Yasmin and periods

I went on this POISON Yasmin for a year then went off after I gained weight. I proceeded to lose so much weight after I went off that I lost 40 pounds by doing nothing different over the course of three months. I got so skinny people became concerned but there wasn't anything medically wrong with me. However, I also didn't have my period for over a year after quitting Yasmin. I went to the gyno concerned but after a Progesterone test (which I failed) he suggested I just try going back on again with Yaz this time. I had my periods again of course but not on my own. They were hormonally controlled. After two months, I started craving food and getting anxious and stuffing my face as a way to cope with the mood swings and stress. This is was so not like me. Then I started to get horrible bloating and constipation. I had to use laxatives regularly to have any movement. After gaining 30 pounds and suffering in severe with the constipation, I decided it had to be the pill so I went off again. No surprise, I haven't had a period for 6 months since I've been off and while the crazy mood swings have gone away, I'm still having really bad GI problems. I have a sharp pain in my lower left bowel and I'm chronically constipated. After seeing doctors and running blood test which all ended up normal they still don't know what's wrong even though I tell them it's because of this pill. My gyno thinks I'm crazy, my GP thinks I'm crazy, and now I have a GI who thinks I'm crazy. IT'S BECAUSE OF YASMIN/YAZ!! This is POISON. Do NOT take this or give it to you kids. I'm just praying I can heal the pain and the constipation soon because I'm starting to limp and all the doctors have told me to do is eat a different diet. I've been eating cooked fruits and veggies for almost a month now because that's the only thing I can eat without severe pain. And I'm a 24 year old healthy girl who exercises every day. I am beyond amazed this crippling drug is still on the market place.

I think it is important to remember that any OC varies from person to person. That being said I was on Yasmin for over 4 years when my doctor suggested I try Ortho Try- cyclen, stirctly for the cheaper price. I am opposite than everyone on here it seems. the Orotho Try-cyclen is what has caused the crazy side effects for me including, monthly migraines with my cycle, painful breasts, heavier than usual periods, weight gain. I had none of these with Yasmin and am switching back to it this coming pill cycle.

I just turned 35 and I have been on YASMIN - not YAZ, since I was 28. I have had no problems whatsoever. My only regret is that my OB/GYN started giving out YAZ samples and had none of YASMIN. I took YAZ one month, thinking they were identical products - Big mistake. I felt horrible after taking it just that one month. I told my doctor to change my Rx back to Yasmin and have been happy ever since. Periods are only 3 days and light. Only side effect is that when I am on the sugar pills, I end up getting migraines, but that is because of the steroid withdrawal. I feel these two products have nothing in common...I totally agree that YAZ is a horrible drug, but Yasmin has been around a lot longer and fortunately, I have not had any problems. Like with every drug though, not everything works the same for everyone. Every drug out today has some type of side effect...it is a risk with every drug taken...even with Tylenol and aspirin. I like the way I feel now much better than when I was not taking the Yasmin, so it is a good thing for me....but, to each his own.

Wow it is crazy how so many women act so differently to this drug. I got on here to see all of the negative effects which luckily I don't think I have experienced. I'm 25 and got on Yasmin a few months ago and felt great. I had noticed that I was becoming very emotional, irritable, and had a lot of pain with my periods (cramps and back aches). So I thought Yasmin sounded like a great cure for the problems I was experiencing. My mom actually made me aware of the recall so I immediately stopped taking the pills. The first month being off the pills seemed fairly normal. These last two months have been horrible though. Every time i begin to PMS I feel like I did before ever taking Yasmin. I've been fighting with my boyfriend and family members because either I'm very irritable, sensitive, or depressed. The couple months that I was on Yasmin no one even noticed when I was on my period because I acted completely normal. I think I'm one of the women who Yasmin may be a blessing for. Or maybe I have some underlying issue and Yasmin helps to mask it, I'm really not sure. That is why I'm posting here for any feedback, even the negative because it will help me to research all the angles. I think our bodies react differently to different drugs. I feel like a crazy women without Yasmin after experiencing those few wonderful months while I was on it. Please provide your input.
Thanks,
C.
Pueblo, CO

I was on Yasmin for about 5 years. I had no problems and my skin was great and i lost weight. it took my periods from 7 days of heavy bleeding to 3 to 4 days of light bleeding with no cramps. The only reason i switched to a different BC is that i wanted less periods and cause of the recall that was out for Yasmin at the time. i am now on the generic for seasonal with no problems.

I was put on Yasmin myself sometime beginning 2007 and within a couple of days of using it I stared getting severe headaches, I was violently throwing up, I was extremely dizzy, I was also constantly tired, lethargic. My periods were constant and never stopping, just as they were on the adjective form too. I took me nearly 2 years to find a contraceptive that agreed with me. Finally I nearly gave up until one day my mother suggested why don't I try the contraceptive patch. So I went to my local doctors and queried it, he tried putting me off the idea as only 1% of women use it. But I tell you all ladies, since i have been on it, I have had NO side effects whatsoever, the patch even stays on whilst showering or bathing. My periods have never been so regular, my energy levels have risen, I have gained NO weight at all. I am truly amazed that so little women use it. I think it is THE BEST contraceptive there is. And unlike other contraceptives where if you want a baby in the future you have to stop the contraceptive and wait until it wears off, with this one as soon as the patch comes off you are well and truly free of contraception. It is amazing, I'd advised it to anyone. Only one minor tiny incy little side effect is where the patch was on, theres like little scratch marks where the corners lay. It doesn't itch and its hardly noticeable. Try it and see what you girls and women think.

All I can say is shortness of breath, pulmonary embolisms and DVT's almost did me in 3 years ago. A week in CCU and a year or more on Coumadin. After a year I needed a blood transfusion because of an iron deficiency. Finally had endometrial ablation procedure and all is well. No periods or side effects. Completely off of meds and after 3 1/2 years I will be finished paying off all of my hospital bills in two more months!

I have/had severe endometriosis and began using BCPs therapeutically after having my left ovary and fallopian tube removed due to a large endometrioma. I used Yasmin for over two years and loved it: It calmed my PMS mood swings, did not produce acne, no weight gain, and no between-period spotting. I switched to Yaz for three months, but my periods became irregular and I had spotting issues, so I went back on Yasmin. I never stuck with a BCP before because all others produced the aforementioned side effects.

Unfortunately, with Yasmin, my blood pressure went from the 120/70 range to the 180/90 range in two years. My OB GYN was so alarmed by the increase that she actually made me lay down for half an hour so she could retest me. The second reading (after resting) was even worse than the first.

The doctor took me off Yasmin immediately and now I'm on the blood pressure medication "Prinzide" which is causing horrible side effects.

I wish I'd never taken Yasmin.

I have been on Yasmin since June and I also thought I was going crazy. My mood swings were fierce and I was bitchy as all get out. My husband says that now I have PMS and I've never had that.

I've gotten headaches, had absolutely no energy some days, painful menstrual cramps, and it seems like I bleed more than normal on my periods. I have also gotten acne and I woke up this morning with a huge pimple on my chin. I used to never have acne.

After finding this site and realizes I'm not the only one with these problems I'm not taking another pill. I'll call my doctor for something else.

I am a Registered Nurse and feel foolish that I wasn't able to connect the dots sooner. Yasmin's effects for me were insidious thereby slipping under the radar as the culprit responsible for all of the side effects I was experiencing. On Yasmin for 3 years:

- feelings of shortness of breath
- heart palpitations
- horrible anxiety and feelings of panic (not good when you're a nurse in the
ICU)
- insomnia (never had trouble sleeping before)
- varicose veins on my stomach??!!
- strange weight gain around my abdomen I could not lose despite my best
efforts
- ear popping and a feeling of fullness in my head
- constant runny nose requiring new prescriptions for nasal sprays and
allergy pills that did not work
- new abdominal bloating (ultrasound was negative)
- UTI (never had one of those before)
- strange colored periods
- agoraphobia (previously outgoing)
- depressed--lost interest in things I previously enjoyed, moody & angry,
- horrible fatigue (unable to jog anymore without becoming drained for days
- sharp debilitating headaches (CT negative)
- breast pain
- cellulite I've never had before
- and last but not least, compromised circulation to my right arm causing it
to go numb and change in color (Doppler showed partial arterial
obstruction that has since improved since quitting Yasmin)

Quit Yasmin 2 1/2 months ago and everything is resolving itself slowly. A big price to pay for good skin.

My 17 year old daughter is on Yasmin and has been for over a year. She is taking it to regulate her periods and heavy bleeding. We have not noticed any side effects at all. She has a learning disability and a low IQ. She is also on Buspar for anxiety which she has had long before Yasmin. She is also on Strattera for her ADD. Now, after reading and hearing about all these terrible side effects such as stroke, heart disease, kidney failure, blood clots, etc. I am going to ask our doctor about this. I read one post that said if you were on Yasmin and you had to take Motrin you should have blood tests...what kind if this is true? She just had her wisdom teeth out and has taken plenty of Motrin along with other pain medication. This is just way too scary....scared Mom in SC

I've been on Yasmin for about 2 years or so, and before that, Ortho-TriCyclen for about 6 years. I've had no problem with Ortho-TriCyclen, but my Gynecologist switched me over to Yasmin due to my periods getting longer.

While I was on Yasmin, everything seemed fine, then a year later, I got a UTI. And I never get those! Nothing in my life had changed (same BF), and so I thought it was a one-time thing (or related to taking antibiotics at that time for a root canal). Well, I got UTIs 3 more times after that! Almost every month! However, during those months, I had switched to Ocella, so I thought it had something to do with taking the generic. Shortly after, I went back to Yasmin. I have had no UTIs since, but I also have been very careful to avoid it.

After the switch back to Yasmin (from generic), I noticed that I had NO sex drive and was dry, which was not like me. I also had melasma, which was noticeable to me and very annoying. I had recently stopped taking Yasmin altogether after searching for its side effects. It's been a month and a half now and my libido is coming back and the dark spots on my skin are beginning to diminish. Although my side effects were minimal compared to others here, I will not take Yasmin anymore. It's actually nice not to have to remember to take a pill everyday!

I have only been on this pill for two and half months! Thinking I'd give it the three month try.
Honestly it started great with decreased PMDD symptoms, less eating, moodiness, periods etc, with only the minimal side effects of nausea, headache.
Then in second month I became depressed, angry with hot flashes, migraine headaches, nausea everyday, no sex drive and a total bitch to my family.
Third month brought vision changes along with the hyperpigmentation, migraine, tingling in my uterus, symptoms of hypertention and numbing of my left arm.
I looked up more info on the web which was much more descriptive than the info pack with the pills, so I tossed them quickly!
After a week I feel a bit better except for the arm, which I will now need to go to the doctor to make sure I haven't suffered a mini stroke, since I am suffering memory loss and my left arm is still functioning oddly.
I hate being the "tester" for the drug companies, how something that is causing so much damage in such a shot time of taking it, in women so young is appalling.
THIS DRUG SHOULD BE BANNED!

I've been using Yasmin for 2.5yrs now with no problems at all. I used Ortho-tri-cycline for 5 years before that with no problems either. I've noticed that my mood swings are very subdued, my periods are light and regular, my cramping is drastically decreased and I haven't suffered a single bad side effect. My breasts got a little bigger, but not sore or tender (I'm only a 32A so the boost was a pretty nice surprise). I had very bad subcutaneous acne that is gone now. Most of what I've been reading about are known side effects that is anyone is experiencing should definitely get off the medication immediately. Granted these side effects are severely downplayed and should be more obvious or at least brought to your attention by your doctor. But for those that are scared by these side effects, they are rare compared to the population that uses Yasmin. Just make sure you listen to your body and be open with your doctor. If something isn't right make sure you do something about it. There are other alternatives if Yasmin doesn't agree with you.

So i have been on Yasmin for over a year now and recently i have been really moody! To the point I miss the old me and i am putting relationships at risk. I ran out of the pill for 6 days last month and those 6 days i felt normal and it was refreshing! Do any of you happen to know why the pill would suddenly cause the moodiness! I really am no too moody... but recently its annoying! The only reason i want to stay on is b/c i like my skin and lite periods!

I have taken Yasmin for a year and a half. Since then I have gained 25 pounds, developed thyroid disease, and am very moody! I have taken several different types of BC because I have periods that last for two weeks and are very painful. I have to get off of this pill to see what happens. I can lose the weight, but I will be on medicine the rest of my life for thyroid disease. I also have headaches almost everyday and I have cramps for two weeks out of every month!

i have been on Yasmin for almost four years and i knew i felt tired and sometimes i get pains in my chest, and my periods are horrible and i have been putting off going to the doctor. i seen the commercial about the lawsuit yesterday, i wont be taking it anymore but i don't want any more kids....any suggestions?

If Yasmin is the same as Yaz, I'm pissed! It's supposed to treat pmdd? Well, I STILL get extremely emotional, my cramps are so bad I can take Darvocet-a nartcoic! and still have pain! I'm also starting to break out more now than I did when I was on my old pill. However, it is making my periods very light and short. Is there anything else I can do?

First of, let me say I am a Pharmacy Technician. I was on Yaz for about 5 months. It was OK. It wasn't strong enough to stop my periods until about 4 days into a new pack, it didn't do much for my skin, and it was $40/ month because there is no generic! I only kept taking it because it didn't make me nauseous (I am very sensitive to nausea).
After $40/month was a little too much, I went to my dr and wanted to be put on Yasmin (ocella) because it would only be $10/month and it has the same hormones as yaz which didn't make me sick, but it was .01mg stronger, which made me a little nervous. But I tried it, didn't make me sick AT ALL, cleared my skin up, periods start and stop on time, no cramps, cheaper generic, and I lost 17 lbs! I actually love this pill... it's a miracle serum.

I am 39 year old who has had problems with hormones since I got my first period (12 years old). Heavy bleeding, thinking for sure "I was going to die every month" cramps, having to stay out of school for 2 to 3 days a month. I thought after having children(which I was told by doctors) my hormones would get regulated. They did not. Four years ago I was diagnosed with fibroids and got a partial hysterectomy and having no more periods. The doctor put me on hormonal pills(not Yasmin) and I was having problems breathing. So I suffered with a lot of the symptoms listed here until last year September when they found a cyst on the ovary that was left. So I wound up having a full hysterectomy and was put on the Yasmin pill. In the beginning I would get sick on my stomach really bad and I stopped taking them. But, because I was I am full menopause, I swear I was going thru some serious, serious mood swings. So I got back on the pill and started breaking them in half for a month to get my body used to them and now I can take the full dosage. I personally am so happy with this product. My acne has cleared up tremendously and my mood swings are intact. I still may have a few instances if my husband or kids push me to far, I'll let them know in my own way. But it is not as bad as it could be without these pills. I feel bad for those who have really bad reactions to them, but maybe taking half doses until the body gets used to them might help.

i have been on Yasmin since having my son......he's now 4 years, and i have had very little side effects like what everyone else has experienced, i know that it will be different for everyone but the only thing i notice is that when i come to the end of my pack, i am very irritable and moody (although it could be because my periods are coming).............i came off the pill for about a year for my cycle to normalize and still had no side effects and now i am back on it again...........Yasmin works fine for me

Yasmin is great! I am 30 yrs old and have been on Yasmin for 4 years and my periods are reduced to a light 5 days (they used to be 8-12 days and heavy with clots). I have no more menstrual cramping as I did before. I have not had any pimples for 4 years. I have lost 15 lbs since being on Yasmin, but I also attribute that to being physically active and eating correctly. No change in moods, sex drive is better, boobs are bigger, energy is great. I am normal weight, healthy and active. I have no medical problems or risk factors. I just want to inform any of you that had problems with DVT, blood clots, or stroke..that all birth control pills (any brand) carry an increased risk of thrombosis. That is not a side effect unique to Yasmin. You are 2-3 X more likely to have a thrombotic event on OCPs when compared to women who are not on OCPs. Risk of thrombosis related to pregnancy is actually MUCH higher, 5-10 X compared to women who are not pregnant or on OCPs. So I'd stick with my OCPs to avoid the nastier side effects of pregnancy..

I don't want to scare all of you, but I thought I should share my recent experience. I am 40 years old and have never tolerated birth control pills very well. I experience major headaches that make the effects not worth the pain. As I was approaching menopause, I developed an ovarian cyst and dysfunctional bleeding and anemia. My periods could last up to 8 weeks at a time. I was desperate. I was put on Yasmin and was told to give it 3 months for my body to acclimate to this drug. I had a headache EVERY day that I was on this pill. 2-3 times a month it would flair up into migraine status. After 2 months and 1 week, I had one of those headaches that didn't go away. I went to the doctor 3 times to figure out what the problem was. I had a stroke and it was not diagnosed for 9 days due to the fact that I didn't have many outward stroke symptoms. I had a blood clot in my brain that blocked my sinus, sigmoid, and jugular veins. My neurologist said that most people would not have lived through this and that I was lucky to be alive. Please warn your friends and family. This is so dangerous. The only risk factors that I have are my age (40) and my weight (200 lbs) at 5' 7. I did not smoke, rarely drink, I'm not on medication for any other thing.

I've been taking Yasmin for about 2 months and my moods are out of control. At first I thought it was stress and tiredness, being a mum and moving house, but now we're settled in our house and I still feel crazy! I know it's hormonal because there's still a rational voice in my head saying "Why are you over-reacting so much?" But I can't control the negative thoughts or angry comments that fly out of my mouth. Also, I've basically had 2 weeks out of 2 months that I haven't been bleeding, and not just spotting but proper periods with associated pains. I've craved chocolate like never before and I'm hungry all the time. I hate feeling so crazy!

Hi, I hope any of you who has the similar experience could reply to this question. My doctor put me on Yasmin for ovary cyst. Did it help anyone with getting rid of cyst?
thanks

For all of you that has had problems with Yasmin or Yaz, I'm sincerely sorry. I'm really curious though to all of you, has anyone that read the leaflet that comes with the birth control box, have any problems? If you read that it may increase potassium which may cause serious heart and health problems so it would be good to get your potassium level checked before taking it. Side effects usually go away after 2-3months, has anyone have problems longer than that and ended up finding out what was the problem? I just wanted to know because my girlfriend is about to take it...and I wanted to know if one knew about the effects of this pill, and what precautions they had taken. Okay, thank you.

I've 25 yrs old and have been on Yasmin for 7 months now. About 3 months ago I noticed my hair getting very limp and dry then it starting thinning A LOT and it still hasn't stopped. I am going to switch asap because I've been having bad hair days every day!! I also felt slightly more emotional but not depressed. On the up side, it cleared up my acne better than any other pill I had been on and my periods have been lighter.

I took Yaz for a couple months and was fine during that; however, about a month ago my doctor switched me to Yasmin(I have been on BC for years however, the ortho brand). I've been in the most pain in the past month than I ever have and I'm usually pretty good with pain and just try to take advil or something... but the symptoms have only gotten worse. I finally decided to google my symptoms and I found a lot of people on Yasmin had very similar symptoms. I have the worst anxiety like there's a lump in my throat and sometimes I'm literally grasping for air and I always try to drink a lot of water or cough or eat or burp to make it go away but it doesn't until I wake up the next day (sometimes). Also, I have never ever experience migraines in my life, but the past month I have the worst headaches imaginable. It happens at least 4 times a week; at first I thought they were caffeine headaches because it would sometimes help, but the past 3 days my headache has pretty much been constant (usually located near my temples/eyes). I take probably 8 Ibuprofin a day and drink an excessive amount of caffeine hoping it will make it go away, but it doesn't. Along with these problems I've been feeling lightheaded more often and usually have to sit down immediately or else I feel like I'm going to faint. The biggest/scariest symptom is my heartbeat and chest pain. Heart disease is extremely dominant on my moms side and almost all of her siblings have already had at least one heart attack. Lately my chest will hurt extremely bad, then I feel like my heart rate is just freaking out; I can feel my heartbeat from anywhere on my body and it's very intense. And then because of all of this going on, I always start to freak out and realize i'm getting extremely anxious so I try to make myself take deep breaths but nothings works. The past 4 nights I've been up til like 4 a.m. because my heart rate is so high and my chest hurts so bad in every position I try to lay in that I'm constantly moving. I never thought about going to the doctor because I thought it would get better but now I'm starting to think I should... I'm just wondering if anyone else has/had any of these problems from this medicine and if you've done anything to get rid of them.

(a couple other minor symptoms I've noticed recently are: joint pain and rapid memory loss (I'll be in the middle of a sentence and completely forget what I was talking about and blank out))

Have any of you suffered from really bad constipation whilst on Yasmin ???. Im at home now and i look five months pregnant. I keep taking senna tablets but it just isnt working. I eat really healthily drink loads of water. The only thing i can put it down to is Yasmin but im not sure if its just me if noone else has had it on Yasmin. Also have the following:

*melasma on top lip that looks like a moustache.
*cant stop eating constantly.
*really dry mouth, constantly thirsty.
*anxiety.
*feel down on myself

I can only take Dianette as a alternative but put weight on easily on it so im not sure what to do. Did any of you end up putting weight on on Yasmin after the first six months? . I don't know what to do.

Please could you let me know if you had constipation on Yasmin so i now if it is the Yasmin or not. My doctor knows but didn't seem too concerned.

I have been on Yasmin for 3 consecutive months. I HAD TO STOP. I gained 6 pounds and I look like I am 5 months pregnant!! I am also experiencing hot flashes. I am going back to ortho tri cyclen and getting monthly periods. The switch was so not worth the weight gain. It'll take forever to get it off.

I've been on Yasmin for about three months now because I used to miss my periods, freaking out thinking I was prego which would be hell because I am only 19! My doctor recommended it to me. I was on it for about one week a long time ago and stopped because it didn't get rid of my acne and when I went back to her she said it would definitely be at least two months until it cleared up. Finally my acne is clearing and my periods are regular, I used to go two to three months without a period. So far everything has been great except horrible head aches and most importantly, MOOD SWINGS!! Wow. I just moved in with my boyfriend about a month ago and I snap him 247 for no reason> I pick fights like a drunken bar fly and I have been having spurts of crying almost every day and thoughts of suicide. I don't know what to do and I am unsure if it's just me or the BC? After reading all these horror stories I don't know if it's hurting me or helping me! I am afraid if I go off of it that my skin will break out like it used to and I don't want to confuse my body cause it's just starting to become used to it. What should I do? Right now I can't afford to go to the doctor again it was $200 just to sit with a new gyno for literally 3 minutes! I only work part time and I just want advice, because I don't have health insurance and it's not fun being me right now!! Please, any suggestions?

My daughter died on January 28, 2009 due to pulmonary embolism and dvt. She was only 20, just missed her 21st birthday on feb. 3rd. She had been taking YAZ less than one year. We had no idea of how dangerous the medication is. She had seen the commercials on tv promoting the decreased periods, acne, mood swings etc. I wish no one the tradegy that has stricken our family. Please tell everyone you know to STOP taking YAZ.

To make matter worse she was miss diagnosed. She was told she had bronchitis. My daughter did not have to die. Your daughters, sisters do not have to die.

Yaz has been great for me. I have lighter periods, no spotting (which I previously had a prob with), acne cleared up and little to no cramping. After being switched several different time trying to find the right birth control pill for me...Yaz has been wonderful. Different pills work differently for different people.

Hello ladies! I am happy to say that after about 6 years on Yasmin, last night was the last Yasmin pill I will EVER take. I can't believe I have been on it this long... very scary. I was put on birth control at the young age of 16 because I had cysts on my ovaries. At 17, I found out I had endometreosis. I don't have it bad, but to control it, my Dr. put me on Yasmin and had me taking it constantly for 3 months, then off 1 week. I do have to say, it helped me a lot at first... I guess I didn't really notice side affects at the time except for waking up in the middle of the night feeling very sick to my stomach and I had headaches a lot. It made my periods shorter, less painful and it was amazing only having a period every 2 to 3 months....

I actually didn't notice any side affects until recently. I will also say, I am not 100% that it is the Yasmin to blame, but either way after reading all the side affects people are having and not every reading them before.... I wish I would've stopped taking this horrible medication sooner.

I have felt just fine over the years until recently. I was leaving work one day and had a sudden feeling come over me. It was panic and anxiety and I freaked out to say the least. I felt like things looked weird and like I was going to faint. That was followed by more panic attacks, and feeling "detached". I saw a Dr. and he wanted to give me prozac, I didn't like that idea so I went to acupuncture. After being miserable everyday, I decided to go to another Dr. she prescribed me Celexa. I have been taking it for a couple weeks, but decided I am going to stop the Yasmin and see if I feel any better.

I definitely have mood swings, I get really mad sometimes, I cry more than normal, and now the anxiety. I HATE IT!! I want my life back!! I am taking a new BCP starting next week, but I'm also considering stopping BC all together. Unfortunately, if my endometreosis get worse, I will hurt my chance of having a family.... so I kind of feel like BC controls my life. :(

Thank you all for sharing your stories. They have truly helped me!

Hi, I am so relieved that I decided to finish with Yasmin after just 4 months. ...ESPECIALLY, after reading all the above severe health warnings and symptoms many have experienced. I am 38 with 2 small children and after over 10 yrs of not being on the pill I decided to take it again for PMT reasons and lighter periods. I too have noticed the migraine type headaches are far more frequent but more so I have noticed a worrying tightness in what seems the arteries in my neck which I have been paranoid could be the beginning of clots. Last week I also had a heaviness in my right side mainly my arm and went numb on right side of my face and lips whilst out shopping last week. I was scared to death as thought I was having a mild stroke at the time. This was the end for me. That day I never took another pill from that Yasmin pack. It is not worth it. I also felt quite anxious, wound - up, depressed and neurotic during the last 4 months on Yasmin. I am now back to ovulation cramps and heavier periods again but who cares at least I know this isn't life threatening which I believe Yasmin has the potential to be with regards to thrombosis and other severs health risks etc to some users.

I just finished my last pack of Yasmin. I rarely post messages on sites such as these - I'm not in the medical field and don't have the expertise to tell anyone what they should or should not be taking. However, after my experience with this drug, I feel like I need to contribute to the large population of women who had bad experiences with it. I'm not the kind of person who cries easily and am usually a very laid-back and easy going person. I started taking Yasmin in June after 8 years of not taking the pill. It was great for the first 3 months or so - my periods were like clock work, they were short lived, I stopped having cramps. Then I started getting upset for no reason - crying at the drop of a hat, getting unreasonably angry and irritated at my poor, incredibly sweet and patient fiancee for the smallest things. I was exhausted - even though I'd sleep a routine 8-9 hours a night. I'm normally a happy person and I literally stopped being happy 3 weeks out of the month. The first week after my period - when the drugs were in the first week, I would be happy as a clam - in fact, happier than I normally would be. I'd feel every day like I'd won a marathon. The second week into the drugs, I'd become quiet and anti-social. Near the end of that second week and up until the end of the pack - I would completely change into a different person. You could track all of this with military timing. I wondered for a long time if I was becoming depressed or anxious - I've had ADD my entire life and been through bouts of depression and anxiety in my teens and early 20's. Since starting my ADD meds 5 years ago, I'd never had another issue with them. This pill brought it all back. Though it cleared up my acne and gave me regular cycles again, its effect on my mental health was just not worth it. I have started to take a new pill and if that doesn't work, I'll try again. I just wanted whoever reads this to talk to their doctor, especially those women with a history of depression, ADD, or anxiety, and let them know the concerns you have. If you take Yasmin or are starting it, call them immediately after you start getting these symptoms so that you don't have to suffer through months of wondering what the heck is wrong with you. Life's too short and there are other forms of birth control out there.

I've been on Yasmin for about 2 years. My breasts grew from a C cup to a DD-E cup within a couple of months. I am a size 6-8, small frame. I know cellulite occurs in thin women, but within the last 5 months (after never having it at all) I have developed a lot of cellulite in my thighs and bottom. I am absolutely convinced this is hormone related. Apart from this my periods are pain free and my moods are pretty normal I think. I have experienced a low sex drive for a while and it's definitely still not what it used to be. The thing is with the pill is that it is obviously not meant for everybody. Different pills affect bodies differently. I have tried about 5 different pills, Loette, Marvelon, Yasmin, LevlenLD, none with great results. I stayed with Yasmin for so long primarily because it alleviated my cramps and horrible periods. For me it's time to come off. I know my body is reacting badly to the pill and to be honest I can't be bothered with it anymore. In the last month I have experienced a dramatic increase in cellulite and terrible tenderness in my breasts to the point that I cringe whenever I take off my bra. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced the same dramatic breast increase and tenderness?

I haven't yet started Yasmin but I was taking Yaz for a few months and have had my OBGYN switch me to the lower dose of hormone, Yasmin, because I was literally having my period every 2 weeks! And this wasn't just spotting-this was a full blown period! My skin had remained fairly clear and I don't get nearly as many breakouts as I used to. However, I am on an antibiotic and wash my face with benzoyl peroxide and use a cream so that could be why my skin is clearing up but I think Yaz contributed. I noticed with Yaz that I wasn't nearly as emotional and crazy as when I took Ortho Tri Cyclen low. But once I started getting a heavy cycle (cramps included) with Yaz, I switched to Yasmin so we'll see how that goes. I noticed on Yaz I still got cramps but they weren't unbearable and usually only lasted the first day of my period. I also tend to get mild yeast infections that I attribute to birth control but no headaches like others were getting and my sex drive has increased or decreased-it's about the same. Yasmin is about $10.00 cheaper on my insurance than Yaz so that's another plus. I can't say much about Yasmin right now but I know Yaz caused bi-weekly periods and I definitely wanted to eat everything in sight so, because I was eating and had low energy and did not want to work out, I obviously gained a few lbs but nothing too obvious. Maybe like 2 or 3lbs. Mostly there is bloating in my stomach. My breasts arent tender though like others get and I didn't have stomach pains or constipation with Yaz. Compared to Ortho Tri Cyclen lo, Yaz was a miracle pill. If not for the bi-weekly periods due to the high levels of hormes, I wouldn't have switched to Yasmin.

i personally have had the best experience with my Yasmin birth control. I have been on it for 5 years now. Before Yasmin I was a wreck.Before i ever took any birth control i had my period twice a month, super heavy bleeding,10 days,and cramps so bad I would pass out. I even bled for 5 months straight on the Depoprovera shot. I found all of the tricyclic pills make me crazy and over emotional. I have tried so many different kinds of pills and birth control all with the result of bleeding for months on end and finally my doctor recommended Yasmin and I have been completely happy with it. I have not gained weight, I do not get migraines (and i did with other birth control pills), I am much more emotionally stable (although I will never be a hundred percent sane, but I blame genetics for that one) I have never gotten pregnant, I have not suffered any gastrointestinal side effects, I finally have regular 7 day periods and my cramps are less horrible, my skin has cleared up, i have a perfectly healthy if not over active sex drive, my breast are not particularly tender ever, I don't get any more yeast infections than before, basically it is my saving grace in my opinion. I must also add to this that I did stop taking Yasmin once for 5 months in these 5 years just to see how I am without BC and nothing crazy happened. My periods were heavier, i had worse cramps, my skin broke out. I expected all of that to happen. A month after getting back on Yasmin I was back to my happy ol self again. One last thing is that I did try the Ocello generic version of Yasmin and it was all bad for me. I once again bled for 2 months even though I only took it for two weeks, and i went completely nutso overemotional chick. Long story short, everyone is built differently, not every BC will be the right one for you. Try some different ones out. If you are on a pill and it is not doing the right things for you then switch it instead of taking it for 2 years and then blogging about how miserable it makes you. I will leave you with a wonderful quote from I don't know who but I live for this saying "More orgasms, fewer kids, copulate, don't populate!" HOORAY

My now 17 year old daughter was prescribed Yaz back on 7/12/07. Since then she has had an extreme problem with constipation. She has been to the doctors several times, and is now seeing a gastrointestinal specialist because she can only have a bowel movement if she takes a laxative. The pediatric doctor had her on miralax from April to October trying to get this problem under control. It has not worked. We are seeing the specialist and they are running her through a battery of tests, which will now possible include a colonoscopy (at 17 !!!!). She has been extremely moody and aggravated - which I attributed to her age of course. She is no longer extremely athletic, she doesn't really do a lot. She is not the same person, definitely is a homebody now - never going out hardly with friends,etc. She has also had a 20 pound weight gain and for a tiny girl, this has had a huge effect on her. I have watched all of this, and never really thought about the yaz connection until today when a friend sent me this email with a link to this site:
******

that is when I got scared thinking maybe her problems were all caused by yaz. of course her acne cleared up, but her periods are still irregular and spotty. has anyone else experienced the bowel problems???

I have been on Yasmin since April of this year, 2008. My doctor put me on Yasmin because of a hormonal imbalance caused by PCOS. At first, all I noticed was my periods had become regular and my skin had cleared up. About 4-6 weeks later, I started experiencing EXTREME pain in my right breast. After the onset of the pain, just my right breast became enlarged. A few weeks later I started having chest/heart pains at random times. It started occurring when I would run and that made me really scared. I had the feeling of having a heavy rock on my chest and wasn't able to get a real breath. After an EKG my doctor confirmed that my heart was healthy. Here is a list of some of the other side effects that I noticed: no sex drive, weight gain, TIREDNESS, forgetfulness, cramps in my legs, but only while sleeping, extreme thirst.

I am so grateful that I found this website. It's just awful to hear some many other women complaining of the same symptoms.

Hi.
I was on Yasmin for about 9 months and stopped taking it about a year ago. I had been on a few other pills in the past while in college and always had problems. When I was given Yasmin it was after an abortion and my doctor and I agreed that maybe it was time to give Birth Control one more chance. Since I had had such a bad time with the pill in the past we went with a low dosage (Yasmin).
I have always had great skin but around 22 I started to have adult acne... mostly attributed to the high level of stress I am always under with work and all. Yasmin worked great in getting my skin back on track, my periods were definitely shorter and lighter. I have always been prone to terrible cramps and heavy bleeding. The pill was great for the first two months or so. Soon I started to notice that I was gaining wait despite the fact that I eat really well and really don't eat more than I ever did before. I had 0 sex drive to the point that I started finding ways to avoid having sex with my boyfriend....at one point we did not have sex for 2.5 months. He was an angel and never really complained. But I started to have a problem with it. And it seemed I had a problem with just about everything. I was overly emotional and having rage fits and would just pick fights with him and anyone I could get my hands on. I didn't develop out of the blue migraines.... but my headaches became more severe and frequent. While I was feeling this way I knew it was irrational and unprovoked and made little to no sense but I just couldn't stop. I felt like it wasn't me anymore. I didn't understand the things that I was feeling. I was reacting and behaving in a way that was just uncharacteristic of me. And then I also started spotting every month towards the end.
One day I just decided... I had to stop right away. But I was worried about going off of the pill. I switched to something else and that switch made me feel even worst and I just couldn't deal anymore. I had to be free of these awful feelings.
At first I felt better right away. My period was still lighter and less painful than it had been before Yasmin. It was as if I had never been on Yasmin at all. I lost 15 pounds right away and have kept them off.
About three months after I stopped my periods became painful again (I expected this would eventually return).... but worst... I started getting my periods really late. In June it was two weeks late. I took so many pregnancy tests that all were negative but still my period would not come. I called my doctor and she said it was probably the heat. Apparently this happens to some women in the summer when its too hot. But I am indoors all day at work so it just didn't make sense. Then July... same thing... two weeks late.... August same thing. but exactly two weeks. ( I always get it on a Sunday after being on the pill)
Then September... it was only a week late so I thought Oh! maybe I am getting back on track. mind you this whole time I am ovulating on time... so I am PMSing for a really long time. Then October roles around and I'm two weeks late again... and November only a week and four days late... got it on a Thursday night out with friends.
Now I don't know if this has anything at all to do with the fact that I was on Yasmin. It might be totally unrelated.. but since no one had mentioned it I just wanted to ask if anyone had experienced anything like it?

I have had no side effects with this pill for me it has been great. I was on the generic form and that one made my periods crazy. I would have my period every 2 weeks. Now on this pill my periods have been once a month like they are supposed to. Everyone's body reacts differently to anything but Im glad mine is a normal happy pill taking body.

I was prescribed YASMIN about 2 weeks ago now after seeing my GP about low sex drive and depression. It was a shock to me that the doctor decided to change my pill to Yasmin. I was advised to finish my old pack of pills and not take the week break and to just move straight onto the Yasmin. Obviously I followed these instructions thinking things would improve but to my surprise things are still the same if not worse. The very first day I started my first Yasmin pill I suffered from hot flushes and felt sweaty for no reason. I am not a hot person. I also noticed that all I do is yawn all day long which is really weird. My period has not yet stopped since a week and half ago. After asking my sister what her experience was like on Yasmin she said it gave her bad spots and her friend that took it before suffered from severe side affects and did not get on with it at all. Just like to say this has done nothing for my sex drive, if anything its pursponed it even longer! I thought I'd look the side affects up for myself and have read enough to make me think about having the injection. Can't be bothered with pills anymore......at least you don't have to worry about periods with the injection!

I am so glad that I found this site. I was beginning to feel like I was losing my mind. I have been on Yasmin for only 2 months but have been experiencing many of the side effects mentioned- fatigue, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, anxiety, dizziness, and flu-like symptoms. I had these same symptoms when I was on Yaz last year. I wound up going to the hospital for shortness of breath and chest pain. The doctor thought it may be blood clots, but after testing he diagnosed me with bronchitis and asthma (I am 26- never had either in my life). There is definitely something wrong with these pills. I do have anxiety and currently take Xanax. But I have not had panic attacks like this since I was on the pill last year. Sometimes I need to think about breathing to catch my breath and lately it had been hard for me to sleep because my heart is racing. My periods have been lighter and my migraines less severe, but it is not worth it to continue on Yasmin.

I had been on Yasmin for about 2 years and it was great. I had no adverse side effects. My periods where shorter and lighter and I did not have the horrible cramps I had before getting on the pill. I loved it. Then about three months ago the pharmacy switched me to the generic, Ocella, which the pharmacist insisted was exactly the same, but beware it is not! I have gained about 15 pounds, I had to go up a whole bra size because my breasts are so swollen, my breast are tender and ache most of the time, and as of right now I have been bleeding badly for two weeks and I have never bled when it wasn't time for my period. My OBGYN said the generic was most likely the cause. I know the generic is cheaper but do not take it. Yasmin is well worth the extra money. I am getting back on it immediately! A lot of people do blame the pills for stuff that would have happened anyways. So do not be scared to take Yasmin. Everything isn't for everyone but it was good for me. It's done it's main job which is to keep me from getting pregnant and isn' that the reason most of us take birth control for? So put up with a few side effects, at least you don't have a baby to deal with!!!

I am 20 years old and I just started taking Yasmin 2 weeks ago, my first time ever being on the pill. The past 2 weeks have felt like 2 of the worst weeks of my life. I feel nauseous and have abdominal pains frequently, especially in the mornings. I am tired all the time. I find that I am extremely sensitive and have been feeling so depressed that sometimes all I want to do is lay in bed and escape from the rest of the world. I cry all the time for no reason, and can't help snapping at people. I feel anxious and stressed out and I felt like I was losing my mind until it clued in that this all started when I started taking Yasmin. I have a little over a week left in my pack, but after reading this website especially, and dealing with these side effects, I don't even want to finish this pack; but I am afraid that not finishing the pack could cause worse effects too? I am really unsure of what to do. I definitely am switching to a different kind of birth control next month but I don't know if I should keep using the Yasmin up until this pack is done and just hope that the side effects do not worsen, or cease use and hope for the best.
My sympathies go out to all of you who are experiencing such horrible side effects just from trying to practice safe sex.
Men have it so easy it seems...

Hello everyone,

I have been feeling certain things lately so I thought "let's see what Google thinks it is". I typed in "bloated, tired, swollen legs, increased breast size" and the first site that pops up is this website. I actually thought I might be pregnant because and was surprised to see "Yasmin Side Effects" instead of "signs of pregnancy". I have taken Yasmin for almost 7 straight years. I was off it for 1 summer and probably one other month total in that whole time. I haven't really noticed any huge changes until recently and, like I said, it hadn't even crossed my mind that the things I was feeling could be from Yasmin. First of all, my breast won't stop growing and are so, so sore. I actually just bought my first D bra tonight, after being a C since probably my Junior year of high school. My legs and specifically my calves tend to feel extremely tight and stretched lately. I thought this was from running & exercise in general, yet I've exercised intensely & frequently for 4 years and this is a recent feeling for me. I have noticed for about a year that spider veins have started appearing on my legs. I thought I was just inheriting this from my mother, who has a lot of spider/varicose veins. My sex drive has definitely decreased significantly over the years I've been on Yasmin, but again, I thought this was normal or "just me". I go through periods where I have quite an appetite and can eat bad foods yet not gain weight. Then I go through periods when I seem to have the same eating patterns as normal and I'm exercising normally as well, yet I always feel bloated and fat. Plus, I have no appetite during these times. I also go through cycles where I have horrible stomach issues (I get a "bubbly" feeling, have had really bad cramps on occasion). I thought this was a side effect of coffee but now I'm wondering...

I get my period next week and then I think I'll stop taking Yasmin to see if any of these problems subside. Does anyone know any type of birth control that doesn't cause side effects?

Good luck to everyone!

hi, please can someone help me :-(
I'm 17 and this is my first time on any pill, I was on mefenamic acid to deal with painful periods but had to stop after I used them incorrectly.
I started Yasmin 6 days ago, and since my period stopped I have had constant pain in the left side of my back, headaches, am very tired and constantly feel like I'm about to be sick.
Is this normal? My parents don't seem to understand how much it's affecting me and I can't keep missing school.

So far I haven't seen anything in regards to my symptoms with Yasmin.

After going the past two years and having only two periods, I was diagnosed with PCOS. My Gyno told me that the only way I would be able to have a period, and delay the harmful side effects of this disorder would be to go on Yasmin. I agree that my mood swings the 1st month were terrible. I almost punched my own mother in the face because I didn't like one of her jokes. That's not me. But that is something common with BC. They are hormones your body takes in to regulate your cycle. And because my body doesn't' regularly produce the hormones needed for menses, I expected mood swings. The catastrophic depression and PMS were the main reasons I stopped taking the pill years ago.

My problem is a bit different. I haven't gained weight. As a matter of fact, I think I've lost a bit. My problem is my skin. Before the pill, I had flawless skin. It was always really sensitive, but because I was cognizant of this fact, I took every preventative measure to ensure its healthy appearance. But now my skin in a mess. I have a rash spreading all over my body. My eyelids have a hard crushed rash of skin folding over, and my under-eyes are the same way. All across my face, I now have raised red patches of skin that burn, and the only change I've made to my daily care regimen is popping that little pill every night. The rash is now spreading to my shoulders and a bit on my legs.

Has anyone else developed skin problems, or could this all just be coincidental in my case?

I