Yasmin and pills

Hi all. I am 24 years old and I am currently going back and forth with doctors trying to figure out what is wrong with me. Today I got blood test results back with nothing to show. On Monday of this week, I blacked out on the train on my way to work and was taken to the hospital--they just told me I didn't eat enough breakfast and got too hot/dizzy on the train and sent me home. For months I just don't feel like myself. I've been overly emotional and sad, my heart rate speeds when I stand, I get hot and dizzy/nauseous all the time, my hair has thinned and looks unhealthy, and I wake up all night long and am constantly tired.

I keep asking doctors if it could be my pill, and they've all said no. After reading all of these comments I feel like this just has to be it. I've tried about 4 different brands of pills over the past few years (and ortho evra patch which gave me hives) and I've had minor problems like breakthrough with all of them, but never as bad as the symptoms I've had with Yasmin. I've been on it now for about 8 months.

Thank you to everyone that has shared their stories, I feel like I am not crazy and I just cannot believe that no one's doctors are attributing these symptoms to the pill. I am tired of going through trial-and-error with these pills. I don't know if I should try something else, or give up on these types of contraceptives. I just don't know what to do, and probably because of this stupid pill, I'm about to cry about it right now. My worry now is what do I do next?

Hi, I just started taking Ocella on Sunday.... 5 days ago, I decided to look it up since I have heard of Yaz having major problems. I am so happy I found this page and had the chance to read your stories. I have only taken 4 pills as of right now and I have a lot of the most listed problems on this page. I already have the occasional panic attacks that come on without any apparent reason, this started after my mother suddenly passed away a few years ago, but since the first day I started this pill I have felt very anxious NON-STOP. I have only slept about 3-4 hours each night this week due to anxiety, heart palpatations, chest pain, and headaches. My body feels soooo tired and unrested, yet my mind is in a constant panic. And because of the panic I have felt very moody and aggitated. I have three young children, so needless to say I need to be rested and HAPPY! After reading these earlier posts, I am definately not taking any chances with this BC. I only started it to try and regulate my period.

Thank you to everybody who has shared their experience, obviously everybody is different, and take to medications differently, but it seems that these are very common side effects in many woman.
I am DEFINATELY stopping taking the pill as of NOW!
I wish everybody the best of luck with their situations brought on by this terrible drug.

I have just finished my third pack of Yasmin and I can safely say from the first month, side effects started to occur. I'm a generally happy person, and since taking these pills I've become very moody, constantly hungry, tired, my weight has been on and off, sex drive has gone down; the dryness, sore and tender breasts and the worst menstrual cramps I've ever had in my life. Going back to my moods, every little thing aggrivates me, it takes a lot to make me smile and mean it nowadays, and I'm simply just a wreck. I am never going back to these pills, I may as well just quit birth control all together...

I am 29 years old and have been on some form of birth control since I was 19. I started taking Yazmin in January or February of 2007. I had always been healthy and active, eating the right foods working out, etc. November, 2007 I went to the emergency room due to rapid heart beat and lightheadedness. They did ecgs and monitored me for a while, determining I was having an arrhythmia or palpitations and told me to go home and take it easy for a few days - thinking I may have over done it at the gym. I followed up with me ob doc a couple days later and she did the typical blood work and said everything looks fine and that was that. As time went on I noticed small things like feeling nausea, lightheaded, cold and tired a lot but just figured it was "one of those things" and over looked it. My OB doc switched me from Yazmin to Ocella in August 2008 to save me money. In May of 2009 I had another episode that brought me to the ER. My heart was racing and I kept feeling like I was going to passout, that feeling you get with you are going to throw-up and your head gets all tingly. They again did ecgs and all that, more blood work, etc. and said I now had atrial flutter and to follow up with a cardiologist. I followed up with a cardiologist and did stress tests, ultrasounds of the heart, more ecgs all to determine I had perfect heart function and health, it just went too fast at times (tachycardia), so he too told me to just take it easy on caffeine, etc and I should be fine. Time went on and I was feeling fine for the most part, a little bit of nausea, lightheaded feelings now and then but nothing everyday. On December 10, 2009 I stopped taking Ocella to start thinking of having a family. On December 18th I had an episode where I felt like I was going to faint/passout, palms got all sweaty, heart racing. I laid down and relaxed for a while and I felt fine. These same episodes kept happening close to a week apart for the next few weeks, symptoms getting more severe each time. January 2, 2010 I went to the ER again with the same symptoms, only they were not going away by lying down. They said I had Supervanticular Tachycardia and Virtigo from the lightheadedness. I went back to the ER January 4th and they admitted me due to the same symptoms only getting worse. After chest x-rays, MRI for my brain and over night monitoring of my heart functions, they still had no idea what was causing my symptoms. It is now January 27th and I have been out of work the whole month of January. If I stand up for too long, my heart goes rapid, sometimes it even happens when I am laying down, I am lightheaded constantly and all the doctors are calling me the mystery child!

After researching more about Drospirenone and the effects it can have on our bodies, it makes me wonder if all of this is due to the BC I have been on for the last 3 years. I have an appointment with a second OB doc on February 2nd, I am hopeful she will have some insight!

My symptoms seem a little different than most on here, I really wanted to get my story out and see if anyone else is feeling the same as me.

Wow I am surprised at how terrible the side affects have been for so many women here and I just want to say how sorry I am that all of you ladies have had to go through that. From what I understand, Yasmin is a high hormone birth control pill which can contribute to why some of you ladies are experiencing these terrible symptoms. However, there is the option of taking a lower hormone pill such as Yaz or orthotricyclin lo, which was wonderful for me in the past.

I began to take Yasmin become of severe PMDD symptoms, severe cramping, and long menstrual cycles. I have to say that I have had the complete opposite affect. I have since lost 20 lbs since I started the pill in November, my cramps are relatively gone, my periods now last 3 days as opposed to 7 days before, my skin looks absolutely beautiful, my mood swings have alleviated some, but they do moderately come back occassionally, and my sex drive has gone up incredibly. I did experience some sickness the first month such as diarea, breast tenderness, and bleeding the whole first month, but after I got my period, that all went away.

I hope you ladies find the right medication, and remember it could be the high levels of hormone in the pill, try the lower hormone level pills. Even if the insurance company will only pay for the generic brand, it should still be a low hormone level pill.

Good Luck to all and good health!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello,
I am a 24 year old woman who has been taking Yasmin for 2 years. WORST YEARS OF MY LIFE! Everything I've been through with this pill has been horrific. It is so relieving to know that so many of you have felt the exact same symptoms as me. It makes me feel like I'm actually NOT going crazy after all! I have constant feelings of anxiety, dizziness...I actually had to be rushed to the hospital by ambulance one time because I was so dizzy I couldn't even walk or get out of my bed. They did all these scans and found nothing, told me it was a bad case of Vertigo. Everyday, I feel dizzy, my stomach problems have been so bad, I've done lots of tests on my stomach for acid reflex, etc only for them to tell me it was stress-induced acid reflex. I've had so many anxiety attacks, detachment from reality, feeling weird being in my own body, detached from myself. Everyday I feel like crying, or I get so mad I feel like throwing something against the wall. And normally I am sooo not like that! This isn't me, I feel like I'm losing my own identity because this isn't myself, its Yasmin controlling my life. I never wanted to take them in the first place, I only started when my gyno diagnosed me with polycystic ovarian syndrome. So after reading all your stories and confirming that this is definitely what's led to my horrible life lately, I've thrown away all of my pills and am stopping them completely. I will visit a homeo doctor and experiment with some natural treatments. THIS PILL IS EVIL! It will ruin your life, stop while you can!!

I'm 29 years old now and had irregular periods and that's why my doctor put me on Alesse. I was on those for for 2 years but realized that it was causing me to be overly sensitive all the time and so my family doctor put me on Yazmin. I was on it for one year.This one turned out to be EVEN WORSE! I'm highly active but yet gained 30 lbs in one year. I eat and feel full but yet keep eating. I have a numb upper right thigh and have been to countless nerve doctors and they can't find anything wrong with me. I was super moody, crying all the time at the drop of a hat. I wanted to it people when they made me mad but never did and I'm not a violent person at all! I stopped going out which made my friends mad because that's not who I am. I love being with my friends and having fun, but I didnt feel like doing anything at all. I feel cold all the time even when it's super hot outside and my hands and feet are always numb. I also had heart palpitations but used to think because I workout with heavy weights it must be the weight training. I was so sad all the time so I started seeing a doctor to talk to and he found nothing wrong with me. I had a little anxiety sometimes when I used to go out to even like the grocery store or the mall. I can't count the number of times I'd get somewhere and drive right home without even going inside the store.I had slight night anxiety which my doctor couldn't explain. I went to a sleep clinic and my results came back fine. I decided to take myself off of the pills last month. I see my family doctor in January and I'll tell her about it. I felt so weird when I was off them for the first week. Like it wasn't myself in my own skin. My moods are getting better. My libido is coming back which is a good thing! I'm just feeling all around better about myself. I think it's one of the best things I've done for myself in a long time. :)

I switched to Yasmin one month ago. I have terrible problems with ovarian cysts, cramps, back pain and mood swings all relating to my cycle/hormones. Before i was on Portia for a year and wasn't at all happy with it. I suppose I didn't realize how different bc's are from one another. Well, my gyno suggested Yasmin to help with all these. Because as soon as I go off the pill for my week of menstruation the stabbing pains in my abdomen start. (Literally the next morning after not taking the first reminder pill) She thinks it would be best to skip periods all together.

I have noticed being tired around the same time of day every day. I have always had motion sickness while reading so that remains. Overall I am happy with Yasmin but I will definitely look out for any side effects after reading these posts. Thanks you so much everyone for sharing! If I begin to have any of these unusual symptoms I'll know right away that it is the Yasmin.

For the last 4 years --I have been on Yasmin. I stopped taking this pill a couple of month ago and could not be more relieved. I say this because during that time I had severe heart palpitations and anxiety attacks. They were so severe sometimes I would cry because I was so scared I was going to have a heart attack. A couple of years ago I went to a Cardiologist and told him about my heart racing, skipping a beat, and or course the constant never-ending heart palpitations. I took a stress exam, Ekg...etc all those test need to find the problem. They came up with nothing and basically said it was stress and anxiety. The Dr. gave me pills for anxiety and pill to slow my heart rate..which looking back was a joke!! Because it was really from Yasmin.I am so much better and happy to know that I was not just going crazy ..because that is how I truly felt. I was only on this medication because I too have ovarian cysts. I am too scared to go on any other birth control pill now. So if anyone out there is on this medication and has these symptoms..please stop this medication and know that you are not crazy. There are so many of us out there that have had these symptoms.Now I have to go to the Dr. and find out if there are any permanent damages to to any part of my organs.. so upset with this company and drug.

Yasmin is the only pill that has worked for me. I have been taking it off and on for years, and it has taken away all my cramps and I don't believe I've had any mood changes with it. I recently went to the doctor for a checkup and to get new pills, and he recommended Yaz. He said he had a hard time prescribing Yasmin over Yaz, so I decided to try it out. I've been on it for 3 weeks and it's terrible for mood changes!

I'm finding myself snapping at people at work, being really angry and anxious, then suddenly being depressed and not caring about anything. I've felt more stressed out in the past 3 weeks then I have in my life. I find myself overreacting about the smallest things, and being way too emotional about it. I start to feel worthless, depressed and alone, even though I have a boyfriend. I have found myself getting really emotional if he needs to work on a project at home and can't spend time with me. I get really upset really quickly, then I immediately apologize and feel bad about it.

The mood changes are insane, and I feel like I'm going crazy! I'm also really tired throughout the say, even though I'm getting a ton of sleep. I just feel like sleeping more and more. I haven't had any headaches, but that's not to say it wont happen later. I'm afraid to keep taking these pills! I want to go back to Yasmin. YAZ is terrible!

Hi
I am in the UK - where any knowledge of side effects related to Yasmin appear to be non-existent. I was prescribed this to treat my endo after having problems with another pill (constant bleeding and mood swings).
Initially it was like a magic pill - immediately improving the mood swings and stopping the constant bleeding. Then after about 4 days I felt so nauseous I wanted to go home from work - this lasted a few days.
A week and half into my first pack, I suffered continuous asthma attacks - with no obvious cause, this developed in hours to spontaneous vomiting along with a hacking cough.nI was prescribed antibiotics for "infections". The symptoms continued until it was unbearable and I was put on anti-vomiting tablets. and changed onto a different antibiotic.
A week later back at the doctors surgery I had a series of tests - awaiting results as I type, as I have very dark urine, stools that are not "normal" (clay or yellow), pain in my stomach, pins and needles, continue to vomit if don't take the anti vomiting tablets. Have now stopped taking Yasmin and await results...
HOw long does everyone appear to improve after stopping taking Yasmin? Also does this sound like I may have a case of hyperkalemia? (I am awaiting results).
Many thank

I am 32 years old and began taking Yasmin in 2002. I get SEVERE migraines every month and have gained 50 pounds. I want to get off Yasmin but am scared of getting pregnant. I'm married, but we just cannot afford a child right now. Any advice? Has anyone recently quit Yasmin and had any bad side effects from it?

I am a few days away from my 19th birthday and i've been taking Yasmin since the age of 11. I was diagnosed with PCOS when i was 11 and Yasmin has been what's keeping my period regular and more or less pain free since then. In May of 2008 i was switched to the generic version of Yasmin called, Ocella and started to notice more and more symptoms and side effects. My stomach pain in the mornings grew greater by the day and when i was on my sugar pill i would gain an unbearable migraine. Thinking it was just part of being a woman i ignored it and went about my life. It wasn't until December of 2008 while out with a group of friends i came into some serious stomach pain. thinking it was just a typical stomach ache that i normally got i ignored it. when i came to be about 4 am and the pain hadn't stopped i started to worry. first thing in the morning i went to the doctor who referred me to get an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed that i had gall stones and that i should have my gall bladder removed before more complications were to occur. Being a college student only a week away from returning to my second semester i opted to wait until spring break to have the surgery. During the 3 month wait i experience extreme diarrhea whenever something was put in my mouth, extreme stomach pain, heartburn, nausea, headaches, sore muscles, the list goes on and on i felt like i had been hit by a truck every day and i still had to go to class. in March of 2009 i had my gall bladder removed thinking that the symptoms would finally stop i returned to school only to find that nothing got better. It's been 7 months since my gall bladder has been removed and i'm still having the same symptoms as before and now i've added depression, stress, lack of energy and interest and many other things to the list. I'm still taking Ocella because i've never been advised otherwise but the symptoms are taking over my life. I am a sophomore majoring in electrical engineering at college and it's just become harder and harder to focus on my work or to enjoy the aspects of college that i should be with the frequent trips to the bathroom or having to opt out of a fun activity because of stomach pain. I was wondering if anyone can help me, maybe point me in a direction where i can get better and get back to enjoying what a 19 should be. Thanks.

I have been using Yasmin on my second month. I use to use Diane 35 until I found a fibroid and the doctor recommended I changed pills to see if it would stop the growth. Did not realized the symptoms until recently after using Yasmin. Decided yesterday I will not be taking them anymore. Thought I was loosing my mind when all i do is sleep when I get home from work. Went to my doctor today and explained him how I have been feeling. I have been getting headaches, tiredness, dryness, mood swings and bloating. Not a good feeling at all!

I take Yasmin and I just heard today about the lawsuits. This is completely freaking me out. I've been taking it for a bit over 2 years and its been a constant battle to lose weight compared to before i could lose it easily with diet and exercise. Now no matter what i eat or don't eat, i can't lose it. I've even tried diet pills. I have had huge mood swings the past 6 months or so that i just punch something and yet at my parents for dumb reasons. I've had IBS before these pills but it has been worse. I take the pills my doctor gave me plus over the counter stuff. My depression fits are horrible and I finally made the connection. About 4 months i started taking these pills i was put on antidepressants. I stopped taking those a long time ago b/c of the side effects (go figure).

uh i have 14 pills left of the 21 pack i was put on...i am concerned whether i should continue with this pack or just not take any? i refuse 2 go back on after reading all the side effects listed on this site. does anybody know where i can safely get rid of these pills without flushing them down toilet or putting them in the garbage?

I felt I should share my story, even though it is quite lengthy, since it is similar, and every story helps those who are still unsure.

I went on birth control at the age of 15. I tried several kinds, but all of them made me nauseous. I was on Mircette the longest, and seemed to be doing fine. Then around '03/'04 I started seeing a new ob-gyn, who told me that my problem was that I had a low tolerance for estrogen, and that was what was making me feel so nauseous. She said there was a new type of pill specifically for women like me called Yasmin that had very low doses of hormones. I was excited about starting the new pill, and did right away.

I continued taking Yasmin until about a year ago, when I switched to the generic of Yasmin, Ocella, due to the fact that my insurance didn't cover Yasmin and it was becoming expensive. On the Ocella, which I took for two months, I felt bloated like I had a basketball in my stomach, constipation, and other issues. I was told by the pharmacist that I was probably allergic to the additives that are sometimes in generic pills. So I decided to find out which birth control was covered under my prescription plan, call my gyno, and switch.

My gyno called in Loestrin Fe, but they filled it with the generic, Microgestin. I took this for approximately 3-4 months, and felt absolutely terrible, with panic attacks, crying, sleeping problems- the whole bit. So I thought that I should go back on Yasmin, no matter what the cost, and attempt to regulate again.

I went back on Yasmin six months ago, and though some of my symptoms have improved over how I felt on Microgestin, I am still a mess at times. I have moments when I am anxious and moments when I am absolutely joyful. I get really angry over little stuff, irritable and snappy. Then I get weepy and feel terrible about being snappy. Then I'm happy again. It's an emotional rollercoaster. I was never like this before- my moods were even, and I handled stress well. And I was always pretty happy-go-lucky.

Physically, I have ear fluttering/clogging/pressure/popping/pain. I'm getting fairly frequent migraines, which I never had before more than once a year. I, too, have numbness on the right side of my face in which it feels like my eyelid is swelling, neck stiffness and pain, and numbness of fingers and arm. I went to the ER a while back because I thought something was severely wrong due to symptoms of dizziness (vertigo) and right-sided numbness. I have severe TMJ and jaw pain, which I didn't have before, and allergies, which I also never had before. I have heart palipitations and sometimes random chest pain under or to the side of my breast. All of these symptoms have started to occur in the last six months after going back on Yasmin.

I went to an internist, who did blood tests, checking for thyroid issues and checking hormone levels. My thyroid was temporarily hyper, but my hormones were, according to the test, normal. But when the blood test was done, I wasn't experiencing any symptoms, so I'm not sure if it's accurate.

My yearly exam with my gyno is coming up in November, and I'm going to discuss these things with her, but I'm afraid she'll look at me strange for thinking that these symptoms are related to Yasmin...

Ironically, the only time it seems that I'm feeling pretty good is when I have my period! Which I guess would be when I have no hormones in me whatsoever! I feel happier and my sex drive goes back up, and my moods even out.

I am now considering, after reading these posts with all of you that were kind enough to share your stories, going off of Yasmin for good. I'm not sure what, if anything, my gyno is going to recommend, but I was considering trying an IUD instead...

I was on Yasmin for 1.5 years. Ended up with chest pains, severe Vitamin D deficiency, B12/Folic Acid deficiency, elevated potassium and unbelievable fatigue/exhaustion along with muscle loss. I have now been off for almost 3 years and do not feel completely recovered. I'd encourage folks to google Yasmin/Yaz lawsuits as they are just beginning and I expect will eventually come off of the market due to finally, recognized increased risk of these pills with pulmonary embolisms, stroke, heart attack and blood clots. Also, if you google Yasmin Survivors, there is an international forum of women who have been sharing and contributing now for last 3 years as well.

I am so glad I got off Yasmin before anything bad happened. I started Yasmin about 2 1/2 months ago. I heard great things about it and wanted to try it. I gained weight with a lot of the other BC pills and this one I heard was great for not making you gain weight. Well, it was great on not gaining weight but I have never been so scared of myself and my kids. THE ANGER! I have never felt this way in my entire life. I am not an angry person, I am a piece maker. This drug made me to the point were I didn't know if I was going to be able to control myself. I would get so angry at my kids and throw toys across the room and then turn around and hold them and cry because I didn't know what was going on with me............ This is such a terrible drug!! They need to take this off the market before someone hurts themselves or there children from the anger the rage that this medication gives.
I am so mad at myself for even wanting to be on this. I wish I would have researched it more before I went on it.
There were several other side effect from this that I experienced. ANGER being the biggest one of them all and the worst one of them all. I had excessive bleeding with my period, migraines like you wouldn't believe, and no sex drive. DO NOT GO ON YASMIN!!!

I too have been experiencing the same side effects listed by most of you. I have also been seeing a gastroenterologist for about 9 months now because of stomach issues. All symptoms point to gallbladder disease but the tests come back normal. I called my gyne today and they seem unconcerned with what I have told them and advised me to continue to take my pills until my annual visit in October. I'm done with this pack on Saturday and am thinking of going sans pills for the next month until my appt. Any advice on what pill I should switch to when I do see my dr.?

I would also just like to add that I have developed a ganglion cyst in my right wrist, and do experience frequent joint pain. I don't know if this can be attributed to the use of Yasmin.

Damn reading up on all these side effects shared here is really scaring.
Well I must admit that I certainly can relate to quite a few of them.
Well I took Yasmin for over a year,and my initial experience (say 6 months) was ok.
During that times my skin became flawless,to clear&radiant the best I'd ever had.
However beyond the 6 months things changed and I developed mad constant thrush
Really it was horrid,was put on fluconazole countless times,and I had never been one prone to thrush.
Furthermore every month during my period I'd get this mad headache coupled with dizziness and serious fatigue.
I was even convinced that I was anemic,because I'd actually go pale!Due to these headaches I decided to stop the Yasmin as I
Felt that really my life was at stake.In fact it was so bad I couldn't complete the that months pack.
Discontinuing Yasmin,opened yet another can of worms,perhaps due to me stopping suddenly.I developed severe acne,I was never one skin issues.
Well perhaps it could be attributed to the abrupt discontinuation of the pill.Sadly even 6 months of being off the pill my skin has not gotten any better.
As a result I have stupidly found myself having no choice but to go back to Yasmin.I have been taking it for just over a week,my skin has improved profoundly but I'm scared.
Moreso after reading everybody else comments,I'm really scared.If I'm to discontinue would yoi advice that I complete the cycle and not not stop suddenly?
Right now I'm ok just have slight nausea and occasional dull aching head.
Please can somebody give me advice.

I have been on Yasmin for 2 years now. It is the only BC I have ever been on and have LOVED it up until about 3 months ago. All of a sudden I started having heart palpitations, sever chest pains, extreme fatigue, very bloated in my stomach, low sex drive, pain and tingling in my arms and legs,dizziness, shortness of breath, trouble swallowing, weight gain and major mood swings! I went to the DR and they did an EKG (which was normal) Tested my blood (I now have a thyroid problem that I have never had before) and they did an ultrasound (Dr that I may have a murmur) on my heart and the results came back fine. So the DR prescribed me Synthroid for the thyroid problem and the DR said that should help me gain my energy back, loose some weight and would take care of the heart palpitations. The other symptoms he contributed to Stress (Panic Attacks) I have been on Synthroid for 5 weeks now and I don't feel any better in fact I feel worse!

This morning I seen a commercial for a lawsuit against Yaz or Yasmin. Well since I am non Yasmin I immediately did a search and came across this site. I have literally been sitting here all night reading all the comments from different women and now know what my problem is. My problem is YASMIN! I am not taking this anymore and have an appt with my Dr tomorrow to have them do whatever they need to do to see if I have any blockage or any other damage from using this pill. My chest pains and the tightness in my chest are so severe that it takes my breath away and I am only 24! I am not ready for children and don't want to deal with bad periods like I had before getting on the pill but I can not take this rise. PLEASE if you are on Yasmin please stop taking it immediately and call your doctor Your life could depend on it!! I am hoping like other people who have commented that after a few weeks of being off the pill that I will feel so much better. I hope I am getting off of it in time before I have done any further damage.

I never thought I would ever be posting my experience with BC but I think this could be useful to other women worldwide. I have been using Yasmin now for a year and a half and I agree with everyone here at the beginning I felt great, beautiful skin, controlled short term periods, stable weight. My body changed in all the right places. My breast turned a cup larger (I was a 34B) my buttocks got larger and rounder. My boyfriend was enjoying the changes as much as I was!! I thought this was the perfect pill for me and I actually recommend it to all my friends. Things started changing for me about three months ago. I started to feel tired, I use to work out 5 times a week now I can't even work out one. My eyesight started to change, I started getting cramps in my legs at night, my legs started feeling heavy as if I was losing circulation, fast heartbeat, and the occasional migraine to top it all of. Then I found the commercial about the lawsuit on TV and I panicked!! I googled the lawsuit and I found this websi

te and after reading everything here I went straight to my Dr. this afternoon with all my side effects. I am 39 now 18 on diferent types of BC and up until now I have been a very healthy and active person. When I read everything here I was decided to get off thie pill inmediately. But here goes what my Dr. said: (I trust his opinons because he is a friend and has been my obgyn for the last 15 years) " first Yasmin is the best hormone BC on the market, very women has different side effects and giving me another pill wouldn't solve my problem. I could actually get worse. He gave my the option of going of the pills but asked me if I was ready for all the changes that would bring. Weight gain, acne, anxiety, depression etc. Another option he suggested I try was taking an antioxidant complex, omega 3, and lecithin. All natural supplements which he firmly believes will make me feel much better, help my circulation, and minimize the side effects. I will start this treatment tomorrow and stay on the Yazmin for at least another month. PS. My health is in perfect conditions after blood tests and sonograms. thank God!! I will keep everyone posted on my progress. And I hope this is useful to all you ladies. God bless!

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!

This is my third week on Yasmin, and I am feeling completely normal. The first week, adjusting to the pills, I had headaches and nausea, but after that everything has been completely normal.
There are SO many people using this pill that the people who have negative side effects seem outrageous in number. Just remember that there are so many people using Yasmin that the small percentage that have bad reactions to it seem high in number when they are actually proportional.

I am using Yasmin for 1 month now and 2days after today I will wait for my very first breakthrough bleeding.
--I always feel paranoid that I might be pregnant but we never had sex without the pill and condoms (both methods used in the right way;never forget to take a pill; waited for 7days after taking the first pill)
--extreme depression
--breast pain!!!
--dryness in skin
--migraine
(but now gone)
--stomach cramps
--going to the bathroom more often
--breathlessness at times
--nausea
--my heart feels like it wants to get out of my chest after walking and several hours after taking Yasmin
--and now slight hair loss

--NO spotting

could i be pregnant?
OMG,
I am getting paranoid again. I don't know why I am asking this question every time, even though I know that we used condoms and pills correctly...Depressed!!!!

I used to be on tri-cyclen for about 3yrs, and it gave me terrible side effects like constant nausea,depression,weakness,it messed with my pH and irritated my acid reflux disease badly, it took me so long to realize and then i was switched to Yasmin. I had been off all bc for a month and i felt great, started Yasmin and within 2 weeks i noticed my depression worsening and my sex drive dropped very much, I feel like I have developed IBS, my weight dropped randomly and I experienced lightheadedness and blackouts, I also became b12 deficient and need supplements, my periods were only 3 days long but I got bad cramps which i had never experienced before and even now after 2 months their just as bad as they were, I cant sleep properly anymore and my blood pressure and heart rate have increased, I get numbness and palpitations and I really notice this because I smoke and already have some sort of circulatory problems. I also felt weird pains/twitching in my stomach and lower body, most of these symptoms i still experience... I was only on it for 4 months before i quit all bc pills altogether. I'm only 19 years old and I feel like this pill has caused me some serious heath problems and discomfort, we all need more healthy birth control options...

lower back pain, hair loss,joint pain, complicated migraines, vertigo, palpitation, hormonal imbalances (lowered DHEA, increased aldosterone-it affected my adrenal glands and kidneys), epigastric pain, bleeding, extreme fatigue, anxiety,pulmonary failure etc. I had to go through ER, 2 CT scans ( abdominal and brain), 2 MRIs, neurologist, endocrinologist, GI, gyno etc. I threw my Yaz pills in the trash after the first CT scan that revealed multiple tumors in my liver and left adrenal gland ( i took the pills for about 3 and 1/2 years)... the past 6 months have been a hell, but there are no more migraines, anxiety or other neurological symptoms at this point. By the way, one of my best friends who just started on Yaz recently ended up in the ER last week with a blood cloth in her left lung. Please stay away from that drug!

There is a class action lawsuit for anyone that took Yaz/Yasmin birth control. I just saw the commercial the other day from an attorney in Denver and it's nationwide. Please call Nolan Law Group - Valerie Romo at 888-630-9340. They are handling it nationwide.

Wow. Not sure what to think here. I was in the ER today with heart palpitations and chest pain - really bad pain. . . thought I was having a heart attack. Mine started low sort of in the stomach and worked it's way up and settled in my chest. I could breathe but the pain was overwhelming. I sat on my yoga mat in the park took a few pepto tablets, called the Dr. and after almost an hour of pushing on my diaphram and trying to breathe and ease the pain I had to get help. Guess what - like most of you I'm extremely healthy. The EKG, stomach and chest x-rays and blood work (all done today) are fine. And I've been on Yasmin for too many years to count. This is not the first time I've had tightness in my chest or palpitations. One night I thought my heart was coming through my chest for hours on end I sat straight up out of bed and went to the ER the next morning on the advice of my allergist. Again all was fine. I always thought it was some "allergic" reaction to some other test I'd had done with a reaction to dye or some other medical interaction since I tend to be allergic to many things and get allergy shots. This really makes me think about getting off this pill, and I just happened to stumble onto this when I typed "chest pain" in as part of my search. It has been less obvious for me since this has happened infrequently but twice now in a few weeks. And it is rather frightening. Best of luck to all - thanks for the posts.

Alright, first. I'm under the impression that Ocella is the bad kind of generic for a drug that should not have had the option to be generic. I had been on Yasmin and was happy with the results. I never once blacked out because of a period until I was switched to Ocella because a lack of drug coverage. Since I was starting to go through all of the symptoms above, I chose to take myself off of the pills (that, and the fact that I couldn't visit an OB/GYN because of the ins. issue). Since then, I haven't had a period (did, however have ALL the symptoms of getting one like I did on Yasmin). My only beef is that my body seems to have gotten addicted to the old dose of estrogen that was in Yasmin, and a lack of that amount has made me VERY hard to live with. My poor fiance!!!

I was put on Yasmin several years ago to control symptoms caused by ovarian cysts. I was told this was pretty much the only solution. Against my better judgment, I went on it. Things were ok for a few months but I started having mild side effects. I didn't feel like myself and my sex drive was definitely gone. Two years ago I had my thyroid levels checked and found out my TSH level was very high. After doing some research, I found that birth control can affect thyroid levels. I contacted my general doctor and he confirmed my findings. I took Synthroid to control my thyroid for two weeks and had to get off of it. I was like a zombie. I called my general doctor back and asked about stopping everything. He said to contact my ob/gyn and if she ok'd it, then it was fine by him. They agreed but also said there is no connection with the pill and thyroid. Red flag #1. After being off of the pill, my sex drive has not returned. It has been two years now. I asked my ob/gyn to do a hormone profile and they said I was too young to be having any problems like that. Red flag #2. I was tired all the time and had no energy at all. My general doctor gave me pills for depression (which the main side effect is extreme drowsiness). I was so disgusted at this point, I went to a Homeopathic doctor. I was told I had adrenal fatigue (which can be caused by the pill). I have been on a course of natural supplements for a few months and have felt better than I have in a long time. However, the sex drive is still gone and due to the pill, may never return. This has been a horrible strain on my relationship. It's upsetting when you know you should be feeling a certain way and you just don't. I have given up on traditional medicine and the idea of pills being given out without knowing long-term side effects and causing even greater problems. Ladies, if you are experiencing problems on or off the pill, see your doctor. If they offer no help, find another doctor! Also, after looking up Yasmin in a pharmaceutical book, it is listed as one of the WORST pills and listed under definite do not take. Use this pill at your own risk.

I was on Yasmin for 6 months and all i can say is get off this pill! I was on linessa before. my doctor then said that if i switched to Yasmin it would clear up my acne, (which isn't that bad to begin with, have very mild break outs around that time of month and then that is it) so i thought hey way not give it a try cause who wants acne in their late 20's. well since i switch i gained 30 pounds in under 2 months and went up 3 sizes in my pants! how can this happen when I eat healthy?!? and never put on this kind of weight with the other pill (which i was on since being in my late teens) Also in the last 2 months of being on Yasmin, my emotions have been so out of control, i freak out about everything I can't control my anger, then when i'm all by myself i just brust out into tears, i felt like i was on a roller coaster and wasn't able to get off. And the finally straw that made me switch was the never ending period! it started off normal then after 5 days i thought hey its going to stop but sure enough i still had clots and deep red blood, this continued for a month finally stopped for a couple of days and then started all over again! my doctor suggested to take 2 pills a day! i laughed and cried due to having no control over my emotion and then when to another doctor who finally listened to me and put me back on my old pill, now everything is back to normal well almost still trying to lose all that extra weight i put on!

I have been on Yasmin for over a year and a bit and I have recently started getting major head aches, eye pain, chest pain, and I have high blood pressure to top it all off. My mom has told me that she experienced the same thing when she was on the pill (I dunno what kind) when she was my age and had to start taking high blood pressure pills at the age of 20 I am 19 at the moment and it looks like I am following in her footsteps. My advise for everyone on this pill is to watch your symptoms and if you develop head aches that you think are caused by your eyes (gets worse while reading or watching tv) THINK again it might be from Yasmin! So be careful ladies and watch out and get your eyes checked and your blood pressure checked the moment you start feeling symptoms. Its for the best and I hope no one has to go through the pain I have been feeling for the past month. Also watch out for shortness of breathe and tightness in chest.

I've been taking Yasmin for 3 years now and have always experienced mood swings, uncontrollable crying, and severe anxiety since I started taking it. I discontinued my other medications systematically with no improvement, and am coming to realize this may be to blame on Yasmin.

I felt like the symptoms were much more severe in the days before, during, and immediately after my period. Has anyone else experienced this fluctuation in mood during and after your period? Do you think it's due to Yasmin? I know PMS is supposed to be normal, but this is ridiculous.

Another question: has anyone found another birth control that does not create these side effects? I've only ever taken Yasmin and don't know where to go next.

I've had similar experiences to many of the other posters. I've been on some form of birth control since I was in my teens. I've always had acne and was very concerned about weight gain, so I switched between the ortho's quite a bit. I used to take a shot (Lunelle) that was perfect, but its been discontinued. Anyway, about 3-4 years ago my doctor put me on Yasmin. I thought it was great! Skin cleared up, moderate weight fluxuation, which I attributed to inconsistent diet/exercise habits. I was so happy with it I pushed it on my girlfriends when they were looking for a pill.

But then about a year ago, it all started to change. I became WAY emotional out of the blue. I would cry over the smallest things. I had suicidal thoughts, totally lethargic and "hazy." My sex drive reduced to 0 - I love my BF, but we stopped having sex for nearly 6-8 months because I had no drive and would pick fights for NO REASON. Awful.

In March I got busy at work and stopped taking it by accident. I felt so good, so NORMAL, that I just discontinued use. The first month was great. My personality re-adjusted over night, I have more energy, I'm genuinely happy, my sex drive is through the roof. But now I am 1.5 weeks late on my second period since quitting. I am bloated and have noticed water weight gain. I hope that it can be managed with strict diet, exercise and anti-bloat pills. I am breaking out, but I expected that. It's bad, but I am hoping that Pro-Active will keep it at bay until my body regulates. But again, my mood is so much better that it seems like a small price to pay. So far anyway. I have not noticed the hair effects yet - I have always had very think, long hair. For those of you experiencing that side effect, there are vitamins you can take that may help you get through it. Ask your salon.

If anyone has any advice, or can share what happened after the 2 month mark, that would be great. I'm bracing for some tough moments.

I just began using Yaz about 4 months ago and I have had the weirdest thing happen. I have massive headaches (never had them before) and this weird pain in me face (right about my right cheekbone) At first I thought it was a sinus infection.. Major pressure and headaches are easy to diagnose. Then when it didn't go away I got scared. An emergency room visit and a neurology appointment later (everything is "normal") I have decided it HAS to be the Yaz. I have also been having weird ear "fullness" Out of nowhere my ears will just pop like i'm going up a mountain...The took me off that and put me on Yasmin. Isn't it the Same pill? Anyway.. has anyone experienced similar symptoms? If so, how long did it take to go away? Thanks!!

I've been taking Yaz for about a year and a half. I also take lexapro to help even out extreme mood swings I would get (2 weeks before my period). For a while, probably the first year, I just felt more tired, which I thought was because of the lexapro. In the past 6 months though, I have been getting a stomach flu type illness every month, 3 days after I start my new pack of pills. I also have a very sensitive stomach and get sick easily. I recently lost 5 pounds (from 125 to 120) without making any lifestyle changes. Also, this year I've had low iron levels, and noticed my stools are black from time to time. I went to the doctor today to have my blood checked and also submitted stool samples. Could this all be from Yaz? I have been getting the flu (or flu like illness) way too much this year, and my boyfriend never catches it from me. I am worried about going off the medication because the yaz and lexapro have really controlled my mood swings, and my skin gets much worse without birth control. I'm just worried something more serious is going on here. I am 26 and a healthy eater, so I don't understand all the stomach problems! Does anyone else have these issues? Especially after starting a pack of pills (I feel fine the week of my period)...

I had been on Yasmin for about seven years. I decided to get on the pill because I used to experience HORRIBLE menstrual cramps and pretty bad acne. For seven years, I thought that Yasmin was the BEST thing that ever happened to me. My cramps went away, my acne cleared up and my hair seemed healthier than ever.

In January, I decided to give my body a break and get off of the pill. I figured that seven years was a long time to be dependent on a drug. Since I have gotten off, I have had a RIDICULOUS amount of hair loss, terrible mood swings, hints of depression, wacky appetites, increased acne and my menstrual cramps are getting worse with each cycle. I have been off of the pill for 5 months now and I am wondering how long it takes before the drug is completely out of my system. Can anyone help?

I have been on both Yasmin and the generic version for years and LOVE it! I had been on several different types of Ortho and had horrible acne and migraines so finding Yasmin was like a gift from heaven - no migraines, my skin was back to normal and my period was so light I bought tampons about once every three months.

I have had a lot going on in the last year and kept forgetting to take my pill each day so I decided to try the NuvaRing and the results have not been positive for me. I am calling my doctor today and asking her to switch me back.

For those of you who have switched from one pill to another, just remember that it can take three months for skin issues to clear up. When I switched to Yasmin from one of the Ortho pills, I initially had worse acne on the second month after changing but by the end of the third month everything had sorted itself out hormone-wise and my skin cleared up. Thank goodness my doctor and dermatologist forewarned me or I might not have stuck with it.

I've been on Yasmin since I was 18, now I'm 20 and i'm just now starting to gain weight. I eat really well and work at a gym so I work out 4-5 times per week. I went from about 110 to 118, with no reason!!! Why would this side effect kick in now?? Has this happened to anyone else??

Ladies, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for your posts! I'm so glad I found this site as it confirms some things for me....several years ago I was on Yasmin. For years I had taken other BC's until my dr switched me to Yasmin. I gradually started having anxiety issues, skin issues, & leg cramps (mainly left calf) so severe & violent that at one point they even sprained my ankle. After about 3 months into the medication, my anxiety became more severe, I would cry for hours about absolutely nothing, & I began noticing my thoughts racing about 2 - 3 hours after taking Yasmin. I had been taking BC since my early 20's and had never noticed this before, so I didn't think it was the Yasmin until I forgot to take my pills several days in a row--& I realized I was no longer anxious. I also realized then that for once being on my period was a RELIEF from my symptoms--not the typical hell as before Yasmin. When I started them again I kept a symptom log until I could no longer take it. This really helped my doctor in determining (& proving) that the pills had an adverse effect on my body. The point here is not to trash Yasmin as some people greatly benefit from it, but there are others who can't take it because the hormones clash with their systems. LADIES, LISTEN TO YOUR BODIES & TALK TO YOUR DOCTORS if you're experiencing negative symptoms after changing to this (or any) birth control! My doctor was about to put me on anti-depressants until we discovered that the cause was Yasmin. Once we switched, the symptoms went away. The best thing I did was to keep a daily log--it's not terribly time consuming, you just have to remember to keep up with it, but your health is worth it!!!!!

I thought that all the problems I've had the last 3 months that I've been on Yaz were unrelated....I thought between stress, IBS, my job as a teacher, and being a single mother, that all my problems are just stress. I've been on the pill for three months. I am taking the pill to help with adult acne and mood swings. I really think that it has helped both of those things. However, the last month I have noticed some symptoms and I think that maybe I can tie them all to yaz???? Here's the list:
Headaches
Weight gain
Muscle cramps
Extreme GI problems (worse than my normal IBS)
Blanking out (short time frames where I do weird things and I don't remember them). Is this a symptom? I haven't read about this one. I'm scared to death I have some mental disease or something! Anyone else have this problem? I am so scared that I've lost my mind and have gone crazy.
Night mares
Anxiety
Panic attacks (I think)
Abnormal heart beat

Although this isn't a side effect I wasn't quite sure where to post it... But my question is: Do you know anyone or did you get pregnant while using the Yasmin birth control pill? I know that these pills make your body think it's pregnant but I think I may actually be pregnant. Although I don't "feel" pregnant my body sure is acting like it is, I.E. sore breasts, weird cravings and aversions to food, headaches, very tired, very hungry etc. Has anyone had these side effects too and you weren't pregnant? Thanks!

I was recently put on Yasmin, I've just finished up my first pack. Some of my friends told me to read the blogs on it cause it's not all that it's cracked up to be. I was originally put on it due to PMDD. I get hellacious PMS and i was told that this pill can help. I also take antidepressants to treat mild depression, so the low/single dose hormone is essential for me. Throughout the past month I've had two migraine headaches which is unusual. I do get headaches but not like these. I can't even open my eyes, eat, or have any noise or light around. It's really awful. I do have the dizzy spells and some gnarly pain in my lower abdomen and in between my shoulder blades. It feels like cramps but I'm not having a period yet. I'm hoping these side effects will go away as my body adjusts but frankly, from these blogs I'm really leery to keep taking this pill. Any recommendations for a girl who needs a monophasic pill and need extra help staying sane during PMS? Any news helps. Thanks and best of luck to us all.

I have never before posted on a forum like this, but if my information helps or forewarns one other woman .... I am grateful.

I am 51 years old, been in perimenopause since Lincoln was President, it seems. I was prescribe a generic version of Yasmin, and, because I had been experiencing general symptoms of perimenopause before, did not attribute to Yasmin by increasing feelings of being in hell.

I will say one positive thing about it: I have had only one mid-life zit since I started on it. However, the experiences I am going to list now dismisses that aspect completely.

I have been on it for 4 1/2 months. The awfulness of it crept up on me, but there is no denying that now. I have gained weight. I have always been slender; however, I've gone up a pant size and even those pants are feeling tight. I'm constipated, no matter how much fiber and mild laxatives I take. My stomach pooches out and feels tight. My breasts are tender. They have NEVER been tender or sore, no matter the time of the month. My hot flashes and night sweats have reached an unprecedented level, and I have been having those off/on for a decade. I don't have hot "flashes" anymore. I heat up and I am uncomfortable all day, save for maybe a couple of hours.

Now, here is the WORST side effect: I am so f-ing angry almost all the time and my energy goes into hiding that from others. And there are the companions of anger: depression, feeling SO alone, feeling like a freak and that there is something fundamentally wrong with me... something wrong w/ my very soul. I recognize that some of these symptoms reflect aspects of my personality, but I work on that very hard in a spiritually/practical way and achieve successes along the way. This is different. This is very, very bad.

I will NEVER take another one of those horrid pills. I am going to see a doctor who works w/ women's issues and prescribes bio-identical hormones. And if THAT doesn't work, I will find another answer; rather, another answer will come to me, because I hit rock bottom and my intention is SO strong that the Answer cannot NOT come to me (okay, that's a metaphysical pronouncement, but there you go) .

For those of you who want to talk to me on this forum, or email me personally, I welcome and appreciate your thoughts. We are ALL together in this! Much Light and Love along the Way, K.

I was on Yasmin from the day it hit the market a million years ago and absolutely love it. Absolutely no side effects (other than my skin looked amazing and I could eat whatever I wanted without gaining weight!). I loathe Ocella, the generic version. I was on it for four months and am now trying Yaz (which, for the time being, does not have a generic so my insurance will cover it). If Yaz doesn't give me the same results as Yasmin, I'm going to just pay the penalty and get the brand name Yasmin...I love it that much! For everyone complaining after 2 days or 2 weeks on the pill (any pill), you need to remember that any transition is going to mess with your chemical balance. We're talking about something that chemically moderates your natural chemical composition. You really need 3 months to fully adjust.

I am 29, super fit and healthy. I'd been taking Yasmin for 6 months, in addition to having a high blood pressure 3 months into taking Yasmin, in the last month, in addition to a high blood pressure I started getting rings in my vision (lasting 5-20 mins and then returning to normal), i had problems with my hearing, i started getting dizzy after very light exercise and lost my breath, i found i was slurring in my speech or having trouble getting the words out, i felt pressure at the base of my head. The problems with my vision led me to getting a CT scan and the docs believed I had a small blood clot in my brain caused by Yasmin.

After finding out I had a thrombosis caused by the pill, the rest of my symptoms could be attributed to that. Yasmin has been taken off the market in many countries because of its side effects. Yasmin is indeed evil and I feel fortunate I had a doctor who referred me to a specialist to get checked out. So many doctors will say take pain killers and come back if it gets worse. I will never touch BC pills again.

Hello,

I was on Yasmin for 2 years and the only problem I had was bloatedness, heartburn and nausea to the WORST extent. when i went off Yasmin for a few months I felt perfect! after I started taking it a again the Nausea started to kill me, it was so bad I just could not take it anymore, so now I have switched to Triphasil (recommended by a friend) who also had nausea and stomach problems so bad, caused by Yasmin that she ended up in Hospital. Another friend of mine also suffered from mood swings caused by Yasmin. has anyone else had severe Nausea from this product? its awful.