Yasmin and high blood pressure

I have been on Jasmin for 3 years and stopped taking the pill 3 weeks ago after finishing the last pack.

I had 1 panic/anxiety attack 2 weeks before I started the pill but was FULLY FREE of all other symptoms listed below. After I started the pill, the anxiety continued, but not with the same intensity - I stopped having panic attacks and instead felt permanently uneasy and anxious and began having high blood pressure. I cannot be sure that the pill has aggravated my symptoms, but neither can I believe that my fully changed reaction to any stress (I used to be very stress-resistant) has come from that one panic attack (triggered by strained back muscles).

The symptoms have really started about 3-4 months after I began and became gradually worse. I went to every doctor imaginable and they did not find anything at all wrong with me, except high pressure, which they said is from stress. I have been in psychotherapy for months and do not see an improvement and I feel like I have completely lost the last 3 years of my life: I am afraid of everything, I am unhappy despite a great boyfriend and I cannot imagine my life continuing like this.

When I asked my gyn whether this could be caused by the pill (I did not even connect this all to Yasmin), he said it is unclear, but I should stop because of my high blood pressure anyway.

Here are symptoms I have experienced, though whether they are all from the pill is still unclear to me.

1. Elevated blood pressure (around 140/90 or much higher if I am anxious)
2. Permanent anxiety with varied intensity
3. Permanent muscle tension with resulting pain all over the body
4. Hypoglycemia-like symptoms (but my sugar levels are never really low)
5. Headaches occasionally which can last several days
6. Facial muscle spasms
7. Jaw/tooth pain
8. Tremors - shaking all over for several minutes to half an hour
9. All the standard anxiety symptoms - chest pain, lump in the throat, dizziness, numb fingers, etc.
10. Extreme fatigue
11. Sleeping over 8 hours and still feeling tired
12. Inability to concentrate on anything - trouble working
13. Intense fear attacks during stressful situations (client meetings, talking to my boss, etc)
14. Dry eyes
15. Dry skin
16. Very high adrenalin production - cannot drink any coffee at all
17. Red wine intolerance - my throat starts to contract for some reason
18. Pressure in my head and in the nose now and then
19. Pain in my legs and calves - usually after walking for over an hour
20. Irritability
21. Lack of interest in any social activities, I avoid friends and am afraid of doing anything outside my usual routine
22. Cannot go on without carbs for more than 3-4 hours without feeling hypoglycemic
23. Severe stomach pains and nausea (occasionally)
24. Itching skin

I think this is all...but there could be a couple of things I forgot.

Until now, I have not noticed any real improvements, but my skin is gradually getting worse, which I expected. I guess 3 weeks is not enough to reverse what has been happening in my body for the last 3 years and I am trying to to lose faith and continue going to my psychotherapist...

I am 18 years old and ive been taking Yasmin for about 2 years, and tonight i came across all of these stories of bad experiences.
after putting together the pieces, ive realized that im not crazy after all! i have had every symptom out there for this pill except high blood pressure and nausea.
i used to be 135 pounds before i got on this pill, and now i am 160 pounds.
i find myself crying all the time, im surprised my boyfriend can put up with it.
i have no energy, all i want to do is sleep. i get sharp pains behind my eyes that cause me to shift them to find a spot where it wont hurt. i have no sex drive at all. i constantly feel depressed and sometimes don't want to live. im so tired of feeling this way.
the only good thing that happened for me was that my skin had cleared up tremendously!
and now i want to just stop and quit this pill right now! im just afraid my acne will come back.
this pill should not be given to women, all of these stories show great reasons on why its harmful.
PLEASE DON'T TAKE THIS PILL!! ITS NOT WORTH IT.
im glad i found all this out before it was too late.
my boyfriend wants me to finish the rest of my pill pack but i just want to stop right now.
i don't know what to do.
if i continue taking this pill for the rest of the pack i will feel worse about it each day knowing its harming my body and life.
help.

1. Blood Pressure 180/120 resulting in an emergency room trip
2. Weight gain of 25 POUNDS! Most/all of which was water and came off within the first week of being off from Yasmin.
3. Bloating and extreme water retention. See # 2.
4. Severe leg muscle cramping and foot pain
5. A mental feeling of not caring and general fogginess
6. Complete loss of libido
7. Acid reflux (probably from the diuretic in Yasmin)
8. General weakness in my muscles (there were times that I could barely open a revolving door).

I was on Yasmin for a year. I have been off for one month. I am still on blood pressure meds, but they don't think the Yasmin is out of my system. Has anyone else gotten hypertension from Yasmin and if so, how long did you have to be on blood pressure meds?

Some of my symptoms are getting better after a month, and some are not. If anyone is reading this to decide whether or not to take Yasmin, please don't. You may not have any symptoms right away and you may think you feel great, but that is the scariest part. When symptoms come on gradually, you hardly notice them until you are in the hospital emergency room.

I have just come back from the Doctor (see my emails below) and I have high blood pressure and a rapid heart rate! He has said I have to stop Yasmin immediately (I am on the 7 day break) and to come of the pill altogether do use Coil or other non hormonal barrier. I have to go back on Wednesday for blood test and ECG! I feel relieved but also anxious as I have a long flight to Australia in two weeks so hope that I get back to some normality by then. It can't be coincidence that I start on my first month of Yasmin and I get all these complications (I have never ever had high blood pressure of heart rate-only when I had panic attacks!) My Advice if it works it works if you feel as crap as I do stop it and find other methods!

I had been Yasmin using 5 years and about 3 years ago was diagnosed with secondary hyperaldosteronism. I caught it because I had extremely high blood pressure at 21 years of age. I had a blood test done 2 years ago and I had elevated aldosterone levels around 150.The elevated levels continued until present (9/08) (I was taking Yasmin at the time) About 2 months ago my doctor took me off of Yasmin and within 3 weeks my aldosterone was down to 81.7. Still high but very suspicious that it went down by almost half after I had stopped taking Yasmin.

Two acting effects in Yasmin are:
ANTI-MINERALOCORTOID (Diasperonone)
and
ANTI-ANDROGENS (Spironolactone)

MINERALOCORTOID
(Yasmin has ANTI-mineralocortoid function/effects):
-----------
Mineralocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones characterised by their similarity to aldosterone and their influence on salt and water balance. (note Yasmin has diasperonone as an acting ingredient which acts as a potassium sparing diuretic.)

The primary endogenous mineralocorticoid is aldosterone. Yasmin has anti-aldosterone properties.

Aldosterone acts on the kidneys to provide active reabsorption of sodium and an an associated passive reabsorption of water, as well as the active secretion of potassium.
Note: Yasmin has diasperonone that is a potassium sparing diuretic. This in turn results in an increase of BLOOD PRESSURE and BLOOD VOLUME.

Aldosterone is produced in the cortex of the adrenal gland its secretion is mediated principally by angiotensin II, but also by ACTH (adrenocoritotrophic hormone) and local potassium levels.

Hyperaldosteronism (the symtpom caused by elevated aldosterone) often shows up as:
-------------------
1. Hypertension-high blood pressure. High blood pressure that is arterial in nature gives a higher risk of heart attack or stroke than any other disease. Persistent hypertension/high blood pressure is one of the risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and arterial aneurysm, and is a leading cause of chronic renal failure (which means chronic kidney failure)

2. Accelerated excretion of potassium ions. With extreme K+ loss (note Yasmin has potassium sparing diuretic), there is muscle weakness and eventually paralysis

Underproduction, or Hypoaldosteronism:
-----------------------------
leads to the salt wasting state associated with ADDISON'S DISEASE (also known as chronic adrenal insufficiency or hypocortisolism):
is a rare endocrine disorder in the body produces insufficient amounts of adrenal steroid hormones (glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids) (note Yasmin has anti-mineralocorticoid effect)-it is essentially the inability of the Adrenal Gland to produce adquate amounts of CORTISOL in response to stress. This is an Endocrine discorder caused by high levels of cortisol in the blood. Cortisol is released from the adrenal gland in response to ACTH being released from the pituitary gland in the brain. Or..

HYPOADRENIA/ADRENAL FATIGUE:
-----------------------------------
The adrenal glands are part of the body's mechanism for short term stress response and management. (Note Yasmin's effect on adrenal glands). They are involved in the production of the hormone adrenaline (also known as EPINEPHRINE **-the famous fight or flight chemical released in stressful situations which increases the body's metabolic energy regulation and control system-and thus control to an extent the energy available to body systems.

Theorized by alternative medical practictionerS that under conditions of long term stress, the adrenal glands can become less responsive to circumstance and cease to function optimally leading to a wide* but slightly vauge range of FATIGUE AND STRESS RELATED CONDITIONS including a greater likelihood of psychological conditions such as depression and possibly certain other mood disorders.

SYMPTOMS OF ADRENAL FATIGUE:
------------------------------------------------------
1) DEPLETION OF ENERGY
2) LOSS OF RESILIENCE
3) FATIGUE
4) NERVOUSNESS
5) ANXIETY
6) EXACERBATED PMS
7) DEPRESSION
8) BRAIN FOG
9) CARBOHYDRATE CRAVINGS
10) ALLERGIES
11) MUSCULAR PAIN
12) JOINT PAIN
13) IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

CORTICOSTEROIDS:
(Yasmin's ingredients contain anti-mineralocortoid)
----------------------------------------------
Additionally, the corticosteroids functions, produced in the adrenal cortex include that of stress response, immune response, regulation of inflammation*, carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism, blood electrolyte levels and behavior.

Yasmin's listing of possible side effects include trouble with:
-colds and flu
-"nervousness"-not "anxiety" but "nervousness" -insulin resistance (which is carbohydrate/sugar intolerance),

Yasmin's ANTI-ANDROGEN is Spironolactone:
Synthetic steroid which is commonly used as a diuretic or as an Anti-androgen. Potassium sparing diuretic.
-------------------
This on its own is a weak diuretic. Due to its anti-androgenic effect, it is common component in hormone therapy for male-to-female Transsexual and transgendered people and is also used for treating hair loss and acne in women.

Spironolactone inhibits the effects of aldosterone by competing for intracelluar aldosterone receptor. This increases the secretion of water and sodium, while decreasing the excretion of potassium. Spironolactone has a fairly slow onset of action, taking several days to develop and similarly the effect diminishes slowly.

ADVERSE REACTIONS TO SPIRONOLACTONE:
---------------------------------------
-menstrual irregularities and testicular atrophy
-ataxia-muscle weakness/atrophy
-erectile dysfunction
-drowsiness
and rashes*.
A carcinogenic effect has been demonstrated in rats. Carcinogen is a term that refers to any substance or radiation which is an agent directly involved in the promotion of cancer or in faciliation of its propagation.

ATAXIA:
-------------
Steady and clumsy motion of the limbs or torso due to failure of the gross coordination of muscle movements. This often occurs when parts of the nervous system that control movement are damaged. People with ataxia experience a failure of muscle control in their arms and legs.

Androgens are the precursor of all estrogens (the female sex hormones). the primary and most well known androgen is testosterone.

A subset of androgens, called adrenal androgens, includes any of 19-carbon steroids synthesized by the adrenal cortex, the outer portion of the adrenal gland that function as weak steroids or steroid precursors, including DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone), and androstenedione. Because Yasmin's ingredients have an anti-androgen effect that effect our adrenal glands-women with adrenal problems are advised not to take it.

Besides testesterone (which is responsible for sexual libido/function), other androgens include:

1) DHEA
(dehydroepiandrosterone: -a steroid hormone produced from cholesterol in the adrenal cortex which is the primary precursor of natural estrogens.

2) Androstenedione (Andro)-
an androgenic steroid, which is produced in the testes, adrenal cortex and ovaries*. While androstenediones are converted metabolically to testosterone and other androgens, they are also the parent structure of estrone. Estrone is an estrogenic hormone secreted by our ovaries. It is one of three estrogens which also include estriol and estradiol. Estrone is the least prevalent of the three hormones, estradiol being prevalent almost always in the female body, estriol being prevalent primarily during pregnancy.

3) Androstenediol:
the steroid metabolite that is thought to act as the main regulator of gonadotropin secretion-protein hormones secreted by gonadotrope cells of the pituitary gland. The two principle gonadotropins are LUTENIZING HORMONE (LH) and FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH)-both of these are what are naturally release by our bodies on a monthly cycle are part of natural menstruation. The third human gonadotropin is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) produced by our placentas during pregnancy.

4) Androsterone:
a chemical by-product created during the breakdown of of androgens-or derived from progesterone -that also exerts minor masculnizsing effects, but with one seventh the intensity of testesterone.

5) DHT Dihydrotestosterone-
a metabolite of testosterone that is actually a more potent androgen in that it binds more strongly to androgen receptors.

FUNCTIONS OF ANDROGENS:
(keep in mind Yasmin has anti-androgenic properties):

Muscle mass:
Androgens promote the enlargement of skeletal muscle cells and probably act in a coordinated manner to enhance muscle function.

BRAIN:
Circulating levels of androgens can influence human behavior because some neurons are sensitive to steroid hormones. Androgen levels have been implicated in the regulation of human AGGRESSION and LIBIDO.
Note, Yasmin's ingredients have anti-androgenic effects. That means essentially translates as suppressing the effects that androgen has in our bodies to regulate aggression and sexual libido...

Both my 19 year old daughter and my 30 year old step daughter were put on Yasmin. Both began having heart problems. The eldest had heart palpitations, a racing heart and dizziness. The doctor discovered that her potassium level had shot up and her magnesium was down. They put her on magnesium to help control the racing heart. It helped, but then she became pregnant and had to lower the dose. The 19 year old has had the worst side effects. She was fine on ortho tricyclene, but when her doctor switched her to Yasmin her blood pressure shot up to 170/118. She began having chest pain. We pulled her off the Yasmin, but she has continued to have uncontrollably high blood pressure. The doctor ran several tests and has found no underlying cause as of this writing. She began taking 5 mg. of Norvasc, but was increased to 10 mg. to manage the high blood pressure.

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 am so happy to have found this site.... I have been on Yasmin for a little over a year. I had read side effects prior to taking it but had to be put on it due to the fact that all my life I have had an irregular period cycle. I figured that everyone was different so I started taking it. I did fine up until a few months ago. I started experiencing nausea and terrible chest & abdominal pain. They found out I had a bacterial infection so related it to that. But after that was cleared up I still had the problems... went to the ER who ran tons of tests... catscan, EKG, x-rays, blood work.. the whole thing, and everything came back 'normal'. Then I started experiencing anxiety and panic attacks... seemed like they always were in the evening making it very hard for me to fall asleep. I felt nervous all the time. Then I found this site and so many here have experienced everything I have. I immediately stopped taking yasmin and went into see my obgyn. Right now I am not taking anything until I get back to feeling like me again... I hear it takes a while for the pill to completely leave your system, does anyone know how long? I am starting to feel a little better, but still experiencing the same problems... just not as strong. The heart palps and chest pain, which makes me feel like I can't breath, scare me the most...

Wow. This is all very interesting. I too thought I was crazy. My symptoms started with a resp. infections, (which I just now read is a side effect, I read this on the Yaz site), then the rash from head to toe. I had shots of cortisone and took predinozone. Very dizzy, high blood pressure, and the ANGER!!! I am mad at the world. I took it for one month, and wanted it to be the birth control for me, but my husband has taken them away from me and thrown them away. So I will continue to look for alternative BC.

I am back once again and taking Yasmin is not cutting it. I am suffering from high blood pressure which I had never had, severe migraine headaches, vomiting, a lot of nausea, stomach pains, mental depression, extreme fatigue, I am always thirsty no matter how many bottle of waters I go through Iam still thirsty. I have a very bad taste in my mouth and I find myself brushing my teeth and chewing gum numerous times during the day. At times I experience dizziness, the foods I love I now hate, and I told my doctor all these symptoms and the only thing she told me was this is normal. what kind of crap is this and why is this product still on the market.

I have been taking this for 3 days and I am a little worried. My legs feel kind of tingly and sore (started about an hour after i took the 1st pill). I am not swollen or anything...this is pretty much my only side effect, but I can't get a hold of my obgyn to ask her about it, since I have to wait 2 months to get an appointment with her...I dunno. The leg cramps can't be a blood clot this soon? This site is really worrying me now.

It is not a shooting pain like they say in the pamphlet Warning Signs, just kind of a dull pain. I had a lot of leg cramps as a child and this feels just like it, but more mild.

I've been taking Yasmin for almost 2 years now. I was first put on it after being diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). In the passed few months, I have found myself so tired, restless, having insomnia, anxiety, acute panick attacks, hives all over from the anxiety. I thought I was losing it. My only dilemma now is that if I do go off the BCP, I am at risk again for no periods, high blood pressure, weight gain, diabetes, cancer...alot of stuff. So, anyone else out there with PCOS who has had these symptoms, and gone of the BCP..what did you have to do in order to keep your horomones in balance?

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

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

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

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

Anti Androgen and Anti-Mineralocortoid Properties of Yasmin's Ingredients:

While I continue learning about Yasmin and its "unique" properties and ingredients, wanted to share some other information that I thought could be helpful for other women here. It really is a bit of a puzzle learning about all these things, what they mean to our bodies and why we experienced some of the many side effects that we did while taking it or in the healing coming off of it.

Two acting effects in Yasmin are anti-mineralocortoid (diasperonone) and anti-androgenic effects (Spironolactone). While this is something most of us don't read about or understand about one of the many ways Yasmin works, I think it is really important in the larger picture-putting together the many ways in which the ingredients may act upon our bodies:

MINERALOCORTOID
(Yasmin has ANTI-mineralocortoid function/effects):

Mineralocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones characterised by their similarity to aldosterone and their influence on salt and water balance. (note Yasmin has diasperonone as an acting ingredient which acts as a potassium sparing diuretic.)

The primary endogenous mineralocorticoid is aldosterone. Yasmin has anti-aldosterone properties. Aldosterone acts on the kidneys to provide active reabsorption of sodium and an an associated passive reabsorption of water, as well as the active secretion of potassium. Note: Yasmin has diasperonone that is a potassium sparing diuretic. This in turn results in an increase of BLOOD PRESSURE and BLOOD VOLUME.

Aldosterone is produced in the cortex of the adrenal gland its secretion is mediated principally by angiotensin II, but also by ACTH (adrenocoritotrophic hormone) and local potassium levels.

Hyperaldosteronism (the symtpom caused by elevated aldosterone) often shows up as:

1. Hypertension-high blood pressure. High blood pressure that is arterial in nature gives a higher risk of heart attack or stroke than any other disease. Persistent hypertension/high blood pressure is one of the risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and arterial aneurysm, and is a leading cause of chronic renal failure (which means chronic kidney failure)

2. Accelerated excretion oif potassium ions. With extreme K+ loss (note Yasmin has potassium sparing diuretic), ther is muscle weakness and eventually paralysis

Underproduction, or hypoaldosteronism, leads to the salt wasting state associated with Addison's disease (also known as chronic adrenal insufficiency or hypocortisolism) is a rare endocrine disorder in the body produces insufficient amounts of adrenal steroid hormones (glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids) (note Yasmin has anti-mineralocorticoid effect)-it is essentially the inability of the Adrenal Gland to produce adquate amounts of CORTISOL in response to stress. This is an Endocrine discorder caused by high levels of cortisol in the blood. Cortisol is released from the adrenal gland in response to ACTH being released from the pituitary gland in the brain. Or..

HYPOADRENIA/ADRENAL FATIGUE:
The adrenal glands are part of the body's mechanism for short term stress response and management. (Note Yasmin's effect on adrenal glands). They are involved in the production of the hormone adrenaline (also known as EPINEPHRINE **-the famous fight or flight chemical released in stressful situations which increases the body's metabolic energy regulation and control system-and thus control to an extent the energy available to body systems.

Theorized by alternative medical practictionerS that under conditions of long term stress, the adrenal glands can become less responsive to circumstance and cease to function optimally leading to a wide* but slightly vauge range of FATIGUE AND STRESS RELATED CONDITIONS including a greater likelihood of psychological conditions such as depression and possibly certain other mood disorders.

SYMPTOMS OF ADRENAL FATIGUE:
1) DEPLETION OF ENERGY
2) LOSS OF RESILIENCE
3) FATIGUE
4) NERVOUSNESS
5) ANXIETY
6) EXACERBATED PMS
7) DEPRESSION
BRAIN FOG
9) CARBOHYDRATE CRAVINGS
10) ALLERGIES
11) MUSCULAR PAIN
12) JOINT PAIN
13) IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

Does this set off any bells or what ladies ? Very likely makes taking an Adrenal Function test as well as seeing an Endocrinologist.

CORTICOSTEROIDS:
Additionally, the corticosteroids functions, prodcued in the adrenal cortex include that of stress response, immune response, regulation of inflammation*, carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism, blood electrolyte levels and behavior. Interesting is the fact that Yasmin's side effects include trouble with colds and flu, "nervousness", insulin resistance (which is carbohydrate/sugar intolerance), -good likelihood for creating an imbalance in our electrolytes-which are minerals due to the potassium sparing diuretic. If you were like me, reading through this was unbelievable to me.

Yasmin's ANTI-ANDROGEN is Spironolactone
Synthetic steroid which is commonly used as a diuretic or as an Anti-androgen. -Potassium sparing diuretic. This on its own is a weak diuretic. Due to its anti-androgenic effect, it is common component in hormone therapy for male-to-female Transsexual and transgendered people and is also used for treating hair loss and acne in women....hmmm. Why then I wonder some women report the hair loss. It is marketed as a drug to treat acne.

Spironolactone inhibits the effects of aldosterone by competing for intracelluar aldosterone receptor. This increases the secretion of water and sodium, while decreasing the excretion of potassium. Spironolactone has a fairly slow onset of action, taking several days to develop and similarly the effect diminishes slowly.

ADVERSE REACTIONS TO SPIRONOLACTONE:
include menstrual irregularities and testicular atrophy, ataxia, erectile dysfunction , drowsiness and rashes*. A carcinogenic effect has been demonstrated in rats. Carcinogen is a term that refers to any substance or radiation which is an agent directly involved in the promotion of cancer or in faciliation of its propagation.

ATAXIA:
Steady and clumsy motion of the limbs or torso due to failure of the gross coordination of muscle movements. This often occurs when parts of the nervous system that control movement are damaged. People with ataxia experience a failure of muscle control in their arms and legs.

There is loads to consider on this front and lots of information available. I hope that this is helpful as you make your way through both understanding what some of your symptoms may be as well as informing/sharing your knowledge with a chosen medical practictioner.

Recommended for Adrenal Support:
Panthonene, B6, Zinc, magnesium and Vitamin C as they play a critical role in the optimal functioning of the adrenal gland and in the manufacture of adrenal hormones (which are suppressed taking Yasmin).

Take a look at:
Siberian and Panax Ginsengs

panthothenic acid

Ashwagandha
provides adrenal and immune support

Astralagus
in New Chapter Organic's multi and many other vitamins-used historically for strenghtening and regulating the immune system-as a tonic

Shisandra
improves immune function, increasing physical performance and endurance and for increasing resistance to disease and distress. Also possibly effective for increasing concentration due to the variety of lignans found in the fruit.

Maca-Peruvian Ginseng-
used for chronic fatigue syndrome, enhancing energy and stamina. In the female reproductive system, its use for enhancing fertility, regulating the menstrual cycle, treating common menopause symptoms and to increase libido. Its benefits have been known to the people of Peru for many generations.

Androgens are the precursor of all estrogens (the female sex hormones). the primary and most well known androgen is testosterone.

A subset of androgens, called adrenal androgens, includes any of 19-carbon steroids synthesized by the adrenal cortex, the outer portion of the adrenal gland that function as weak steroids or steroid precursors, including DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone), and androstenedione. Because Yasmin's ingredients have an anti-androgen effect that effect our adrenal glands-women with adrenal problems are advised not to take it.

Besides testesterone (which is responsible for sexual libido/function), other androgens include:

1) DHEA
(dehydroepiandrosterone: -a steroid hormone produced from cholesterol in the adrenal cortex which is the primary precursor of natural estrogens.

2) Androstenedione (Andro)-
an androgenic steroid, which is produced in the testes, adrenal cortex and ovaries*. While androstenediones are converted metabolically to testosterone and other androgens, they are also the parent structure of estrone. Estrone is an estrogenic hormone secreted by our ovaries. It is one of three estrogens which also include estriol and estradiol. Estrone is the least prevalent of the three hormones, estradiol being prevalent almost always in the female body, estriol being prevalent primarily during pregnancy.

3) Androstenediol:
the steroid metabolite that is thought to act as the main regulator of gonadotropin secretion-protein hormones secreted by gonadotrope cells of the pituitary gland. The two principle gonadotropins are LUTENIZING HORMONE (LH) and FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH)-both of these are what are naturally release by our bodies on a monthly cycle are part of natural menstruation. The third human gonadotropin is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) produced by our placentas during pregnancy.

4) Androsterone:
a chemical by-product created during the breakdown of of androgens-or derived from progesterone -that also exerts minor masculnizsing effects, but with one seventh the intensity of testesterone.

5) DHT Dihydrotestosterone-
a metabolite of testosterone that is actually a more potent androgen in that it binds more strongly to androgen receptors.

FUNCTIONS OF ANDROGENS:
(keep in mind Yasmin has anti-androgenic properties):

Muscle mass:
Androgens promote the enlargement of skeletal muscle cells and probably act in a coordinated manner to enhance muscle function. (note: how many of us have experienced muscle fatigue and that Asthenia-was experienced by women in the Clinical Trials.

BRAIN:
Circulating levels of androgens can influence human behavior because some neurons are sensitive to steroid hormones. Androgen levels have been implicated in the regulation of human AGGRESSION and LIBIDO. Note, Yasmin's ingredients have anti-androgenic effects. That means essentially translates as suppressing the effects that androgen has in our bodies to regulate aggression and sexual libido...

Yasmin-high blood pressure and low magnesium
I have been on Yasmin for 10 months. I got on it after my doctor took me of Orthocyclene because my blood pressure was 160/120 (no joke). I took 25 mg of Atenolol for 3 weeks and my pressure got better but was still 138/90 so I was put on 50 mg and reassigned to Yasmin. Eventually I went down to 25 mg of Atenolol but I didn't feel "right". I started to have significant heart palpitations, racing heart, skipped beats. Sometimes I felt a pressure on my chest and a wierd pressure/pain in my upper back, lump in my throat. I thought I had allergies and anxiety... Sometimes I would be in bed at 3:00 am and wake up because my hear was racing. I went to the doctor and she said my magnesium is low. After 2 weeks on supplements it went up from 1.8 to 1.9 and so I still have to take it (I'm back on 50 mg of Atenolol too). I hate this, I've never taken ANYTHING, don't go to the doctor... nothing. What the hell is wrong with me?! I'm thinking about getting off Yasmin because I'm worried it's not letting me process magnesium which could be contributing to my high blood pressure. Does anybody know about this?

I was only on the yasmin for 2 weeks but started having heart palpitaions and a bit of anxiety. I have been off for a week and a half now but I was in the ER 2 days ago due to the heart palpitations and maybe a small anxiety attack. My blood pressure was a little high(higher than normal for me, it was 131/97) I am usually low. They did an EKG, a chest x-ray and blood tests and the only thing they came up with was that my potassium levels were low which can cause heart palpitaions. The thing that I thought was strange was that they asked if I had been taking a diuretic. Yasmin has DRSP which is similar to Spironolatone (a potassium sparing diuretic)
They told me that if anything this would have spared the potassium but I am not convinced this seems very strange. This was the only medication I was on and I have never experienced heart palpitations or high blood pressure before.
Does anyone have any input about this?

Oh My Gosh...I'm in tears reading through everyone's posts on this forum. I started taking Yasmin 3 months ago and noticed small changes in my state of mind within the first few weeks. I think you can always expect this when changing pills so reassured myself I would get better. BUT...about 10 days ago, I experienced the onset of depression and anxiety...neither of which I have ever suffered from before...I feel completely detached from life..I'm not necessarily always sad, I'm just completely indifferent to everything and everyone...I feel like I'm being pushed through one day to the next but for absolutely no reason...I feel numb and don't know how I'm going to fill my time... One minute, I feel so blank that I have no emotion about anything...the next minute, I'm crying over the silliest things. I too had the awful feeling that my relationship with my husband was wrong because I felt no better when around him and this made me worry even more. In my more rational moments, I realise that my feelings towards him haven't really changed at all as I do still love him, but that disappears as soon as I am on a low...when I am in that state of mind, I just want someone who has been through this to give me a big hug and tell me it gets better. I have also experienced chest pains, muscle spasms (in my arms and eyelids) and am currently being monitored for my excessively high blood pressure (also something I had never had trouble with before Yasmin) I am in the process of sorting out some counselling for myself but will also stop taking Yasmin as from now. I know that my state of mind could be due to something deeper, but nothing changed in my life to trigger this except Yasmin. Having read everyone else's posts about Yasmin, I am going to come off it so I can rule it out of the equation..maybe it isn't really to blame, but it's a big coincidence if not.
Good luck everyone...I'd love to hear from anyone who can relate to what I have written...

Claire. Leeds. England.

Has anyone else had problems with high blood pressure, high cholestrol or varicose veins while on Yasmin? I've developed these problems since I've started Yasmin....within the last year (I've been on it for a year and a half) and I"m only 26 years old. This should not be conditions of a healthy 26 year old.

I am so glad I came across this site. I took Yasmin for two months, and I thought everything was fine. I went to my doctor today and my blood pressure has jumped from being completely normal to 140/110. This worries me a lot. Has anyone else had a jump like this, discontinued use of the pill and had their blood pressure go back to normal? I dont want to have high blood pressure long-term just because I picked the wrong birth control!!! I was reading through some of the other posts and realized that some things I was going through I attributed to other things but now think that Yasmin might have been responsible. Sweating profusely, especially at night, dizziness, headaches, moodiness, depression, suicidal thoughts, all kinds of bad stuff!

I'm really glad that I found this site and see that others have had problems too. Now I just wonder if other BCPs will do the same thing.

LISA HERE,

thanks Silke for responding u are wonderful. I guess i get a little worried and disheartened when i see others BLOOD PRESSURE has gone down and i am 4month ( not 5 like i said) post yasmin and i am wondering if this is a yasmin legacy that is going to stay with me.
Is there others out there with lingering high blood pressure who has taken some time to go down.
thanks again

:Lisa

Silke, Chrissy and all
Thought i would give a little update. Month 5 things going ok, although this month on day 15 of cycle i have had bad palps and severe bloating but for the first time since going off yasmin i have got an appetite back and have not lost it while i have had my period. Still get symptoms but again not as bad a before and fears are getting less. Blood pressure was 140/90 last night when i had checked as i had chest infection and considering it was taken after no sleep for a day, i had been on the rush all day and felt tlike hell i guess it read ok just wondering how long it will take to hit the 80 point again, any feedback from high blood pressure would be good, eg how long it took and what your readings are, Im hoping its on the way down as last time i had it taken in a relaxed state it was 150/100 so fingers crossed that maybe its finally coming down, hope SILKE AND CHRISSY AND SHERRY are going well and TWO GIRLS MOM how are you???? Hows the blood pressure. Blurred vision is still there SILKE how long till yours evaded.

thanks for the read girls
take care
Lisa

I was taking yasmin for 7 years and just stopped it in nov 2005. The 1st month I was off it I got my period normally. Then I got my period in Jan a week early. Now I have not bled for 39 days and cry all the time. I cry at anything. The pharmacist told me that for every year I was on the pill it will now take a month for each year to get back to normal. So this means it will take 7 months for me to get back to normal. I am only 27 and I am having hot flashes and get some spurts of high blood pressure. It was 150/100 the other day and then went back to normal. Now, I wish I had my period. I never in a million years thought I would say that!

Please help. I've been on Yasmin for several years. Just recently I've been diagnosed with high blood pressure. I also have diarrhea and rapid pulse. I have severe head aches when on the "white pills". I have a tingling feeling in my left hand (I thought this was carpal tunal) but after reading this sight I beginning to doubt that. Can anyone relate or am I just paranoid?

to the last post:

>>>However, if you are continuing to have them after 3 mo it may be a good idea to get it checked by a doctor.<<<

Well, as a matter of principle it's very important to have ALL your symptoms first checked by a doctor, absolutely. But PLEASE don't say such things as you did in your post. Cause every woman is different and from my experience I know, that it's VERY normal, that the heart palps and racing heart CAN (I never say MUST!) last MUCH longer than only 3 months after Yasmin!! In my case it decreased just very slowly month per month and perhaps after 6 - 7 months I had these symptoms only a few days a week or when I was stressed, etc. Even today, after nearly 1 YEAR off Yasmin I get them sometimes, very seldom though, but I still get them (seems to depend on my monthly hormonal level...).

@lisa:

My bp in my worst days (around December 2004 to May 2005)only went very high, when I had a panic attack or was extremely under stress (mentally). When I was brought to the ER on January, 1st 2005 it even went up to about 170/110 I remember. Now, nearly 1 YEAR after Yasmin I still got sometimes bp around 150/100 which is very unusual for me.

My entire life before Yasmin my bp was usually very low. Well, though it may also depend on the weight gain that hit me about 3 months after Yasmin (don't want to scare you, that doesn't happen to every woman after getting off bcp!! I went up 2 sizes and gained 20 kg in about 2 months - before that nightmare I always was a very slim and fit person.... :(...). So today that could be either the cause of my still sometimes a little bit high blood pressure (for example: Yesterday it went up to 140/95, which isn't that much but for me still very unusual...).

So I think you should wait on and see, if that symptom decreases as days go on. If it will not go down in a few months you still can see if you could and must do something else against it.

Here in Germany I read also of many women, that had problems with their bp after getting off a bcp, so it really seems to be normal...

And after reading all the last posts it also seems to be very important to help your body during the hard time after Yasmin with some supplements (magnesium and vitamin b seems to be very helpful...). I take some magnesium, too, every few days (important for nerves, heart and muscles) and still think about taking some vitamin b (b1, b6 and b12 seem to be the most important vitamines for us...), too, especially to help my sometimes still upcoming weakness, anxiety, muscle aches and tiredness...

If you're interested in which symptoms a loss of those vitamines can cause you should search google for that... I found many of our symptoms there and it's a fact, that bcp's (especially Yasmin because of the diuretic in it!!!) can cause a loss of those viamins and minerals!! Very interesting and helpful. Think about that!!

Greetings and best wishes to all of you out there!!

Silke

ANYONE WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE POST YASMIN

just went to docs and he said high bp has nothing to do with yasmin and that other factors have caused it ( funny never had high bp until coming off yasmin) , has anyone suffered from this and for how long. I weigh 92kg and have lost 2kg in past month , he said i need to exercise more and eat less ( huh i can't stomach food 2weeks post period). question anyone else going through this and how long will it last....
i am 3month post yasmin my bp is 150/100 and has stayed that way past 3 months.

would apperciate anyone help
Lisa

anyone out there with lingering high blood pressure and if so how long????
Anyone had high blood pressure after coming off yasmin and if so FOR HOW LONG

Sherry,

i gained about 15kgs and its not coming off fast. doing the low gi diet but wanted to know if you had high blood pressure. Mine has been 150/90 and my doc said i need to lose weight and thats why i have HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.
he cont grasp i never had it before and i have been this weight before about 3years ago.
Lisa

Hi chrissy,
lisa again its safe to fly with high blood pressure isnt it....going away in 2 weeks and so need to break
Lisa

hey lisa,

its chrissy again... i just read your posting about the high blood pressure and cholesterole.
my blood pressure did go up but my best friend is on yasmin at the moment and i have tried to tell her that this pill is bad but she thinks im crazy... she hasnt had any bad side effects but im worried for her that she will..
she saw a doctor recently and he checked her cholesterole and it was on 7!!! it should be around 4 im told....
i know its from yasmin because she eats well... i just wish i could make her realise...

dont stress too much im sure it will go down once this poison is out of ur system...
love chrissy xox

Anyone had HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE after coming off the pill and HIGH CHOLESTROL and if so how long for....
Also anyone taking any supplements and vitamins post yasmin and do they help
Lisa

Hi Chrissy,

I know exactly how u feel....I have had these AM I DYING issues for the past 6mths before i linked them to they Yasmin and i am still soooo worried that something is wrong with me nut 6weeks post Yasmin it does not seem as bad but still comes and goies but thinking back itis an improvement of the month that i stopped yasmin and i was having my husband ring me everymorning at 7am as ithought that if i died in my sleep at least the kids could tell their dad if ithey couldnt wake me as each night i was sure this would be it for me ...that i had some serious life threatening disease or i was on the verge of a massive heart attack and all these symptoms were the warning signs of my heart stopping.
I am still internally thinking hey high blodd pressure must be bad but seeing on the posts the women that write that they had high blood pressure also post yamin gives me reassurance that they were alive when they wrote that so hey i am gonna make it ( see another negative yamin effect).
this site has saved my life and i am always here now also for anyone whom needs me... it reminds me a little of pay it forward the ones before me found hope here , i found hope from them and maybe i can help another...

Can anyone tell me if they had high blood pressure after coming off yamin and if so how long approx for , Is 140/100 average for post yasmin...... Its been 6weeks post yasmin not 8 like i last posted and its the week before my period is due, (Sound Familiar)....Thanks Girls.....

Hi girls,

just a quick question for thse OFF YASMIN I have been off yasmin since nov this year and tonight went to docs as i had a abcess in my mouth and whilst i was there i had HEART PALPITATIONs and after him putting me on antibioticsi asked for him to take my blood pressure as this has been up since yasmin days and it was 140/100 and he was concerned but just said come back in 1 week, is that a normal after yasmin effect, i mean i went christmas eve had a huge day and i did not feel stressed but have since found that being on yasmin it takes no stress to raise any levels even my cholestrol has been high. My doc sad there is no way the yasmin would still be in my system after 4 weeks, i know from all the posts that this is not true but he just made me feel i should be frantic . Has anyone suffered the high blood pressure after coming off the yasmin, its been almost 8 weeks for me...
thanks any advice would be appreciated.
Merry Christmas
Lisa

to the last poster:

<< lately i have had dizzy spells, this morning i thought i was going to pass out so i had to lay on the floor for ages, >>

OMG, this sounds so much like me on january, 1st this year!! I just got up from bed and went into the dining room for breakfast as the same thing happened to me!!! I got a heavy dizzy spell and therefor laid down on the floor and wasn't able even to lift my head up just a little bit without thinking I was going to pass out!! My husband called a doctor which immediately took me to hospital...

Not to mention, that all of the tests they had made there came out negative... Only my blood pressure was very high (always had a blood pressure around 110/70 or 120/80) with 170/100 which I never had before!!

Please get off this horrible stuff immediately before everything gets worse and worse!! I know what I'm saying (had been on Yasmin for 5 years and was nearly about to die because of 100s of horrible symptoms since december 2004 without knowing why!!!) I got off Yasmin in february this year and never had such a heavy dizzy spell or those feelings of passing out or high blood pressure ever since then!!

All the best to everybody out there!!

Greetings
Silke

I have been on Yasmin for 2 1/2 years - and I always thought it was a blessing. I had very heavy, irregular periods before Yasmin, and now they are light and regular. The only thing that showed up on a test during the first year was a slightly higher triglyceride level, but it was still healthy.

However, last December I had what I thought was a heart attack. I went to the ER with palpitations, and they told me that I had high blood pressure, pulse, and low blood oxygen. After sitting in ER for about 30 minutes everything went back to normal, they said I had acid reflux and prescribed medication for that. The problems never really went away, and I have been to see my doctor at least once a month with different symptoms all the time. Before this I only went to the Dr once a year for my pap - I never got sick! Ever! She told me it was stress and anxiety, and didn't even look into anything else even though I insisted it had to be more than that. Every time I go to see her my blood pressure is always normal, as is everything else.

Sometimes when I am sitting at my desk at work or lying in bed reading I will start to panic for no reason at all and feel like I can't breathe, when if fact I have no problems breathing at all. I also get colds and allergies when I never had these problems before.

I'm not overweight, and I do cardio exercise everyday with no side effects so the Dr's rule out any heart problems. I never thought to blame Yasmin for my problems, and maybe I should make a switch to something else.

Has anyone switched to another BCP with better results?

I can't believe what I've read. I've been on Yasmin for 2 1/2 years and developed symptoms 4 months ago that sent me to the hospital twice. I had hear palpitations, high blood pressure, anxiety (which only made it worse) and almost passed out. I've had an EKG done and an ultrasound on my adrenal glands and kidneys. I am now on blood pressure medicine and Paxil for my anxiety. My panic attackes made my blood pressure so high (170/100) my doctor gave me Ativan to take "just in case." All these things seem to worsen at night even thought they have been greatly controlled by medicine. Neither me nor my doctors suspected Yasmin until my friend (also on Yasmin for 2 1/2 years) has started having the same symptoms. Yasmin is our only thing in common we could figure out. I was just doing a search on it to see if I could find out if Yasmin could be causing our symptoms. I actually have an appointment with a cardiologist next week to find out what is wrong with my heart and if there is any damage. I've never had any similar symptoms ever in my life on any other birth control pills. I'm only 28.

Like everyone else I was on Yasmin for about 2 years. The first year was great and I was telling everyone how great it was. Then all of a sudden a couple of months ago all the side effects hit hard. I was very emotional, irritable, hungry all the time, sleepy all the time, no sex drive, night sweats, heart palpations (sometimes) and high blood pressure.

I went to the doctor for a complete physical and he never put two and two together about my symptons and the pill. All my blood work showed that I was completely normal but inside of me I knew I wasn't. So I realized that I had to be my own advocate and do my own research. My husband stumbled upon this website and this website has helped me out soo much! I thought I was going crazy and was so relieved to see that it was this stupid pill. To me, it's not worth it anymore so my husband and I are using the natural family planning method. My husband has been so supportive and patient with all my craziness.

So, I have been off Yasmin since June 1st and the first week was great! My energy was back, I could stay up later, felt calmer and had a sex drive. However, right now I feel really irritable and no sex drive. I hope that this is just because my hormones are trying to re-adjust or I am still trying to get the Yasmin completely out of my system.

All I can say is to really listen to your body and if there is something inside of you saying that something is wrong then please don't ignore it. Most of the times we have to be our own advocates for our bodies!

Post your symptoms since stopping Yasmin!!!

Hey everyone it's Kay21 here and I just wanted to post my 3 month off Yasmin update. Because stopping the pill is a hard decision, I figured we should all post are updates here to help/support those who are planning to stop or who have recently stopped Yasmin.

I have been off of Yasmin since April 17. As some of you already know, I was experiencing horrible side effects while on Yasmin for 3 years (particularly stomach problems, vaginal dryness, muscle cramps, increased blood pressure and heart rate and anxiety).

The first 1 month off of Yasmin was okay. In fact, I felt the best I had ever felt in a while. My blood pressure and heart rate decreased and the migraines and muscle cramps went away. But when I hit the 2 month (8 week) mark, I felt HORRIBLE. I was severely depressed and anxious. I was crying all the time and felt a severe sense of DOOM! The physical symptoms also started to become problematic. The acne increased and I started growing more facial hair. The worse symptom, however, was that I started losing a ton of hair. I would lose stray hairs all day (probably about 200 a day). Since I have hit the three month mark, the hair loss has gotten MUCH WORSE! Now I am losing CLUMPS of hair all day. I have seen several doctors about this. Some say it's because of stress and a few (a derm, GYN and endo) say that hiar loss is common after stopping bcp. I have already loss about 1/3 of my hair.

I am also really concerned, because I have not had a period since April 22. So my doctor has put me on provera for 10 days to induce a period.

For those who have stopped Yasmin, what have your symptoms been (i.e. increased acne, weight gain, anxiety, etc.). Has anyone experienced hair loss? How long did it take to get a period???

Thanks...

'weight gain, cystic acne, panic attacks, increased appitite, lowered sex drive' was what someone quoted as their side-effects. I've been on Yasmin for 9 months and it has been a godsend. It is the first time that I have NOT had these ailments in my life. I do however, understand how angry many of you may be, as I have tried about 6 different pills before Yasmin, each with side effects, once so bad that I was hospitalised (dangerously high blood pressure). Everybody is different and hormonal drugs should not be taken lightly. A lot more research needs to go into ALL birth control pills and people should be warned about all possible side effects.