Yasmin and nuva ring

Apart from the mood swings and terrible irritability (which I have experienced with most contraceptive pills I have tried) Yasmin gave me uncontrollable, incurable THRUSH. It first started about three months after starting Yasmin and I had it for 8 months straight until I went off Yasmin. Within weeks the thrush subsided. It was HELL. I was at the doctor every month, using creams, taking oral anti fungals. But within a week of ceasing treatment, I would get that dry, irritated feeling for a day followed by the itch and every other depressing symptom of thrush. Each time I would be in tears. I was swabbed for EVERY STD imaginable just in case, but (thankfully) all clear. It was horrendous and I am disappointed that neither my GP or Gyno could identify Yasmin as the problem. I also asked my Gyno if Yasmin could be causing the depression I was experiencing and he said not likely that it was probably some other underlying issue which baffled me as I have a wonderful life in all aspects. I have just started using the NuvaRing after not being on hormonal contraceptives for over 3 years. I am about to rip that out too! I cannot use hormonal contraceptives, not if I, and the people around me want to live a happy and harmonious life. Poor husband will have to wear the trusty old condom until we've had all our kids and he goes in for the snip!

As I read through these posts, I had mixed feelings between thinking they were a little too whiny (please, no offense) to too many memories sweeping back in.
Here is my story... I was on Yasmin for a few years, a few years ago, from ages 18-21. I am now 26. I'd always been active and in shape, no major health problems. At 19, I started to get weird leg pains, tingling and numbness. It got much much worse. Long story short, I had two herniated discs in my lower back which was causing pinched nerves. I had steroid injections localized to my herniations. At this point my adrenal gland stopped working, my face swelled up like a balloon and I lost a ton of weight. Eventually, I had surgery on my back, but went to specialist after specialist to figure out what was going on with my non functioning adrenal gland. We figured that somehow the steroids had gotten into my bloodstream, which doctor after doctor told me was next to impossible. They were ready to do a write up in a medical research journal about my case. Eventually my 3rd Endocronologist (sp?) FINALLY told me to get off Yasmin. Somehow, this small bit of information was missed. My adrenal gland eventually kicked back into shape, my bloating went away and I finally and slow got healthy again.
So... coming back to Yasmin. After reading this site and continuing research on the effects of an influx of potassium, all of my symptoms lead straight to this source. The potassium increase caused the face swelling, muscle spasms, possibly even the nerve weakness (Only speculating, could have caused the herniation.) , from what multiple web sites state.
I must say that this is all speculation; however, light bulbs have just gone off in my head.
I was considering getting back on Yasmin because I now live in Thailand and they offer this pill. I have been on the NuvaRing and I love it, but I cannot find it here. If Yasmin was the cause of what happened to my body or not, I will not take my chances. Most of the symptoms listed by other women are effects of increased potassium. Please research this fact to become more informed about what is happening with your body. It helped me. I hope my story will in effect, help someone else.
And, I'd love to hear if anyone else had something similarly severe...

I went on the pill because my periods were very irregular. I was on Yasmin for two months altogether. One week I thought I had the stomach flu because I was throwing up. I had quit throwing up for about a week and then I started throwing up again. I also had horrible headaches and I didn't before I started taking it. I called my OBGYN and she said to stop taking them immediately. I too was also constipated. She then prescribed the NuvaRing, which I was on for two months. I wasn't throwing up anymore, but my headaches were still there. I was 22 and had a bad stroke. I was paralyzed on my right side. With therapy I was able to move my right side. My doctors are not sure what caused it, but they did say that the birth control pills are what pushed it over the edge. I am lucky to be alive. I believe birth control pills can have different side effects on everyone and there are side effects with almost any drug. However; there are a few side effects that are common to almost everyone who takes that particular drug. In the case of Yasmin, it seems bloading and constipation are common.

I WANTED TO ASK WHAT IS THE BEST BIRTH CONTROL THERE IS? I WANT TO GET SOMETHING NEW, PLZ REPLY TO THIS QUESTION.

Hi everyone,

I had written a few weeks ago about my bad reaction (horrible depression and anxiety) to Loestrin 24 Fe and my hesitancy to start Yasmin. After reading a lot of what you all had said, I asked about Yaz (which actually has gotten FDA approval for PMDD). I've been on it for almost three weeks with none of the crazy emotional side effects of Loestrin - and Ortho Tricyclen Lo and Nuva Ring come to think of it. My only side effects are swollen breasts and perhaps thirst, but the latter could be from my allergy meds.

Of course it's only been almost one cycle, so time will tell. I'd prefer to not take anything, if not for horribly painful periods and cysts. For those of you with PMDD - look into it!

E

Hi,

My doctor just prescribed me Yasmin and after researching a bit, I'm not certain if it's for me. I was on Ortho Tricyclen Lo for about 5 years and started having more irritability, anxiety, and depression in January of this year. I tried nuva ring for a month and it was unbearable (as was the nausea). Back on Ortho Tricyclen Lo and a few months later I bled for a month. I went off the pill completely and learned how horrible my periods are and also that I tend to get ovarian cysts. After my last period I said f-this and started taking Loestrin 24 fe. I'm finding after this first month that my anxiety is much worse. I've always been panic-attack prone, but it ebbed during my months off the pill. Now back on...they're back.

I have three options:
1. keep with loestrin for a few more months
2. go off completely, bad periods and all
3. try yasmin (regular, not new).

I'm asking to see if anyone on here reacted similarly to ortho lo, nuva ring, and loestrin but maybe reacted well with yasmin (or reacted especially bad to yasmin). I just don't want to do anything to make my panic worse.

I'd love to hear any input. Thanks!

E

Hi- I've been taking yasmin consistantly for 2months. The month before I was on the nuva ring for a month. Since then I've had increasing anxiety. It gets really bad at times with shortness of breath and heart palpatations. Has anyone had this??

has anyone had any problem with the nuva ring becuz it has been the pits for me!!!!

Hello, Ladies. Old-school poster Guest 5317 here {april, 2004!!!}.

I must say I am surprised that there are so many more posts about the issues with Yasmin. I would have thought that by now it wouldn't still be touted as some sort of wonder-pill. It is very disheartening.

It is moreso to see the long-term effects Yasmin has on people. I was lucky enough to start feeling better almost immediatly after getting off this toxin. My thoughts go out to all of you still struggling though the nighmare that this pill has caused you.

I have a question for some of the repeat posters who are nice enough to come back and update people. I have been off all BCP since shortly after the Yasmin mess and am weighing my options with going back on perscribed BC. My initial thought was to go with an IUD, since Yasmin has seriously freaked me out as far as hormones, but I simply can't risk the possibility of it failing, or worse, making me infertile for life.

What are your experiances with other BCPs? Is the mini-pill a safer option granting the history with Yasmin? I saw the Nuva-Ring mentioned, and a friend of mine recommended it back when I got off Yasmin.

At this point, I think the first-hand experiance of you ladies ranks higher than the paid endorsement of a dr. that would put me on something like this without telling me it would wreck my life. ;)

Be well!

I have tried all of these birth controls, and have had syptoms with all of them

Ortho-tri-cyclin: stomach problems, anxiety, chest pains
Microgestin: major anxiety and panic, chest pains
Ortho-tri-cyclin-lo: nausea, headaches, stomach problems,
anxiety, chest pains
Ortho Evra: Nausea in the evenings, headaches, anxiety,
sinus problems, stomach problems, chest pains
Nuva Ring: Severe headaches, nausea, stomach problems,
anxiety, vaginitis, chest pains
Yasmin: side effects listed in prior message

Hi everyone! So glad I found this site. I have had nothing but problems with my hormones in the past 3 years. I've always had irregular periods so my gyno put me on ortho-tri-cyclin and I was absolutely fine. Was on it for over a year then decided to take myself off it to see if I would be regulated at all. I was for a few months then didn't have a period for over 3 but would get all the PMS syptoms when I should have had it. I got married and went back on BC but I had terrible headaches, I've had weird syptoms with everything I've tried, ortho-lo, the nuva ring, the patch, ect...
The dr's wanted me to go on Yasmin because "it is so good". I did just that, didn't have any headaches but was more emotional than before, a good trade for me. So I stayed on it and started having panic attacks (i've had this with other BC's too). I've had a severe pain in my back and the dr's have ran several test including an iodine test, ultrasound, thyroid blood tests, urinalysis test...etc. Everything always comes back normal. The last week I have had terrible night sweats and feel like I am always having a panic attack, my pulse is at least 100 bpm or higher and never decreases even when relaxing. Sometimes I just break out crying, other times I feel like I am going to die. during my period I have the weirdest headaches, feel light headheaded, and my vision is somewhat blurred. What is my deal!!! Someone please help. Anyone else having this syptoms?

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.

Hi gals! I just wanted to give you all an update - the last month has been hectic for me, what with the holidays and early deadlines at work and all so I haven't had a chance to update since I posted in early December.

I have been completely off Yasmin for a month and a half now (give or take a few days) and I feel 100% better. My doctor wanted me to try some other BCP and I flat out told her "no way on earth will I try any more BCP!" Well she talked me into trying the Nuva-Ring for a month (stating that's it's better to have a period since I have PCOS than not to have one) so I reluctantly accepted and said I'd try it...Day 1, I kept expecting all the horrible Yasmin type symptoms to come back or the other BCP side effects that I had experienced in the past...Day 2 nothing, Day 3 and so on...nothing either.

My skin is clearer, no weight gain that I've noticed, no constant trips to the bathroom like with Yasmin,no panic attacks, and no severe moodiness, so far so good no real problems or bad side effects with the Ring, except that my period is heavier than normal and (sorry this is gross) I have to insert a new ring tomorrow morning and well my period is still here - yucko!

You might want to give the ring a try and see if it works for you.

Take care,
Shawna

Well, I'm on my second week since I started taking Yasmin. My OB/GYN's nurse practitioner wanted me to give it try before switching from a standard 10-year copper IUD to the new Mirena progesterone coated IUD which is supposed to help with the heavy cramping and heavy periods that are common with the copper since a local dosage of progesterone is delivered directly to the uterus. I've never done well on BCPs but was encouraged to try the Yasmin as it was different than all other pills and it could help with the resurgence of acne in my 30s, mood swings and heavy cramping due the IUD.

I started taking the pill on day 1 of my period. Plus, since I'm still on the IUD, contraception isn't an issue. Two days after starting, my husband and I took off for a five day vacation drive to celebrate our 10-year anniversary so I wasn't sure if some of the symptoms I was experiencing was due to spending a lot of time in the car and hiking in high elevations. However, many of the symptoms I experienced and continue to experience even after we've come back are:

- headache (have one right now)
- tightness in the chest with corresponding back spasms, which I originally attributed to increased acid since I've had these before, although I haven't been eating any types of food that would normally aggravate it nor have I been highly stressed.
- indigestion, heartburn and bloating
- moodiness (small things made me break into tears, and that's very out-of-character for me.)
- continued bleeding with no hint that my period is about to end, so essentially I'm on my 9th day and the flow seems to be increasing rather than decreasing.
- light cramping and backache
- nausea

I haven't been on Yasmin long enough to see if it has helped the acne. But I was already moody before and it certainly hasn't helped in that department. And granted I had 5-7 day heavy periods on the IUD, but usually by day 5 it would taper off considerably. I'm not seeing any improvement on that end either.

After reading the various posts on this site, I'm seriously considering just stopping the pack, it's not like I'll start my period since I haven't stopped yet. I think I'll stick to my original decision and go for the Mirena. I know that spotting is really common for the first few months, but it can't be any worse than the copper IUD so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.