dizzy at work out of nowhere, I had leg cramps, my stomach was constantly hurting, eventually it was swollen to the point I could feel it by barely running my fingers over. Then finally one day at work out of nowhere I streted blacking out, made it to the bathroom held on to the sink so I wouldn't fall, my face was GHOST WHITE and my eyes were purple, I held my head under the water for five minutes before I was fine, So I finally went to the Dr and she told me the headaches were probably from the pill and since I wasn't sexually active at the time I should stop, so I did. And she told me my stomach pain was from gastritis and gave me a prescription which never worked. I later found out from a friend that the tingling and headaches and being dizzy and gastritis was from being anemic so I started taking iron pills and it all went away. I AM POSITIVE THAT YASMIN MADE ME THIS WAY IN THE FIRST PLACE ever since then I cannot have caffeine which never was a problem, my stomach has never fully healed i cant eat a lot of stuff I use too, and I cant do a lot of stuff I use to do because I get anxiety ALL the time. I was off the pill until I was 21 then I started taking it again because I got a new doctor and she said try it again just to make sure and that maybe I just had too high of a dosage before, now im *** sorry I ever went back on because now I have experienced Kidney pain, left side of chest and arm pain off and on constantly for the past 6 months recently Ive been getting blurred vision and blacking out randomly, and my lymphnodes on the back off my head head swelled up without being sick or anything the drs checked and said they were fine ran tests no cancer or anything no infection just a big fat ?....even though they haven't been swollen in months and months i still feel shooting pain in them from where they're hitting a nerve sometimes and again ive never ever when I got sick had those particular nodes swell in my whole life let alone being completely healthy as far as colds or flu or wtv

theres honestly so much more to tell about the hell ive been in for the past 4 years but not enough time for anyone to read

I QUIT taking the pill in December because My BOYFRIEND AND TWO BEST FRIENDS TOLD ME ABOUT SEEING THE LAWSUITS ON TV WITH THIS STUFF!! at first I didn't think it was that bad most of my problems I thought I was making up in my head until i saw it on tv for myself... so I finally got on the internet today(even though ive been off it for 2 months) and saw the serious side affects that weren't listed on tv that all you girls have been having and I realized IM NOT A HYPOCONDRIAC

thanks to YAS and OCELLA I will NEVER trust or take any kind of birth control pill, patch, shot AGAIN because Im terrified of dying, and Im honestly scared that alot of these symptoms ive had will never go away, Im almost 23 and dont want kids but Ill take my chances.

I keep telling myself that all the pain and problems i've had over the past 4 years is due to YASMIN. I started taking YASMIN the summer of 2005, and Jan. 2006,thats when it all started. I went to the ER with left side chest pain and left side pain from my shoulder to my toes. After numerous tests, they thought i had a pulmonary embolism, then perhaps pericarditis.Off to the cardiologist i went, nothing was abnormal or was showing on the echo. Ugh,Numerous specialists i saw and no diagnosis for this pain. Finally i stopped taking YASMIN, the summer of 2006. I still to this day have high blood pressure, left sided pain , headaches now, and i truly believe that is was from YASMIN. Or i could be making myself think that it is. I now have had a child and am never going back on YASMIN. Am i crazy?

My daughter 23 started on Yasmin 11 months ago and after 2 months it has been nothing but misery for all of us. Not until now did I put the two together because her old pharmacy had a different name down for the name of the prescription. Just this last month Yasmin was placed on the prescription bottle at the new pharmacy.

I am fighting mad that a GYN would put a person on this pill knowing the potential high risk side effects. I counted 10 of the side effects that have effected her. Yes it may work for some but by all appearance on this website and many others that those that it doesn't effect is much less.

She stopped the pill today since we just found out today about the pill issues. This information answers a lot of issues from the past.
She has become depressed and doesn't know why. She is irritable and often times extremely argumentative. Headaches have been constant and I have contributed them to her not wearing her glasses - obviously wrong cause she does wear them most of the time. Her hair has gone to pot she use to have long blond thick hair - it not lacks luster, shine and is extremely thinned out.
Moods swings on please they have kept me on a roller coaster ride with her - one moment happy the next ticked off or the next sad. She's had leg cramps and has had high anxiety.

Thank goodness though we found out now about the issues with this pill before things got worse or even developed heart issues or worse.
I

Hi, I just started taking Ocella on Sunday.... 5 days ago, I decided to look it up since I have heard of Yaz having major problems. I am so happy I found this page and had the chance to read your stories. I have only taken 4 pills as of right now and I have a lot of the most listed problems on this page. I already have the occasional panic attacks that come on without any apparent reason, this started after my mother suddenly passed away a few years ago, but since the first day I started this pill I have felt very anxious NON-STOP. I have only slept about 3-4 hours each night this week due to anxiety, heart palpitations, chest pain, and headaches. My body feels soooo tired and unrested, yet my mind is in a constant panic. And because of the panic I have felt very moody and agitated. I have three young children, so needless to say I need to be rested and HAPPY! After reading these earlier posts, I am definitely not taking any chances with this BC. I only started it to try and regulate my period.

Thank you to everybody who has shared their experience, obviously everybody is different, and take to medications differently, but it seems that these are very common side effects in many woman.
I am DEFINITELY stopping taking the pill as of NOW!
I wish everybody the best of luck with their situations brought on by this terrible drug.

I began taking Yasmin in May 2007 in order to try to curb some serious mood swings I felt I was having. Looking back, I realize that my life was a bit more stressful at that time and I would have been fine dealing with my frustration, anxiety, irritability, etc. in other ways. However, at first, Yasmin seemed to be the answer. I felt better, I dealt with issues better, and I didn't even notice some of the side effects people say that BC causes: weight gain, headaches, low sex drive, etc. I thought I had the perfect pill. About 6 months into taking it, though, I started having serious stomach pains. Prior to Yasmin, I had a "stomach of steel." Nothing bothered it. But at this point, not only was I feeling abdomen pain, I was vomiting, being constantly nauseous, experiencing headaches, and having what I now call "duress" - horrible get-to-a-toilet-immediately diarrhea. That especially was ruining my life as I knew it. It came at the worst possible times and interrupted many important events in that period of my life. Many tests later, it was determined that my gallbladder was not functioning normally. It was not "emptying" as it should, and I was suffering for it. I had it removed in October 2008 and thought it was all to be over. I chalked it up to a family history, maybe, or just bad luck. Then, I stopped taking Yasmin in the Spring of this year because it had become too expensive under new insurance and I tried a lower dosage pill. I wasn't a fan of it, so I opted to go back to Yasmin again, only this time, I tried Ocella (cheaper). Sure enough, weeks into taking it again, my original symptoms came back. I thought, "Wait a minute. My gallbladder is gone! I thought that was the source of my stomach issues, and everything else!" Now, I realize it may have all started with the stupid pill. I finally made the decision to stop taking the pill (Yasmin, Ocella, or anything else) and try to "cleanse" my body from all this mess. As of October 2, 2009, I have not taken any sort of pill. My husband notices a real change in my health, personality, and even my mood swings are bearable...truth is, they aren't really all that bad. It's strictly dependent on what's going on around me. And isn't that how it's supposed to be? Ha. I really wish I had never even started Yasmin two and a half years ago. I believe it caused gallbladder disease and all of the problems that brings.

In January of 2008, I was prescribed Yaz. I started experiencing depression, low libido, headaches, tiredness, and fatigue. I stopped taking the birth control and became pregnant in February of 2008. In December of 2008, I was prescribed Yaz. I took this birth control from December of 2008 till May 2009. During that time frame, I experienced high blood pressure, depression, low libido, headaches, tiredness, fatigue, weakness, and discharge from my right breast. My physician then switched me from Yaz to Loestrin 24-E. Ever since then, I've still experienced the same symptoms along with a kidney infection in August of 2009, and now I have thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism). I've been a healthy up until this drug entered into my system. I'm just trying to find out if Yaz brought on all of these symptoms.

Wow! I thought I felt different after starting Yasmin 3 months ago. I can't fall asleep at night, I had a panic attack in the grocery store line, and I have been having leg cramps, shortness of breath, ear pressure, mood swings, and headaches that last 2-4 days causing me to practically OD on Advil. I am a very rational and clam person, I live a normal, happy life with very little stress. I knew I felt different over the past 3 months, so I took a pregnancy test because I was feeling nausea and stomach pains with moodiness and OVEREATING!! I have gained 6 lbs. It came back negative of course, so I decided to google Yasmin side effects and realized I'm not the only one. Thank goodness for the internet, I would've never thought it was the pill itself. I'm stopping Yasmin as soon as my pill pack is up........

I have been on Yasmin for about 5 years. I loved it to begin with but just recently I have been having horrible side effects that i just realized could be related. I just thought i was a 21 yr old with problems. i am having heart palpitations, hair loss, insomnia, anxiety, vision problems, UTI's, lightheadedness and blackouts, and CHRONIC migraines. I am having about 3 migraines a week! they are disrupting my life. it is weird that i was fine on the meds for so long and they are just now resulting in this. I am stopping the pill as of today and i am going to talk to my doctor about other options. i am thinking about ortho tri cyclin lo. i have to be on a birth control because i have had endometriosis and my doctor said it is less possible to come back if i am on a birth control. she mentioned the shot but i have heard bad stories about that too and i don't think i want to go there.

I have just been on Yasmin for a month but had serious doubts from day 1. I have nausea constantly, extreme fatigue (go to bed at 9.30 sleep until 7 am, still knackered), hair loss, listlessness, headaches, incl. a proper migraine attack, blurred vision (just got new specs so should be fine!!!) - in fact very like my 1st trimesters of pregnancy!!! I sooo agree with Shellac above;
"Instead of being "liberated" we, (not the men) become slave to the pill. And then we don't get he freedom or the man. Try organic sex, in the ways God intended, much healthier." I shall go back to using condoms!!!
Jeanette

I've been on Yasmin(Ocella) since July. At first I had no side affects and then just last week, I had shortness of breath, tingling all over, warm sensations in my body, headaches and blurry vision. I had to be rushed to the hospital by ambulance. It also seems like I'm having all sorts of thoughts that are keeping me paranoid and not sleeping. It also seems like my left breast is slightly larger than my right. I've never had any problems like this before so as of today I'm taking myself of this birth control pill.

Yasmin is the only pill that has worked for me. I have been taking it off and on for years, and it has taken away all my cramps and I don't believe I've had any mood changes with it. I recently went to the doctor for a checkup and to get new pills, and he recommended Yaz. He said he had a hard time prescribing Yasmin over Yaz, so I decided to try it out. I've been on it for 3 weeks and it's terrible for mood changes!

I'm finding myself snapping at people at work, being really angry and anxious, then suddenly being depressed and not caring about anything. I've felt more stressed out in the past 3 weeks then I have in my life. I find myself overreacting about the smallest things, and being way too emotional about it. I start to feel worthless, depressed and alone, even though I have a boyfriend. I have found myself getting really emotional if he needs to work on a project at home and can't spend time with me. I get really upset really quickly, then I immediately apologize and feel bad about it.

The mood changes are insane, and I feel like I'm going crazy! I'm also really tired throughout the say, even though I'm getting a ton of sleep. I just feel like sleeping more and more. I haven't had any headaches, but that's not to say it wont happen later. I'm afraid to keep taking these pills! I want to go back to Yasmin. YAZ is terrible!

I have been on the Yasmin now for nearly three months. I have no energy, chest pains, shortness of breath, tenderness of my breast, ribs and I feel REALLY TIRED even after having a nights rest. I thought this was perhaps after having a toddler and using my energy up during the day from lifting him and swinging him. I feel slightly anxious about different things in my life, sometimes depressed. I though my headaches and chest pains were stress/work related and so was the fatigue. I am popping vitamin tablets like it is an addiction thinking that if I don't have them I am going to feel WORSE( anxious/depressed). I also could not understand why I was feeling so nauseous and having stabbing pains in my stomach. - thought again this was just stress related - acid build up. I am going to see my Doctor today and get off this tablet!!!! I would rather have the odd pimple on my face than feel like this.

I am 32 years old and began taking Yasmin in 2002. I get SEVERE migraines every month and have gained 50 pounds. I want to get off Yasmin but am scared of getting pregnant. I'm married, but we just cannot afford a child right now. Any advice? Has anyone recently quit Yasmin and had any bad side effects from it?

I was on yaz for close to 4-5 years. I started taking antibiotics and my husband and I became pregnant while on the pill. We were well aware of chances of becoming pregnant. From the day I found out i was pregnant I started throwing up. I LOST 15 pounds during my pregnancy due to being sick all of the time. I had constant heartburn and choked all of this up to being pregnant with a little girl with a head full of black hair! The day my husband was suppose to go back to work from his leave (exactly 2 weeks after having my baby) i started throwing up at about 3am due to intense stomach pain that radiated into my chest and back and couldn't stop. He stayed home. The next day it happened again, my husband assumed i had postpartum depression and told me i would be fine and left for work. I tried to go back to bed but couldn't stop throwing up long enough to go into the next room and check on my crying newborn. I had to beg him to come home from work, we got a babysitter, went to the hospital, they did an ultrasound and admitted me. 12 hrs later I was on the operating table having my gallbladder removed. I now suffer with DAILY diarrhea immediately after I eat ANYTHING and stomach pain. I try to stick to a low fat diet but it doesn't help!!!! i have constant stomach pain, headaches, nausea and heartburn. Not to mention the FOUR scars that i have from the surgery. When i started taking Yasmin and eventually yaz NOWHERE did it say that it could cause gallbladder disease!

Hello, this is E. again. My son took a nap, so I was able to read a lot of the posts. Many things that occurred to me over time were things that I thought came with the change of life of being married and having a child. Just life, in general also. But, now that I think of who I was before motherhood and being a wife, it just doesn't add up. I believe now the additional things that were happening to me were indeed extra side effects of the pill. They include, no sex drive, weight gain, migraines/headaches, fatigue/tired, joint pain, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, insomnia, nausea, and stress. I have been hospitalized and have had certain procedures done for some of these symptoms. Today I am stopping the pill due to the reasons of my previous post. Within time I will let you all know if there have been any improvements. Take care, E.

My daughter had switched from the birth control pill Low-Ogestrel-28 after about 2 1/2 years (no side effects at all then a little spotting mid cycle) so she saw her primary care and the dr. told her that her body had become used to that paticular pill and switched her to Yasmin. The first month was ok and then in the 2nd month I noticed a big change in her attitude..she became very short tempered during the entire month and then when she was on the placebo pills (the days prior to her period) she really became a crazy angry woman. When on the other bc the week prior found her more sensitive and crying...such a total flip in her nature.
Then on the 3rd month the vomiting began...nothing major at first - random maybe once a week and always in the morning...after juice or soymilk. So you explain it away by saying that it's first thing in the morning and theres more acid on your stomach or she was hungry when she went to bed and it's from that. She began having headaches around this time also..Ok so she stopped having anything but water with her English muffin first thing in the morning and things evened out with the stomach thing - for a little while. She was incredibly tired and had a weird sore throat - killer sore throat - never had strep before (she's 20 years old...) she got an appt. to see a N.P. in the dr. office and she asked me to go...while we were there I asked not only the medical assistant but the N.P. (nurse practitioner) about the law commercials that I had seen regarding Yasmin..they blew it off as just a bunch of ambulance chasers wanting money and that it was safe and effective. They were adamant about it. Ok I dropped it..after examination the NP told my daughter that her lymph nodes were enlarged and she had A. strep B. Mono C.all of the above. Tests ruled out Strep but we had a winner on Mono. While she had the week off from work I noticed depression along with the headaches and also the stomach problems came back. Always in the morning, but it became every morning now..we thought she was hungry and she would eat and feel fine and then about 5 minutes after finishing her breakfast with only a small amt. of water to go along with it she'd have a period where for the next 15 -30 minutes she'd either throw up (and once doing this would feel fine) or it would work itself out and she'd be fine. It had gotton to the point I don't know who dreaded the morning more her or me. We are now in the 4th month of Yasmin and this began to happen every single morning and then toward the end of the month it would start being random at nightime..no vomiting but feeling sick - like it had begun in the beginning with the morning stuff. It came to head the other day- Saturday October 10th 2009. We had gone on a overnight trip to see her grandparents and we had to leave early in the morning (4 am) so she took the pill after having a little something to eat (no liquids) by 2:30 that afternoon she all of a sudden felt like she was going to get sick..and boy did she - violently sick - then again at 6:30 - violently ill- projectile and again at 8:30. I got on the computer and started researching Yasmin....and it all came together. I told her no more pill...she is in a serious relationship and was using Yasmin not only for the terrible painful periods that she was having but for protection so we needed to take that into account...she was safe and she is now off that pill. She did not take one Sunday (11th) or Monday (12th) and I cannot tell you how much better she is. This was someone who had lived with a constant stomach ache for over 4 weeks...we could outfit a pharmacy with all the otc meds I have bought - pepto, rolaids, gaviscon, maalox, YOU Name it we have it in regards to stomach distress..and nothing really helped. A burp and feel better for a little while but it was always there..that low lying ache in the tummy. She spoke with a friend that works for a doctor on Sunday and told her about the Yasmin and the woman couldn't believe that she had been prescribed that..she told her to get off it immediately (she already had) and that the dr. that she works for will not prescribe Yasmin or yaz to any of his patients. My daughter's personality is back. She is laughing and happy and a totally different girl. Headaches are gone and most importantly NO stomach pain at all. Completely gone. She can eat and drink and no problems what-so-ever. She looked at me and said "I can't believe I lived like that for so long, I had forgotten what it felt like to feel good - like me". She is calling a Ob/Gyn practice this morning and hopefully will be seen by someone today. What a nightmare. My heart goes out to those of you that have posted and have had much worse things besides what my daughter has gone thru. The FDA needs to do something about this !! What can we do to get this information to them? DO NOT TAKE OR LET YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS TAKE YASMIN OR YAZ - IT IS HARMFUL.

HEADACHES,NAUSEA,MAJOR HAIR LOSS,EXTREMELY DRY SKIN,GALLBLADDER REMOVAL,FULL HYSTERECTOMY,PANIC ATTACKS,MOOD SWINGS,STOMACH/DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS,PARANOIA,NEAR LOSS OF JOB,PROBABLE LOSS OF MARRIAGE,MONETARILY DEPLETED,SHORTNESS OF BREATH,HEART PALPITATIONS,VISION TROUBLE,CHILDREN TRAUMATIZED,LOSS OF ENERGY,NEED FOR THERAPY,CURRENTLY USING THE CLYMARA HORMONE PATCH. I WAS ON THIS YASMIN DRUG FOR ALMOST FIVE YEARS, AND SYMPTOMS STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER I STARTED ON YASMIN. I WAS PUT ON YASMIN TO KEEP OVARIAN CYCSTS FROM BURSTING. I FINALLY TOOK MYSELF OFF OF IT DUE TO WHAT FELT LIKE A MINY STROKE AMONG SOME OF THE OTHER SIDE AFFECTS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND MYSELF FOR 5 YEARS, I DON'T EVEN KNOW THIS PERSON INSIDE ME. DOES ANY ONE KNOW IF CLYMARA IS OKAY TO BE USING W/WHAT YASMIN HAS DONE TO ME? IS THERE A CASE # NUMBER FOR ANY CLASS ACTION SUIT OUT THERE?

I have been using Yasmin on my second month. I use to use Diane 35 until I found a fibroid and the doctor recommended I changed pills to see if it would stop the growth. Did not realized the symptoms until recently after using Yasmin. Decided yesterday I will not be taking them anymore. Thought I was loosing my mind when all i do is sleep when I get home from work. Went to my doctor today and explained him how I have been feeling. I have been getting headaches, tiredness, dryness, mood swings and bloating. Not a good feeling at all!

I have been on Yasmin for around 5 months now and am absolutely fine for the three weeks of taking the pills, however as soon as i stop taking them on the pill free week i become extremely aggressive and emotional. I cry all the time and feel so depressed and angry. I feel myself become furious over the littlest things. I have also begun to have panic attacks over small things and have become scared of everything. Has anyone else experienced this?

I have been on Yasmin for over 5 years, and just thought that I was a hypochondriac. After starting Yasmin I experienced severe nausea and unrelieved hunger pains. I saw a gastroenterologist who performed an EGD and Colonoscopy at the age of 20. It was normal and I was placed on Protonix to help with the GI issues. Also I have severe joint pains in my knees, hips, elbows and shoulders. I have been tested for everything from Lupus to Rheumatoid Arthritis, and it was all negative. I get headaches, have little sex drive if any, my skin is not clearer than usual and nor has it been since starting Yasmin. Thanks to all those people who have voiced their concerns and shared their stories, it makes us feel less crazy. I threw out all my birth control pills last night and I am going to try another form of contraceptive. I mean my headaches and chest pains have gotten so bad that they have forced me to go to the ER on several occasions. I DO NOT THINK THE BENEFITS OF YASMIN OUTWEIGH THE RISKS ASSOCIATED.

I have taken Yasmin for about 6 years now and I feel fine. I don't have a problem with it and I don't think I ever have? Every girl gets moody which I only get once in a blue moon anyway. I feel in control of myself and this pill has been great to me since day one. I originally went on it for my skin and have stayed on it because I feel good. I don't suffer headaches, nausea, pains (I don't even get period pain) haven't ever felt depressed either.

Just thought someone would like to hear something good about it :) Im sure there are a lot of people who don't go well on it, but at the same time there are a lot of people who do go well on it.

Thanks

Ladies:

I needed to post this warning right away:

I visited my gyno today (was able to get in for an ASAP visit), and she told me to get off of Yasmin IMMEDIATELY when I told her that I have had facial numbness etc.. She was very concerned, and here is why:

I have been experiencing migraine headaches with what are called "auras". I know it sounds weird, but you can look up "migraine auras" and you will find plenty of information.

I know that many of us have had these symptoms and not known what they were- numbness and tingling, visual disturbances, strange smells etc. This is what those symptoms are- migraine auras.

****According to my gyno, if you have auras you need to stop taking Yasmin or any other birth control right away.****

Getting these symptoms and continuing to take the pill, according to my gyno is (and I quote) "ASKING FOR A STROKE". They are warning signs that our bodies send out and it is extremely dangerous to keep taking ANY hormonal birth control, ESPECIALLY the combination pill.

If you had any further doubts, stop now. Please. I am not trying to scare anyone, I am just concerned and wanted to warn those who are experiencing these side effects.

Best of luck to all of you and hugs.

M.

Hi ladies, im back off Yasmin now for 6 days now, period came last night, boobs not tender, still have a very sore stiff neck, no headaches, so far so good,will keep you informed if interested

i have been on Yasmin for only SEVEN DAYS!!! i have had bad headaches since taking it...no energy...i m violently angry & i m not like that usually! i have pain where my gallbladder USED 2 b, depressed 2 the point where i started 2 cut my self, vomiting up green stuff, diarrhea so bad that my bum bleeds, sore throat, neck stiffness, dryness & nightmares. i am off this pill & told my doctor i refuse 2 take it even though its suppose 2 help shrink cysts.

I've had horrible side effects whilst using, and horrible withdrawal symptoms whilst coming off Yasmin.

I came off using Yasmin 5 days ago. Since then, i've had horrible vivid nightmares, my head hasn't stopped banging, and i've been feeling really run down in general.

I'm assuming theres more to come than this though.

Whilst I was using Yasmin, i was the most moody, depressed, out of control person ever. I thought everyone hated me. And even though I was going through some personal problems at the time, I now realize that it was probably me that was making it worse in my own head. I used to fight and argue with my boyfriend for no reason. I fell out with my best friends for no reason. I felt sick all the time. My leg used to randomly go dead when i was sleeping, or lying down. I used to get really bad headaches. I used to get emotional (or hormotional as I call it!), mixed with anxiety attacks. and I completely and utterly lost my sex drive. now for a 22yr old I don't think thats normal! I just hope it will get back to normal, and quickly! I've realized hormonal contraception isn't right for me. Using Yasmin has completely put me off using hormonal contraception ever again, and I am considering getting a copper IUD fitted asap.

I'm a 20 year old healthy girl. I started taking Yasmin 10 months ago. I thought it was the best thing that happened to me, no weight gain, no headaches or and no depression. I felt perfectly fine except NO SEX DRIVE. I didn't really understand why I was feeling this way. I started believing that I was not happy with myself and not confident enough with my body any more.I started taking it just before I got married and its beginning to ruin it. I need to find another BC solution. I don't know what to do any more. By the way, thanks for everyone's comments, when I began to read them I understood what was happening to me. TC

I too have been experiencing the same side effects listed by most of you. I have also been seeing a gastroenterologist for about 9 months now because of stomach issues. All symptoms point to gallbladder disease but the tests come back normal. I called my gyne today and they seem unconcerned with what I have told them and advised me to continue to take my pills until my annual visit in October. I'm done with this pack on Saturday and am thinking of going sans pills for the next month until my appt. Any advice on what pill I should switch to when I do see my dr.?

I have been on Yasmin since June and I also thought I was going crazy. My mood swings were fierce and I was bitchy as all get out. My husband says that now I have PMS and I've never had that.

I've gotten headaches, had absolutely no energy some days, painful menstrual cramps, and it seems like I bleed more than normal on my periods. I have also gotten acne and I woke up this morning with a huge pimple on my chin. I used to never have acne.

After finding this site and realizes I'm not the only one with these problems I'm not taking another pill. I'll call my doctor for something else.

I have been off Yasmin (Ocella) for just over 2 months. In most ways I am feeling much better. Less headaches, earaches moodiness and more energy then I had when on the pill. Since then I have been sent for many tests, ultrasound, hormones etc. I was diagnosed last night with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. My hormones are soo out of balance, and my doctor said it may be from taking the pill. I was on Yasmin for 6 years and am 31 years old and married. I can't believe this. I have always had a lot of pelvic plain but was never diagnosed with anything.

Damn reading up on all these side effects shared here is really scaring.
Well I must admit that I certainly can relate to quite a few of them.
Well I took Yasmin for over a year,and my initial experience (say 6 months) was ok.
During that times my skin became flawless,to clear&radiant the best I'd ever had.
However beyond the 6 months things changed and I developed mad constant thrush
Really it was horrid,was put on fluconazole countless times,and I had never been one prone to thrush.
Furthermore every month during my period I'd get this mad headache coupled with dizziness and serious fatigue.
I was even convinced that I was anemic,because I'd actually go pale!Due to these headaches I decided to stop the Yasmin as I
Felt that really my life was at stake.In fact it was so bad I couldn't complete the that months pack.
Discontinuing Yasmin,opened yet another can of worms,perhaps due to me stopping suddenly.I developed severe acne,I was never one skin issues.
Well perhaps it could be attributed to the abrupt discontinuation of the pill.Sadly even 6 months of being off the pill my skin has not gotten any better.
As a result I have stupidly found myself having no choice but to go back to Yasmin.I have been taking it for just over a week,my skin has improved profoundly but I'm scared.
Moreso after reading everybody else comments,I'm really scared.If I'm to discontinue would yoi advice that I complete the cycle and not not stop suddenly?
Right now I'm ok just have slight nausea and occasional dull aching head.
Please can somebody give me advice.

After reading all these women's experience with Yasmin, I am super confused and worried. I just started on my Yasmin packet almost 3 weeks ago. Before that I was on Brevicon for about 2 months before being switched to Yasmin. My concern for switching was the amount of irregular bleeding on Brevicon (I had a period every other week on Brevicon) and since I also have PCOS, my doctor recommended switching to Yasmin.

But in the short 3 weeks I have noticed some crazy side effects and I wonder if it is the pill. Side effects for me have been:
1. Dryness - I cannot seem to stay hydrated. My skin, eyes and throat are always dry, not to mention the intimacies in the bedroom. Which I've never had issues with before.
2. Fatigue - I am constantly tired. No matter how much rest I get, I'm constantly exhausted.
3. Headaches - I thought initially it was because I'm trying to ween myself off of caffeine, but even when I do get my caffeine fix, I still have them.
4. Back pain - much like when I have my period, but it's happening well over a week before my period.
5. Cramping - again like the back pain. I have never had such severe cramping this many days before my period.

Those are the severe side effects I am experiencing but in addition to heart palpitations, mood swings and trouble sleeping also happen every so often. I feel like I'm drinking red bull, but I have not.

I am not sure what pill to request, I've tried Brevicon and now Yasmin, but I'm starting to think dealing with irregular periods (every 5-8 weeks) and the usual period pangs is better than dealing with these symptoms every month. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

This web page is a revelation. I thought I was the only one!! Was put on Yasmin by my Gynae for slight hormone imbalance (with no symptoms). Been on this pill for 4 yrs. Never had Pre Menstrual Tension until I took this pill. During my period, I suffer horrendous migraines, nausea and irritability and waves of anxiety for 3 days and then it goes.
Went to see another Gynae who said these headaches and bizarre side effects appear to be quite common with Yasmin and has recommended me take another one and won't recommend Yasmin to any of her patients anymore!

RB UK

I was put on Yasmin 2 months before I got married. After the first month I noticed I started getting headaches all the time. I am not the one who ever got headaches. After I had been on Yasmin for a year I went in for my routine check up and I told my Gyno about it and he switched me to Trinessa. Then 6 months later I had to have my gall bladder taken out.

I have been on Yasmin now for around 7-8 months and am shocked at the responses that I have heard. Now that I have read into this I have had similar experiences with this pill - I have been on countless contraceptive pills since 15years and am now 25yrs and heard this was one of the best pills advised by my GP but one of the more expensive ones so were reluctant to put me on it!- previous problems, migraines, high blood pressure, weight gain and extreme IBS and spots but this pill apparently would cure this!

I have always had problems with being on the pill as they make my period pains worsen, cramps, extreme IBS however when I am off the pill I don't experience these symptoms - Does anyone experience the same?????

Have been to doctors several times with pains in my abdomen,chest and had to go to hospital to get this checked several times and got scans all normal no problems - i wonder if this pill has anything to do with this?????

Since being on Yasmin have noticed changes such as depression and feelings of extreme loneliness, feeling not so great in myself even thou my fiance tells me every day am gorjus, mood swings, wanting to burst out crying, headaches, extreme tiredness all day every day, and most recently extreme weight gain to my stomach is this normal am healthy eating and started exercising more to help but seems to be getting worse?????

It's really getting me down and am in the middle of planning my wedding and find myself not being excited or getting annoyed but it should be the happiest times planning my wedding. Advice..........????

have been taking Yasmin for 2-3 weeks and was beginning to worry i was pregnant as i took a pill late, have had extreme headaches and lethargy, and i'm someone that never gets headaches. i've also had some spotting. i'm going to the doctor today after reading this....i can't believe doctors don't warn you of this. Yesterday i felt nauseous as well.

Hello! Its kind of creepy that i just now realized my problems and where they are coming from. A couple months ago I was having symptoms very similar to being pregnant.. went to pp and the dr. and I was not. I have been on Yasmin and the generic brands for 3 years now. and recently quit taking them for the 3rd time... About 2 weeks ago I started having " prego " symptoms again.. took a prego test and of course came up negative once again. Its been a little depressing as my partner and I have been wanting a baby. but now i'm starting to see where these symptoms are coming from.. My digestive system has gone haywire.. i get headaches.. my boobs hurt.. and i'm extremely emotional... my boyfriend has mentioned recently that my "outbursts" are frightening to him.. I didn't think it was that bad but now that I look back on it i've had these problems only during the time i've taken BC. WOW!!! as much as i enjoy the BC because it relieves me of my extremely long periods and severe cramps reading and feeling all of this makes me feel a little mad. I wish there were better ways of handling birth control and menstruation My doctor wont give me an IUD and my mother had severe side effects from the shot so i've been left with only the pill.. as the patch gave me really bad numbness after only 4 days..What are us women supposed to do!!! it seems like the doctors know what they're giving us but they do it anyway! women today should be able to be confident in their BC and know its not going to kill them. if anyone has some sort of "option" for me please don't hesitate to email me your thoughts and ideas... thank you! ******

I just turned "51"

I've been on Yasmin for the past 5 years.

I never have been on a birth control pill in the past as when I was a young teen I tried and couldn't handle the first side effects.

I have had a lifetime of the most HEAVY periods. I have to stayed glued to the toilet on my first two days.

I was diagnosed 20 years ago with ITP where blood platelets deplete. I thought my periods were so heavy because of this. I just couldn't take it anymore so my DR put me on Yasmin.

Yes at first my boobs were big and sore. But after 3 months I thought I had died and gone to heaven with a better life. Period so light.

BUT:
I've gained 40 lbs over this time frame. I look pregnant with the tummy Bloating. I've just had the most thorough physical, ultra sound for fibroids and everything came back normal except which never had previous: Borderline high Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure.

So, I've been power walking and never eat anything bad. ???? so why can't I loose even a pound?

Back in November I went off Yasmin for a month and had a period that hemorrhaged! So I went back on Yasmin. But I'm bloated now more than ever. I know it is the hormone changes.

I'm hooked on Motrin for my headaches which is like a sinus ache in my hear.... weird headache.

BUT: Hmmmmm I've had arthritic symptoms in my joints just over the past 4 years, severe Dry Eyes in the morning. All I googled is Bloated all the time and got Yasmin.

I'm in between pills and seriously think I need to just put up the the bad bleeding and get off the Yasmin. It is like quitting coffee, the headache is because of stopping the pill. I took one pill today even tho I have my period right now. My head is clearing up and I am feeling better.

I Don't think it is just Yasmin I REALLY BELIEVE WE ALL HAVE THESE SYMPTOMS WHEN THE HORMONES ARE IMBALANCED.

I Loved Yasmin for giving me back a life. But I'm so BLOATED right now I've got to try going off.

I do not take any other drug. I did a Candida cleanse but it didn't elevate the Bloating.

I will keep you all posted........

I have taken Yasmin for a year and a half. Since then I have gained 25 pounds, developed thyroid disease, and am very moody! I have taken several different types of BC because I have periods that last for two weeks and are very painful. I have to get off of this pill to see what happens. I can lose the weight, but I will be on medicine the rest of my life for thyroid disease. I also have headaches almost everyday and I have cramps for two weeks out of every month!

i just started taking Yasmin b/c i have 11 day heavy periods and am anemic. my sex drive has been through the roof since about a week after i started taking it! i got headaches but they went away. it's really weird but in a good way.

I was put on Yasmin because it was the cheapest thing the health department could get. When I was on it I made my mother cry for no reason, I was NOT a nice person at all I would bite anyone’s head off for no reason. The health department wouldn’t change it, so I stopped taking it. Me and my husband was talking about having a baby anyway. That was almost 2 years ago still no baby. And I bleed for months at a time. The last period I had was from JANUARY 2nd 2009 until JULY 5th 2009.. Non stop. That was what 3 weeks ago.. And my period started back up on the 20th and I still have it. I knew Yasmin was messing with my body in the first month. No one would listen to me. So now I have to live with it because aint a thing I can do about it. For the past 3 years I’ve had headaches, dizziness, my legs and arms hurting and going numb, my heart hurting feeling like its going to blow up at any minute. Unwanted hair. All I want to do is sleep. So who ever found out it was the pill and I’m not crazy thank you..

YES! I have been on Yasmin and now Yaz for the last four years or so; and recently I wanted to try something else, due the headcaches I was having with Yaz. Sad to the the Loestrin 24fe was not for me. Just started back on Yaz yesterday, and the headaches have returned. Looks Like I will choose to stop oral contraceptives al together. (I am almost 39 and have been on OC off but mostly on for almost 20 years)> Hope this helps someone.

I took Yasmin for years and was perfectly normal and totally functional. The pharmacy automatically switched me to Ocella last fall. I was ok up until around this past March. I have experienced extreme heart palpitations, horrible panic attacks and my very favorite has been the excruciating back and abdominal muscle pain (I'm on a heating pad every night for 4 hours). I feel like death. Have been to every doctor and have had every test done (cardiologist, family, obgyn, etc.) - I'm just plain crazy according to them!!! I'm 39, have 2 kids and a husband, teach school full time and I'm convinced I won't live to see 45. I have been starting to see commercials about lawsuits against Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella. I think the pill I took this morning is the last Ocella I'm ever going to swallow. Has anyone else experienced any of these symptoms?