Yasmin and migraines

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 think it is important to remember that any OC varies from person to person. That being said I was on Yasmin for over 4 years when my doctor suggested I try Ortho Try- cyclen, stirctly for the cheaper price. I am opposite than everyone on here it seems. the Orotho Try-cyclen is what has caused the crazy side effects for me including, monthly migraines with my cycle, painful breasts, heavier than usual periods, weight gain. I had none of these with Yasmin and am switching back to it this coming pill cycle.

I am so happy I found this sight. I am 32 and I started taking Yasmin in 2002. I have had SEVERE migraines that are taking over my life every month. Also, I have gained over 50 pounds since being on it. I want to get off it, but am scared of getting pregnant. I'm married, but cannot afford a child right now. Any advice?

I just turned 35 and I have been on YASMIN - not YAZ, since I was 28. I have had no problems whatsoever. My only regret is that my OB/GYN started giving out YAZ samples and had none of YASMIN. I took YAZ one month, thinking they were identical products - Big mistake. I felt horrible after taking it just that one month. I told my doctor to change my Rx back to Yasmin and have been happy ever since. Periods are only 3 days and light. Only side effect is that when I am on the sugar pills, I end up getting migraines, but that is because of the steroid withdrawal. I feel these two products have nothing in common...I totally agree that YAZ is a horrible drug, but Yasmin has been around a lot longer and fortunately, I have not had any problems. Like with every drug though, not everything works the same for everyone. Every drug out today has some type of side effect...it is a risk with every drug taken...even with Tylenol and aspirin. I like the way I feel now much better than when I was not taking the Yasmin, so it is a good thing for me....but, to each his own.

I've been on Yasmin for about 5-6 years and have had all sorts of minor (or so I thought) ailments. My boss advised me to stop Yasmin as her daughter died at 28 from a DVT, put down to Dianette and she explained about these forums. After reading this forum, nearly every problem/ailment I've had or have is listed as a side effect of this bloody little white tablet. I am officially stopping it as of today and as I've just read another lady has written, I hope my sex drive returns soon and that I stop being so tired and lethargic and my crippling migraines stop !! I've had heart palpitations, weight gain (gradual so I've not put it down to the pill !) I have down days, migraines complete with auras, fuzzy heads, short tempered and narky, tired ALL the time. I never knew all these things could be down to the pill. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that coming off it makes me feel human again !!

Wow, I never thought that some of the health problems I experienced in the past few years was related to Yasmin until I read this website. I had been on Yasmin for 5 years, I just went off of it in late August as my husband and I would like to have children next year. I found this website because I wanted to know what sort of side effects I would get by going OFF the pill. Well, let me tell you, by being ON Yasmin for 5 years, I experienced the following:

-major migraines (never experienced these - 4 were blinding where i had to just lay down because i couldn't hold my head up)
-weight gain (a lot of weight, for virtually no reason)
-shortness of breath (when i've never had that before)
-high blood pressure (when i've never had that before)
-heart palpitations (when i've never had that before)
-anxious feelings, especially in work situations
-loss of energy - inability to work out for no real reason

i am 31 years old with no health problems before going on Yasmin. now that i have been off it for almost 2 months, i feel 10x better both physically and mentally! i hope to lose the weight i gained while on Yasmin. i just got my blood pressure taken this past weekend it was normal-low. the last 2 times i had it taken while i was on Yasmin, it was high.

if you are taking this pill, please go off of it ASAP. Tell your friends not to take it as well.

I am so glad I got off Yasmin before anything bad happened. I started Yasmin about 2 1/2 months ago. I heard great things about it and wanted to try it. I gained weight with a lot of the other BC pills and this one I heard was great for not making you gain weight. Well, it was great on not gaining weight but I have never been so scared of myself and my kids. THE ANGER! I have never felt this way in my entire life. I am not an angry person, I am a piece maker. This drug made me to the point were I didn't know if I was going to be able to control myself. I would get so angry at my kids and throw toys across the room and then turn around and hold them and cry because I didn't know what was going on with me............ This is such a terrible drug!! They need to take this off the market before someone hurts themselves or there children from the anger the rage that this medication gives.
I am so mad at myself for even wanting to be on this. I wish I would have researched it more before I went on it.
There were several other side effect from this that I experienced. ANGER being the biggest one of them all and the worst one of them all. I had excessive bleeding with my period, migraines like you wouldn't believe, and no sex drive. DO NOT GO ON YASMIN!!!

Ughh where do i begin?? First off i'm so glad I found this site because now I know the reason I've been such a wreck is because of this pill. I've been on Yasmin for about 6 months now and my whole life has pretty much been fallen apart! i have unbearable migraines (which i have never had before), acne (which i have never had before), panic attacks that have been so severe they have woken me up from a dead sleep, insane mood swings that have made me question my sanity.. the list goes on and on! its so scary to have really depressing, disturbing thoughts and not even be able to grasp why your feeling this way. Last year was my senior year and towards the end of it I just started pushing all of my friends away, not caring about my grades, and even cheated on my boyfriend of 3 years. A few weeks ago I started college at my dream school and couldn't be any more miserable. Thank god I figured out its the Yasmin thats making me feel this way before its done anymore damage to my life. I am calling my gyno first thing tomorrow and getting off this pill!

I've been on Yasmin for the past 2 years and the first 6-8 months were like hell for me. I've experienced hair loss, depression, lack of motivation, terrible migraines which wouldn't go away with one dose of paracetamol. All these symptoms have abated by time but the symptom which is constant is: lack of libido, I feel that I've been robbed and don't know when and if I'll ever get it back!

I am a 30 year old nurse and know first hand how birth control pills are individual. I was on many before Yasmin. 6 months ago I started Yasmin because it was the new hype in birth control medicine since it reduces length of period, flow of period, and reduces acne.
I don't think the ingredient drospirenone that's included in Yasmin (a potassium sparing drug, and diuretic, another form of the same type is Spironolactone) works for me.
Ever since I had experienced these symptoms:
Anxiety-heart palpitations, suspiciousness, racing thoughts.
Headaches-tension, leading to muscle spasms in neck and shoulders.
Dizziness-Vertigo type spinning sensations
Ear fullness-popping and cracking without losing hearing.
Fatigue-no motivation, especially for an early riser and a person who works 12 hr shifts.
Chest tightness, lump in throat feeling, could be due to increase in stomach acid (HCl).
If anyone else has vertigo, or dizziness, I would love to know!
Thanks,
Good luck with trying a different form of birth control.

I started using Yasmin 2 weeks ago & am having serious problems like heaviness in my chest, short breath, nausea, headache, acidity. At one point I felt as if I got an heart attack! My physician sent me for an ECG yesterday & I am worried about the results! I hope to recover from all these side effects soon because my work is getting affected due to discomfort.

I stumbled on this site while doing research on DVT's. I am a nurse and was on YAZ continuously (skipping the inactive pills and going straight to a new pack) to control my migraines for about a year. I developed 3 DVT's in my left calf and behind my left knee. I have been having charlie horse cramps as well. I am now on lovenox injections 2 times a day and 7.5 mg. of coumadin to deal with the clots.I have also had the issues with heart palpitations, chest tightness, and feeling like i can't catch my breath. I read in one of the posts where it was described as she "had to think to catch her breath". I totally agree! I thought this drug was great, until now. I stopped it last wed 1/7/09 when they found the clots in my calf/knee. Can anyone with experience tell me how long it took them to recover from the palpitations and breathing issues. I am a very health person, non smoker, with no prior or family history of any clotting issues. Thanks for all the info on here and God Bless everyone who has suffered!

I have been on Yasmin for a little over a year. I also have suffered from migraine headaches for a few years. My doctor kept putting me on different meds to help with my headaches but nothing has worked. These headaches I've been getting lately aren't at all like my normal migraines. I get sharp pains in only one side of my head and it feels like there is so much pressure that my head is going to explode. It hurts to breathe through my nose, and if I sit up or stand it gets worse. I have been depressed and irritable so he put me on anti depressants. Then I find out all of these things that I have noticed happening like my legs feeling weird and my pains in my chest are happening to other people on the same pill. I have an appointment next week and I'm definitely bringing all of this up.

I was planning on transferring from Althea to Yasmin, but obviously, that won't be a good move from what I've read on your reviews and complaints. Because of that, I would suggest that you guys use Althea from the Trust Family Program. It's the cheaper version of Diane (Diane causes cyst in the breast, my friend has one). Diane and Yasmin are products of one company. Anyways, you might ask why I was planning to shift. It's because I don't feel any change while using Althea. I guess no change at all is better than bloating, having migraines, mood swings and whatever sife effects that Yasmin has. I guess I'll stay with Althea after all.

I am so glad that I found this site. I was beginning to feel like I was losing my mind. I have been on Yasmin for only 2 months but have been experiencing many of the side effects mentioned- fatigue, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, anxiety, dizziness, and flu-like symptoms. I had these same symptoms when I was on Yaz last year. I wound up going to the hospital for shortness of breath and chest pain. The doctor thought it may be blood clots, but after testing he diagnosed me with bronchitis and asthma (I am 26- never had either in my life). There is definitely something wrong with these pills. I do have anxiety and currently take Xanax. But I have not had panic attacks like this since I was on the pill last year. Sometimes I need to think about breathing to catch my breath and lately it had been hard for me to sleep because my heart is racing. My periods have been lighter and my migraines less severe, but it is not worth it to continue on Yasmin.

I have just bought a pack of Yasmin for birth control and heavy periods but haven't taken any yet, nor have i ever tried BC pills before. I suffer from severe migraines daily it ruins everything i do and my GP's have been completely useless they don't even ask me any symptoms about my headaches and refused to let me see a specialist. The only thing he did was tell me I need to go on painkillers indefinitely which does not appeal to me at all.
I am now wondering if i should take Yasmin or not after reading all these bad reviews especially concerning migraines. Has anyone with constant migraine found a way to help them? Please let me know as im desperate to know what it feels like to not have a migraine.

I've been having problems ever since I started Yasmin, and now, stumbling upon this site, I'm SO glad I'm getting off it!

I'm only on the second week of my third pack, and I've felt horrible the last few days. I get anxiety attacks once in awhile - and have since before I started Yaz. But the last few days, it's been worse. Constant is the best word I can think of. Also, I feel weird "down there" (not to sound childish, but I don't know if this bulletin is censored. never been on here before). Down there, I feel rubbed raw, irritated, itchy, etc. And it only started recently, after I got my period for the second pack of Yaz. My period is always late, and this time, it's irregular (i get it one day, then not the next, then again the third day, etc)

Also, my mood has altered. Aside from the increase in my anxiety attacks, I've gotten really tired, mopey, and depressed. Even my mom has noticed. She says I'm a totally different person, and not fun to be around. I suffer from migraines, but when I was on my last pill (Seasonale), I got very few. On the Yaz, I have one almost every day! it's awful.

I called my doctor and he called in a prescription for my Seasonale, which I can pick up tomorrow and I'm starting IMMEDIATELY. From reading this board, I can see this pill is dangerous and I'm so glad I came across here because now I see it's not just me. It's the pill!

Well where to start. It started one Weds morning at work. Suddenly came over all dizzy and light headed and felt really really sick. Went home and started with a temperature. Parents say I was pretty spaced out for several days and didn’t really want to talk to anyone. It’s like I was there but I wasn’t. Went to doctor a couple of times and they diagnosed a virus. Problems with sleeping started. Ended up at the hospital out of hours as I was shaking, felt sick, thought I was going to pass out. Nothing found so sent back home. Saw doc again and was referred to a doctor at the hospital who had an interest in viruses. Saw doc and loads of blood was taken for testing. Went back after a couple of weeks and blood tests where clear. By that point I was feeling a bit better so they thought it was post viral fatigue. Went back to work part time and worked myself up to full time. Then it started again. Had to be fetched from work. Colleagues said it was more like I was having a panic attack. Broke down completely. Couldn’t stop crying and was in a right state. Went to docs and was diagnosed with depression and still post viral fatigue. My main symptoms have been, panic attacks, anxiety, faintness, dizziness, nausea, general feeling of unwell, blocked ears, palpitations. There are probably more but I can’t think of them at the minute (Oh yeah, brain fogginess as well !) More blood tests were done and that’s when they said my hormones were a bit low but they didn’t think it was anything to worry about. That’s when I started researching Low hormones and started to come across the problems with Yasmin. I cannot tell you what a relief it’s been. I honestly thought I was going mad and that there was nothing wrong with me and it was all in my head. I sat looking that the screen going ‘that’s me !’ Have stopped taking them straight away. Will see how we get on. Doctor didn’t know anything about the problems and has said he will be interested to know how I get on. I cannot believe they didn’t know. Main thing is I know now and can start getting better.

I just spent the last 4 days in the hospital due to "status migrainosus" (a severe migraine that can only be treated by hospitalization/IV. I never had a migraine until 2 years ago when I was put on Yasmin to treat endometriosis. Since then I have been anxious, extremely emotional, experienced insomnia and had bad migraines. After reading all the comments on this site, I am convinced this is not a safe drug (at least for me) and have stopped taking it.

Hi ummmm im kinda new at this sort of thing.......have never taken any sort of birth control pills in my life well then again im only seventeen. Anyway....ive not seen my period since march.......and this is now September....but recently my doctor told me its a great possibility that i might have pcos and she wants to put me on Yasmin but after hearing all you guys criticize it........im not so sure if i should what should i do???!!!???

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

Hi Guys

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

Any responses would be greatly appreciated!

Regards
Warda

To add to my comment below, those of you who are migraine sufferers (like myself) Yasmin is perhaps your answer. I used to get migraines once every week to every month depending on situations and things happening in my life. After a few months on Yasmin my migraines have more or less completely disappeared while I am taking the active pills, and occasionally I will get one while I am on my period itself, but that is because I am not ingesting any hormones. I would recommend it for getting rid of migraines; however it took a few months for me to see the results so you must give it time.

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

It is so funny to read all of the negativity but nothing positive! I came here looking for side effects and get a bashing about how horrid Yasmin/Yaz is! Let me first start off by listing my side effects that I wanted to know about:

breast tenderness
change in appetite
tiredness
red spot in eye

Next, let me tell you that I researched BEFORE taking this medicine because 1. I have MS 2. I suffer from migraines and seizures and 3. I take a whole boat load of medications! My doc recommended Yasmin for PMDD coupled with Sarafem to help my mood right before and during my time of the month. I must say that I have only been on it for about 10 days so I do not know anything of how it works with my period.

I am APPALLED at the fact that there are few, if any, positive comments about this pill! I know for a FACT that it works because I know 7 people personally that are on it that have NO PROBLEMS! So, I ask you all that have negative comments, what is wrong with you, other than you HATE the pill? What OTHER meds were you on while taking it? I read a few comments about stopping for a month and then starting again and then wondering why they felt like crap?? Well HELLO?! You are effing with your body's hormones! And there is a difference between Yaz and Yasmin hormones. If you had a bad experience with Yaz, make sure you are not confusing it with Yasmin! Yaz is a 24 day hormone pill where Yasmin is only 21 days.

I am not a doctor, but like I said, I have done my research. I have suffered with adult acne and PMDD for years. It sucks. If Yasmin helps, I want to know. I don't want to read a bunch of bull about people who mess up their cycles by taking the pill and smoking or taking the pill with meds they shouldn't be taking them with. I know what I can and cannot take. Most of what I take is natural and what is not, well, it CAN be taken with Yasmin. Like the website for Yasmin says and like most of the informational, non-biased websites say, Yasmin and Yaz is not for everyone. Some people cannot handle this type of hormone.

I can guarantee you that some doctor or pharm company can tell you that whatever symptom you are having is from something completely unrelated to the BC you are taking. Warnings are clearly marked...read them and obey!

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

I HAVE BEEN ON YASMIN FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS NOW, EVER SINCE I STARTED DATING MY BOYFRIEND. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY MIGRAINES INCREASED TO AT LEAST ONE IF NOT MORE A WEEK AND EVERYDAY I DON'T HAVE A MIGRAINE I STILL HAVE A LESS SEVERE HEADACHE. I HAVE TERRIBLE HEARTBURN OR ACID REFLUX DAILY, AND EVERY TIME I GET IN A CAR THAT IM NOT DRIVING I GET REALLY SICK. I HAVE BEEN TO MY DOCTOR SEVERAL TIMES AND SEEN A NEUROLOGIST. I TIRED TOPAMAX AND LAMICTAL WITH NO SUCCESS! AND I FEEL LIKE IM POPPING MIGRAINE PILLS LIKE CANDY, CAN ANYONE WHO HAS GONE THROUGH ANY OF THIS TELL ME IF THEIR HEADACHE PAIN STOPPED AFTER QUITTING THE PILL? THANKS SO MUCH!

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

Help me! I have stopped taking Yasmin for about 4 or 5 months because my husband and I want to conceive. I AM STARTING TO LOSE MY HAIR! I am so worried about this as I am losing at least double the normal amount everyday and this has been happening for about a week now. I have noticed the difference as my hair is not very thick. My husband has noticed. My friend says she can't tell, but if you look in my bathroom and my comb you would think I was undertaking radiotherapy. I went to my doctor two days ago and she thinks it could be thyroid or iron problems. She thinks it could be ceasing the pill but is unsure......PLEASE, is there ANYONE who has experienced this? And if so will it stop? I am so distressed about it.

Hello all. I was wondering if any of you who have been on Yasmin for a few years experienced any joint pain or swelling in your hands/feet because of this. I notice that it is a side effect, but was wondering when it developed for people who have been on it a while. I have swollen, painful joints in my hands, but the blood tests turn up negative for arthritis and my docs (primary and neuro) have quizzed me about Yasmin - the only prescription med I take.
Also, I had terrible migraines upon starting Yasmin but those subsided. I also experience the sex drive/dryness/increased UTI frequency issues others of you describe.
I am 32 and have not been pregnant before. Have been on Yasmin for three years.

took Yasmin for four years (taken 4-5 different types of bc in just less than 20 years). I had previously suffered from migraines and the Yasmin did not make these worse. I did not gain weight on Yasmin. My severe pms, cramping, and bloating was much better on Yasmin. My face was less prone to acne on Yasmin. If anything I might say that I had IBS symptoms on Yasmin, but have really had them before and after as well and can't really say they were worse on Yasmin. I went off Yasmin because after a move the doctor/pharmacy I now use didn't carry them. I know have a headache with almost every period, cramping, bloating, pms, depression with each period. My face is a wreck and I feel like I am back in Junior high. I was considering trying to get back on Yasmin... then I found this sight and despite my good experience with it I am now wondering.

I've been taking Yasmin for 7 months now...at first it was brilliant! i have had trouble with other pills in the past and Yasmin seemed totally different.
however, after settling down with it, i am starting to experience some side effects. i appreciate that obviously they may not be related to Yasmin but after reading other people's experiences I'm thinking that they probably are!

my hair falls out more than is normal...i used to have really thick hair and now it's getting pretty thin.
i have developed a cyst on the side of my head?!
i get weird pains in the right of my chest and stomach as if I've been exercising too much or sitting balled up for hours.
i have gone off food.
my sex drive is none existent! my boyfriend and i used to do it pretty much every day and now i never want it. we haven't really had any proper sexual contact in over a month.
i had complete loss of vision in one eye.
I'm getting seriously anxious about things that are important, but overly so.
i feel permanently tired and drained no matter how much sleep i get.
i cry 24/7 over absolutely anything... songs, adverts... its ridiculous!?

if i come off Yasmin it'll be the 3rd pill that doesn't agree with my body. I'm gonna have to try something new i think...

Hi I am 20 year old Female. I have been on Yasmin for the past year and a half...I am on it because i have PCOS....PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome....I have to take it to regulate my period, hormones and etc....I been keeping track....on the week off...the day I get my period....I get 3 day migraines that are so brutal.....I was put on Yasmin because it was the lowest hormone birth control pill out there.....I need to go to my doctor soon and do something about this situation...I can't stand these migraines because they take away from my daily routine...so its either double or nothing....period + migraine...fun combination.... I have been on ortho evra THE PATCH and ortho tri-cyclyn low...that was a while back ago..don't really remember any symptoms from it..but the Patch did make me nauseous......so I am actually feeling depressed today, unproductive, frustrated and it keeps going....

I am only 20 and I am confused having read all these complaints about Yasmin. The thing is that the pills have been prescribed by my doctor because of a low-progesterone level and a high-testosterone level. He says this is the only way I can regulate my hormone levels. I am now having some side-effects like depression,headaches.And it's only been the second day of taking Yasmin. Could anyone help me?

Oh wow, I'm glad I found this site. I too thought I was going crazy, I've been on Yasmin for about two months. I'm taking them for "hormonal migraines" due to estrogen imbalances, anyway, it has completely gotten rid of my headaches but all the other side effects are terrible. I have gotten severely depressed, and angry all the time about everything, I too was thinking about leaving my marriage, thinking it was him and not me. My sex drive is non-existent, I have been thinking that maybe it was the pills, but was not sure and planning to talk to my doctor at my next appointment. But after reading these messages, I'm convinced that it was in fact the Yasmin, I have stopped taking them, have felt no real difference yet (its only been a couple days) but I'm hoping I will get back to my old self soon.

I started taking Yasminelle (its dosage is much lower than Yasmin's) about 5-6 months ago; the side-effects I endured during the first two months keep coming back as soon as I start a new packet. Side effects such as nausea during the first week of taking the pills, continuous breast pain. These side effects are completely making me seem like a total freak when I am out- I am always complaining about how sick I feel and I also can't drink because as a result i feel queasy and I'd have to stop. Does any one else feel the same way on Yasminelle particularly? i have been searching online for discussions regarding Yasminelle but I have found none at all...anyone else on Yasminelle and do you consider it a good form of birth control?

I, too, thought I was crazy while on Yasmin and then on Yaz. I took Yasmin for 4 years until my doctor didn't have it and I was leaving on a trip and needed it so he gave me Yaz instead. I was paranoid, depressed, nauseas, etc. I also had horrible mood swings, which I never had before. My step dad died last year so I attributed a lot of my anger and other emotions to that, but now after reading all the other posts I believe all of this was caused by Yasmin. I was never like this before. I never acted like a crazy person before or was irritated by people. I am so thankful that I know it isn't me and it was the pill all along. Who knew such a small pill could cause that much drama.
When I started taking Yaz all of the symptoms got worse. Since I was only taking the pill to regulate my period and have lighter period, which never happened, I stopped taking the pill altogether. Since I stopped in August I have only had one natural period. I was really thinking I was pregnant for a bit because I was constantly sick to my stomach, had monster migraines, had to urinate a lot, and had cramps. I took a pregnancy test (even though it has been almost two years since I have had intercourse) and I am not pregnant. I went to my general practice doctor and he said that not having a period after you stop taking the pill is normal. I have missed two periods now and he says if it gets to the third one I should go see my gyn. Has anyone else had this problem? Is it indeed normal? When will my period come back (not that I am missing it, but I'd like to know what is going on in there).

I stopped taking Yasmin about 6 months ago. Since stopping Yasmin, I have started to get migraine headaches around my cycle and they are progressively worst. Has this happened to anyone??

i am on my last pack of pills for yasmin. my gyn put me on loestrin starting next month. i hope i have a better experience with that than yasmin. at first i didnt notice any side effects at all. then within the past couple of months (ive been on yasmin for about 6 months) i have noticed so many problems.
i am prone to migraines, but i am getting migraines at least twice a week which has severely effected my work and school life.
i had an ear infection.
ive gained close to 20 lbs (!!!!!) when in the past few months my lifestyle has been healthier and more active than it was when i started this pill. it just doesnt make sense to gain so much when i have improved my lifestyle..
i find i am moody and depressed, if something bad happens, even if its something little, i either get so uncontrollably angry or sad and i cry all the time. im not normally this emotional, ive even cried at work. its so embarrassing.
ive also noticed that after any meal i feel like i am extremely bloated and my stomach starts hurting. it doesnt matter what kind of food, it could be healthy, greasy, veggies, or cereal..no matter what my stomach always hurts to much afterwards.
i am also getting night sweats and horrible back pain, especially when i go to bed.
i am gassy, and my cramps last for my whole period. none of those things ever happened before i was on this pill.
my libido went down, however i think this is due to the weight gain. i have never felt so disgusting in my whole life.
i have gone through many pills, and the nuvaring as well. none of them have had side effects on me as yasmin.
does anyone have any suggestions for other pills for me to try? i am willing to give loestrin a chance, especially because it is a lo dose pill..and i know that everyones bodies are different. i just feel so lost..i hope this new pill works out better.

Oh my goodness, you'd think this stuff was evil in a pill. ALL birth control pills, and hormonal methods of birth control (and medication for that matter) has side effects. Everyone's body is different. I have severe migraines, but taking a pill with a higher estrogen level makes it much worse. Not to mention Yasmin was my fourth try before I was comfortable on the pill again after a long time BCP free. I suffered through break-through bleeding, constant bleeding, turning into satan, constant PMS symptoms, infections, migraines, you name it. Finally, I found Yasmin and I lost a little weight and my periods remained the same (sometimes too long, sometimes too painful, but that never changed with any of them -- and I hear the same thing with the new "miracle" pill Yaz), and I was fine. I have spent time off of Yasmin, simply because I was ill and on antibiotics so I didn't fill a couple of months worth, and I noticed no difference in the before and after (other than having to use condoms in the meantime).

I've been on Yasmin for three years, absent two months. Everyone's body is different, everyone reacts differently, and this site is NOT this place to get the information you need to make a decision about medication. A starting point maybe, then go off the pill, see how you fill (talk to your doctor first). What's not being taken into consideration is other medications these users are on, ages, individual physical illnesses or situations, or other things that could be reasons or interferences with the pill. Good luck ladies. :)

Oh, and an acne tip... rather than putting more chemicals into your bodies, try Proactive. I had AWFUL skin in areas that nothing worked for, from cheapest to most expensive to prescribed. I started using it in 1996 or so and my skin is perfect. I use it now because it keeps my face clear and makes it radiant, and I don't even have to use it every day. I don't have to wear ANY make up on my skin at all. Something to think about instead of putting worrying about trying to find a BCP that works for you and for your skin. :]

I started Yasmin about 5 months ago and thought I had no side effects. Did not gain a single pound and didnt really think my mood changed. The only weird side effect i did have is gas and bloating. Now at first I didnt think it was due to Yasmin so I went through an array of tests for gastro-intestinal problems and finally made the connection because I took yasmin at night and only had those problems at night. Never ever during the day. Oh yeah and the migraines. I would get them for about 5 days straight. It was really annoying to have to deal with. Now I will definitely switch to Alesse although I am questioning that alternative as it may be just better for me to not be on any birth control. And I do want to say that not everyone will have these random side effects. A few of my friends are using Yasmin and are absolutely satisfied. (their side effects: no weight gain and breast enlargement...what more could you want!! :) )

(SIGH) well, with great relief i can say i'm not alone in the war against BC pills and side effects. the weirdest things started happening to me when i began taking yasmin - the 1st night i got my period after taking it i has THE WORST period pain EVER!!! so bad that i popped a mersyndol and no lie, within 30mins my sister was driving me to the emergency ward - i literally thought i was dieing. Anyway, turns out i had a MONSTER of an anxiety attack and a (viral) ear infection at the same time... GREAT!

at the time i had no idea what was causing my 'so called' spazo attacks - i just thought i had some horrid ear virus which would last a couple of months and clear up (the docs agreed). when it didn't start clearing up i started seeing docs on a regular basis, paying thousands for all sorts of tests even did the whole allergy testing thing thinking i'm seriously intolerant to something but to no avail... 4 years later and i'm still struggling with the following symptoms: dizziness (and i mean ALL the time), it's more like being lightheaded not so much dizzy spells, nausea, bloating, sore throat, tired/no motivation, weight gain 8 kgs in 3-4 yrs, i'm 29 (female) so i guess my body thinks it about to have babies... pressure headaches, ear ringing, my sex drive has packed up and left town, blah blah blah, i could go on... anyway, last month i went off yasmin (only cos i ran out) and spent 4 weeks al'natural. i got my period only a couple of days last and last sun i went back to the doc for gen exam and thought while i'm here i'll get a script for yasmin again... took my 1st pill on mon just gone - i can't tell you how rotten i've felt this week, i just thought it's prob pms or something no joke, everything has come back new and improved - now the dizziness is worse 10 fold, the bloating horrid... i've had a headache for 3-4 days now, constantly running to the loo. i feel like a TOTAL wreck!!! my husband thinks it's just women's stuff... pfffffft!!! he noticed i've been edgy all week and keeps asking 'what's up with you' and me thinking it's pms or something kept saying 'nothing honey' - well thanks to everyone who posted here i now know better!

oh, forgot to mention, after having my HUGE panic attack, the doc prescribed by 5mgs of lexapro daily and i've been taking that for almost 3 yrs - not sure if that's even good for my poor body...? helps with anxiety but purely masks the symptoms, hasn't cleared up - even the psychologist gave up cos she couldn't work out what was causing the anxiety... PFFFFT doctors... honestly!

good luck to everyone and head up guys, i know it's a painful process but eliminating the cause can take FOREVER and still i may neveer know what caused it...

I can agree with the many women who have spoken out against Yasmin. I have been taking it for about 6 years, so when I first started there was no negative media about it. I can say from experience that this pill's worst side effect are the head aches. I have never had migraines till this medicine.

I got on Yasmin for acne and to lessen my periods, but my face was never really clear even while on a face medicine and luckily my periods were lighter. However, now that I have been off Yasmin for a week and a half my face has totally cleared up, I have lost 4 pounds and my head aches are still continuing while my body adjusts to not contantly ingesting hormones.

I thought Yasmin was so great while I was first on it, but since I've been in college I would reccomend trying something else( but not Loestrin because I didn't have a period at all on that)!! So, do tons of research before choosing a pill because doctors are just saying what the pharmaceudical sales reps tell them...the pills are generall new and the side effects are not known.

I was originally put on Yasmin because of my PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). I was taking it for about 2-3 years and just stopped about a month and 1/2 ago and I am experiencing horrific headaches. They are sudden and on the left side behind my eye. There is no warning. They are like migraines but they are piercing pain not throbbing. Could the cessation of taking Yasmin be the cause? I hurt almost daily and I'm so sick of it. Also I haven't had a period yet.

I've been taking Yaz for three months and, as much as I'd like to stay on a birth control pill, this one just isn't working. I've been ravenously hungry, and nauseous too. It's been a vicious cycle of eating (to stem the insane cravings), and then vomiting. Yuck. I'm over it. I've read some of the other posts, and I can relate to the need to pee also. I experienced the same diuretic effect, but only for a few weeks during the first pack of pills. I've also had a mild headache nearly every day since I began taking the pill. And I've had sore breasts too. I'm sure there are some girls who can handle Yaz, but I'm not one of them!

Hello,

I read about how YAZ birth control pill affects the body and psych and I am now scared. This is my 2nd day of YAZ (I've never been on birth control pills ever and I am 27 years old), it's all new to me but after reading all these negative posts about Yaz I don't know what to do. Before the birth control pills, I was depressed, annoying, serious weight problems - 210 lbs :~~((, low energy, low libido, always tired, terrible migraines every 2nd day, ridiculously increased appetite and excessive hunger, hair where it shouldn't be, menstrual blood clots, excessive cramping etc
I have all these problems for 3 years now and now that the family doc. put me on YAZ birth control pill I am even more scared - mainly of more weight gain, it would be a tragedy for me, I am fat enough already and what's worse I can't lose the weight, exercise doesn't help, diet doesn't help, NOTHING. Will YAZ birth control pill worsen my already tragic condition? I just don't know what to do and what to believe ... I appreciate any advice or help you can give me ... Thank You to all!

I am so glad that I found this site, and I don’t feel like I’m going crazy anymore! I’m 22 and had been taking Yasmin for 2 years. About two months into taking Yasmin I began having unexplained migraines for days that would not go away. I was prescribed medication for my migraines, and it didn’t help. Then, I became depressed and would cry about everything. I also became moody and would yell at everybody for no reason at all. I was also tired all the time and was constantly having hot flashes. I also had terrible nausea and vomiting with Yasmin. I vomited almost every night for two months! The worst symptom of all though, was panic attacks that almost put me in the hospital one time. I finally looked up the side effects of Yasmin and thankfully found this site. I have been off Yasmin for two weeks now, and already I feel like myself again! I have more energy, and I am no longer moody or sick to my stomach. I have also not had a migraine and I even feel more clear headed. Yasmin destroyed my relationship with my fiancé and I’ll never get that back. Hopefully, other woman will see this and stop taking Yasmin before it ruins their relationships. I thank all of you woman who shared your stories! I felt so much better after reading them.

I went on yasmin about 2 years ago, right before I started my current relationship. Everything in my relationship was perfect, we never fought, it was just amazing. About 4 months into the relationship I started to pick fights with him, about everything possible. I was becoming depressed, insecure, and my anxiety level is at a constant high....still, I didn't realize any of this until this month. About 3 months ago I started getting my migrains back before and during my period...this month, my cramps came back. I kicked my boyfriend as hard as I could last week, and I couldn't tell you why, I immidiately started crying and saying sorry, and hugging him. This pill, I've come to realize, has almost completely ruined my life. It's almost ended my wonderful relationship with the love of my life several times. This month was the final straw, I thought maybe I had pmdd, I looked up the symptoms and realized that was not what I had, then I thought to look up side effects of my birth control, and I found this site...many of the girls mention twitching, headaches, crazy mood swings, treating their spouses awful, sleeping all the time and still feeling tired. I have been suffering from all these symptoms for a long time now. I am stopping this pill IMMIDIATELY! It has ruined far too much of my life. I'm so glad I found this website, I now know I'm not crazy. Now I can go back to being the happy, fun, and friendly girl I really am!

There are a lot of negative experiences on here, so I thought I should share my positive one. I have been on birth control off and on for about 6 years. I was on orthotricyclin for the majority of the time-off and on. After getting horrible near migraine headaches on orthotricylin every Friday before my period for about 5 months in a row my doctor and I decided to try a different pill. I was on trilevelin (sp) for 4 months and gained a few pounds and felt easily irritated and emotionally different-just cried easily and not myself. I've been on Yasmin for a month and have had a great experience. I lost the water weight I'd gained and just verified with my boyfriend that my PMS was hardly even there. Everyone is different and has different hormone levels, but so far I am very happy with Yasmin. I've been migraine free tthe whole month!

I have been using Yasmine for a month. I noticed that I am having extreme fatigue, dehydration, nausea, aches in arms and legs, chest pains, no sex drive, rapid heart beat, hungry pains and anxiety. During this month of using Yasmine I have been to the Emergency Room 3 times. I had several test done and all were normal. Thank God I found this site! At first I thought I was crazy! I have never experieced anxiety at this level.I did take Yasmine in June and stopped the 3rd week because I missed consecutive days. I experienced migraines for a month. Any suggestions of a new forn of birth control? I will not be purchasing another pack of Yasmine!