Yasmin and migraines

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!

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, 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!

Has anyone out there had an increase in urination? I started Yaz in Feb. and since then I've been peeing like a race horse. My OBY said it was probably an overactive bladder, typical for a peri-menopausal woman. I had tests for bladder infections and they read negative. I was in the middle of relocating my family across many miles and I just put up with the symptoms. Now I find out there is microscopic blood in my urine and I am scheduled for a slew of tests probing for tumors, cancers, polyps, etc. in my bladder and kidneys. My Dad had bladder cancer so I'm pretty scared. However, I am starting to wonder if there is a Yaz connection. I hate the thought of returning to periods where I couldn't leave the house because I was bleeding so much but all the risks here are scaring me. I don't have an OBY here yet but assuming I am not harboring cancer or an other disease (i.e., kidney stones) I think I'll go off Yaz. I already have horrible migraines and acne so I'm wondering if it will all get worse. My headaches are the same (2-3 times a month) with Yaz and my skin is better. It's been pretty good for water weight but as I said, I am in the bathroom way too much.

Hello Yasmin Sufferers out there, I have currently been taking Yasminfor four months exactly, I started my cycle today which means that I would start to take my new pack of pills come this Sunday, except I have most definately decided that I am going to stop. Especially after reading all of these posts and have come to the realization that all of my health problems seem to be Yasmin driven. I will now list the long list of symptoms that I have expierienced over the last four months:

Water retention, dry mouth, dehydration ( also note: drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day), blurred vision, shaking, headaches, backaches, crying at the drop of a dime, moody, irritable, constipation, nightsweats, coldsores, breast tenderness, as well as numbness in legs. I also have naturally thin hair, but have noticed that my hair has become thinner. I have also gained 10pds.

I am 24 years of age and have been taking this pill for four months. When I was younger I took Ortho Tricyclin for years and gained approx: 60pds. I went off of that pill and dropped the weight almost immediately along with changing my nutrition completely. So, it wasn't just the pill. I then stayed off of the pill for years, and was absolutely fine. Last year I tried to take Yasmin, I went on the pill for one month and withing the 1st week gained 8pds, I stopped taking it after one month, because I am so weight conscience because the pill had made me gain weight in the past.

I tend to have moderate adult acne. I went to my Dr. for an acne treatment, and he suggested the Birth Control Pill. He suggested Yasmin because of the water pill which is in it. This time my Dr. convinced me that I did not give the pill enough time last time and should give it three months minumum.

So, I have given it four months and the symptoms seem to be getting worse as well as the weight gain, and irritability.

I have also felt depressed and wondered if have been depressed which I have never had thoughts of in the past.

One thing that Yasmin has done well for me has been clearing up the acne, which was what I wanted to stop, but after enduring all of these other symptoms, I would rather have adult acne in trade for all of these.

Like I mentioned above I took my last pill last Saturday because that was the end of my pack and I do not plan on starting a new one this Sunday. I can only hope that I do not get any negative side effects when coming off of the pill.

I hope that this helps you ladies out there looking for info and highly recommend researching a birth control pill extensively before taking it.

Wishing you all the best of luck, thank you all for voicing your symptoms as I didn't even realize that these were all pointing to one problem.YASMIN.

I can't believe I have found this site!!! I have been having horrendous but very petty arguments with my boyfriend just lately, to the point I do not know if we are over as he is only speaking to me in a temper voice. Obviously I believe eveything is his fault(!) and now after reading the site I am wondering if it is all actually me and down to my pill, yasmin, as everything I have read about everyones mood swings rings true! I am almost 3 months in and have been experiencing headaches for the first time in my life and I thought it was just one of those things. My breasts are nearly up a whole size and I have become really really self conscious which I have also never been like before and few of my clothes appear to fit. I have also recently visited the Dr's with dizziness which I actually put down to Jasmin although she said it couldn't possibly be the pill and put it down to a dodgy eardrum which she thinks I have - also I believe I have become increasingly deaf... could that be the pill too or am I now blaming everything that is going wrong in my life on that one tiny little tablet????
I am going to book an appointment with my Dr for tonight but am really conscious that I am going to burst into tears the moment I walk into the surgery - is this the table or because of the rows with my boyfriend? (Like the chicken and egg!)
I have been on Dianette for years and have never experienced any problems - surely it can't be that bad, can it?????

YAZ: I've been on Yaz for about a year after taking Yasmine for a year or two, and I have been feeling very lethargic for the past few months. I'll sleep fine, but after waking up in the morning about three hours later, I'm wiped out again. I've also been having heartburn and dry eyes-don't know if those are related. Has anyone had new or worse side effects after being on Yaz for a year or more?

Hi, I have been on Yasmin for 2 years now. I have ALWAYS been a very confident and outgoing person. For the past year i have had panic attacks regularly. I am very hot at night, I have trouble sleeping, yet my period pains are at a minimun and I have few symptons of PMT. (Mind you it is still bad enough to take codeine and paracetamol on the first day of bleeding).

Other side effects that I thought would clear up but which haven't are:- dark patches on my forehead and above my lip (doc said they would go, but seem to 'come' and go) and a very sore throat accompanied by swollen glands, sometimes on the right, sometimes on the left side of my neck. My fingers are tingly and my joints are swollen. The Chest pains could be related to anxiety. I get a migraine 24-72 hours before I bleed, regular as clockwork now.

The worst is the mood swings and the depression, I just really don't recognise myself, tired and teezy all the time.

I was very happy for the first 3-6 months that I took Yasmin, but after that I have known I haven't been 'right', but my anxiety and depression have made me unable to make a decision or be focused why.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed on the site, it's great to know I'm not the only one.

I have been on Yasmin for about a month and a half, and the last three weeks have been awful. I have migraines, am tired, finding myself short of breath (while sitting down) and completely frustrated with my day to day life. I have extreme mood swings and the littlest things will set me off. I have gotten into fights with my bf and family, and I start crying because I am so frustrated. I never though BCP would have such severe side effects. I am very glad I found this website as I wasn’t too sure what was causing such frustration. The funny thing is that I started taking these pills to control my PMDD right before my period. And now I am moody all the time. I am going to stop taking these pills and see my doc

i have been taking Yamine for about a month and a half, after being on a generic pill for a couple years. I didnt know if these symptons i was having was caused by yasmine, but now i think it may be. I have been getting lightheaded, blurry eyes, shakiness, hot flashes..almost like a panic attack, and i have become very dehydrated, even though i have been drinking alot of water. I even went to the doctors for these symptons and they still don't have an answer, so i think it may be yasmine.my newest sympton as of yesterday is chest pain. also i feel like my heart is beating fast all the time, and i feel fatigued way too often, which is causing me to eat more, becauase i am starving way to often, and if i don't eat i feel like i am going to collapse. Also my sex drive has gone to non-existant- is that common? I workout all the time, and eat pretty healthy, so i don't know what else these symptons could be coming from. Is anyone else experiencing these sympons?

Hello everyone, I was amazed when I found this site! I was just searching and searching websites to get answers for symtoms I was having and nothing seemed to get answered. I've been on Yasmin for approximately 6-7 years, at first I did not have many problems with it, it did clear up my acne problem, my periods are lighter, everything else is pretty much the same (i.e. mood swings). Since I have been on it, lately I have been experiencing a lot of different problems, small amounts of spotting, depressed at times, A LOT of migraines/headaches. Lately I don't know what to do, I have gain weight on Yasmin since I've been on it, I've probably have gained about 25-40lbs (in that range) I have thought about getting off of it, but I'm not sure if I can or if I should, are there any side effects of getting off of Yasmin? I want to be more happier not depressed. Any thoughts?

C

I started taking Yasmin a year ago to help control my acne which the dermatologist described as adult acne or hormonal acne. It worked and cleared it up. Since then I have gone off of it twice, but the acne returns, so I go back on it. I went to the regular doctor this past week, and he diagnosed me with depression. The depression symptoms started around the same time I was put on yasmin. Could they be linked? I don't want to go off of it because my acne will come up, but it seems to have totally changed my personality. Thoughts??

I had been off Yasmine for almost 3 months and am feeling way better. I started Yasmine in Jan.2006. All was well for 3 mos, then I noticed over that summer my periods were heavier and longer and very clotty. Brown to black to start. And they lasted like 6-8 days!! Then in Aug 06 i had a migraine for 3 days! Then Sept. and again in Oct. Also, I started suffering panic attacks, i would get dizzy and frantic and my heart would race, I was moody and depressed and ended up on anti deppressants and antixiolitcs. My hands would tingle like i wasnt getting blood pumped there. I saw a psych doctor & she said it wasnt the pill I explained that this all heightened during my second week of active pills. Nope not that. My gyn said so too. I swore to him that I thought that this pill was giving me too much hormone and effecting my whole balance and equilibrium of my body... well i started a diary and found I was gettin a migraine the Thursday before my period and the migraine was gone Sunday on my start day. And My panic attacks and anxiety did get worse after 9 days of my new pack. And there was no reason or extra extra stressors at that time happening. It was incapacitating! I had to call in sick, missed college classes and then this pass April 07 lost my job from calling out once a month. At any rate I requested from my GYN to take me off the Yasmine. That was the middle of My . I have iregular periods again but NO MIGRAINES, NO OVER EATING, NO CRAMPS, and my flow is way lighter and not as long. In addition, I no longer suffer from full blown panic attacks, just some extra jitteriness here and there like hmm when i should, during a normal crisis. I had an awful experience with this pill, and would not wish it's side effects on my worst enemy!

I started Yas about 4 months ago for excessive bleeding, cramping, pms symptoms and homonal imbalance. My Gyn said it would help with all these things. On my first couple months on the pill I thought it improved my mood swings, and my bleeding drastically decreased and I had almost no cramping. I did have a couple migraines and some nausea in the beginning. I have had a real problem with weight gain, cravings and bloating. I increased my exercise but can not seem to loose the weight I gained when I started Yas. I am 40 and this was never a problem for me before. For about the last six weeks, I have had depression and extreme irritability. I've also had brown spotting in between periods. I'm going to stop taking the Yas.

EVERYBODY REPLY TO THIS Let's see exactly how many women have had negative side affects from Yasmin. Just reply with the sideaffects. I see lots of posts and was wondering how many women are out there sharing similar problems. So me.... migraines, extremely horrible mood swings all from taking yasmin for 8-9 days next..........? lol

ANOTHER UPDATE:
Hi again, I posted on the 12th and the 15th I was on Yas for a week, noticed a bad change of moods etc.
well here's the time line....
I got my period on Saturday Aug. 4th and started the pill on the 5th. I stopped taking it the 13th or 14th So I was on it for 8-9 days. Well I am spotting heavily and have major cramps which all started the 17th. And while reading the new posts and seeing how people are complaining about migraines I REALIZE ME TOO! I got a migrane on Thursday night the 16th at work. At first I thought it was due to lack of sleep, work or having had taken a late lunch.... fine I go home go to bed. Wake up early still had the migrane but went back to sleep since I didn't have to be at work until late. Headache was gone when I woke up again. But I've been feeling a little discomfort in my head very slight. I's like a ball was rolling around in there and any sudden movement would hurt a little as if the ball bounced against the walls. Anyway today the migraine came back full force same place. Right side of my head like a pin has been inserted from the back to the middle of my right eyebrow. Has anyone been feeling like this? And I am spotting and have very very bad cramps. I dont know whats going on if it's me having a bad week or if it has anything to do with this damn pill. Anyway thats it, sorry if I'm rambling a bit I am having a very hard time trying to express myself with my head pounding.

I am still trying to figure out all this yasmin stuff. I am the one whose 13 yr old daughter was given yasmin as sorta a favor because she was having long periods. It seem to me that yes, yasmin or yaz whatever the difference is works well for lots of people. Thats great i'm glad to hear that. What about the handful of women/girls that it does not work well for even potentially dangerous. I am starting to thinkl that the ones that have had bad reactions to this are the ones that didn't have good followup with thier obgyn. It seems to me that there is sometimes no association made with bcp and some of these adverse reactions. I mean when my daughter started to get sick and stuff I took her to the pediat. not the ob/soccer mom. I just happened to stumble upon this site in my own desperation to figure out why my daughter has been and is so chronically tired all the time. I do wish when I recieved these sample packs of strong hormones that i would have been told of things to look for. Honestly ,I don't think this doctor knew of these side effects. I will say they stopped the bleeding she hasn't been on yasmin since the end of march and still hasn't had a period. I was told this should be out of her system by now. I don't believe that though.

I started Yasmin three years ago. It was great, lighter periods, fewer cramps, less acne. About a year ago, I noticed my left arm would kind of be numb. Then two months ago, I started getting light-headed and dizzy. I went to the emergency room, they couldn't find anything wrong. They said I had a panic attack, but I knew that it wasn't that. I'm a very calm, happy person. I went to a doctor, said I had fluid in my ear, prescribed Antivert, didn't help. Went to another doctor, did an ecg, glucose test, nothing. Said I should go to a neurologist. I didn't because I don't have insurance and I suspected that it was probably the Yasmin. In fact, I asked each doctor if it could be the pill, since this was the only thing I was taking and they said no. Went to an ENT, found nothing. Finally, I just decided to go off the pill, got better, but still having dizzy spells and migraines. It's driving me crazy. Missing work, social engagements. I had the brown spots and vaginal discharge. That I could deal with, but this is ridiculous!

I have been on Yaz for a year, and the mood swings and crying spells started immediately for me. But I didn't attribute them to the pill because at the time I was going through some issues. However, about 9 months in I started to have migraines more and more frequently. Now I have them everyday and I have been put on Topamax and Imitrex for them. (Neither of which works really well, seeing as how I am home from work right now with a migraine that I have had for the past week that got really bad last night). I recently read up on how Yaz works and was horrified. I realized that the migraines, fatigue, weight gain, IBS symptoms, nausea, nonexistent libido, emotional rollercoaster, all of it is from that tiny little pill. I can feel that my body is dehydrated, and I'm drinking water almost 24/7 but it doesn't seem to be getting any better. To top it all off, when I went to see my doctor in May about the migraines, he did blood work and the only thing that was abnormal was that I have high cholesterol. It's 235 and I am only 21 years old. I thought that was strange, but since I am originally from the south and grew up on fried chicken and then moved to Maryland where I now enjoy crab I figured it stood to reason. Guess what Yaz also causes, ladies! High cholesterol. But it's the new age oral contraceptive that doesn't cause any of the common side effects. You know what? Legally, that's not a lie. These side effects don't seem to be common of any other oral contraceptive. I'm so angry! I can't even resolve to not think about it because the constant pain in my head serves as a reminder. You ladies on this website are the reason that I started my research on Yaz and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am coming off of this pill.

I've been on Yasmin for about 5 months now. I experience everything everyone else has stated. I experienced nausea, migraines, all the bad side effects for 2 months straight before they subsided. I still get migraines a week before my period and they continue till the new packet starts. I think my body is rejecting these hormones and when the hormones are reduced during my period, the migraines start. While on the plus side....no weight gain at all and shorter days for my period....the MAJOR downside for me is that my hair has begun to fall out and I'm not just talking about the normal loss. I thought since my hair is really dark, I was just seeing it more than usual but there is a definite loss and I can feel areas where the hair is thinner. I had super thick hair and it's getting thinner and thinner. I have contacted my dr and want off of this. I am birth control to regulate cysts that keep forming on my ovaries but I'm starting to think that pain is worth enduring when I have all of these problems.

Hi everyone –

I read this entire thread (wow, but good read)! I will start with the positives and end with the negatives (and yes, I’m going OFF Yaz).

Positives I lost weight (flat stomach due to the diuretic) and spontaneous sex (but the tricky thing is, it takes away your libido or at least mine) – lost about 5 LBs and decreased appetite. 120 to 115 lbs and sometimes 112 – flexuates between 112-115.

Negatives
First month I felt VERY nauseous – took the pills at night but didn’t help. I had some stomach cramps which went away. I had severe migraines (one that made me vomit and I could not move & I was in such unbearable pain I thought I was going to die – seriously (stuck in bed all night – and yes the headaches did stop after 4 months). I felt “spacey” all the time (this was early on, went away) – Best way to describe this would be like drinking a glass or two of wine, I felt a bit numb. I would get as one poster described these brain spurts that zapped me with this dizzy thing that lasted seconds and would go away (nice to read that as I know I’m not alone). Another common side effect I still got up until the 6 month was my ears plugging up (usually in the morning) and it happened a lot and it was from the pill. I also had troubles sleeping and anxiety out of nowhere (all of a sudden I felt too nervous to walk in my bosses office, very bizarre). I had to go in the bathroom and breathe then felt ok.

The week before my period I am MOODY and ANGRY inside and it’s made me feel more withdrawn from my boyfriend. I was never a depressed person before or moody minus occasional crabbiness from lack of sleep or stress. I never had severe PMS to start to it did the reverse for me, made my PMS worse. I have only been on this pill for 6 months to by the way! Curious if it is true about the serotonin in this pill – if there is serotonin isn’t it supposed to make you happy, LOL so I don’t know how much that part is true. Guess I do better a la natural!

My libido is gone but only comes back during aunt flow when I’m taking NO PILLS and I feel happy during my period (and sexual) and my old self (go figure?). the thought of sex doesn’t cross my mind and trust me prior I was like a cat on a hot tin roof (in my 30’s afterall)!

I used to do Ortho for years with headaches but no loss of sex drive or anything then stopped cold turkey for a year. Prior to that I did seasonal and had some hair loss and a brown spot on my face due to the BC.

It’s really hard to find a specialist who really gets in the ins and outs of birth control pills. They should have a dr that works only on BC’s (sorry but most gyno’s don’t really know as they say “everyone is different which is true but c’mon, you guys are way more educated of the pro’s and con’s then they are). I went to see an OBGYN that said “that’s what happens in relationships, you’re libido drops” when I told her, I thought “huh” what kind of DR are you? My regular DR was way better informed but not a specialist (waste of my time and money)! She told me to stop having a period and to take Yaz continuously and gave me more free samples. Wonder how much the manufacturer is paying her? Makes me wonder. I prefer to have a period, that’s when I felt like myself again, ha!

I want lists and stats of all pills same with side effects and percentages of women who experience the same. I wish Oprah would do a show on this – anyone have any connections??? It should be called “Birth Control, what he manufacturers don’t want to tell you” basically you can have condomless sex but the catch is “ you don’t want sex” LOL

Thanks.
Peanut

PS The straw was last Saturday – I was so moody (5 days before aunt flow) and my BF thought I wasn’t into him anymore and I couldn’t shake the withdrawn feeling and today I miss him so much and can’t wait to see him Saturday and I will not be starting my new pack of pills on Sunday –we’re putting Latex back into business  until I research other methods, possibly nuva ring but who knows? Next 2-3 months I don’t want anything in my body besides food and weekend drinks, ha!