Yasmin and moodiness

I began taking Yasmin in July 2006. I had been on bcp for about 10 years at the time, mostly due to bad cramps and pms symptoms. Yasmin worked out well, but there was just one side effect, I would become extremely emotional right before my period. In October 2007 I went for my yearly check-up and mentioned this to my doctor. He switched me to Apri (Desogen) saying that this would be a better pill for that side effect. I began taking it that next month. Right away I had feelings of nausea and breast tenderness. Even though I felt like this I gave Apri a chance. In January 2008 I couldn't take feeling like this anymore and stopped taking it. In February I noticed my hair began falling out. I hadn't gotten a period this month either. I went to the doctor in March and she ran many blood tests. My estrogen came back extremely low (at a level of a menopausal woman). Instead of exploring any other options as to what to do, the doctor put me right back onto Yasmin, since now I went two months without a period. I figured that I would have to learn to live with a little moodiness before my period that Yasmin gave me. The doctor also made me believe that this would put an end to my hair loss...Nothing could have been further from the truth!!! I went back on Yasmin in March 2008 and what a HUGE difference than from the first time I was on it. Not only was I emotional now ALL the time, but I physically felt much worse. I had constant breast tenderness, acne (which even as an adolescent I never had), oily skin, and my hair was constantly falling out. Emotionally I was a wreck! I was constantly crying and very depressed! I began going from doctor to doctor, which is unlike me. I hate doctors and would only go for a serious illness. Now I was hoping that one of these doctors could give me an answer. But 6 months later and NO ANSWERS. The only thing that a few doctors said was that Yasmin was good for those with hair loss. So after reading many of the entries on this website and after much soul-searching...I am going off birth control for good!!! I have lost well over half of my hair, have practically pushed everyone that means anything to me away, and have personally hated myself! I have literally lost the past 6 months of my life! It is now time to see what my body is capable of on its own. I'm done putting this poison into my body and would tell anyone else to do the same. I always knew that there were side effects associated with any kind of medicine, but I could not have ever imagined that all of these side effects could have and would have happened to me. I felt like I had to write this after reading all of the other entries. Many of those entries gave me the courage to quit and I would be happy if this could help or inform even just 1 person! I would appreciate if there were anyone out there that had a similar experience to either post it or reply. Thank you.

My daughter has been on Yasmin for a year and a half - it was prescribed for irregular periods and spotty skin. She is 15 and has had a year of nausea, leg cramps, hair loss, headaches, elevated heart rate,fatigue , irritation,angry outbursts ,dehydration severe moodiness and depression and lately- uncontrolled crying for no reason. She also sees black dots after exercising. She has gone from a happy girl who loved exercise to a grumpy couch potato! The doctor diagnosed it as a viral infection and suspected glandular fever - she missed a lot of school!
Today she had a day from hell - fought with a teacher and cried for hours. She also takes Ritalin as she is ADD- so I thought it was that - I decided to look up Yasmin and am so glad I did! What a great website! She has just taken a multivitamin and mag.phos - NO MORE YASMIN!!! Any advice on what she can use for her skin? and irregular periods?
A million thanks
Caron

I was on Yasmin for 3 years, and just got off it a week ago. I tried 3 different birth control pills before Yasmin, but I cannot recommend any of them. The side effects of the first pill (three-phase pill) were more visible in a short period of time - weight gain, moodiness like crying or feeling edgy for no reason, BV, and decreased sex drive. Because it was not tolerable, after 3 months of this pill (I cannot remember the name), I switched to Min-Ovral. It was better in regards to weight and moods, but I had no sex drive. Also I had several yeast infections (following the initial episode after use of antibiotics to treat BV) after I had sex. After about 6 month of this, pill I tried Alesse but nothing changed. After 6 month of Alesse, I changed to Yasmin. The side effects include
(1) zero sex drive (affected relationship with my husband)
(2) yeast infections and bladder infections (never had either before)
(3) migraine (2-3 times a month, sometimes with nausea)
(4) anxiety (not severe)
(5) fatigue or low energy
Migraine was so bad that I was wasting my time just suffering from pain 2-3 times a month, 1-2 days each time, my husband suggested I should go off the pill. Now I've been off Yasmin for a week (2 weeks including a week between packs) and I've seen 'side effects' getting off the pill.
(1) feel like my head is going to explode - feel pressure in my head
(2) fatigue and sleepiness - can't concentrate
(3) weight gain 6 lb in a week!! while my diet or exercise did not change
(4) bloating especially on my lower stomach
I found this web site and had to post my experience, although it is still too early to tell. I think I will see a doctor if these side effects persist for a month, and will update the post here.
Thanks for reading, and I hope we will find a good solution somehow.

I've been on Yasmin for almost 3 years and have had no bad experiences except for a little constipation that cannot be cured by an apple a day. Prior to yasmin I tried Ortho Tri-Cyclen and Ortho-Low which both made me gain weight and become moody. I also tried the patch that made me gain a lot more weight and become extremely moody! tried the NuvaRing, and they you cannot feel it but I could and also felt really moody on it but couldn't tell with the weight since I had gained so much on the other stuff. My friend recommended Yasmin to me and since then I have loved it. You can't be on oral contraceptives and live a lazy lifestyle. You've got to be healthy and active. Exercise increases positive endorphines that will help you keep a healthy mood. When I went on Yasmin I lost 40 pounds of the weight that I gained from the other stuff. In addition some little acne I had cleared up. I have not experienced moodiness on Yasmin but again I eat healthy and exercise A LOT which I think helps tremendously.

My doctor did have me try taking "yaz" for 2 months and please DO NOT confuse the two. Yaz was completely horrible for me and my period became wacky. My OB explained that all women have hormonal changes throughout their whole life and that Yasmin may not be right for me forever but right now it seems to be the best choice. She said all women are different and some may experience it horribly.

So those of you reading all the negative posts below - please do not be scared of by it because you do not know what is good for your body by the basis of someone else experience.

If you do research on Yasmin as with any other drug you can see that there are something that you need to consider when deciding to go on this drug. Yasmin is also different because it uses potassium.

I started taking Yaz for about 3 months and couldn't tolerate the daily spotting and severely itchy skin from my knees to my ankles. I switched to Yasmin and though I don't have as much breakthrough bleeding, it still occurs daily a week BEFORE my real period. I have very little to no sex drive and I have to use Aveeno 24 hour anti itch lotion immediately after showering (I've lived in a desert climate for over 10 years now and have NEVER depended on anti itch lotion much less regular lotion since starting these pills). It was so bad a couple of nights that I took Benadryl to get through the night. After reading the posts from others, I'm thinking that I must have an allergy as I, too, have constant post-nasal drip in addition to the itching. I have also noticed more hair shedding but luckily for me, I have thick hair. The only benefit is I don't seem as moody as with other birth control pills and have kept my weight somewhat normal despite not exercising and overeating on the weekends. I am going to my PCP to change back to Ortho Novum although I dread the moodiness that comes with increased estrogen. Why can the drug companies come up with incredible drugs like Cialis but 30 years later, we still have @$#! for birth control pills?

Side Effects: Yaz -- daily breakthrough bleeding
Yasmin -- breakthrough bleeding 2-3xs a week
Both-- severely itchy lower legs, constant post nasal drip, hair loss, severely decreased libido, occasional leg cramping

my daughter is 16 takes Yasmin for severe periods and cramps, stomach pain, moodiness during her periods. She has just started complaining about headache that hurt really bad, not like migraine headaches, she already had a history of those and said that they feel different. I'm worried, has anyone experienced this?

Hi, I started Yaz about 2 weeks ago. I am already on Zoloft for minor depression and anxiety. Stared Yaz the sunday I started my period. First the moodiness started, then the headaches. I thought I was getting sick with a cold because I had razor blade pain in my throat that I ended up attributing to Reflux. Went to the doctor to get meds to treat that. The pain went away then I got a metallic taste that I couldn't get rid of. Went to the dentist and nothing was wrong with my fillings. I thought I was going crazy because then I had vaginal itching and odor. I wasn't have a full period but I never stopped bleeding from my period when I started the pack. After finding this website I stopped mid cycle. This has scared the crap out of me. I know I haven't been on it for long, but can anyone tell me if they have stopped in the middle of the pack and how long it took for your period to be on a normal schedule again.

I have been on this for 1 month. The first two weeks was fine then I started feeling bloated big time. I do exercises for my stomach and I know I have good core muscles and I can't hold my stomach in. I'm not working right now need to be looking for work but I have been waiting for the bleeding to stop and the bloating to disappear. I am getting off of this. All of the head problems people are having are due to the extra drug in Yaz that deals with moodiness. I have been on tons of different anti- everything and usually it takes at least 3 to 4 weeks to adjust to your brain. If not it's not for you. I am completely off of meds now because I took the steps to freedom in Christ in a book called Breaking the Bondage by Neil T Anderson. I took ortho tri-cyclene before years ago and it did great compared to this stuff. Taking something to help with moodiness just causes a person to be numb to their feelings. The feelings don't go anywhere the pile up and that's why you find yourself at times crying uncontrollably. The only way to heal these things is to face them and the only one that can take that pain from you is Jesus. I know I tried everything. Exercise and changes in your eating habits will help with period problems. Water water water will help with acne.

I took the Yasmin for 1 month and toward the end of the month (near my period) i had extreme premenstrual moodiness and depression. This was followed by a week of nausea, inability to eat, IBS, vomiting a few times and extreme tiredness and exhaustion.
I have stopped it for 3 days now and feel a little better already.
Cant wait to have this horrible pill out of my system.
Please pass this onto as many woman as you know. I was in the process of going to do anti depressants, as i know others have treated the symptoms too, even assuming pregnancy, hepatitis C or thyroid related illnesses.

Get of Yasmin, and see the benefits!

Well I thought I was crazy too! I have been taking Yasmin for 5 years now and I have been experiencing so many different side effects I thought it was just me getting older and my body was changing. I have noticed everything from major anxiety attacks, fatigue, depression, snapping uncontrollably and being on edge (I am not that kind of person) , skin dryness, discoloration after being in the sun, hair loss, ringing in my ears, I even went to the ear doctor because my husband thought I was going deaf. Also I have experienced such a bad experience with urinary tract infections as well as yiest infections which I feel is due to the Yasmin as well. I never had any of these ailments before taking this pill. About a month and a half ago I decided to cleanse my body of the pill wondering if this could be affecting me and I didn't realize how much it was until I started taking it again one month later within two days I noticed it unbelievably I felt so edgy and started snapping again immediatley. I notified my obgyn and told her what I thought she recommended taking B-6, I tried it and it didn't make a difference so I asked to switch to the YAZ which claims to help with moodiness, fatigue etc...after being on it for one month I think the effects are actually worse. I have decided to quit taking the pill all together. I can't believe people can be feeding this stuff to humans with all these side effects. I am so glad to have found this web site. Now I know I am not crazy!!! Best of luck to everyone.

I am 49 and my bad acne started to return and I started getting a receeding hairline. My OB put me on Yaz. The hair has continued to reced at an alarming rate - so it did not help with that. I still am breaking out alot, but I have since discovered a device called the ZitZapper which works really well (I wish it had been invented 30 years ago when I was at my worst). My skin has dried out alot which I really like. It's still oily in comparison to other peoples, but at least my eyeliner is not melting in 4 hours like it used to. I have no experienced any of the moodiness others complain of.

But I have gotten a yeast infection every other month and I am very dry. And my sex drive has never been lower. In fact, I have no sensation in the exterior tissues; I cannot acheive an orgasm, which I have never had problems with at all. The drospirenone in Yaz is derived from a "water pill" that gives men erectile disfunction, so the lowered libido is not a surprise.

I have lost weight (about 5 lbs); the pill makes your appetite diminish, especially if you drink alot of water. My breasts seem fuller but are not sore. In general I like the effect it has has on my body.

The first week of every month, I feel very tired but this only lasts the first week.

The package insert fot YAZ is clear that you should get tested for Potassium levels your first month. Your kidneys cannot process the minerals and be trying to clear other substances. The itching all over that I was feeling and others complain of - this is limited kidney function. A blood test will confirm this.The first month I was on Yaz I could not eat any high potassium foods without feeling sick. I ate a can of tuna and was sick for 2 days. I had a weird metallic taste in my mouth for the first 6 weeks. I can pretty much eat anything now without feeling sick.

I take fish oil daily to thin the blood to try to stave off clots.

I am going to try something else though to try to stop the hair loss.

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've been taking Yasmin about four years...and about a year ago, I kept remarking that I think Yasmin changed its formula because I experienced terrible water retention (at least 6 pounds every month) and psychotic mood swings two weeks before my period. Originally, I started taking Yasmin to restart my periods which I lost for 3 years, supposedly due to weight loss (I lost 40 pounds in four months). But after I gained 20 back, still no period. This is when I started taking Yasmin and within 30 days it gave me a period like clockwork. I was fine for a few years, though very reclusive, which I thought was my depression - I do have a history of it. Funny, while taking Yasmin, I attributed my moodiness to PMS not depression. Since February of 2007, I have gained 10 pounds and my breasts have increased a cup size. As a result, my gyno and my shrink decided I should take Yasmin straight through so I didn't get PMS, or a period for that matter. The only reason I'm not depressed anymore is because I take Wellbutrin and Clomipramine. So now I don't get the pychological symptoms anymore -- just the bloating, constipation, huge boobs (they were big before) and general annoyance. To think it could have been the Yasmin all along! When every doctor told me I was insane...getting older...body changing...bipolar! One I finish the last pill, I'm taking matters into my own hands and kicking Yasmin to the curb. I would seek a Dr.'s help, but I'm sick of them shrugging me off. I'll report back. *Fingers crossed.*

I'm so glad I googled side effects of Yasmin and found this site. All of the sudden my mood swings for the past almost YEAR make sense. I started out fine. The pill was great, and I haven't had to worry about acne at all. Of course I gained a few pounds, but not too much. However, I'm a pre medical student trying to study for the MCAT this summer. I've been SO tired and drained and majorly depressed that I just can't seem to concentrate. I feel like I'm always crying over the stupidest stuff (AKA: no reason at ALL), and my grades are starting to suffer. Hopefully now that I've read this, I can stop taking this pill and see an improvement. It's just not worth the depression. I'm 22 right now, and until recently had never had a suicidal thought. I was starting to panic, because I couldn't identify the cause of my depression. I'm a good student, have lots of friends, and have the most amazing boyfriend and family. Life is good, I shouldn't feel this bad. Now that I have a clue as to what this may be, I can fix it.

I also completely understand the decreased libido many report. If you think about it this way it makes total sense and none of are crazy! Yasmin increases serotonin in the body according to my research. SSRIs are a group of antidepressants that also increase serotonin in the body. SSRIs are NOTORIOUS for decreasing libido due to the increase in serotonin, so it makes sense Yasmin would also. For me this has been a troubling problem along with the others I mentioned. Interestingly I had increased depression and anxiety, but this couod be to the increased moodiness overall. I also agree with the palpitations and dizziness as I have these symptoms also from time to time. These could also be attributable to serotonin-mediated side effects.

I've been on Yasmin for just over a year and I cannot complain. I began taking it to relieve severe endometriosis symptoms, and it has truly been outstanding in that capacity. It has also cleared up the "beard" of acne that I had on my chin and around my mouth. During the first 2 months I had nausea, dizziness, and moodiness, but it has since gone and I have no complaints at this time. Just thought you might like to see a positive experience!

i started taking Yasmin around 2 months ago.
I havent really experienced any majorly horrid side effects, except for tender breasts which is driving me nuts, my boyfriend cant hug me without me flinching in pain!
there has been the slight weight gain and the headaches, but i didnt realize until today and after reading all the posts that my sudden and extreme moodiness is due to Yasmin.
Iv noticed recently that iv been snapping at my boyfriend over nothing, getting very irritated and upset with very little to get upset over and that my anger getting out of hand.
And its not the regular 'PMS' symptoms of irritability...its severe full blown mood problems...and theyr really starting to take their toll on my relationship with my boyfriend. I find it hard to justify why i snap, and shout and respond in a rude way to anything he says...because i dont know myself...i have no answer....
i guess i can at least attribute it to Yasmin....but still.....
I dont know if i should change pills or not, as yasmin has been the first iv tried...

I've been on Yasmin for nearly 5 months now and as of last month, all the major side effects started really kicking in: leg cramps, fatigue, moodiness, weight gain, irritability, depression, foggy thinking, breast enlargement, vaginal infections, etc. So my question is this: If a woman experiences side-effects with one pill, won't she experience them with any and all other pills? I would almost rather just go off of them altogether because I feel like even though the drugs vary from one to another, ultimately they have the same effect: to fill you with hormones to "trick" your body into thinking it's pregnant all the time (no ovulation) so that you won't get pregnant.

Any thoughts?

I posted a few reports on this site a few months ago and just thought to let you know how I feel after 10 months off Jasmin: well I feel great and back to my old self again.
Do not despair Ladies, if you want to go off Yasmin, please do it. Here is an account of what happened to me when I went off Yasmin:

1/ finished my last pill and waited for my periods.
First 2 months: periods came regularly/ SYMPTOMS OF VERTIGO AND GENERAL UNWELL FEELING WENT.

2/3rd and 4th months: horrible muscle pains with cramps, and very sore upper right arm: I went to see a physio who advised that I should carry on (even if I could hardly walk) walking once a day (10mns) and swimming for 20mns a week, and he also gave me a 'theraband' (elastic band) to exercise slowly my right arm. Although it gave me pain, I persisted and I did the swimming once a week and the walking once a day.
EAR CONGESTION : no improvement /
HEART MURMUR AND PALPITATIONS / no improvement

5th and 6th months: pains in my calves stopped but muscles were still weak, I carried on walking and swimming
EAR CONGESTION: SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT
HEART MURMUR AND PALPITATIONS/ NEARLY GONE

7th and 8th months: I started to gain more strenght and more stamina in my regular exercises.
EAR CONGESTION: NEARLY GONE
HEART MURMUR AND PALPITATION / GONE

9th and 10th months: BACK TO MY REAL STRENGHT AND I MANAGED TO CARRY A HEAVY RUCKSACK ON A WALKING HOLIDAY IN ANDALUCIA / Since I came back I've been really energetic! full of good humour and in an excellent mood.
I still do my regular exercises to keep my muscles in good shape.

So ladies, please do not despair, it will happen to you also!
And since I went off Yasmin, I have decided to leave my body alone and will never put it under drugs anymore.
Also, I have not seen one doctor since the end of June last year !! SO YASMIN IS THE CAUSE OF ALL YOUR TROUBLES AND PAINS.

BEST OF LUCK (DO NOT BE AFRAID OF SUFFERING AFTER YASMIN!)
Sylvia

Hello ladies,

I thank the organisers of this forum and all the ladies who have participated in discussion in regards to the concerns and problems they are facing with Yasmin.

I am a 26 yr old male whose girlfriend is currently on Yasmin and have taken the time to research a bit about this product with a serious concern not only to her health but to our relationship !

We are suffering almost all of the above mentioned problems - and i say 'we' because i am going through a LOT here. It might be worth noting here that I only see my girlfriend on weekends.
Excessive moodiness - and when i say excessive i mean the type that was described by 'Nicole' and many others - the type that makes her want to crawl out of her skin, she gets very shaky as a result and complains that she has knots in her stomach at the end of it. These sessions have lasted up to 6 hours straight which was only yesterday evening. Being a who the type of person i am, i cant but feel responsible for her feeling this way, i keep blaming myself for something i may have said.
Anxious / panic attacks. She becomes totally unmanagable, often crying a LOT from feeling anxious for hours on end, to the point where she DOES want to crawl out of her skin as 'Nicole' put it. She gets shakey and dizzy all at the same time.

Cramping sensation in the legs

Tiredness - as put by 'Voicesi' "like pass-out tiredness". After a day long attempt to make her feel relaxed, being a kind gentlemen for an entire day, she would literally pass-out. Being a stereotypical male in this regard and I understand that us men have the ultimate weakness when it comes to the 'urge for sex' or our 'need to reproduce' but i hope to get intimate with my best friend, who ends up passing out. This leads me to another problem:
Loss of libido - Yet another problem faced by the many messages on this forum, namely by 'Christy', 'missy botto', 'missy' to name but a few. 'Tanna' has also complained about having no sex drive. No sex drive to the point where there is usually no physical contact whatsoever. I cant go near her sometimes which leads to further problems. she feels as though i'm afraid of her. I am very afraid of her! She cries, gets very anxious, would be shaking in the foetal position for hours. I would in return feel totally useless as I cant comfort her in any way. I feel helpless, she feels that she's all alone in this so i take it personally... I think its safe to say that these pills are 'from hell' as 'ML' put it.
I am tempted to throw away these pills to be the partner "who cant keep up" as 'christy' put it.
I believe she is doing physical damage to herself.
I dont deserve the way I am being treated and you ladies out there with these problems are hurting not only yourselves but quite possibly - and my case is a perfect example - others around you. Why ? all in the name of having unprotected sex, reduced periods, clear skin, controlled periods, or whatever reason it is ITS NOT WORTH IT !!

The only side effects I have noticed are moodiness and low iron levels. My mood changes constantly, and a Hallmark commercial is enough to make me cry. I don't feel depressed, and most of the time I am fine. My fiance and I get into arguments all the time over trivial things, and until now, I didn't want to blame it on hormones, but after reading others' posts, I definitely think Yasmin is the cause for it. I never used to be this sensitive over every little thing.

Regarding iron levels: Pre-Yasmin, my iron count was alway high. I regularly give blood, and had never had a problem until recently, and I have been told twice in the last few months that my iron count is too low to donate. I thought that it was because I wasn't getting enough iron-rich foods, and have even taked iron supplements occasionally to help with fatigue (I can't go to late movies anymore b/c I will fall asleep in the theater), but nothing seems to help.

I am getting married in May, and I am afraid if I go off of Yasmin now, it will mess with the regularity of my cycle, and I would rather not be on my period on my wedding day and on my honeymoon. I don't know if it would be better to wait it out (I have been planning on getting off birth control all together once we're married). Any advice?

Yet again..another day of moodiness and tears. I've been on Yamin for about 3 months and after reading all of these side effects from others...I'm done!

I have been stressed out, irritable, panicky and to the point of tears many times. Loss of sex drive completely! I'm going back to my other pill..Triquilar. I have never had mood swings or panick attacks like this ever before. But these past 3 months I've had tender breasts, major bloatness, moodiness and no sex drive. That's it..I'm not taking them tomorrow.

That's all ladies...thanks for the knowledge!

:)

I was put on Yasmin combined with Wellbutrin for PMDD ( pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder AKA really severe mood swings , depression and anxiety before my period) and for about a month it was great, no more moodiness and I was feeling much better...NOW after that first month I started breaking out in hives here and there with most of the issue being on or around my hands and feet, sometimes not just the hives but the palms of my hands and bottoms of my feet will become hot, red and swollen, not to mention INCREDIBLY itchy....I have been exhausted constantly, no appetite and blurry vision with some lightheadedness.....I have an appointment with a surgeon because my gallbladder needs to come out ( I have had gallstones for years but diet has controlled any issues with it) and has only been really bad since going on this....before I started taking it ( started taking it in May 2006)I was aware that the gallbladder problems were mentioned in the leaflet given and the doctor told me not to worry....also constantly having sinus issues and headaches, oh and forget about a sex drive too........I never considered that it could possibly be this until I started reading more about it, but I am getting tired feeling like yuk all the time, I have 5 children and I am 33 years old but I feel like I am 90.....anyone else experience the itchy hives thing?? Thanks in advance for any input ...

This site may have saved my life! I, too, experienced a nightmare due to Yasmin, and if it weren't for reading all of your stories and feeling your support, I'm not sure what would have happened. I don't know any of you, and yet you have all been so supportive to me! I watched myself go from an outgoing, friendly, mellow person to numb, anxious, and completely different person altogether. I began Yasmin in July 05 and in hindsight, I recognize how I slowly became a different person. Here are the side effects I experienced:

stomach trouble - nausea, diarrhea, nervous stomach, loss of appetite

dizziness

general weak feeling - especially in my legs

frequent urination/dehydration

extreme fatigue - I realized I hadn't gotten a good night's sleep in a year because I would always interrupt my sleep pattern because of having to go to the bathroom up to 4 times a night!

hair loss

dry mouth/extreme thirst

extreme moodiness - also numbness. I have always been a compassionate and caring individual and I found myself thinking that any emotional situations were stupid and that I was "above all that" touchy-feely stuff. NOT me, at all!

irrational thoughts/grim thoughts - in my research about Yasmin (and the Pill in general), I found that when your brain is lacking the appropriate levels of seratonin, you experience dark/grim thoughts about loved ones and yourself.

anxious panicky feelings

NO sex drive - and I had a very healthy sex drive prior

I simply attributed all the side effects to other sources, because I had no idea that a little pill could change a person so much. Then about 5 weeks ago (late July 06) I had my first panic/anxiety attack. I was convinced that I had snapped, and didn't even know what it was at first because I've never before struggled with anxiety/stress. It was one of the darkest, most frightening experiences of my life. I decided to google "Yasmin and anxiety" and found this site. I thank each of you for being honest about your experiences. I saw myself in many of your stories.

I quit Yasmin immediately, but then made the mistake of going back to another pill (Ortho-Cycen) that I had been on for 5 years previous to Yasmin. My Yasmin side effects weren't going away as quickly as I wanted them to, so I went to the doctor to make sure nothing else was wrong with me (I had thyroid tests, diabetes tests, etc.) She said that she was 99% sure that ALL of my symptoms were directly related to a hormone imbalance due to the pill. She said that even though I went on another pill that had been okay in the past, that my body had just reached a threshold and couldn't handle any more hormones. I have decided that I will never go back to a hormonal contraceptive method every again. It compromised my health and personality way too much! I'm working now to get my body its health back.

I've been off any form of BC for 2 full weeks now (after being on BC for 6 years straight) and I'm noticing a HUGE difference in my personality, my general health and wellbeing and my outlook on life already. I'm still not 100%, and understand that I won't be for awhile because my body needs time to sort itself out hormonally, but I do see a major improvement. I'm hoping that within 3 months I'll be completely back to normal. I have tried the vitamins that many of you have mentioned: I'm taking One-a-Day Womens, and supplements of B-complex, and one that includes calcium, magnesium and zinc. I've also tried Valerian (herbal remedy - I bought it in pill form), which I take when I feel an anxiety attack coming on, and it really helps! I feel calmer/better usually within a half hour.

I want to thank you all for posting your experiences. You have each made a difference in my life, and I hope I can do the same for someone too. I didn't even consider adding my experience to this site until I realized how much you all helped me. You are all in my thoughts as we each attempt to leave this awful pill in the dust! Take care, and again, thank you!

I started taking Yasmin 5 months ago after a leg swelling that I thought was caused by another BC. For the past 3 weeks or so I have been experiencing itchiness like mad right before or after my period. I am getting married in less than two months and my fiance thinks there is something wrong with me because I have absolutely no sex drive whatsoever. He was very worried that I didn't want to marry him anymore. I knew that wasn't the case, but couldn't stand seeing him worrying so much. So, today I did some searches and found this information. It all makes since, moodiness, itching, lack of sex drive. This little pill has been making me crazy at a time that I should be the happiest. I am going to the OB in a couple weeks and getting off these crazy pills.

Hey-lo,

I have been on Yasmin for almost a month now, and the side-effects at the beginning were almost unbearable - dizziness, leg aches and moodiness, plus my skin, which was always acne-prone, broke out something fierce.

As the weeks wore on, all these seemed to subside somewhat. There's no more physical soreness and the dizzy spells are gone. Still a little on the mean side - hoping that will work itself out.

I am hoping, since you who frequent seem so kind, someone might respond to a rather... interesting if not disturbing side-effect I've noticed since starting my period. This is my first menstration since going on the pill, so I can only assume it's related... my menstral blood has an extremely strong, extremely unpleasant odor. It's almost fish-like. Really, it's disgusting and I'm a little worried about it. Has anyone had a similar change?

Other than that, I must say that this period is a cause for celebration. Ever since I was twelve, my menstration has been painful - writhing in my bed, crying and screaming, the pain was so intense. It's kind of a given that I would call in sick to work/stay home from school one day out of the month (my "bad day"). But this month, on the day I usually would have been dead on the bed, I was up, I went to work, it all went smoothly. This is not to say I still didn't feel fatigued and irritable, but the fact that I was able to function was amazing.

I hope it's always like this.

- Elfie

It's been a year since I discontinued taking Yasmin. To recap, my problems with Yasmin were heavy, extended periods (longer than 7 days); moodiness/irritability; hemmorhaging; extensive bleeding (2 1/2 months); hair loss. I discontinued the Yasmin during the 2 1/2 month bleeding cycle. It took another month and a shot of Depo-Provera to stop the bleeding. Even then, my next period lasted 2 1/2 weeks. Before Yasmin, I had regular but heavy periods. At least I knew what to expect!

Since then, my periods are somewhat better. They last only 5 - 7 days now, but they are still somewhat irregular. Sometimes they'll come every 4 - 5 weeks, sometimes after 3 weeks or as long as 6 weeks. The cramps are the worst tho! I had a relatively "normal" period in July that started on the 14th and stopped on the 20th. It's now Aug 6th and I'm on day 2 of another period, only 2 1/2 weeks later. I'm not cramping per se, but I have a feeling of pressure in my lower abdomen and shooting pains down my right leg. Oh joy! My hair has started to grow back in, but it's all coming in silver-grey. Ah well, that's what Ms. Clairol is for.

I'd like to thank the makers of Yasmin as well as the medical "professionals" who push this "hell in a pill" on the unsuspecting public in order to get kickbacks as well as "perks". Thank you for screwing up my reproductive system. Thank you for causing me even more pain than I was already in. Thank you for ignoring my calls for help when I consistently and constantly told you that something didn't feel right when I was on this concoction. Thank you for continuing to lie to the general public when you say there are very few side effects with this pill. Will it take someone dying from this pill for you to acknowledge that it bad medicine? Lord knows I came close to it!

I began taking Yasmin one year ago and took my last pill 2 days ago. I noticed several bad side effects, blurry vision, significant weight gain, heart palpitations, anxiety, severe moodiness, anger, and cramping.

I am so glad I found this page. I have been fighting severe fatigue and depression for the last couple months.(The exact amount of time I have been on this pill!)
I called my gyno and told him about the moodiness, he suggested I take prozac a week before and during my period.
It did not work at all!
I am seeing my gyno tomorrow to switch pills. Does anyone have any suggestions which one to go with?

Thank you Thank you Thank you for this site.
I was prescribed Yasmin by my GYN to help with the tiny bit of post period acne and also long and painful periods. She made it sound like the most wonderful and easy pill on the market! I was on ortho tri a few years ago and experienced a little nausea and a significant amount of weight gain. But nothing compared to what hell I just went thru.
First off, I have battled thru depression for much of my young and adult life. (I have been off meds for a year and have felt awesome). My gyn said that Yasmin is great for helping with PMS and getting thru the hormonal moodiness.
I started taking the pill on the 1st day of my period as instructed. I have been bleeding and cramping ever since. (2 weeks now as I write this). Normally I suffer for 2-3 days of heavy bleeding and debilitating cramps, NEVER more than 6 days! Also, I have cystic like pimples all around my eyebrows and T zone. (NOTE: Leave these alone, If you cannot see a doctor for treatment, crush up an aspirin and add a drop of water so you get a paste like consistency. Apply and leave on until it dries and falls off. Drink plenty of H20. Women's one a day vitamins may help too. ) I work in body/skincare. You can imagine how crappy it feels at work to suggest a face care regime to someone when you have pimples all over!!!!
I've experienced sore throat (which I thought were just allergies at first), tiredness, fogginess, stomach upset like a flu, constant nausea, and my feet are swollen up like little balloons! 90% of my depression symptoms have come back.
yesterday I felt so ill I had to leave work, I called my GYN and she said that these will go away as I get thru each pack, just give it a few months. I was tremoring, crying, nauseous to the point of vomiting, had a tingling in my hands-- I COULD NOT KEEP IT TOGETHER!!!!! I had my first panic attack in a year. It was by far one of the worst. And Im supposed to wait months to see IF the side effects will go away? Um, ok.
I immediately went to my primary care doctor who was surprised that I was prescribed this pill, it isn't tolerated well by many people and to stop taking it! She suggested that I try ortho tri lo- but i don't know if I will ever try another pill again.
When you ladies are feeling blue, go and talk to some one, hug your cat, call your mom. There is always hope and help!
I hope you all are feeling better soon! :) K

I did not have the moodiness I had wiht other pills; but I did suffer from really aggravating itchiness and I swear I have had horrible toothaches since I started on this pill. I have no idea if their is any relation. Has anyone ever heard of this??

Hi all,
I switched to yasmin from ortho tri-cyclin lo about 2 months ago. I was on the ortho for 6 months, and i couldn't handle the moodiness anymore. My skin also still broke out when i had my period because of the cycling dose of hormones. My moodiness on Yasmin has not improved and has gotten even worse lately, also, I have been having chronic heartburn and stabbing chest pain ever since I started. I really don't know what to do, I need to be on birth control, but I really don't want to have to use condoms, and my periods are so bad untreated that all of the mood swings are almost worth it. Has anyone who's had problems with Yasmin found a hormone that doesn't completely turn them into a man-eating psycho bitch? because i feel like i hate myself and have completely ceased to feel anything but anger and depression. Someone please respond... I know I'm not experiencing some of the horrible things i've read on this site, but I am miserable and lost all the same. Please help me

Thu, 18 May 2006 18:00:07 -0500 - #6524

Side Effects of Yasmin
I am so glad to have found this site! It is somewhat comforting to know that I am not alone in my battle with the bad effects of Yasmin.

Here is my story:

Infertility for the first three years of my marriage. Got pregnant and miscarried at 14 weeks. Have had lots of mid cycle pain in my lower left abdominal area since I started college (so for over 10 years now). Had 3 large fibroids removed from the outside of my uterus. Decided to go on the Pill in Sept 2005 to see if it would help with my mid cycle pain. My OB prescribed Yasmin. At first things were great...lighter periods, more dependable period schedule, etc. Then in Feb 2006 I had my first panick attack. I couldn't sleep, I had dizziness, nausea, vomiting. Then my period came and everything went back to normal. Then in April 2006, another panick attack. Severe nausea, severe dizziness, severe brain fogginess, etc. Things are so bad that it is now mid May and I am still recuperating. Lots of unexplained and uncontrolled crying and feelings of despair. My OB suggested that I see a psychiatrist. I know that I am not really depressed. I know it's just that my hormones, which were already imbalanced before, are now really whacked out because of Yasmin.

Here are my symptoms:

Extreme moodiness
Extreme fatigue
Mental cloudiness
Nausea
Dizziness
Weepiness

Just not feeling like myself

I am going to see a new OB at the end of the month because we switched insurance companies. I am asking for a regular PAP and for a hormone level test to see where I am at. I have also done a lot of research online and am going to ask for my thyroid level to be checked. I have also contacted a nutritionist who specifies in dealing with endometriosis (I also have this) through diet and natural remedies to help rebalance my body's hormone levels and to clean out my organs from bad junk.

I have a 15 month old who is very mobile and a busy Stay At Home Mom lifestyle so being completely drained of energy and feeling like my brain is not connected to my body is completely interrupting my life.

For anyone thinking of starting Yasmin or any other scientifically created medicine, please do your research before taking anything. If it's not completely from nature, how can we expect it to act/react with our bodies naturally without causing a host of other problems now and in the future? Take care of your body now, stay off Yasmin.

I also stopped taking Yasmin about 3 weeks ago mid cycle. I immediately got my period about 3 days after stopping the pill (which would be a week earlier than normal). Now I am having feelings that my period will come again just two weeks after my last one. How long until I start to feel better and get back to my regular natural cycle?

Thanks,
Sandra

Hi all,
I have had very similar experiences to all of you. My obgyn also spoke so highly of Yasmin and I trusted her so I decided to go on it. I probably used it for 7-8 months in total. I stopped using it about a year ago. The first month was horrible. I felt like a 30 year old woman in a 90 year old body. I had been walking to local shops less than 1/4 mile from our house but couldn't even climb up the stairs in the house to the second floor anymore. I had the eye twitches that someone else described. I had only one normal period within the last year. The others I induced with a natural progesterone cream I bought at the health food store.

When I was on it, I noticed heart palpitations, hair loss, eye twitching, heat flashes and extreme cold hands. Sometimes, I could not get warm at all. I had trouble sleeping, couldn 't get to the gym, complete moodiness. The first few months after stopping I gradually started coming back to myself. After 7 months, I did get a normal period as I said but have not had one since then.

I am really concerned about how this has affected my fertility. I am 31 years old, have been trying to following my cycles with BBT and checking for ovulatory mucous and nothing. It is really depressing.

Luckily, after a few months of being off of Yasmin, my hair loss stopped. The frist few months though, it came out in clumps. I went to my obgyn and she said my scalp looked fine (but it was like I had severe dandruff and falling out so badly). Needless to say, I never went back to her.

I also started seeing a naturopath who has been great. I am taking lots of vitamins and nature herbs to try to regulate my cycles.

Has anyone else had a complete loss of getting their period and were able to get it back naturally? If so, I would appreciate hearing your story. This is driving me crazy.

Thanks for your time and hope everyone gets through this soon!

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

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

Hello, everyone. I am new to Yasmin and have only been taking it for 2 weeks. I am coming off of a 4 year break from BCP's and decided to try Yasmin on my OB's recommendation due to excessive moodiness/irritability with other BCP's that I've tried. In the past, I didn't have any other side effects from any of the other pills that I've tried (such as spotting, break through bleeding, bloating, etc.) In the 2 short weeks that I've been taking Yasmin I have had enough weird side effects to prompt me to go online and do some research, which led me to this site. I have had (sorry for the TMI) brown discharge for 12 straight days and today I have blood spotting. I also noticed that I have been extremely fatigued for the last week. Tonight I feel a dull pain in my left side and am bloated and feel "full", as if I've eaten a huge amount of food. I'm not even going to finish this pack. Thank you to everyone for your experiences.

I started taking Yasmin just over a month ago because my former bcp was giving me a lot of breast tenderness. There have been some things that are better...less moodiness during pms. BUT, I found that I was much more emotional when I was actually on my period. And, for the past several days I have had little to no appetite and constipation. Has anyone else had those symptoms?

I just went off of Jasmine which I was on for 3 months, and used like the pill seasonale where you don't get a period for three months. I hated the side effects of depression, weight loss, moodiness, etc... I went off of it and got a period within a day, but now my period was due five days ago, and I have not gotten it. I am not pregnant, nor do I feel like I am going to get a period. Has anyone else skipped a period while on this? I am a 42 year old healthy woman. Thanks.

Tried Yasmin for one week, 3 days into experienced extreme moodiness , depression and stabbing head pains.Stopped taking it right away- A week later still have break threw bleeding- that almost seems to be getting worse. When will this end?? I couldn't even imagine taking this for months, What a horrible experience.

Hi... I have had problems with facial hair growth since getting on Yasmin. I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem. I have also experienced moodiness and weight gain.
Thanks for your help!

I discovered this site on Monday and stopped taking Yasmin on Tuesday. I've been on the pill for four years and had asked my doctor multiple times if my depression, anxiety and moodiness could be related to the pill. You know the answer. I felt such a sense of relief after reading everyone's experiences. I too am an upbeat person although I have a strong tendency to worry but it was never to the point of not getting out of bed, crying over very silly things and just know excitement about living life. With a new boyfriend and a new job, I thought I was just going through some MAJOR adjustments although in hindsight it's ridiculous to have lived feeling that crappy for so long. The side effects definitely got worse after the first year and that's when my libido started to tank as well.

It's only been a few days and I'm so elated to think that I'm going to get MY LIFE BACK that I'm optimistic the side effects many have mentioned in trying to get off Yasmin will not effect me. I will endure because anything's got to be better than how it's been. Thank you all very much!!!

Desiree,
Please read through all of the posts on this board. Many of us have had this type of side effect. Panic attacks, severe emotional outbursts, moodiness, crying for no reason, etc...

This website is what saved me and is the reason I stopped taking this dreaded pill after four years.

Good Luck to you.... :)

I can relate to the Yasmin-users who have experienced panic attacks and heightened emotions (crying, moodiness). I am frantically looking online trying to figure out why I feel so wierd. I feel like I am cralling out of my skin. I can cry at the drop of a hat. And- I am really looking toward the dark side of life. Granted, not everyones' system operates the same. Some people can take Yasmin and be perfectly fine. Why else would Yasmin be used by so many people around the world. But, I can testify that it doesn't work for me. I have decided to stop using the pill tomorrow and go back to the Nuva Ring. The Nuva Ring looks like a hair band and is inserted up the vagina. I did not have this creepy feeling and used it for over a year.

@guest 12599:

You wrote, that you think agnus castus might help very good for moodiness and so on. I was put on Agnus Castus a month ago because since getting off Yasmin in Feburary I only had one regular period around easter and then no more and I'm completely bloated and pumped full with water and so on! But I still don't feel any big changes in my symptoms, caused by the hormone imbalance after Yasmin.

Did you take Agnus Castus, too, and if so, then how long did it take for you to feel an improvement??

Most doctor's say, that it might take about 2 or 3 months taking Agnus Castus until you feel a change in your symptoms (well, after all it's a natural medicine), but I've already gone through a very very hard and long time WITH horrible symptoms brought on by Yasmin so I don't have much patience to wait any longer getting my hormones back in balance and feeling like my old self at least!

Would be very helpful to hear from you again!! Thanks!!

HI all,
Since I read the postings on this forum I tried to be more aware of the symptoms cause by Yasmin. I had previously posted some of the things I was going through and here is my self analysis so far:

I experienced moodinedd in the first week, but since my husband pointed it out, every time that moodiness sets in I remind myself it's nothing but yasmin and slowly it goes away.

Excess salivation I am afraid had nothing to do with it as since I have stopped drinking soft drinks such as cola and others and restrict myself to water only, this has also subsided drastically.

I read one lady's comment about experiencing almost menstrual cramps and I have had those aswell, esepcially in the beginning.

And the one that bothered me the most, NAUSEA and VOMITTING, this too has reduced a lot since I realised it's just a side effect, yes I am afraid this was very much a psycoligical more than physical effect, but also chaning eating habits slightly and drinking only water has reduced this too.

On the whole, I do think that Yasmin does play up with your system, but after all it's a hormone pack, but there is nothing you can't get used too.

Thanks for taking your time to read this and good luck.

Hi everyone,

Where do I start?? 2 months I have been on Yasmin and I'd rather be pregnant!! Heart palpitations, nausea, moodiness, excess salivation, it's honestly worse than pregnancy becasue you don't get any sympathy from anyone. I have been told by my gynae that the coil would have less symptoms since the required dose of hormones will be considerably less. I wonder if anyone has been there.

I am seriously considering stopping Yasmin, after 2 beautiful kids in a span of 13 months I really don't feel like another one just yet. BUt since I am not ruling any other children out, I am concerned about the after effects once you stop taking Yasmin.

Thanks for your postings, they actualy made the nausea go away for a while.

Hi there Joodles,

I've been actively scanning your posts since I can identify with you quite a bit. Like you I'm also day 52 off the pill but this is my situation. All the side effects of has only developed after I went off yasmin. I was basically fine on the pill.
1-this is a Biggie
I gained about 6-8lbs and am extremely bloated, disfigured every single solitary day for the past 7 weeks and cannot seem to shake it off with any diet or excercise. Help-is this here to stay. U mentioned something about losing the weight-but I'm having no luck.
2-no recurring period.
3-heart palpitations at night as soon as I hit the sack
3-no sex drive
4-ankle pain
5-Moodiness, depression and bouts of crying
6-headaches

My gyn said I should come to him if I don't get my period by day 60 and as for the other symptoms-I should go to a doctor. Well thats bs because I know it really all comes from this crazy pill.]

Any advice for that weight gain? I used to be very thin and fit and now I look and feel as if i'm pregnant.
Thanks much.
Sherry

Like majority of the people writing in this forum, I am SO EXTREMELY happy that I found this website. I switched over to Yasmin from Estrostep about 4 months ago now. Only 3 weeks into taking my first Yasmin pack I experienced my first ever full-blown panic attack and at all places, while taking off on an airplane. Ever since this attack I had multiple people telling me that I was acting "different" than normal. Since this I experienced 1 other anxiety attack along with almost everyday experiencing irrational thoughts and constant anxiety. I do not think one day went by where I thought I was going to die from some outside source. Also in these last 4 months, my fiance has told me that he's noticed that I'm not the same and that I cry at least once a day and become very defensive and aggitated with him at the drop of a hat. While running a couple of times I began experiencing what felt like pin pricks starting from my left arm all the way down into my left leg. My heart seemed to be beating abnormally and my breathing became shallow. I recently have also began having the WORST indigestion.
Until I found this website I thought my constant anxiety, panic attacks, irrational thoughts, moodiness and other physical symptoms were just something I had actually became as a person. I thought I would never be the same person because I thought I had become this horrible, crazy person that no one would want to be around. Just yesterday I called my doctor to request trying my old birth control to see if these effects could possibly be coming from Yasmin. After reading the postings here I KNOW that they are from Yasmin! It makes me angry that I have been subjected to these kinds of symptoms. I am a cautious consumer and did research on Yasmin before even beginning on the pill. However, I did not find this website soon enough. Since taking Yasmin I have been under the impression that my life would always be anxiety-ridden and it could only get worse! Tomorrow I will be calling my doctor again to find out more information about starting my Estrostep as soon as possible and getting off Yasmin FOREVER!
My question is for anyone who has/had only been taking Yasmin for about 4-5 months or less and how long after that the symptoms finally started fading away. I really am afraid that my anxiety will continue with me for awhile and I HATE this feeling!!
Thank you for everyone who has contributed to this forum. I would have continued thinking I was the only one and that I was crazy. In fact, the people who are crazy are those who do not inform consumers of these side effects! These are SEVERE side effects that we are not even warned about...and why aren't we?
Once again thank you for posting! And for those of you who have not experienced these symptoms I realize that every body is different and reacts in different ways, but please realize that these symptoms that people like myself have experienced because of this pill are almost debilitating. I would not wish this on my worst enemy!

@ Voicesi
Glad to hear I'm not the only one with mental side effects 5 months later. You are so right, it does take a lot longer to get your hormones in balance. I, like you, feel soo much better, but the anxiety, irrational thoughts, and moodiness still creep up on me at times. Furthermore, I'm working on getting rid of this self-doubt and learning to trust myself all over again since Yasmin made me an irrational emotional mess.

Hello

I´m writing from Madrid, Spain.
I just wanted to say than I´m so grateful to have found this website with. You just cannot imagine how grateful I am.

I started with Yasmin about a month ago. My doctor said it was working pretty well with all her patients.

From the very first day I started taking it, I start feeling really sad, depressed. First I thought it was because of my period, or because my boyfriend was abroad for a week. But I started being worried when I felt anxiety, was about to cry all the time, had paranoias about my boyfirend quiting me... a real NIGHTMARE.

I have to tell that I am a very positive person, very happy with all the aspects of my life and that I have NEVER suffered any of these depression symptoms before.

I was sure it was because of the pill, because the symptoms appeared clearly at the time I started, so after 2 weeks, I looked the Yasmin prospect, but there was NOTHING about depression on the side effects. Not even the "moodiness" (an euphemism) that is mentioned at the American website.

So I decided to investigate and to look into the Internet, I found this website and others and I felt really relieved when I read all your testimonials. I stopped Yasmin, and I returned to normality in a few days. I am a happy, optimist person again.

Excuse my English and thank you all for sharing your experiences.

Laura