Yasmin and odd symptoms

My jaw dropped after reading all of these posts. I started on Yasmin 3 weeks ago. I've never really been on BC's before, so I thought that my headaches, numbness and fatigue were just because of school. I finally connected the dots and looked on the internet to see if it was the Yasmin or if i was just crazy. I am so thankful to have found this website. I wish it was in the paper or advertised. Doctors should not even be able to prescribe this drug.

I think maybe you all need to consider - The side affects you mention could be because you are a woman!! The following side affects that women search for and try to find answers for are all typical symptoms that I have had all my life as a woman. Whether on birth control, off birth control, pregnant or not. My life circumstance, relationship, age all make a difference. At any given time I could blame these symptoms on "birth control" but I don't think it is that simple.
-anxiety/mood swings/erratic behaviour
-headaches
-weight gain
-cramps, water retention, swelling etc.
Anyway, I suggest you all try to be reasonable and consider other possible causes of your symptoms? Exercise, eating right, relaxation, relationship building, all of these things can eleviate MOST of these symptoms. By the way, been on Aviane and switched to Yasmin, no difference, sex drive is actually increased, feel good not symptoms if anything , better now and had serious cystic acne and is now gone.

Hi Everyone. This is a bit wordy, but please forgive me. I just feel compelled to put the whole story out there. In case some fine detail helps someone out there feel a little less random and crazy.

I have been having irregular, almost non-existant periods my whole menstruating life. i started menstruated later than most girls. i have a delicate relationship with my body weight, having to REALLY really control everything in order to maintain a healthy shape on a tiny frame. i recently was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome. it makes a lot of sense... and im excited to clear up some of the symptoms related to this disorder (and yes, there is an odd laundry lists of odd symptoms... which never seemed too related before i pieced it together, just an annoying, sometimes embarrasing parade of weirdness)

Anyway. My doctor told me that if I quit smoking she would offer me A RX for Yasmin. because of the particular hormone imbalances I was experiencing, and the synthetic hormone in the BC, it was her first thought for a treatment plan. I was eager to quit smoking, so this added some incentive. I was also excited that I may get some relief from something as commonplace as BC pills. I have gone thru breif phases of using BC Lo-Overal back in my late teenage years, and don't recall any real side effects, maybe a tiny bit of weight gain, maybe a touch of the moodies... but nothing to write home about. Doc said this time would be different, and that while some other BCs would intensify my forementioned hormonal problems, this would/should/could do just the opposite.

Now for the punch line. Its just been one week. I feel crazier than usual. Like the most intense of PMSs is with me everyday, INCREASING in intensity everyday. My lower belly, uterus feels full and cramped. My already large chest just became even more "entertainingly full". I've always suffered with depression and anxiety, I'm no stranger to that. But this was such a fast and direct spike in that category, I can't ignore that.

My diet and excercise routein is excellent, the smoking cessation is difficult but successful, I take prozac to help with my mood/anxiety... I didn't think adding yasmin to the mix would make me feel as if my situation would become nastier. uhhh!

I understand BCs come with side effects, but for my particular situation, I feel like I'm bound to very specific hormone combinations, with little room to try out different ones. Its upsetting to think that Yasmin is being so rough so soon. Will I adjust? Are there other options for women looking to help with PCOS?

All this makes me want a cigarette real bad.
thanks for reading and thanks for all who tell their weird tales.

I wanted to give you an update. I wrote on this forum about a year ago. I have been off yasmine for 15 months, it has taken this long to be just about totally back to normal. I am 48 years old, still menstruating, but yasmine had hit me in a particuarly bad way.

In that, I mean, after two years of being on the pill it triggered Inflammatory bowel disease, IBS, terrible GI problems, and worst of all panic attacks and anxiety. At first, getting off of yasmine made it all worse, for about 3 months, but then gradually it began to get better each month.

But it has taken all of these 15 months for me to finally report a very normal menstrual cycle, normal PMS, bad periods (but that is welcome, it tells me everything is like it as before), a normal sex drive, and normal gastro intestinal function. The only thing that still lingers is anxiety in the couple of days preceeding ovulation and a few days preceeding my period. This anxiety is worse than it was in my pre-yasmine days, but nothing compared to how it was when I was on the pill.

All I can say, is for those of you that have stopped taking it, be patient. Eventually you too will feel back to your old selves. For those of you who are still taking it, be wary of any odd symptoms, especially anxiety and GI symptoms. I have filed a report with the FDA, as I believe this is a very dangerous drug that was approved too soon, and all of us have been guinea pigs for the pharmaceutical industry. Good luck to all the other recovering victims. If you are off it, you will eventally be OK>

@NURSET:

Yes, I'm feeling the same way as you describe (been off Yasmin for 4 months now, too!) !!

There are some good days, sometimes even weeks (2 or so) and then out of nothing there is an anxiety and depression, which almost paralyses me (just had a very bad day yesterday!!)!!

The weakness all over my body comes back so that it's even very hard to lift an arm or to walk. I feel dizzy and foggy in my head and am again a little tired (just a LITTLE BIT of the tiredness I experienced during taking Yasmin though!!).

That lasts for a few days, sometimes even weeks and then lessens again. It just feels like my whole body and head has been completely messed up by this pill and is just VERY SLOWLY getting back to normal and in balance and every pore is fighting against this horrible Yasmin stuff!!

Seems that there is a connection between these odd symptoms and my hormones (which are still NOT in balance again!! I'm even suffering from PCOS (found out by a blood test that my gyn did a few weeks ago!), which I never had before taking Yasmin! Had just ONE regular period 9 weeks ago since getting off Yasmin!), because during the times I'm feeling worse, also my skin gets very oily, I get terrible acne all over my face and shoulders and my hair is getting oily very fast, too.

What I'm experiencing too is a very heavy bloating all over my body. Sometimes I feel like a very big balloon shortly before exploding!! I've gained about 12 pounds after getting off Yasmin, without eating more or doing anything different as before!!! I'm so despaired bout this.

I had been on the pill for about 5 (!) years and I think that it might take me even a little bit longer to feel really healthy again than all the others who got opened their eyes about Yasmin much earlier than me.... :-(

One week I write, that I'm doin better and am happy again and the other week (just like this week...) I feel really disappointed and anxious, because I'm suffering from so many symptoms again.

I'm just so thankful to have my husband who stands right beside me and always tells me not to give up and that there will come better times again. I think without him I wouldn't get over these horrible times at all!

All the best to everyone out there, going through the same!!

I would still be very thankful for any kind of mail about your experiences, perhaps any tips how to get better faster...??