Yasmin and ortho tricyclen

Wow! I think i have just solved my problem(s)...i am 33 yr old healthy level headed woman,only med taken was ortho-tricyclen.
I began taking YASMIN 06/08, felt o.k. til beginning of July/08 when i switched to OCELLA. I began to experience some strange symptoms. I had eye pain, nausea, blurred vision,vomiting. 08/08 began getting severe headaches which lasted all day. then the eye pain became more severe. ended up going to several medical doctors, put on antibiotics, cat scan, just got my blood checked yesterday for graves disease /thyroid and addisons disease! i was thinking tonight what is making me feel this way... it dawned on me that i had a change in birth control and that is when all these symptoms started to occur. I really believe this is the answer, i don't think i have any disorder/disease i believe this pill has some serious problems. i fear that we will soon hear that it is pulled from the market due to some disease/disorder inducing side effects! I can not believe i found this-probably saved my life or maybe prevented something horrible from happening to me. i just hope i don't have any lasting effects from it:( i am still awaiting my test results...

I lasted just 20 days on Yaz. I had a persistent "kicked-in-the-stomach" feeling that just wouldn't go away. This is the kind of stomach pain that makes you want to bend over and not sit or stand up straight. For days which I wasn't even on my period, I had cramping and a backache -- which usually only occur for 1-2 days during my period. So it's like I got to experience the pain of my period most of the month! Finally, I couldn't stand the stomach ache any more, and read the leaflet that came with the pills. Then I jumped online and -- surprise! I'm not the only one experiencing nasty side effects. Thank God I finally figured it out. However, it's been 3 days OFF the pills, and still my stomach has been hurting. And for all that pain, my period is still heavy! I had tried Ortho Tricyclen in the past and had very few side effects. It was NOTHING as bad as this. These are some of the worst pills I have ever taken.

May 2006 I stopped taking Yasmin after being on it for a few years. I was having bad sinus congestion, sinus pressure, headaches and post nasal drip but never thought it was because of Yasmin. I went to a ENT doctor and the tissue in my sinsus cavities was so inflamed he recommended surgery. I also had a deviated septum and bone spur which were corrected. After the surgery (August 2006) I felt great. I exercise A LOT and it was now so much easier because I could breathe without all the fluid buildup. I kept thinking what a miracle the surgery was. March 2007 I started taking Ortho-tricyclen and quickly gained 10lbs in 2 months. I also had mood swings mostly feeling down. But I was still able to run and exercise more than I had in many years. March 2008 I went in for my annual exam and after mentioning my side effects from Ortho-tricyclen my doctor recommended going back on Yasmin since it had worked before. Two days after starting Yasmin my sinus problems and headaches returned. I was so low on energy and my chest felt tight. The only good thing is that I lost my appetite and in one month I lost 7 of the 10 lbs I gained on Ortho. I stopped taking Yasmin this past weekend in the middle of a pack. I am feeling better and have not had a headache this week. I was also able to run yesterday which felt so good. I hadn’t exercised in a month because of my lack of energy and difficulty breathing. Had I not been on it before I would have thought this was just a bad allergy season. I am convinced Yasmin was the cause of all my sinus problems and headaches.

First of all, Yaz and yazmin are two diff pills, yaz was approved a few years after yazmin b/c it held a lower dose of estrogen.

I am a female who had a bad reaction to ortho and the depo shot. I was turned onto yazmin about 4 years ago because I had bad reactions to the other forms I'd tried. I suffer from depression problems as well, and my doctor said that it tested well among people with my background. I loved it.

Anyhoo, the whole reason I am writing, is because I've noticed a pattern in all of the statements on this website: the women who had bad experiences w/Yaz or Yazmin, had good experiences w/Ortho Tricyclen and vise versa. I just find that so amusing!!!

Thank you for your time,

Mel

I just switched to Yasmin 3 days ago after being on Ortho Evra (patch) for over 5 years (since I was 15, due to severe cramps). I had continual spotting on the patch, and a bit of nausea but other than that I felt normal. After 3 days on Yasmin, I am convinced it is not for me. The first two nights I took it, I felt mildly nauseous. I have been breaking out in very strange places over the past fews days (my neck and stomach) and I have had relatively clear skin for years. I've noticed I've been quite moody, crying very suddenly and constantly snapping at loved ones over the past few days but wrote at off as stress. Now I know that there is something not right. I took the pill at 10pm and felt find until 1am when I laid down to go to bed and felt VERY nauseous. I was somehow able to fall asleep but at 4am I woke up and vomitted 5 times. Two hours later and I still feel nauseous although I think (hope) the worst of it is over. I even called my poor mom who lives hours away in the middle of the night crying about how sick and sad I felt. Which I knew was ridiculous but I didn't know what else to do! I couldn't stop crying or throwing up! I am hoping to switch to Ortho Tricyclen or back to the patch. I never realized how good I had it!

I need some help. I have been on Yasmin for almost 4 years. Previously I was on ortho and was taken off of it due to an alarming weight gain and emotional side effects. Yasmin seemed GREAT until now... I am experiencing severe anxiety, shaking, headaches, blurred vision, hair loss, low sex drive and depression. I assumed this was all due to stress from graduating and entering the working world, but I have nothing to be upset or stressed about... I have such nervous thoughts and can sometimes say things that are just so unlike me.. I just don't feel myself. I am afraid to go off Yasmin and onto another pill in fear that things could get even worse... My previous experience with ortho was short but definitely not sweet. I am scared and afraid because I am only 22... Has anyone experienced anything like this that can give me some piece of mind?

I have just started taking Yasmin for a month. So far, I have not found any of the side effects mentioned here. Previously, I had been on Ortho-Tricyclen for over 2 years..However, I never thought that birth control pills could have such so much side effects until my doctor asked me to consider taking Yasmin and I went online to research this pill before I started taking it.. and then, I realized that Ortho-tricyclen gave me all the side effects mentioned here. Ortho-tricyclen made me severly bloated, I was constantly craving for food (which of course contributed to weight gain), I had a lot of acne on my cheeks (I have always had great skin), on top of that I had mood swings, felt depressed, and fatigue most of the time. I could barely get myself to wake up in the morning while I was on Ortho-tricyclen. Now, that I switched to Yasmin, things are much better for me. I didn't feel any side effects mentioned here so far, and I managed to get my skin to clear up and lost some weight too but as far as I know it could take a few months until the side effects kick in so, I will keep observing for symptoms for the next few months.

I have been on Yaz for a few weeks. The side effects are awful. I am 31 and haven't been on BCP's since 1999. I sat down with my NP to explore different options for dealing with my terrible periods and she thought Yaz was the answer.
Well I have averaged about 4 hours of sleep a night since starting it. Because Yaz is like a diuertic I am up peeing all night as well.I feel anxious and panicky. Normally I am very laid back but feel like I am going nuts.The thing that drives me the most crazy is having restless legs while lying in bed. Time to get my potassium checked? I will be stopping this med as nothing should make you feel this bad. Not worth it.As a nurse I would never tell my patients to take this. I feel like an idiot for starting a pill that 1000's of women on the internet are complaining about.Of course you would never see the positive comments. But this pill sucks!

I just started Yasmin 6 days ago. I have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and depression. I am also on Wellbutrin. Since starting Yasmin I have had severe nausea, chest pain, elevated blood pressure, and pain in my joints. I actually feel like I have the flu all day long. I am glad that I found this site and know that there are others who have similar symptoms and it is not just in my head. I have tried ortho-tricyclen and didn't tolerate that either, it made my heart race.

I've been on Yaz for 1 year now. I've been in a deep depression since September ( 6 months on Yaz) for which I've had to seek treatment. It took 4 months to get me straightened out on medications and still daily I struggle with it.

Also I've noticed right shoulder pain, weight gain (60 pounds), no libido, chronic fatigue, bloating with horrible gas.Is all of this from the Yaz or is it my depression or what? I'm having a really hard time sorting thru all of this.

I'm so thankful to have found this site. I have been taking oral contraceptives sinc the age of 17. I'm now 30. I've never had any problems, but approached my new GYN several months ago about switching to a "better" pill since I noticed was getting more cramps and a heavier flow after taking Ortho-tricyclen for 5 years. Prior to that I hadn't had any major issues. I began taking Yasmin in October...starting this January, I've been experiencing multiple stomach issues...gas, bloating, pain...all the time. Already having had GI issues, I went back on my old medication and made an appt with an internist after having diarrhea every day for about 1.5 months. She switched me to new GI meds for GERD. I also complained of my fatigue, weakness, lack of motivation, hair loss, headaches, irritability and some symptoms of depression. She checked me for hypothyroidism and that came back negative.

On my drive home I felt defeated and racked my brain for what could be the cause of all this. Being a mental health clinician, I immediately started thinking of any emotional issues that might be the root. Then I realized that the difference in the last few months was Yasmin. I made an appt with my GYN, and unfortunately, she didn't believe that this may actually be causing these side effects. I even told her of websites such as this, in addition to (DUH) the manufacturer's own publication. She tried saying it might be Seasonal Affective Disorder. She reluctantly agreed to switching me back to Ortho upon my request.

Although I feel like I'm getting nowhere with my (suerly overpaid) physicians, I find validation here and truly believe that, despite the manufacturer's contention that this pill is "the one" that doesn't cause these side effects, it's all relative. We're all unique and our bodies react differently to different things. Thanks again for the posts!

My DR recently gave me samples for yasmin. I was told YAZ is bad, but Yasmin is ok. I was on ortho tricyclen but am getting cysts again. I asked for a change but after seeing this, I may call for something else. I have low blood sugar, mitral valve prolapse, and ANXIETY as it is...any suggestions. thanks! I am supposed to start that pack in a week.

Kate

Well I have been on yasmin for 6 months. The first two weeks were hell. I had moderate cramping not anywhere close to my period and break through bleeding. I kept thinking it must be my body trying to get used to it.

Well forget it! I now have severe breast pain in my left side and asthma like symtoms. My breast size has gone from a small 34 C to a very full 34 D. My husband says my breast look great, like a got a breast enlargement, but I feel like I did when my breast were engorged after having my son. That only lasted one day, and this has been going on for weeks. Brestfeeding for 19 months is a breeze compared to this pain and discomfort.

I just got tested for asthma last week and its negative. The next step is a ct scan on my chest to see if my heart is the problem. This medicine sucks! I have been on the mini pill before and ortho tricyclen with never these types of problems.

My doctor says this is the best pill for me since it doesn't make you gain any weight. Well I think I gained 4 pounds of breast tissue.

Ok ...vented. If anyone else is having severe breast cramps/tenderness/growth; please let me know. I am going to stop taking these pills and find another solution to birthcontrol.

Thanks,

Amy H

I started taking Yasmin 11 months ago for PCOS. In addition to the Yasmin, I am taking spirolactine and metformin. I have all of the symptoms above....the depression, the anxiety, the unexplained insomnia, the lack of sex drive (I had a major sex drive before Yasmin...it's at ZERO at this point.) and extreme vaginal dryness/painful intercourse. At first I thought I had a yeast infection...and that's what my doctor chalked it up to. And finally I sat down with my boyfriend to find out if Yasmin was the cause of the vaginal dryness....because we checked out the other two drugs I'm taking...and low and behold I found ALL these horrible blogs referring to Yasmin and it's side effects. My question to all of you though...is whether you immediately switched to another birth control pill? And if so...what do you guys recommend? I used Ortho TriCyclen for a long time and don't remember any terrible side effects like this.
Thanks.

Oh boy! I took my last Yasmin yesterday.
I was out with my daughter today and suddenly felt very faint. There was a slight tightness on the left side of my neck then... BAM, I felt faint. I pulled myself together and went right home. It was like an anxiety attack but a little different.

I really hope tthese weird things all start to subside once my body realizes that I am done with Yasmin. I am in my mid 30's and I think that my body has changed since giving birth in 2004. Childbirth coupled with the Yasmin, I think I made a bad mix (funky hormones).

I pray that the Yasmin clears out of my system and I can get back to being myself again.
I never had this problem when I was in my early 30's, had a baby and on ortho tricyclen post-partum.
I am done with the pill, at least for a while. The doc suggested a good cleanout of the hormones in my bloodstream.
thanks for all of your posts. I know now that I am not alone.

I am so glad I checked out this site. Reading all of this feel like I'm reading the story of my life. Two years ago I was switched to Yasmin because I was retaining too much fluid in my ankles with my previous pill (ortho-tricyclen for 9 yrs). Six months into it I was going to the emergency rooms and doctors with panic/anxiety attacks. I had terrible chest pains, my heart would race. I thought I was going to die. And the all slap you on the back and tell you to go home and get some rest, you're just having anxiety or too much stress. Well my anxiety and stress was coming from what felt like a sudden heart attack. The doctors did all the blood tests, ekg, thyriod, everything was ok. Then my doctor wanted to put me on a drug to regulate heart rythums. Well I had stopped the pill because I wanted to get pregant and you can't take this medication while you are pregant. It did not feel right to me to take this medication at 26, so I instisted on going to a cardiologist to get their approval on it. Of cousre they were much smarter, they did a few test to make sure and advised me not to go on that medicine. It gave me enough time to find out that I was pregant at the time.
So now two years later I was having hormonal embalances starting from the time I quite nursing. I started having ovarian cycst, so the ob doctor wanted to put me back on the Yasmin to help regulate and clear away the cycsts. I suspected the Yasmin for being my problem before but I got pregant and things begain to get better. So a month and half ago I started back and the first and second weeks I was nause and had abdominal pain. The third week I had a head ache for 4 day straight that put me in bed for two of those days. Then the racing heart started again and at that point I quite Yasmin. Now even after being off of Yasmin for two weeks plus, I am having chest pains and pains down my left arm and strange body aches.
I have another friend who as been having the same systoms while taking yasmin and this is why I decided to start investigating it. I am finally relieved to see that it is not in my head that other women have had the same side affects. Now it makes me more angery at my doc for not being more suspious of my birth control pill.
Thank you so much for the peace of mind. I will definetly share this web site.
Tanya

My hives are almost completely gone!
I had chronic hives (cholinergic urticaria) every day the entire time I was taking Yasmin. After being off of this for 3 months +, my hives are much much better. I switched to OvCon-35, and progressively the chronic hives have been relieved. I am just sorry that it took the doctors so long to figure this out. Actually, since I still have some minor breakouts, I'm switching again to Ortho-Tricyclen, because I did very well on it in the past. I hope that this post helps anyone else who has been having trouble with hives while on Yasmin.

Here is my post from June 6, 2005

I've been taking Yasmin for 1 yr and 4 months. 4 months after I began taking Yasmin, I started breaking out in hives every day, sometime so bad that I required steroid shots to relieve the hives (diagnosed as cholinergic urticaria). I also began gaining weight at an alarming rate. My doctors found that I was severely hypothyroid, and linked this to both the weight gain and the hives and began treating me with thyroid hormone. There has been little relief from the hives, and now my gyneocologist has finally admitted that Yasmin could be the cause. She says that I could either be allergic to the special type of progestin that is in Yasmin, or just sensitive to the hormone balance (some pregnant women experience hives like mine).

I actually really liked being on Yasmin before I began to think that it could be the cause of this major problem. My emotions have been better and more stable than ever before, and my periods have been very predictable and light. Lately though, my period has been getting shorter and shorter. My doctor says that this is because the Yasmin does not have enough estrogen for my body. I've felt really good also because of the diuretic that is included in Yasmin, and I'm expecting some water weight gain when I change to OvCon.

I have used many different birth controls (Ortho Cyclen, Ortho Tricyclen, DepoProvera). Every person's body is different, and that's why you can search for any birth control on this website and find similar amounts of postings with similar complaints. I think that after a couple of years on any birth control a woman's body begins to change and adapt and requires a different type of hormone balance to stay healthy. If switching to OvCon really solves the problem of my hives, I will never recommend this pill to anyone. I will post again to let you know if my hives have been alleviated.

I was glad but surprised to find this site. I have been struggling with birth control ever since I had my daughter last December. I first tried ortho tricyclen and had severe manic attacks. Now I am on Yasmin and the mood swings, irritability, and unexplained tiredness are to the point of being unbearable. Everyone keeps telling me to hang on, it'll get better but it's not. My family and I are suffering.

My big problem is I need a form of bc and am running out of options! Maybe I just need to get the diaphragm and relegate my sex life to one of those things I just have to prepare for.

Any advice???

I started on yasmin after a friend told me that i would have shorter periods with no cramping, and that yasmin is the best birth control ever. For five years I was on Ortho tricyclen, and never had a problem. So i figured i would give yasmin a try. after one month of usage starting in June, i have become extremely tired, gained 4 pounds for no apparent reason, and i been bleeding ( along with small blood clots) just about everyday since mid June. somedays the blood flow is light, and other days heavy. my periods have ALWAYS been regular, and i dont understand why i have a constant blood flow. i'll stop bleeding for a while after bathing, but a few hours later the light blood flow returns. I also find myself worrying about the dumbest things, and i normally dont let anything worry me. im nauseated alot, have headaches, slight stomach pain, and some of my hair has thinned out. i have never experienced anything like this in my life. for now, im not using any birth control until my hormones are back to normal.

I've been on Yasmin for two cycles. I'm nauseous, having headaches, irritable, have no sex drive and my breasts are so extremely swollen that my bras don't fit.

I don't know why I let them switch me to Yasmin. I was on Ortho Tricyclen for several years with no problems. Then a doctor switched me to Lo, which made me depressed. I tried Prevafem and it made me sick. Now I'm on Yasmin and I hate it. By now, I wish I had gotten an IUD.

For the desperate boyfriend.....

Something similiar happened in my relationship when I was taking ortho tricyclen. I had a great boyfriend, but about a month into the pill I became very discontented with my relationship. So much so, I broke up with my boyfriend. After the breakup I stayed on the pill and I started having anxiety attacks about events that happened years earlier, and I started developing some obsessive behaviours. I stopped the pill, but not because of the side effects. You see, I wasn't aware that there was any. Those feelings I had about my relationship were very real to me at the time, and It's only in hindsight do I realize that those negative feelings were hormone induced. I got into another relationship and I decided that I was going to try a new pill, Ortho cyclen. Well, the same thing started happening! I became very discontented, and anxious - but this time I put it together and realized what was causing it, and stopped. Now I'm on Yasmin, and things are great. I'm back with the original guy that I broke up with - who incidentally is a saint for putting up with me.

These feelings your girlfriend has are very, very real to her. They may be justified, or they may be hormonal - There's no way to know. I just noticed similarities in our situations, and I thought you might like to know a different point of view.

I've been taking Yasmin for 1 yr and 4 months. 4 months after I began taking Yasmin, I started breaking out in hives every day, sometime so bad that I required steroid shots to relieve the hives (diagnosed as cholinergic urticaria). I also began gaining weight at an alarming rate. My doctors found that I was severely hypothyroid, and linked this to both the weight gain and the hives and began treating me with thyroid hormone. There has been little relief from the hives, and now my gyneocologist has finally admitted that Yasmin could be the cause. She says that I could either be allergic to the special type of progestin that is in Yasmin, or just sensitive to the hormone balance (some pregnant women experience hives like mine).

I actually really liked being on Yasmin before I began to think that it could be the cause of this major problem. My emotions have been better and more stable than ever before, and my periods have been very predictable and light. Lately though, my period has been getting shorter and shorter. My doctor says that this is because the Yasmin does not have enough estrogen for my body. I've felt really good also because of the diuretic that is included in Yasmin, and I'm expecting some water weight gain when I change to OvCon.

I have used many different birth controls (Ortho Cyclen, Ortho Tricyclen, DepoProvera). Every person's body is different, and that's why you can search for any birth control on this website and find similar amounts of postings with similar complaints. I think that after a couple of years on any birth control a woman's body begins to change and adapt and requires a different type of hormone balance to stay healthy. If switching to OvCon really solves the problem of my hives, I will never recommend this pill to anyone. I will post again to let you know if my hives have been alleviated.

I realized the problems I've been having started when I switched BCP from Ortho Tricyclen to Yasmin. Since I switched pills, I've noticed myself becoming incredibly fatigued, until now (after about six months) I can barely get through a workday. I'm depressed, forgetful, and nervous and have no sex drive. I get diarrhea and cramping that hits less than an hour after almost every meal. And I'm steadily gaining weight. I never had any of these problems with the Ortho. It may turn out that the Yasmin isn't the problem at all, but after reading what everyone else has said, it seems like a pretty good place to start.

I was on Yasmin for almost 2 years. I thought during that time that I was really losing it. I had anxious feelings, stomach/intestinal issues CONSTANTLY, depression, headaches, etc., etc.!!!!

I went off of this pill about 6 months ago, and began Ortho TriCyclen. Things have been a lot better than they were on Yasmin. I consider that pill to be a virtual hell...

I began taking Yasmin 4 months ago and it has been hell!!! It took me a couple months to realize the connection (my roomate went on Yasmin at the same time and I thought SHE was nuts saying it made her sick!). When I first start taking a pack each month I'm extremely nauseated and it lasts for about a week. Then, I feel good for about a week. However, the third week is when I turn into a raging b*@ch! I have uncontrollable mood swings, cry over nothing, and snap at people for no reason. The worst thing about that is I know I'm flipping out over nothing! I've lost a bit of weight since going on Yasmin but I attribute that to the fact that I'm also eating healthier. I used to be on ortho tricyclen and I loved it except for the weight gain (130-165 in about 2 months) but I'm thinking of going back to it anyways (i'd rather be fat and happy)!!! I thought I was crazy thinking Yasmin was the reason I was moody and felt like throwing up but after reading all of your posts I feel better knowing I'm not alone! Good luck to all of you!

This is my second pack of Yasmin and I'm only on pill #2, but this stuff is REALLY giving me gas aaaaaaand diarreha! The days I had off while I had my period I felt TOTALLY FINE. I did have some major mood swings as well. I'm gonna finish this pack and then switch to something NORMAL I think. I was on Ortho Tricyclen forever and never had any grief.

June 21st will be my last dose of yasmine... after reading through these side effects - I have confirmed that I am not going crazy or just experienceing unrelated symptoms. I have gained about 15 lbs since I started this BCP (in JAN) - and I have not changed my eating habits that much, drink tons of H2O and started working out- yet am not losing any weight... also, my breasts/hips have gotten huge... I have also tried estrostep, ortho-cyclen, ortho-tricyclen and levlite (allesse)- none have had positive effects and all have made me depressed, and also given me sore/large breasts and just made me feel ughhh overall! I have been sad , depressed, anxious, irrational, quick tempered etc. Normally, I used to be a happy, positive, optimistic person, now I am just miserable. I think back now and I realize that my blurry vision, high heart rate, numb arms and feet are prob realte dto yasmine also.

I must comment that Yasmine works by causing your partner to avoid you as it turns you into a *itch! Lucky for me, my boyfriend (thus far) has been understanding and supportive and is pushing for an end to this madness too!

The only good result I have experienced is no more acne. But I would rather have acne tahn be miserable.

SO, I have decided that after a year and 3 months of trying BCPS - I am quitting... and let me tell you, I am looking fwd to June 21st and my last pill of the pack!

Has anyone on this list researched natural methods or alternative methods of BC. I would appreciate any info!

Hello.. I just did a search on Yahoo and I found this website. I have been taking Yasmin for NOT EVEN a WEEK and I'm already feeling like another person. I am very moody, depressed and today I just started crying. I am usually very happy and energized a week or 2 after my period and now I just feel horrible. I have also experienced TROUBLE SLEEPING. I have been NAUSEUS too every day. Not enough to where I throw up, but enough to where it bothers me. I am also experiencing Low sex drive. I am thinking of switching to Alesse, has anyone here taken that? I used to take Ortho Tricyclen for 2 years but it gave me horrible migraines and moodiness along with no sex drive. If anyone has similar problems, please email me, or if u have taken Alesse, any info would really help! I want to stop taking Yasmin after I finish my first pack.. Bluextacie@msn.com

I decided to go on Yasmin after being on Ortho-TriCyclen for 4 years. While I was not disatisfied with Ortho, I did have my ups and downs each week of my cycle. One week I felt great, the next I would want to eat everything in sight, the next I was puffy. moody and bloated, the next I was on my period for 7 days! I was sick of never feeling the way I did the 1st week - like me! So I switched to yasmin believing the low dose of hormones would stabilize my "Cycle". It did - But my face broke out terribly! I have struggled with acne all my life and have always been on prescriptions meds to help it, but for the past year, It had been great - Until Yasmin. So - after trying Yasmin for 3 months, I went back on Ortho. The one thing I LOVED about yasmin was that my period only lasted for 2 days! That was great - But my face was awful. I'd rather bleed for a week than have bad skin - but that's just me!

I am 28 years old and have been taking Yasmin for 4-5 months now. I have tried many different bcp's (Ortho-Novum, Ortho-Tricyclen, Tri-Phasil, Ovcon, Estro-step, etc) and have had a lot of side effects such as acne, mood swings, and weight gain. With Yasmin, I have noticed some mood swings-but I notice these whenever I am taking any kind of bcp. The side effect I worry about the most, however, is weight gain. This if the FIRST bcp that has not caused me any weight gain. As happy as I am about this turn of events, I have noticed that my sex drive is much diminished and I now have vaginal dryness which has never been a problem for me. I have also had dizziness but am unsure whether this is related to Yasmin.

I have been on Yasmin for 5 months. I have had success so far - better sex drive, shorter periods, weight loss, up until 2 months ago when my skin overall started to feel very dry and itchy especially my forehead and nose and eyes. Has anyone experienced this? My OBGYN doctor said that I may have a thyroid problem. I have NEVER had this issue prior to Yasmin, even when I was on Ortho Tricyclen.

I have been taking it for two months and my doctor is now taking me off it and putting me back onto ortho tricyclen (which I'd been on before for four years). I get heat flashes like clockwork, debilitating muscle cramps in my legs and feet, loss of sex drive, skin breakouts, diarrhea, headaches, problems sleeping, lower back pain and horrible stomache cramps...Basically, I constantly feel like I do when I have my period (and my doctor put me on the pill years ago solely b/c of horrible period cramps to the point of vomiting and going numb -- now, with Yasmin, the "medicine" is as bad as the initial symptoms).