Yasmin and lack of energy

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

May 2006 I stopped taking Yasmin after being on it for a few years. I was having bad sinus congestion, sinus pressure, headaches and post nasal drip but never thought it was because of Yasmin. I went to a ENT doctor and the tissue in my sinsus cavities was so inflamed he recommended surgery. I also had a deviated septum and bone spur which were corrected. After the surgery (August 2006) I felt great. I exercise A LOT and it was now so much easier because I could breathe without all the fluid buildup. I kept thinking what a miracle the surgery was. March 2007 I started taking Ortho-tricyclen and quickly gained 10lbs in 2 months. I also had mood swings mostly feeling down. But I was still able to run and exercise more than I had in many years. March 2008 I went in for my annual exam and after mentioning my side effects from Ortho-tricyclen my doctor recommended going back on Yasmin since it had worked before. Two days after starting Yasmin my sinus problems and headaches returned. I was so low on energy and my chest felt tight. The only good thing is that I lost my appetite and in one month I lost 7 of the 10 lbs I gained on Ortho. I stopped taking Yasmin this past weekend in the middle of a pack. I am feeling better and have not had a headache this week. I was also able to run yesterday which felt so good. I hadn’t exercised in a month because of my lack of energy and difficulty breathing. Had I not been on it before I would have thought this was just a bad allergy season. I am convinced Yasmin was the cause of all my sinus problems and headaches.

Haven t been on the pill for years, but decided to go back on as my 2nd child is now 8months old. Started taking Yasmin 10 days ago, from the 1st day of my period as instructed. The 1st couple of days were fine as i usually suffer with painful, heavy periods and they seemed a little lighter. I still had pain and had to take pain killers but wasn't as extremely intense as usual. I started to have intense stabbing pains in my stomach over a 2 day period but pain killers stopped that. But even now, im still bleeding and getting menstrual cramps even though my period should have finished 5 days ago. Was going to hold on to Yasmin for at least a month to see how it goes but with the lack of energy, tiredness, nausea, pains im finding it hard to be a mum of two active young children!

I was on Yasmin for about 7 weeks. The first couple weeks seemed fine, just queezy stomach and some headaches. Then, when I was supposed to be PMSing, I became so lethargic and depressed I could barely function. I laid in bed for 2 days not eating, thinking my world was going to fall apart. I only had energy enough to do a small chore at home (like bathe or brush my teeth) then crawl back into bed. The worst is that, normally if I get down I know deep down it will pass and there's a light at the end of the tunnel. But with Yasmin, my brain is foggy and I feel like there's no hope, w the lack of energy is even more depressing because I can't motivate to do anything and get my mind off my worries. Now I can understand why people get suicidal on Yasmin. There's no reason for me to be so tired, I lift weights 3 times a week and w a trainer (luckily or I would never be motivated to get there), I'm lean and muscular and healthy. Well, after the PMS I never got my period either.
Then after freaking out for a few days (and at my poor boyfriend) I was more mellow for the next couple weeks but still nausea and headaches. Then 2nd month PMS started... same thing, just overwhelmingly depressed and unable to reason it away or snap out of it. I've lost my temper a few times. My energy level is so low I just want to lay in bed all day. Now I just figured out that it was because of Yasmin. I was beginning to worry that I was loosing my mind. I really wanted to stick it out another month to see if they would go away but at this rate I'm going to be in a mental ward by that time.

I admit that I may be prone to get depressed, however, I don't take anti-depressents (I tried Wellbutrin a few yrs. ago and it made me very high strung and irritable). I've figured out lifestyle changes to manage when i get down. I just do things that I enjoy when I get down. But Yasmin has made it so that I don't enjoy life, and I don't even have the energy to work out, go out with people so I can get my mind off of my gloom and doom. It's horrible what Yasmin has done, I have never experienced depression like this and I've been down some tough roads in my life. I always have an inner hope and light in me that keeps me going, and what I'm experiencing with Yasmin is that it kills any voice of hope or optimism leaving one disoriented and afraid. I have been off of it for the 2nd day now and hope things start to clear up soon. Good luck with your experience and I hope this helps... even now, I'm not sure if it really IS Yasmin or me, but I believe the posts people have written so I want to X Yasmin out of my life so I KNOW that no drug is making me this way.

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

To all women who have suffered from Yasmin,

I stopped taking that pill early July 06 after taking it for 4 years. Before I stopped I was suffering from:
- anxiety, irritability, irrationality (nearly split up with boyfriend)
- ear problems (damaged eardrums, constant ear blocage (none of the ephedrine medication worked)
- Severe muscle cramps (feet and calves)
- Pains in my right shoulder and arm
- Regular faintings (I found myself a few times in ER/ none of the tests they did show any abnormalities)
- Pain in my lower stomach
- Complete lack of energy
- No enthusiasm about what I used to enjoy doing
- Felt sick everytime I did some hiking (going up a hill for ex)
- Heart palpitations especially in the mornings when getting up
- Shortness of breath
- Swollen and aching gums (even the dentist thought they were strange and could not understand why as I had a perfect mouth hygiene)

At the time, I did not think at all about Yasmin as a poison, but slowly I realised I was sick because of it. Everytime I took it I felt disgusted like my body was saying: 'ENOUGH, I HAD ENOUGH OF THIS STOP IT!!'
I stopped early July 06 and since then slowly, I am becoming myself again. I suffered when I stopped especially of muscle weakness and ear problems but after 7 months off it, the muscles are becoming strong again (I have been doing light excercises since I stopped the pill) and my ears start to feel normal again.

The only new thing at the moment is that I gained 2kgs (about 4lb) in weight only around my tummy !!
Has anybody out there got the same problem? Is this normal ?
Does the weight go down once your body has completely recovered? How long does it take?

Thank you for your comments. I simply want to add :
IF YOU TAKE YASMIN AND FEEL BAD STOP IT NOW ! YOU WILL FEEL WORSE FOR A WHILE AFTER STOPPING IT BUT YOU WILL RECOVER SOONER OR LATER!! IT IS JUST A MATTER OF PATIENCE

I've been on Yasmin for nearly 4 years and decided to stop taking this pill because like most of you I felt REALLY bad!! I had symptoms like cramps in my feet and legs, regular blackouts (I was taken to ER everytime), dizziness, shortness of breath, migraines, ear congestion, complete lack of energy and worst of all anxiety. I've also developed arthritis in my right shoulder for which I went to see a physio and thank god it is getting better.
I saw so many doctors and none of them could find anything wrong with me and none of them had the wonderful feeling that this may have been caused by Yasmin. When I told them I wanted to stop the pill, they told me there was no reason why and that I should carry on. So that was my decision to stop it and a very good one!! The doctors are wrong !
I am off Yasmin now since 1st of July 06 and it's only now that I start to feel better! I've been through so many weird symptoms: pains and swelling in both of my calves, cramps in my legs (streching helps!), nausea, heavy sweating during the night, my ears feel like they are blocked but no more of the other symptoms (blackouts have not come back)and my periods have come regularly but are very short (3 days).... My body is recovering and my calves are getting better. I also found out that I start to get cellulitis on my legs (what a nightmare), I was told by a friend that' s because of the pill!!
I am now full of energy, the anxiety has gone (I can face the world now), and I am determined NOT TO GO BACK on any C pills anymore.
I am 38 years old and have been on different pills since the age of 19, I would like to know if anybody of my age (or anybody) experienced symptoms like mine after they stopped Yasmin and how long it takes for them to disappear....

I've been on yasmin now for 1 year, my periods are never on time, i also have axiety, depression, and lack of energy, I cant believe this is from a birth control pill. I couldnt find the answer to my problem i thought i was going nuts, Thanks for your site. Im also calling the doctor right away to get off this pill. I would love to get my energy back, maybe this will help.

mood swings, depression, anxiety, fatigue, lack of energy and lack of motivation

I have been taking Yasmin for about 2 years. I had past experiences with anxiety and mild depression and my doctor told me that Yasmin would actually make my moods "better". I took it with no noticeable side effects at all for the first few months. Then I noticed PMS symptoms appearing 2 weeks before my period and each month they were progressively worse. I had cramps, mood swings, bouts of crying, depression, lack of energy, insomnia. Before taking Yasmin I really never had any PMS except for slight discomfort the first day of my period. Now, after 2 years, the symptoms have gotten to the point where I feel psychotic, hopeless, crazy and depressed for a week or sometimes 2 weeks out of the month. I would literally spend the better part of 2 days crying hysterically and I had no idea why. It has effected my relationship with my boyfriend and my children (I get very angry with them and have NO patience at all during the "PMS"). It has effected my job; I've taken many days off because i was so immobilized with severe anxiety and depression that I could not even leave my house for days at a time. I've also broken down into tears IN FRONT OF MY BOSS, just dealing with the normal stress of my job. I have felt very much NOT myself since being on Yasmin. I have always been very active physically, I love being outdoors and enjoying the sunshine. The last few months I have had to struggle to have enough energy to exercise, I hardly ever want to go outside, or anywhere. Some other less serious symtoms that I have experienced are night sweats, contact lens intolerance, insomnia, lack of concentration, forgetfulness and nausea. I'm sure that not everyone who takes this drug will experience what I have experienced, but I think it's important for women to know that this does happen. I was at the end of my last pack this past week and I will not continue to take Yasmin or any other hormone bc pill.

hi all-

well, i was on yasmin for one month. i had severe side effects: racing heart, upset stomach, insomnia, headaches, boils on face and back, lack of energy, and mood swings. i called my doctor and she said that all of these side effects are not 'normal' and that i needed to get off right away. so, she switched me to ortho lo. what a difference it has made! i feel great. so, for all of you that are wondering if the side effects are 'normal', i would suggest contacting your doctor and see if you should get off. it sure made a difference in my life.

@ Guest, #12837 (water retention):

I've got the same problems with water retention after Yasmin and I'm feeling horrible. Looking into the mirror shows a completely other figure and person as I was before this horror trip!!

I had been thinking about a water pill, too, but at last I figured out, that perhaps it would be better to wait on and let my body recover by itself. And in my family doctor's opinion all the water will go away when my body is back in balance after this Yasmin horror. Surely it may take months to get there, but after I had been putting so much Yasmin poison into my body for over 5 years I don't want to go on taking chemicals and perhaps making it worse and worse...

Yasmin has got a diuretic in it. So during taking Yasmin your body got diswatered every day and every day. So I suppose that after getting off Yasmin all the cells of your body, which had gotten used to being diswatered all the time, are now absorbing the more water they ever did before just like a dried out sponge!! Perhaps that's the reason for this horrible bloating of our whole bodies.

Another way would be to get your potassium levels checked. Low potassium levels also can be causing water retention and many other symptoms most of the women here are suffering from after Yasmin. I read, that Yasmin interferes your electrolytes, minerals and vitamines and in some women in a very heavy way. So after getting off Yasmin there may be an imbalance in all that too!!

Other things that should be checked out (or by yourself taken as a supplement) is your blood levels of magnesium, zinc, b-vitamines and potassium (as already mentioned above), cause Yasmin can cause a total lack of all that and that can cause many of the withdrawal effects of Yasmin as anxiety, lack of energy, muscle fatigue, nervouseness, depression, and so on!!

If you're not sure, if the mentioned happens to you, too, you should search the internet for symptoms of that mineral- and vitamine lack. Perhaps you may find a solution for your problems there!!

For that reasons at the moment I am taking agnus castus to get my hormones back in balance (didn't have a period since easter this year!!), magnesium, zinc (which can help to get your normal cycle back, too!!), potassium and a complex of b-vitamines in hope to help the after Yasmin symptoms to go away (still got muscle fatigue sometimes, nervousness, anxiety and a little dizziness, but all in a very low way, not at all as heavy as during taking Yasmin!!).

I hope my little researches can help some of you getting better again soon!!

We'll get our lives back, believe it!!! It just takes very much patience from each of us and big support and understanding from our family and friends!!

All the best and a big hug to every Yasmin victim out there!!

Wow! This forum is really informative and scary!

I have tried numerous pills, Marvelon, Ortho Tri-Cyclin, Diane, Alese and all have caused the same symptoms: Depression, lack of energy, emotional outburts, 10-15 pound weight gain and abdominal bloating to the point where people would ask me if I was pregnant (and the rest of my body would look porportional).

Its been 4 years since I have been on and off the pill and now at the age of 26 I am beginning to notice a chance in my hormones which I put facial hair on my chin and sideburns!

Being in a new relationship my doctor has prescribed Yasmin as birth control to help with facial hair and contraception.

I haven't started and am now apprehensive...does anyone have any suggestions or similar experiences with hair growth/reduction?

This is my first time taking a BC and in my third month of yasmin. I've noticed that im tired/irritable/lack of energy all the time. Keep in mind I used to go to the gym 4-5 times a week. I dont even have the energy to go anymore. Also I have nightsweats, and i've never experienced that before. In the past I was always cold.Im thinking about finishing this month and im out. I dont think its worth it. I am a healthcare professional and Im concerned about long term effects of birth controls. Im happy that I found this site and now I know that im not going crazy.

I just went on Yasmin a week ago and have been a mess! I haven't been on a BCP in over 4 years because of problems I had before, and I have two friends taking Yasmin that swear by it, so I thought I would try it. I have been an emotional mess- experiencing depression, severe mood swings and lack of energy all this week! My breasts are also now two completely different sizes - my left breast feels like it weighs 50 lbs and is completely swollen! I also am starving all the time! I didn't think it would take such a short time for symptoms to kick in, and I am shocked that it has. I thought this wasn't normal, so I have been researching other options on the internet. I was shocked to discover the high dosage of progestin in Yasmin - 3 mg which is 3x the normal amount of other BCP's. I wonder if this can be attributed to so many girls having problems with it. I also would like to apologize to my husband for having to put up with me for the past week. After reading all these other posts I am quitting today and giving my two other packs (which cost me $60) to my girlfriend who swears by it. I think I am going to try a lower dose hormone such as Alesse or Mircette.

I'm am so thankful to read your side effect posting. I called in sick to work today wondering what in the world I had???? I've been nauseas, gassy, bad headaches, crampy, dizziness, weak, achey, and fatigued. I left work early yesterday thinking I caught a bug from one of my students, and then thought... could it be the pill I just started 1 1/2 weeks ago? I called my pharmacist and she said she thought it could be the pill, called my doctor and she suggested taking the pill at night, and take it for at least 3 months for the side effects to lesson. I'm stopping NOW. After reading your postings, there had to be a better fit for me and my lifestyle. The fatigue/lack of energy is diblititating and I can NOT live this way. I wanted to at least finish out the pack so that my cycle wouldn't get messed up... but I want this stuff out of me NOW.

I've never posted on a forum before, but Yasmin has proven to be the worst BC pill I've ever tried. It started with a complete lack of energy, depression, an endless headache, and increased urination. From there it moved to nausea, moodiness, and crying for no reason. The final symptom that drove me to look for more information on Yasmin was intense pain in my lower back. Now I've tried a lot of different BC pills over the years, but Yasmin has brought new lows. Your posts helped me decide to finally stop taking Yasmin and try a hormoneless IUD--thanks.

It is very interesting. I went to the doctor about a month ago comlaining of severe drowsiness, fatigue and lack of energy. I had just started yasmin, but didn't think anything of it because I have never experienced this before. I thought i had mono, but the doctor did blood work and took a urine samlpe to see if I had mono, was anemic, or was pregnant. They really thought I was pregnant, but I knew there was no way. All the tests came back negative, and I was very confused and upset because I knew something was very wrong with me. I have finally pieced it all together, It was due to Yasmin. I had started the pill and within a week I experienced these awful sid effects. I am now mortified, I quit my job b/c I felt so sick and I thought I was getting stressed out from school and working. I am definately getting off this pill, and for anyone who has experienced these side effects, get off the pill as soon as possible. I was miserable and everyone thought it was all in my head. I now know that yasmin was the reason for my feeling so sick. Please write on this site if you have experienced this too. I am very curious if other women felth the same way soon after starting Yasmin.

Straight from the Yasmin booklet that comes with the pack of pills:
Warning signals:
Sharp chest pain, coughing of blood, sudden shortness of breath, pain in the calf, crushing chest pain or heaviness in cheast, sudden severe headache - vomiting - dizziness - or fainting, disturbances of vision or speech, weakness, or numbness in an arm or leg, sudden partial or complete loss of vision, breast lumps, severe pain or tenderness in the stomach area, difficulty in sleeping, weakness, lack of energy, fatigue, change in mood, jaundice of skin or eyeballs, irregular bleeding, fluid retention, Melasma (spotty darkening of the skin - particularly in the face) and other side effects may inclue change in appetite, headache, nervousness, depression, dizziness, loss of scalp hair, rash and faginal infections.

It makes me furious that some of you have told your doctors outright that you've been experiencing some of the above effects from this pill and yet they tell you to your face that it's not the pill.....(fuming)

The other poster is right - call Berlex and tell them what's happened to you and that Yasmin sucks!!

I have been taking Yasmin for 5 days so far. I take it before bedtime. The first day I had a horrible headache and nausea and I had no energy. The second day was just nausea. The third day, just lack of energy. By the 4th day I was feeling fine. I hope that's the end of the side effects.