Yasmin and light periods

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

I love Yasmin! I've been taking it for over a year now (I'm 31). I have little to no pms, super light periods, perfect skin, and no weight gain from taking this. My only complaints would be that I do get mild, dull headaches in the temple areas of my head more often than I ever remember. They're not bad though, and they don't ever last long. They're just annoying. Also, I noticed my period doesn't show up til day 4 of the placebo pill, which can be a little nerve wracking.

My 3 close friends, 2 sisters and a sister in law of mine all take Yasmin and none of us have ever had any major complaints about it. :)

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

Like many of you on this forum, I am glad to have found this site! First though, I would like to say that I understand not every one taking Yasmin experiences the same side effects. I understand that some women probably have wonderful experiences with this medication. However, it frustrates me that while some women might have good experiences with this drug, I think the potential for SEVERE side effects other women could experience should be much more emphasized and researched. The pamphlet inside the Yasmin packaging briefly touches on what they advertise as rare side effects that overall outweigh the benefits of this drug. I think many of the side effects listed on this forum are not even mentioned in the packet. Personally, I believe I have had a horrible experience taking Yasmin for the past 8 months. It is very frustrating to take a medication that advertises itself to help symptoms (such as MOOD SWINGS) and in fact, causes many of these horrible symptoms in some women! I am so sick of the multi-billion dollar prescription drug industry (which seems severely under-regulated by the FDA.) Has anyone seen the fancy Yaz birth control commercial? You know, with the "we're not gonna take it" song? All those skinny models prancing around in a PMS-free world??? OMG PLEASE!!! I can't believe it has taken me this long to realize all of my horrible symptoms have started and only worsened during my time on Yasmin. I thought this pill wasn't related because my skin looks beautiful, I haven't had bad cramps anymore, I've had light periods, and my boobs have gotten bigger. Sounds great, huh? But since taking Yasmin I have also had such horrible mood swings I can't control myself. I feel like a completely different person. I've become extremely impatient, irritated by everyone on this planet, I can't concentrate, and I have looked so bloated at times several people assumed I was pregnant. My self-esteem is ridiculously low, I hate myself, my mirrors, and I accuse my loving boyfriend of the most ridiculous things. I don't see how he even puts up with me! I have become so depressed I rarely want to go out. I'm EASILY offended by the slightest comments and ridiculously paranoid. It is also very hard to go out when many of my clothes (even my "fat pants" do not fit anymore!) I have thought I was crazy, almost quit my job, left my boyfriend, and seriously wanted to kill myself. I'm aware that many of these symptoms could be caused by other things, but honestly, I have contemplated so many other potential causes (such as major depression) and I realize every thing has started during these past months I've been taking Yasmin. I am 21 years old, I do not smoke, and have generally great health. I feel entirely overwhelmed...I honestly don't know what to do.

26 years old/on YASMIN for one year.

I'm sorry you've all experienced so many negative side effects on YASMIN. Everybody is different and it's important to find the pill that's right for you. Ten years ago I tried the BC that comes in the form of a shot in the behind once every three months, and it made to throw-up and gain weight after just one dose. I never took another dose, but it was a year before my body went back to normal. So i know what it's like to have your body disagree with BC.

After ten years I decided to go on the pill again, and I was extremely nervous. I even had a couple different prescriptions filled and then backed out of taking them. Finally, one year ago, I started taking YASMIN. I experienced ZERO NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS. And I immediately felt better than I had in years. I have always had severe anxiety and have been hospitalized for panic attacks and heart palpitations. My last panic attack was on the second day of taking YASMIN, and I have been anxiety free for a year. Okay, well.. I do get anxious sometimes; life can be stressful. But i don't feel like my hearts going to explode, and I don't get dizzy, shaky, nauseous, or any of those other terrible sensations.

I have had many other positive effects:
My periods are lighter. I only have cramps every couple of cycles which are very mild (before I needed a hot pad and some pain meds). But the biggest change for me has been my mood. I am finally happy. I feel like a normal person for the first time, and EVERYONE notices a difference in the way I look and behave.

I'm not telling anyone to take YASMIN. And if i had even one of the terrible side effects some of you have mentioned I would have stopped the pill before finishing the first pack. I just thought you might like to know that if you do find a pill that's right for you, it can greatly improve your life and overall happiness. Be smart, do research, and most importantly- LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!
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hi guest 31990,
i'm glad that you have found a pill that works for you,what's not right for some is right for others,i know some people do really well on yasmin and other brands of birth control pills,if you feel great on it then that is good but just please please listen to your body,if you get any strange symptoms or start having any kind of emotional problems at least be aware of the fact that it might be the pill,i did really well on it for 6 months,had clear skin,lost a bit of weight,no pms,light periods and bigger breast but then i started to get ill and have panic attacks and severe anxiety. I am not saying any of this to put you off or to scare you i just cannot bare the thought of not warning women of the possible future side effects,hopefully you will continue to do really well on yasmin and i sincerely hope you do. we need both sides of the story on this site so that other women can make informed decisions (unlike many of us that took yasmin blindly!).
best wishes to you.

sarah

I have been on Yasmine for 8 months after being on Dianette for years. At first I thought I had found the perfect pill, lost a few pounds, light periods and not as moody as when I was on Dianette. Time seems to tell. Started to notice in the last three months,
I had a few heart racing episodes. Pins and needles sometimes. Muscle spasms now and again. TOTAL loss of sex drive. Sudden bloated stomach and weight gain even though I was on a healthy eating diet and go the gym. AND the biggy, my nerves are shot to pieces. Looking on the dark side and feeling tired with muscle fatigue.
Am I going nuts?
Last week I like some of you went on the internet and it all started to click in. My husband although supportive of me coming off the pill still thinks my symptoms are 'just one of those things'. Well after reading this site and others I'm taking the last pill in the pack tomorrow and lets see. I will keep a diary and after being on BCP for years I know it could take time. Thank you all for taking the time to post, we can't all be imagining it!!

I tried Yasmin for about 4 months last year, after being on Ortho for years. My doctor prescribed it after I mentioned weight gain (about 5 lbs) on Ortho. While on Yasmine I started having serious stomach issues including severe constipation and stomach aches, to the extent that even over-the-counter laxitives did not help and I was very uncomfortable. Once I woke up in the middle of the night with servere stomach cramps and sweats to the point that I was doubled up on the floor for an hour. At the time, I did not realize that it could be connected with Yasmin. I also was not feeling myself emotionally; I was quick to get upset and felt pretty down. Finally, my skin was worse than it had been on Ortho, and I did not lose the weight. The positive was that I had very short and light periods (probably only a day or two).

I'v ebeen on yasmin 3 months and I have been so extremely moody, and depressed. So moody that I even convince myself I hate my boyfirend, but then the minute he has to go off to work, I cry and practically ave him by the legs.
I've gained about 7 lbs. I can not seem to get it off. My face is clear, no headaches, slight cramping, my period is ok,pretty light. The weight gain has caused me to be depressed. I reallyw anted this pill because i heard it was wonderful, weight loss, no acne, light periods, all that wonderful stuff.

I have not wanted to have sex with my bf in 3 weeks. I do because i have to, he shouldn't suffer for my hormones.

I want to get off of this thing, this monster, but honestly what else am i going to be on? Is there really a great BC?

I'm going to give it another month and then my bf is going to have switch to condoms.