Yasmin and potassium levels

I have been on Yasmin for about 5 years. I have never had an issue. I am worried that everyone on this site is making Yasmin look bad. You all need to remember that not everything will work for every person, everyones hormones are different to begin with so when you add the pill to these different levels of hormones you will get different side effects. To the people with low sex drive, did you perhaps think that this could be due to depression or the aging process? Many women suffer from low sex drive, those on and off the pill. Your sex drive will not be consistent throughout life, mine dropped in my early 20s and now is rising again, it may drop again, it can also be due to stress. All that said if you're suffering side effects that you think are attributed to Yasmin, or any other pill, stop taking it! Not everyone's body will handle it.

I am 38 years old and was on Yasmin for 3 years to control ovarian cysts that kept bursting. It kept good control of my acne, but I had no sex drive, horrible facial hair, no vaginal lubrication, and extreme pain during sex especially climax. Finally, 2.5 years ago, I suffered from right-side paralysis which ended up sending me to the hospital. My potassium levels were so low that my I was suffering from neuorlogical problems that they initially thought I was having a stroke at the hospital. Taking potassium did not keep my potassium levels up while still taking Yasmin, so I finally went off it. The literature does mention that one may suffer from low potassium, but even taking supplements did not allow me to keep my potassium levels up enough. I am getting an IUD put in place on Thursday and hopefully this will take its place well enough!

I'm 22 years old and I have been on Yasmin for 3 years. The first year it was fine, but the next year I began getting panic attacks which I never even believed in until I had one myself. I've had severe anxiety that is uncontrollable and doesn't allow me to sleep at night. Let's not even talk about the emotional mood swings during my period. My boyfriend knows when it's that time of the month because I'm not myself. I will cry over things that would never make me cry in a million years. I'm mean and moody and then 20 minutes later I feel bad, but then I'm crabby again. Weight gain has not been a problem for me only about 3-5 pounds, but my breasts did go from a large B to a D. My boobs definitely do not fit my body. I have noticed a lot of hair fall but I just thought it was normal. I too have had problems with my potassium levels as I would get leg cramps in the middle of the night so I began drinking Gatorade and eating bananas every morning which has helped. I love being on birth control because it helps me plan accordingly, but I just don't feel like myself anymore. I am always hungry and am never full. I literally have to tell myself out loud that I'm done eating because it doesn't trigger for me. I have had a stomach ache nearly everyday of being on the pill. I became addicted to TUMS which only made it worse. I thought it was stress related which it might be, but I literally do not go to the bathroom for 4 or 5 days and it is soooo painful. Another thing is that I have no sex drive. I really have to prepare myself for it otherwise sex does not even occur to me. My boyfriend thinks I'm not attracted to him, but I AM! We just moved in together and you would think it was "freedom" but I'm just motivated to have sex. This is not normal for a 22 year old healthy female with an extremely hot man.

Anyway, I just went to the doctor and told her I was interested in Yaz. She gave me a few sample packs which I will begin next week. I'm hoping for the best and I truly do believe that birth control is a trial and error process. Everyone's bodies are different and you need to find the one that works best for you! I will write again once I know how Yaz works out.

-MCL

Two acting effects in Yasmin are:
ANTI-MINERALOCORTOID (Diasperonone)
and
ANTI-ANDROGENS (Spironolactone)

MINERALOCORTOID
(Yasmin has ANTI-mineralocortoid function/effects):
-----------
Mineralocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones characterised by their similarity to aldosterone and their influence on salt and water balance. (note Yasmin has diasperonone as an acting ingredient which acts as a potassium sparing diuretic.)

The primary endogenous mineralocorticoid is aldosterone. Yasmin has anti-aldosterone properties.

Aldosterone acts on the kidneys to provide active reabsorption of sodium and an an associated passive reabsorption of water, as well as the active secretion of potassium.
Note: Yasmin has diasperonone that is a potassium sparing diuretic. This in turn results in an increase of BLOOD PRESSURE and BLOOD VOLUME.

Aldosterone is produced in the cortex of the adrenal gland its secretion is mediated principally by angiotensin II, but also by ACTH (adrenocoritotrophic hormone) and local potassium levels.

Hyperaldosteronism (the symtpom caused by elevated aldosterone) often shows up as:
-------------------
1. Hypertension-high blood pressure. High blood pressure that is arterial in nature gives a higher risk of heart attack or stroke than any other disease. Persistent hypertension/high blood pressure is one of the risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and arterial aneurysm, and is a leading cause of chronic renal failure (which means chronic kidney failure)

2. Accelerated excretion of potassium ions. With extreme K+ loss (note Yasmin has potassium sparing diuretic), there is muscle weakness and eventually paralysis

Underproduction, or Hypoaldosteronism:
-----------------------------
leads to the salt wasting state associated with ADDISON'S DISEASE (also known as chronic adrenal insufficiency or hypocortisolism):
is a rare endocrine disorder in the body produces insufficient amounts of adrenal steroid hormones (glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids) (note Yasmin has anti-mineralocorticoid effect)-it is essentially the inability of the Adrenal Gland to produce adquate amounts of CORTISOL in response to stress. This is an Endocrine discorder caused by high levels of cortisol in the blood. Cortisol is released from the adrenal gland in response to ACTH being released from the pituitary gland in the brain. Or..

HYPOADRENIA/ADRENAL FATIGUE:
-----------------------------------
The adrenal glands are part of the body's mechanism for short term stress response and management. (Note Yasmin's effect on adrenal glands). They are involved in the production of the hormone adrenaline (also known as EPINEPHRINE **-the famous fight or flight chemical released in stressful situations which increases the body's metabolic energy regulation and control system-and thus control to an extent the energy available to body systems.

Theorized by alternative medical practictionerS that under conditions of long term stress, the adrenal glands can become less responsive to circumstance and cease to function optimally leading to a wide* but slightly vauge range of FATIGUE AND STRESS RELATED CONDITIONS including a greater likelihood of psychological conditions such as depression and possibly certain other mood disorders.

SYMPTOMS OF ADRENAL FATIGUE:
------------------------------------------------------
1) DEPLETION OF ENERGY
2) LOSS OF RESILIENCE
3) FATIGUE
4) NERVOUSNESS
5) ANXIETY
6) EXACERBATED PMS
7) DEPRESSION
8) BRAIN FOG
9) CARBOHYDRATE CRAVINGS
10) ALLERGIES
11) MUSCULAR PAIN
12) JOINT PAIN
13) IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

CORTICOSTEROIDS:
(Yasmin's ingredients contain anti-mineralocortoid)
----------------------------------------------
Additionally, the corticosteroids functions, produced in the adrenal cortex include that of stress response, immune response, regulation of inflammation*, carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism, blood electrolyte levels and behavior.

Yasmin's listing of possible side effects include trouble with:
-colds and flu
-"nervousness"-not "anxiety" but "nervousness" -insulin resistance (which is carbohydrate/sugar intolerance),

Yasmin's ANTI-ANDROGEN is Spironolactone:
Synthetic steroid which is commonly used as a diuretic or as an Anti-androgen. Potassium sparing diuretic.
-------------------
This on its own is a weak diuretic. Due to its anti-androgenic effect, it is common component in hormone therapy for male-to-female Transsexual and transgendered people and is also used for treating hair loss and acne in women.

Spironolactone inhibits the effects of aldosterone by competing for intracelluar aldosterone receptor. This increases the secretion of water and sodium, while decreasing the excretion of potassium. Spironolactone has a fairly slow onset of action, taking several days to develop and similarly the effect diminishes slowly.

ADVERSE REACTIONS TO SPIRONOLACTONE:
---------------------------------------
-menstrual irregularities and testicular atrophy
-ataxia-muscle weakness/atrophy
-erectile dysfunction
-drowsiness
and rashes*.
A carcinogenic effect has been demonstrated in rats. Carcinogen is a term that refers to any substance or radiation which is an agent directly involved in the promotion of cancer or in faciliation of its propagation.

ATAXIA:
-------------
Steady and clumsy motion of the limbs or torso due to failure of the gross coordination of muscle movements. This often occurs when parts of the nervous system that control movement are damaged. People with ataxia experience a failure of muscle control in their arms and legs.

Androgens are the precursor of all estrogens (the female sex hormones). the primary and most well known androgen is testosterone.

A subset of androgens, called adrenal androgens, includes any of 19-carbon steroids synthesized by the adrenal cortex, the outer portion of the adrenal gland that function as weak steroids or steroid precursors, including DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone), and androstenedione. Because Yasmin's ingredients have an anti-androgen effect that effect our adrenal glands-women with adrenal problems are advised not to take it.

Besides testesterone (which is responsible for sexual libido/function), other androgens include:

1) DHEA
(dehydroepiandrosterone: -a steroid hormone produced from cholesterol in the adrenal cortex which is the primary precursor of natural estrogens.

2) Androstenedione (Andro)-
an androgenic steroid, which is produced in the testes, adrenal cortex and ovaries*. While androstenediones are converted metabolically to testosterone and other androgens, they are also the parent structure of estrone. Estrone is an estrogenic hormone secreted by our ovaries. It is one of three estrogens which also include estriol and estradiol. Estrone is the least prevalent of the three hormones, estradiol being prevalent almost always in the female body, estriol being prevalent primarily during pregnancy.

3) Androstenediol:
the steroid metabolite that is thought to act as the main regulator of gonadotropin secretion-protein hormones secreted by gonadotrope cells of the pituitary gland. The two principle gonadotropins are LUTENIZING HORMONE (LH) and FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH)-both of these are what are naturally release by our bodies on a monthly cycle are part of natural menstruation. The third human gonadotropin is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) produced by our placentas during pregnancy.

4) Androsterone:
a chemical by-product created during the breakdown of of androgens-or derived from progesterone -that also exerts minor masculnizsing effects, but with one seventh the intensity of testesterone.

5) DHT Dihydrotestosterone-
a metabolite of testosterone that is actually a more potent androgen in that it binds more strongly to androgen receptors.

FUNCTIONS OF ANDROGENS:
(keep in mind Yasmin has anti-androgenic properties):

Muscle mass:
Androgens promote the enlargement of skeletal muscle cells and probably act in a coordinated manner to enhance muscle function.

BRAIN:
Circulating levels of androgens can influence human behavior because some neurons are sensitive to steroid hormones. Androgen levels have been implicated in the regulation of human AGGRESSION and LIBIDO.
Note, Yasmin's ingredients have anti-androgenic effects. That means essentially translates as suppressing the effects that androgen has in our bodies to regulate aggression and sexual libido...

i started taking Yasmin after i had my 5th child in July 2002. i was about 70 pounds over weight and my gyno said i would lose weight on this new wonder pill. i did, i lost 30 pounds and felt better than i ever had.
My skin was clear, my period light and i just consistently lost weight. i did notice that i was urinating quite a bit but didn't think much about it. About 3 years into taking the pill, my pharmacist mentioned to me that i should be having potassium levels drawn with this pill. I was a bit confused because i had read the literature that came with Yasmin when i started taking it(im a nurse and i just always research new meds i take) and it never once mentioned blood work. i had to harass my gyno because he thought it was useless but to appease me and because i mentioned to him i take a lot of ibuprofen for back pain he humored me and did the test. It was a little high but nothing crazy so i let it go even tho i mentioned that i was getting horrible muscle spasms all the time. he said my calcium was probably low. i accepted that because i had had 5 kids and figured i had depleted my supply. he mentioned that i could take Yasmin continuously without taking a sugar pill to keep me from having a period, said it was completely safe. so for the next 3 years i only had periods about 4 times a year. i raved to everyone how wonderful this pill was. i was still having muscle cramps but it was a small price to pay for no zits, no periods, no water weight, and i could eat whatever i wanted and had lost 30 pounds after one year of being on it though i never lost any after that.i didn't notice my hair was greasier than normal but i never connected it to the pill. i wanted to take the pill forever! that didn't work out thought when i lost my insurance and was forced to go off it because i just couldn't afford 70 a month. within the first couple of weeks i noticed acne appearing all over my face especially my nose and chin. i was 36 years old! far past the acne stage! i also noticed i felt bloated and my first period that came was like someone had released a flood gate. i went through 2 boxes of super tampons and a bag of pads in 3 days. thats about the time i noticed the weight gain. slowly over a period of 3 months i put on 3 or 4 pounds a week to now a whopping total of 30 pounds in 3 months. i was devastated. i knew that there were side effects of any medication and you assume those risks while taking it but not from not being on it anymore! the only good thing to come from getting off of it was those annoying muscle spasms completely stopped. i had been to the point that i couldn't even flex my toes or they would charley horse i had even gotten them in my jaw from yawning! now they were gone and replaced by fatigue, extreme weight gain and horrible acne and periods. i started blowing up and it didn't seem to be mainly weight, it seemed like fluid. i didn't urinate half as much as i used to it was like my body forgot how to make its own diuretic hormone. i could take a water pill and lose 10 pounds in 4 hours of fluid i knew that was not a good thing. i was scared as well as baffled. i went to my internist and he was shocked when he saw me my lungs were full of fluid, i had put on 30 pounds and was short of breath he ordered thyroid function tests and guess what? out of the blue my perfectly functioning thyroid (i had levels drawn the year before in routine tests) had stopped working when i got off Yasmin! so now i have to take diuretics because i don't seem to make enough of my own which i believe is thanks to Yasmin and i also feel it damaged my thyroid since its mechanism of action is inhibiting your adrenal system and thats what controls your thyroid. i am seriously considering filing a class action law suit based on the fact that for 3 years i never had my potassium levels checked because it wasn't advised by the manufacturer and i have experienced damage from this pill that i was not warned about in the package insert or by my doctor. i had the right to be informed and if they didn't know then the fda should have never approved it. i feel like ive been a guinea pig, and if anyone feels the same my number is ****** if we stand together maybe we can make them take this off the market and find out what has happened to those of us hurt already

I started taking Yasmin on Monday April 21st, and by Wednesday morning I wanted off of it. I started getting really bad leg cramps all the time, I feel dizzy all the time, I have trouble concentrating, and I have trouble breathing. The worst part is that I have heart palpitations now. My heart feels all butterfly-like or it feels like it's beating really slowly really hard. I just spoke with my doctor, and she says to stop taking it immediately.

After reading this website I see I'm not the only one affected by horrible side-effects from Yasmin.

HEART PALPITATIONS
After a year on Yasmin, I developed heart palpitations. They first began occurring at night, while lying in bed, then progressed to the point that my heart no longer had normal beats. My heart was fluttering constantly. My OBGYN said that arrhythmia due to Yasmin is "impossible", and a $1,200 work-up by a noted cardiologist ruled that my problem was due to "emotions". Just 10 days after quitting Yasmin, my heart beat returned to normal, and I have not had one heart palpitation since.

I am 49 and my bad acne started to return and I started getting a receeding hairline. My OB put me on Yaz. The hair has continued to reced at an alarming rate - so it did not help with that. I still am breaking out alot, but I have since discovered a device called the ZitZapper which works really well (I wish it had been invented 30 years ago when I was at my worst). My skin has dried out alot which I really like. It's still oily in comparison to other peoples, but at least my eyeliner is not melting in 4 hours like it used to. I have no experienced any of the moodiness others complain of.

But I have gotten a yeast infection every other month and I am very dry. And my sex drive has never been lower. In fact, I have no sensation in the exterior tissues; I cannot acheive an orgasm, which I have never had problems with at all. The drospirenone in Yaz is derived from a "water pill" that gives men erectile disfunction, so the lowered libido is not a surprise.

I have lost weight (about 5 lbs); the pill makes your appetite diminish, especially if you drink alot of water. My breasts seem fuller but are not sore. In general I like the effect it has has on my body.

The first week of every month, I feel very tired but this only lasts the first week.

The package insert fot YAZ is clear that you should get tested for Potassium levels your first month. Your kidneys cannot process the minerals and be trying to clear other substances. The itching all over that I was feeling and others complain of - this is limited kidney function. A blood test will confirm this.The first month I was on Yaz I could not eat any high potassium foods without feeling sick. I ate a can of tuna and was sick for 2 days. I had a weird metallic taste in my mouth for the first 6 weeks. I can pretty much eat anything now without feeling sick.

I take fish oil daily to thin the blood to try to stave off clots.

I am going to try something else though to try to stop the hair loss.

I have just come across this site, while looking to find out why I have been experiencing heart palpitations for the past two months - out of the blue!!! and usually "exercise" induced. I had some tests and have been told they are Premature Atrial Contractions "PACs". I started taking Yasmin in April, after having tried others over the past year (tri-cyclen lo and alesse) which did not work for me as the progestin was not strong enough. I am in my 40s and never took the pill before. Yasmin was great, it significantly reduced my "physical" pms (severe inflamation, severe bloating, severe sore breasts) which I experience for 2-3 weeks a month. However, sometime in mid to late June, I started getting palpitations/tremors out of the blue. The first episode freaked me out and lasted for about two weeks. At first I thought it was allergy medication mixed with my thyroid med, which can happen - but I cut out the allergy meds and still got them. They seem to come about 6hrs to a day after I fexercise/figure skate and they last from 2 to 5 five days. It's very irritating and nerve wracking, and I feel very agitated. I am also out of breath more than usual when walking up stairs, a little light headed and have some tightness in the chest. My legs also are weak, which makes no sense given my exercise regimen. I then lowered my thyroid replacement from .125 synthroid to .100 - too much thyroid med can cause some palpitations. Anyone who has mistakenly taken a second thyroid pill having forgotten that they already took one will understand. Even with the lower dose I am still getting the palpilations. I am totally at a loss as to why all of a sudden this is happening to me (perhaps perimenopause??). I have had the odd flutter here and there in my live, but nothing like this. It just doesn't make any sense ag ll. Can one's health just change like this overnight?. I am otherwise healthy, slim, have "lower" blood pressure (apprx 100-90/70-60)I skate 3 to 5 times a week, I have a full time job and yes I do push myself, but this is getting ridiculous. The only thing I can attribute it to is the Yasmin, ... but my symptoms only started after a few months not instantly, whereas it would seem that most of the the women here noticed the side effects faster. I hate to stop the Yasmin because I will have to return to pms "hell", but I suppose I will give it a try to see if the palpitations subside. At this point, I have been offered a low dose "beta blocker" and have refused. I am stunned to think that all of a sudden I have heart issues, especially since my Dr has always kidded me my that I will never have heart problems with my blood pressure. I will stop the Yasmin tonight and post another message in a few weeks one it is out my system. Here's hoping it is the Yasmin.
KarenSkaterGirl

Anti Androgen and Anti-Mineralocortoid Properties of Yasmin's Ingredients:

While I continue learning about Yasmin and its "unique" properties and ingredients, wanted to share some other information that I thought could be helpful for other women here. It really is a bit of a puzzle learning about all these things, what they mean to our bodies and why we experienced some of the many side effects that we did while taking it or in the healing coming off of it.

Two acting effects in Yasmin are anti-mineralocortoid (diasperonone) and anti-androgenic effects (Spironolactone). While this is something most of us don't read about or understand about one of the many ways Yasmin works, I think it is really important in the larger picture-putting together the many ways in which the ingredients may act upon our bodies:

MINERALOCORTOID
(Yasmin has ANTI-mineralocortoid function/effects):

Mineralocorticoids are a class of steroid hormones characterised by their similarity to aldosterone and their influence on salt and water balance. (note Yasmin has diasperonone as an acting ingredient which acts as a potassium sparing diuretic.)

The primary endogenous mineralocorticoid is aldosterone. Yasmin has anti-aldosterone properties. Aldosterone acts on the kidneys to provide active reabsorption of sodium and an an associated passive reabsorption of water, as well as the active secretion of potassium. Note: Yasmin has diasperonone that is a potassium sparing diuretic. This in turn results in an increase of BLOOD PRESSURE and BLOOD VOLUME.

Aldosterone is produced in the cortex of the adrenal gland its secretion is mediated principally by angiotensin II, but also by ACTH (adrenocoritotrophic hormone) and local potassium levels.

Hyperaldosteronism (the symtpom caused by elevated aldosterone) often shows up as:

1. Hypertension-high blood pressure. High blood pressure that is arterial in nature gives a higher risk of heart attack or stroke than any other disease. Persistent hypertension/high blood pressure is one of the risk factors for strokes, heart attacks, heart failure and arterial aneurysm, and is a leading cause of chronic renal failure (which means chronic kidney failure)

2. Accelerated excretion oif potassium ions. With extreme K+ loss (note Yasmin has potassium sparing diuretic), ther is muscle weakness and eventually paralysis

Underproduction, or hypoaldosteronism, leads to the salt wasting state associated with Addison's disease (also known as chronic adrenal insufficiency or hypocortisolism) is a rare endocrine disorder in the body produces insufficient amounts of adrenal steroid hormones (glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids) (note Yasmin has anti-mineralocorticoid effect)-it is essentially the inability of the Adrenal Gland to produce adquate amounts of CORTISOL in response to stress. This is an Endocrine discorder caused by high levels of cortisol in the blood. Cortisol is released from the adrenal gland in response to ACTH being released from the pituitary gland in the brain. Or..

HYPOADRENIA/ADRENAL FATIGUE:
The adrenal glands are part of the body's mechanism for short term stress response and management. (Note Yasmin's effect on adrenal glands). They are involved in the production of the hormone adrenaline (also known as EPINEPHRINE **-the famous fight or flight chemical released in stressful situations which increases the body's metabolic energy regulation and control system-and thus control to an extent the energy available to body systems.

Theorized by alternative medical practictionerS that under conditions of long term stress, the adrenal glands can become less responsive to circumstance and cease to function optimally leading to a wide* but slightly vauge range of FATIGUE AND STRESS RELATED CONDITIONS including a greater likelihood of psychological conditions such as depression and possibly certain other mood disorders.

SYMPTOMS OF ADRENAL FATIGUE:
1) DEPLETION OF ENERGY
2) LOSS OF RESILIENCE
3) FATIGUE
4) NERVOUSNESS
5) ANXIETY
6) EXACERBATED PMS
7) DEPRESSION
BRAIN FOG
9) CARBOHYDRATE CRAVINGS
10) ALLERGIES
11) MUSCULAR PAIN
12) JOINT PAIN
13) IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

Does this set off any bells or what ladies ? Very likely makes taking an Adrenal Function test as well as seeing an Endocrinologist.

CORTICOSTEROIDS:
Additionally, the corticosteroids functions, prodcued in the adrenal cortex include that of stress response, immune response, regulation of inflammation*, carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism, blood electrolyte levels and behavior. Interesting is the fact that Yasmin's side effects include trouble with colds and flu, "nervousness", insulin resistance (which is carbohydrate/sugar intolerance), -good likelihood for creating an imbalance in our electrolytes-which are minerals due to the potassium sparing diuretic. If you were like me, reading through this was unbelievable to me.

Yasmin's ANTI-ANDROGEN is Spironolactone
Synthetic steroid which is commonly used as a diuretic or as an Anti-androgen. -Potassium sparing diuretic. This on its own is a weak diuretic. Due to its anti-androgenic effect, it is common component in hormone therapy for male-to-female Transsexual and transgendered people and is also used for treating hair loss and acne in women....hmmm. Why then I wonder some women report the hair loss. It is marketed as a drug to treat acne.

Spironolactone inhibits the effects of aldosterone by competing for intracelluar aldosterone receptor. This increases the secretion of water and sodium, while decreasing the excretion of potassium. Spironolactone has a fairly slow onset of action, taking several days to develop and similarly the effect diminishes slowly.

ADVERSE REACTIONS TO SPIRONOLACTONE:
include menstrual irregularities and testicular atrophy, ataxia, erectile dysfunction , drowsiness and rashes*. A carcinogenic effect has been demonstrated in rats. Carcinogen is a term that refers to any substance or radiation which is an agent directly involved in the promotion of cancer or in faciliation of its propagation.

ATAXIA:
Steady and clumsy motion of the limbs or torso due to failure of the gross coordination of muscle movements. This often occurs when parts of the nervous system that control movement are damaged. People with ataxia experience a failure of muscle control in their arms and legs.

There is loads to consider on this front and lots of information available. I hope that this is helpful as you make your way through both understanding what some of your symptoms may be as well as informing/sharing your knowledge with a chosen medical practictioner.

Recommended for Adrenal Support:
Panthonene, B6, Zinc, magnesium and Vitamin C as they play a critical role in the optimal functioning of the adrenal gland and in the manufacture of adrenal hormones (which are suppressed taking Yasmin).

Take a look at:
Siberian and Panax Ginsengs

panthothenic acid

Ashwagandha
provides adrenal and immune support

Astralagus
in New Chapter Organic's multi and many other vitamins-used historically for strenghtening and regulating the immune system-as a tonic

Shisandra
improves immune function, increasing physical performance and endurance and for increasing resistance to disease and distress. Also possibly effective for increasing concentration due to the variety of lignans found in the fruit.

Maca-Peruvian Ginseng-
used for chronic fatigue syndrome, enhancing energy and stamina. In the female reproductive system, its use for enhancing fertility, regulating the menstrual cycle, treating common menopause symptoms and to increase libido. Its benefits have been known to the people of Peru for many generations.

Androgens are the precursor of all estrogens (the female sex hormones). the primary and most well known androgen is testosterone.

A subset of androgens, called adrenal androgens, includes any of 19-carbon steroids synthesized by the adrenal cortex, the outer portion of the adrenal gland that function as weak steroids or steroid precursors, including DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone), and androstenedione. Because Yasmin's ingredients have an anti-androgen effect that effect our adrenal glands-women with adrenal problems are advised not to take it.

Besides testesterone (which is responsible for sexual libido/function), other androgens include:

1) DHEA
(dehydroepiandrosterone: -a steroid hormone produced from cholesterol in the adrenal cortex which is the primary precursor of natural estrogens.

2) Androstenedione (Andro)-
an androgenic steroid, which is produced in the testes, adrenal cortex and ovaries*. While androstenediones are converted metabolically to testosterone and other androgens, they are also the parent structure of estrone. Estrone is an estrogenic hormone secreted by our ovaries. It is one of three estrogens which also include estriol and estradiol. Estrone is the least prevalent of the three hormones, estradiol being prevalent almost always in the female body, estriol being prevalent primarily during pregnancy.

3) Androstenediol:
the steroid metabolite that is thought to act as the main regulator of gonadotropin secretion-protein hormones secreted by gonadotrope cells of the pituitary gland. The two principle gonadotropins are LUTENIZING HORMONE (LH) and FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH)-both of these are what are naturally release by our bodies on a monthly cycle are part of natural menstruation. The third human gonadotropin is human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) produced by our placentas during pregnancy.

4) Androsterone:
a chemical by-product created during the breakdown of of androgens-or derived from progesterone -that also exerts minor masculnizsing effects, but with one seventh the intensity of testesterone.

5) DHT Dihydrotestosterone-
a metabolite of testosterone that is actually a more potent androgen in that it binds more strongly to androgen receptors.

FUNCTIONS OF ANDROGENS:
(keep in mind Yasmin has anti-androgenic properties):

Muscle mass:
Androgens promote the enlargement of skeletal muscle cells and probably act in a coordinated manner to enhance muscle function. (note: how many of us have experienced muscle fatigue and that Asthenia-was experienced by women in the Clinical Trials.

BRAIN:
Circulating levels of androgens can influence human behavior because some neurons are sensitive to steroid hormones. Androgen levels have been implicated in the regulation of human AGGRESSION and LIBIDO. Note, Yasmin's ingredients have anti-androgenic effects. That means essentially translates as suppressing the effects that androgen has in our bodies to regulate aggression and sexual libido...

Guest 38149-

good for you! We are delighted needless to say. If you haven't checked out the UK forum-see the link in emails below-highly recommend you do so. Sarah/flowerbabies set this up and its grown alot.

Yes-I did experience trouble sleeping and suspect it was from low magnesium levels/elevated potassium levels-now after 2 months on a 1200/1200 calcium/magnesium supplement by Rainbow Light-with enzymes that aid digestion-has mostly subsided.

J

If you are experiencing palpitations, chest pain, see your Doctor or go to ER immediately. Have your potassium levels checked promptly to ensure that you have not developed Hyperkalemia (excess potassium) in your blood which is likely and happened to me becuase of the potassium sparing diuretic in Yasmin*. Hyperkalemia can be lethal and is extremely dangerous and a risk taking Yasmin.

Erykah-I haven't seen anyone whose tried/used St. john's Wort but would recommend instead having your hormone levels and your adrenal function tested? Oftentimes, after Yasmin, becuase of the diuretic flushing that occurs (constant peeing/urinating) it throws off our electrolyte and mineral balances in addition to that it suppresses our adrenal glands. I have found success with B vitamins (A B stress tab) or a whole food/bio-available Vitamin*. The whole food and bioavailability part is really important-because it is what makes it more accessible/useable by your body. Also-take a calcium and magnesium supplement if you find you are low on magnesium which is one of the minerals Yasmin's diuretic depletes*. I'm taking one that is equivalent ratios: 1:1-1000 of each because minerals compete with one another so taking a calcium that is higher will not give you the benefit of the magnesium. Low magnesium levels effects the health of all the muscles in our bodies-including the heat and if oftentimes what causes the murmurs/palps.

Okay, so I think I may have stumbled on something more.....for all of you out there who have expeirenced the irregular heart rhythms....here's more on what I found in research about potassium. I learned that this was one of the greatest risks of Yasmin...but had no idea I was at 5.7 in blood tests just confirmed this morning after 3 months of being off of Yasmin and just last Dec. 2005-it was 4.7? So now, I am starting to wonder if my Adrenal Glands may not be doing their job as noted below to the release of adolsterone?

Why is the Test Performed?

Potassium (K+) is the major positive ion within cells and is particularly important for maintaining the electric charge on the cell membrane. This charge allows nerves and muscles to communicate and is necessary for transporting nutrients into cells and waste products out of the cell. The concentration of potassium inside cells is about 30 times that in the blood and other fluids outside of cells.

Potassium levels are mainly controlled by the steroid hormone aldosterone. (For more information see the aldosterone test.) Aldosterone is secreted from the adrenal gland when levels of potassium increase. Aldosterone, in turn, causes the body to rid itself of the excess potassium.

Metabolic acidosis (for example, caused by uncontrolled diabetes) or alkalosis (for example, caused by excess vomiting) can affect blood potassium.

Small changes in the potassium concentration outside cells can have substantial effects on the activity of nerves and muscles. This is particularly true of heart muscle. Low levels of potassium cause increased activity (which can lead to an irregular heartbeat), whereas high levels cause decreased activity. Either situation can lead to cardiac arrest in some circumstances.

In normal people, taking potassium supplements or potassium-containing drugs is of no consequences, because the kidneys efficiently dispose of excess potassium.

SARAH: syberlib, #35391

HOW DID YOU KNOW YOU HAD A MINI-STROKE? WHAT WERE YOUR SYMPTOMS PRIOR, DURING AND FOLLOWING? Were you diagnosed and if so what were the tests they conducted?

I feel so sorry that you were on this pill since it came out. 2001 is when it was approved in the U.S. and now it is being sold like crazy-heavily advertised.

I started Yasmin in January 2004. I went off in September 2006 so I was on it for 2.5 years. It was originally prescribed for me for anxiety interestingly enough because so many women here reported problems with anxiety while on it and then getting off of it.

I got off following 4 months of increasing chest pain. Started on the left side and then a month later, traveled across my chest and another month later primarily on my left side. This occurred usually the week just prior to my menstrual cycle so I expect that it has something to do with the hormone level changes just prior to the menses.

While on Yasmin, it made me so exhausted, I would shower and feel ready to go right back to bed. The Doctor recommended I take it at night so I did and it made getting up in the morning that much more difficult.

I went to the bathroom excessively due to the diuretic in Yasmin. no matter how much water I consumed, I constantly felt de-hydrated.

I had incredible fatigue while on Yasmin. My ears stopped up to the point of being painful and noticed right after I would take it that my ears would "pop" like they do on an airplane. This would last for 1-2 hours following taking it. I saw a hearing doc who told me that they've known for years that Ortho-contraceptives are odo-toxic meaning that they are toxic to the fluid levels of the inner ear. The inner ear consists of potassium and sodium fluid, so due to this pill's naturally increasing potassium levels, it made sense although a pharmacist, the prescribing Doctor and RN I saw to have an EKG done did not know this.

I've been off now for 3 plus months. However, to ease symptoms, I went onto Orthocept from September through December. Although some of the symptoms got better, the chest pains still continued to come the week before my period. What I want to know is how one knows if they are suceptible to a heart attack or stroke. The RN told me the EKG was normal but confirmed a returning heart murmur I had had years prior. When I was originally told I had this murmur back in 1999, a Naturopathic doctor said it was due to having low progesterone and said that it would likely go away on something like Orthocept. It did. However, after 2.5 years on Yasmin, it came back.

FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS POSTED OR IS NOT POSTING ON THIS SITE-I HIGHLY RECOMMEND KEVIN TRUDEAU'S BOOK ON NATURAL CURES. I'VE BEEN READING SECTIONS OF THIS FOR MONTHS UNTIL MY BROTHER GAVE IT TO ME FOR MY BIRTHDAY THIS MONTH. HE BASICALLY TAKES THE POSITION THAT ALL PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AS WELL AS NON-PRESCRIPTION CAUSE ILLNESS. DEPRESSION. ANXIETY. YEAST INFECTIONS. FATIGUE. MUSCLE SOARNESS. YOU NAME IT. EVERYTHING I'VE READ TO DATE I'VE KNOWN AT AN INTUITIVE LEVEL. THAT BASICALLY, MUCH TO ALL OF SCIENTIFIC MEDICINE-THAT IS PRESCRIPTION AND NON-PRESCRIPTION TREATS SYMPTOMS AND NOT NOT CAUSE AND CREATES AN IMBALANCE IN HEALTH THAT LEADS TO OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS. I THINK THAT THIS IS BASICALLY TRUE AND I WOULD HEED WARNING TO ALL WOMEN SEEKING RELIEF FROM ANTI-DEPRESSANTS OR ANTI-ANXIETY MEDS. THEY ARE DEADLY.

IN ADDITION-EVERY WOMAN I KNOW HAS INCREASED ENERGY AND IRRITABILITY JUST PRIOR TO HER PERIOD. IT IS A NORMAL RESPONSE TO THE CHANGE IN HORMONE LEVELS IN YOUR BODY DURING THIS TIME. I USUALLY FIND THAT INCREASING ACTIVITY LEVEL, LOTS OF EXERCISE, AVOIDING CAFFEINE AND SUGAR ARE CRITICAL AND RELIEVE MOST TO ALL OF THESE SYMPTOMS.

The other thing I would like to mention is that sensations of feeling "blue" or "sad" are just as normal as feelings of bliss and happiness. We're raised to think that we are supposed to be these jolly all smile faces and if you aren't' "happy", that something is wrong. So, I'd just say, that while some diagnosis about imbalances may be very real, I'd recommend doing alot of reading and research prior to putting anything else into your body or taking any other medications. They all likely cause other problems.

I am, after all this time, quite disturbed by this and what I expect are millions of other responses by people taking an array of medications that cause such severe symptoms and sometimes death. After 6 years on the market, how its still being pushed so heavily. If you read Kevin Trudeau's book, you'll see that much of the pharmaceutical and medical industry isn't concerned with treating the cause of your symptoms, but instead recommending medication after medication to treat the symptom.

Exercise and stress relief as critical as a healthy diet which today has become more and more difficult to create and make a discipline with lifestyle but it is absolutely critical. All these pills, I believe are wreaking havoc and hell on people all over the world.

I tried Yaz (lower dose form of Yasmin) for two months and it made me give up on birth conrol completely. I had many ear aches/problems but no infection.I also had some un explained chest pains. My main complaint though is when I was on the reminder pills and when I stopped the pill I got severe dry skin. I have been very oily all my life. I am also having nervousness and problems sleeping. I think it has affected my potassium levels or adrenal glands (as another member posted) because I feel like I did when I was ill before I had my gall bladder out a few years ago. I have not taken any mediceines or changed any routines during this time. I have been on 4 different birth controls for the last 8 years and this was the worst. I hope I will feel normal again.

to Murph70,

Are you serious that you were almost blind? Strange how the more I think about all of this and the things that occurred during those 2.5 years, the more realize how much was linked to taking Yasmin. This is crazy. I read through so many of these emails and I too was advised by both the prescribing doctor as well as an RN that Yasmin could not be responsible for the symptoms I was experiencing. Makes me absolutely nuts that this is happening to so many women, being advertised so heavily and that people in the medical field prescribing it are unaware and discounting.

Can anyone advise what treatment has been the most effective for coming off of Yasmin? Ive been off now for two month. I still have alot of pressure in both ears and interestingly noticed several people who advised they had colds coming off of it. I got really sick immediately following coming off it with someone that took me two months to get rid of. Then, after two weeks, I just got another cold. I've never been sick like this!

It occurred to me that it could well likely be due to how the increased potassium levels or changes to the electrolytes have effected the immune system? Anyone else had this experience?

While I can't say I noticed a change in sexual drive (except I will likely notice that more as I am off of it for longer), did notice I was exhausted all the time. ALL THE TIME. I would shower in the morning and then want to go right to bed. It depleted me and all my energy. And like some other people, lost interest in everything I enjoyed.

I've never been able to find vitamins that I could take that didn't make me feel kinda sick. How much magnesium is recommended? Any particular type of vitamin recommended?

I took Yasmin for the last 2.5 years. Over time, I came to recognize major side effects that I am still very concerned about to include: Popping of eardrums. Exhaustion. Sensation of paralysis following taking it and lying down. Constant running to the bathroom to urinate (due to droperinone which acts as a diuretic), developed heart murmur and pain across my chest (squeezing sensations). Major change in vision in the right eye within 6 months. Painful pressure in both ears due to this pills increase of potassium in your body. Ears would pop for two hours after I took the pill.

I have been off of Yasmin for 2 months, initially went onto its sister/cousin Yaz and felt just as terrible so I went off of that as well.

A Hearing Aide doctor actually told me that oral contraceptives have been known for a long time to be "odo-toxic". Which means-toxic to the inner ear. How come prescribing Gynecologists, Doctors and pharmacists don't know this?

The synthethic hormone in YASMIN AND YAZ -dirosperone increases potassium levels in the body. Inner ear is composed of a potassium and sodium fluid. An inbalance in this fluid would likely cause pressure in the ear. I had to learn the majority of this information from people other than the prescribing doctor, an RN or the pharmacist.

Yasmin listed on worstpills.org because of risk of hyperkalemia because this pill increases potassium levels in the body

After doing exhaustive research this evening and reading people's entries-TAKE NOTE! Please READ UP ON HYPERKALEMIA prior to taking Yasmin or YAZ OR ANY PILL WITH THE SYNTHETIC dirosperonone. It causes increased potassium levels. Have your potassium level checked before you start this pill! I just read up on all of this tonight for the last 4 hours and this is really really serious. I think that I may have discovered that this may have been what has caused the squeezing sensations I have had in my chest for the last six months. I also had pressure and developed a heart murmur. Both of these symptoms as well as fatigue and paralysis are linked to hyperkalemia and can lead to heart attack/failure. Two resources to check: one is a letter from Health and Human Services written to one of the pharmaceutical companies who makes Yasmin-with notification that they must discontinue their advertisments because they are mis-leading in a dangerous way. If you google Yasmin and Health and Human Services, the letter should come up. I am going to try and paste a portion of it in here because I think that this is so critically important. I read through all these women's entries and I just think we are a bunch of ginny pigs and some of this is life threatening. Not the prescribing doctor, the RN or the pharmacist responded to my concerns. The RN thought it was anxiety which I've read in the last few months, women are often told-discounted because women are supposed to be "stressed". I found a great article a couple of months ago about how most women's symptoms are discounted so you have got to take personal responsibility for your health and making informed educated decisions about these things beyond responding to advertisements. Berlex, one of the pharmaceuticals-basically looking at a 1.8 billion dollar industry-our pharmaceutical industry is our number one revenue industry. Check out: eMedicine Alert-Hyperkalmia.

I started taking this pill upon recommendation of a highly reputable Medical Doctor in January of 2004. At first, I thought highly about this pill however within a very short period of time, I discovered several problems that took me almost two years to discover/attribute to this pill.

6 months after starting this pill, I noticed serious changes in my vision. In particular my right eye. My next visit with the eye doctor confirmed that I had gone almost legally blind in my right eye. Following 34 years of very good vision this was very strange.

In the next two years, I noticed that shortly after I would take the pill, my ears would have a popping sensation. They would actually close up so I felt like I was talking in a bubble. This would continue for sometimes, up to two hours after taking the pill.

One and half years after taking this pill, I started experiencing squeezing sensations in my chest-on the left side, just under my breast bone. Over the next six months, this sensation spread across my chest. I went to an RN I had seen years past because I knew that something was off. She confirmed a murmur and they did an EKG which appeared to be normal.

In addition, I had my hearing checked. I discovered in this testing, that my hearing was fine but I discussed the sensations I was experiencing in my ears-pressure which I am actually now still experiencing 2 months after discontinuing Yasmin. He told me that ortho-contraceptives have been known for a long time to be "odo-toxic". That means, toxic to the inner ear! As we talked, he told me that the oral contraceptives change fluid levels in the body-I knew that Yasmin increased potassium levels-bingo-he told me it was likely that the inner ear fluid which is composed of potassium, was out of balance and that this would, could likely cause the sensation of pressure.

The pharmacist didn't know this. The prescribing doctor didn't know this and the RN I went to see didn't know any of this.

Two months after dis-continuing this pill, I am still experiencing squeezing sensations in my chest and my ear drums feel like they have alot of pressure in them. I am likely going to see another Doctor very soon.

Unfortunately, I had a severe side effect on Yasmin. I was on it for three straight months, pretty happy with the result. Lighter, shorter flow. Weak cramps and headaches were easily dealt with. However, I noticed an occaisional shortness of breath, and my heart would seem to skip a beat. Figured it was normal. It got worse, a whole lot worse. Turns out that I have severly elevated potassium levels in my blood, and I was well on my way to having heart problems.

I have NO history of heart problems in my family, and I am ONLY 21. Talk about being turned off of BCPs for Life. I encourage everyone to get off it.

I was only on the yasmin for 2 weeks but started having heart palpitaions and a bit of anxiety. I have been off for a week and a half now but I was in the ER 2 days ago due to the heart palpitations and maybe a small anxiety attack. My blood pressure was a little high(higher than normal for me, it was 131/97) I am usually low. They did an EKG, a chest x-ray and blood tests and the only thing they came up with was that my potassium levels were low which can cause heart palpitaions. The thing that I thought was strange was that they asked if I had been taking a diuretic. Yasmin has DRSP which is similar to Spironolatone (a potassium sparing diuretic)
They told me that if anything this would have spared the potassium but I am not convinced this seems very strange. This was the only medication I was on and I have never experienced heart palpitations or high blood pressure before.
Does anyone have any input about this?

Oh My Gosh...I'm in tears reading through everyone's posts on this forum. I started taking Yasmin 3 months ago and noticed small changes in my state of mind within the first few weeks. I think you can always expect this when changing pills so reassured myself I would get better. BUT...about 10 days ago, I experienced the onset of depression and anxiety...neither of which I have ever suffered from before...I feel completely detached from life..I'm not necessarily always sad, I'm just completely indifferent to everything and everyone...I feel like I'm being pushed through one day to the next but for absolutely no reason...I feel numb and don't know how I'm going to fill my time... One minute, I feel so blank that I have no emotion about anything...the next minute, I'm crying over the silliest things. I too had the awful feeling that my relationship with my husband was wrong because I felt no better when around him and this made me worry even more. In my more rational moments, I realise that my feelings towards him haven't really changed at all as I do still love him, but that disappears as soon as I am on a low...when I am in that state of mind, I just want someone who has been through this to give me a big hug and tell me it gets better. I have also experienced chest pains, muscle spasms (in my arms and eyelids) and am currently being monitored for my excessively high blood pressure (also something I had never had trouble with before Yasmin) I am in the process of sorting out some counselling for myself but will also stop taking Yasmin as from now. I know that my state of mind could be due to something deeper, but nothing changed in my life to trigger this except Yasmin. Having read everyone else's posts about Yasmin, I am going to come off it so I can rule it out of the equation..maybe it isn't really to blame, but it's a big coincidence if not.
Good luck everyone...I'd love to hear from anyone who can relate to what I have written...

Claire. Leeds. England.

I have been on Yasmin for 2 1/2 years and off of it for 5 months. The only side effects I experienced when going on the pill were thinning hair, severe depression (and I do mean SEVERE) mood swings, panic attacks and bad anxiety attacks. I've always been a very social person and never had problems like this before. I felt as if i was living my whole life in a cloud. My husband and I decided that I should get off of them. However the side effects of discontinuing Yasmin have been worse. I have been sick for the past 1 1/2 months with what I thought was bad food poisoning and gastroenteritis. But now that I have read your other posts I realize that it's all side effects. I went to ER twice, the first time told me that my potassium levels were extremely low (and no I don't have kidney problems) and I was dehydrated. I had severe diarhea, severe nausea, depression, I felt like my whole body was shaking, and I felt like I was going crazy. I hadn't had much of an appetite which is very unusual for me. I got my period on time the first month after stopping, but then my 4th and 5th month I was 2 weeks late both times. I've never had irregular periods since I started at age 12. I'm still dealing with dizziness, motion sickness, anxiety depression. I occasionally have nausea in the mornings and afternoons. When they tell you that your body returns to normal about 3 months after you stop taking it, is not true. I'm into my 6th month and I still do not feel like myself. I'm so glad I found this website because it's literally like I'm reading my own testimonial because all of our symptoms are so much alike. I will never take the pill again. Thank you for all of your posts regarding this and hopefully everyone is on the road to recovery from taking this pill.
Tiffany

I was prescribed Yasmin almost 4 years ago after complaining to my Gyn about side effects of all the other pills i'd tried in the past (and the Depo shot, which was awful). She said women who have trouble with other ones, sometimes do well on Yasmin. For a couple years, I loved this pill, and experienced only one side-effect: loss of body hair (I was excessively hairy and this was a plus for me). However, over the past couple years, I have gained some weight and have developed some other issues. I'm not sure if they're all attributed to Yasmin, but here they are: extreme motion sickness and dizzyness, heart palpitations, periods of shortness of breath, intolerance for fatty foods, trouble sleeping and once when i started taking glucosamine for my joints (I'm a runner) I developed severe leg and muscle cramps and extreme thirst... perhaps messed up potassium levels? I'm curious if anyone else has had these problems, especially the motion sickness, which has become a serious problem for me.

Hello Silke and everyone
Former guest 18063 here, maybe I should call myself bitterRN? :) Anyway I hope you are all doing well. Sorry its been so long since I have written. I saw there were some questions about spironolactone what it is and if it could cause problems. Birth control pills are a combo of synthetic estrogen and progesterone. From what I have read on Yasmin the progesterone they use contains a hormone that acts like the diuretic spironolactone. Spironolactone is a potassium sparing diuretic, and Im not talking about an over the counter water pill to fight bloating, Im talking about a DRUG commonly used on patients with severe health problems like congestive heart failure and other diseases where they need a drug on a constant basis to combat swelling and water retention, which complicates the diseases they are having. (Quick example, I dont want to get too technical.) People with congestive heart failure have a weak heart that doesnt force blood through the body like a strong normal heart does. Therefore the blood does not circulate as it should causes all kinds of bad things including a lot of swelling especially in the ankles and even causes fluid in the lungs, which can quickly fill up with fluid causing respiratory distress (almost like drowning from the inside.) Drs put these patients on diuretics to keep the body constantly flushing fluids out to keep the lungs "dry" and so forth. Spironolactone is one such diuretic they use. Lasix is another. The difference between Lasix and Spiro is that Spiro holds on to the potassium in your body, while Lasix excretes it all out. So patients on Lasix frequently have to take a potassium supplement so that their potassium levels do not fall too low. My point here is not to scare you. They say the spiro level in Yasmin is very low compared to someone who is on the full drug. But I was shocked to see that they would put such a drug (I dont care how small amount it is.) In a birth control pill?!?!? Just to combat bloating? It is just my OPINION, but I dont see how this can be healthy to a normal healthy woman. I have noticed a lot of the side effects people mention in this website seem to be kinda related to dehydration. The muscle cramps you had, Silke, In my OPINION, I would think would be related to dehydration, being as that is a sign of severe dehydration, though I cannot say for sure if the spiro caused it. Probably even the drug company cant. All I know is that I was on ortho 777 for years without problems. Then all of a sudden I start taking yasmin and my whole life fell apart and I felt like I was dying...some days I wished I was dead. I looked at other birth control sites online, there is one where you can rate birth control meds on how well you liked it. I looked at yasmin and other birth control pills Yasmin had about a lot fewer people who liked it compared to the people who hated it. And while it is true, as my doctor said when someone does not like a drug or have a bad experience with it, they will write about it or post it on the site, but when someone likes the drug they do not write about it. This may be true, but I tried to find complaints about other birth control pills like ortho novum, etc. The only thing I found that people didnt like were things like, my period wasnt lighter, it didnt clear up my skin, it made me bloated, or gain weight. NOT serious things like chest pains, palpitations, severe headaches, severe depression, etc. Nor did any of the others have SO MANY symptoms!! Has anyone else found severe complaints about other bcp's? I would be curious to see them. So yes in my opinion I feel it is the spiro, because that is what is so different about this bcp compared to others, and NONE of the other bcp have this (spironolactone) component in them. I could be wrong though. As far as feeling better, I felt like I was going forward until this past week, feels two steps back again, my period is due next week too. It baffles my mind how a drug can hang in your system for soooo long, but I wonder if this bcp or just bcp pills in general have a cell binding action, so not only does it just circulate in your system and then metabolize out of the liver/kidneys as most drugs do, but binds to the cells in your body so that it takes longer (months) for your body to get rid of it? Maybe that is why my OB said it would take a few more CYLCLES to feel better. Maybe the drug is resurfacing during ovulation and we are shedding it with our cycle? I dont know Im just guessing. I will try to do more research on it, or ask my OB when I see her again. Gosh I'm so sorry I wrote too much again! I hope I kind of gave you a little more insight to spiro and why I was so PO'd when I found out it was in my bcp after 3 months of taking it and the OB didnt even bother to tell me it was in there when she put me on it. I'm so bitter! I wouldn't recommend Yasmin to my worst enemy!!!! To those of you who are on it and like it, just please be careful, if you notice a lot of the people on this website who were on it for years seemed to have symptoms come on either right away or years later and they tried to explain them away with stressful times in my life, or just tired, or some other reason other than the pill. I did it myself because I just didnt even realize it could be the birth control. My symptoms surely were not in the pamphlet. Oh and to the girl who is bulimic GUEST 18998 Yes vomiting can lessen or negate the effects of the pill. When you induce vomiting you dont know how much of the pill you have absorbed and how much you are throwing up. Chances are VERY good you are NOT getting the full dose of the birth control pill, being as that the pill takes a while to absorbed by the body, thats why they even like you to take it at the same time every day. Be careful to use another form of birth control on top of the pills (such as condoms) if you are mid pack now, and then I would explore other options for birth control (patch, IUD) something that is not ingested until and this is most important, you need to get help for your bulimia problem. This disease is not only a serious problem for your health, but I fear that if you are on Yasmin, which has the diruetic effect I have been talking about, and you are vomiting a lot, you are not only losing fluids and electrolytes from your bulimia, but also from the Yasmin, which can cause severe severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in your body and serious health consequences, so please seek help, and I really feel if you are on yasmin please consult your doctor and be honest with him or her about the bulemia, because I really feel its a VERY dangerous combination. Please also consider if you decide to quit a pack of yasmin before you have finished the active pills, that you must again use another form of birth control such as condoms to keep from getting pregnant. A "withdrawal" period is normal after stopping a pack of bcp suddenly, even if you recently had a period. If you need help finding a treatment center please let me know, but please get help. The lasting effects of an eating disorder are so not worth it in the end. I feel for you and hope to hear fromyou and everyone else soon! Thanks for listening. BitterRN

Having not been on birth control pills for quite a few years....I was recommended by my gynecologist Yasmin. She told me it had a diuretic effect and may increase potassium levels.
She did not tell me what else it might do to my body.

I stayed on it for a total of 6 days......terribly depressed, angry, fretful sleepless nights with disturbing dreams. I was an emotional wreck, crying uncontrollably and feeling so sad over everything.

I would not recommend this BCP to anyone. I had been on Triphasil for almost 13 years with no such side-effects after taking a break for 4 years before going back on a BCP.

i have had the heart palpitations and i have had severe migrains that come a few days before my period with nausea and they last for days. i have also been to the ER because of the heart problem and feeling like I might pass out. they said that my potassium levels were wacked out- which strangley enough, they do warn about on the yasmin insert- so I think it is time to say so long to this pill- hope this helps someone- the site helped me.

I am so relieved to have found this site, I seriously thought that I was really sick or jsut going crazy. I started Yasmin about 3 months ago and my GYN, made it sound like this mirical pill because I had been on over 10 different pills. At first I thought it was but after 2 weeks and got the following symptoms;

1. Nausea, Nausea, Nausea
2. Headaches
3. Cramping in my Hamstrings
4. Never wanted to sleep with my husband
5. Constipation
6. Bloating
7. Gas
8. Diarehea
10. Vomitting
11. Vaginal dryness
12. fatigue
13. ANXIETY and Panick attacks
14. Always thirsty and dehydriated
15. Constantly peeing

On the third month of the pill I started getting really dizzy and passed out at work and was rushed to the ER, where after numerous tests there was nothing wrong. I even had them test my potassium levels...NORMAL. So after being dehydrated from all the vomitting and Diarehea and excessive peeing. My husband and I decided to stop taking Yasmin. It is now day 4. And let me tell all of you that are thinking about quiting do so.

I am no longer nausous, no constipation, or bloating, no longer tired, and I want my husband. YEAH! The only thing that is still there is I am still a little anxious, but no panic attacks yet. I will keep everyone posted as all the side effects wear off.

I have been on yasmin for two months now and could tell the first week of the first month that I had became extremely angry at everything. This could almost be described as rage. This abated by the second week but then nausea would consume me and an achy body - particularly in the pelvic region, lower back, and legs. I chalked it up to the flu. Additionally, I experienced night sweats (big time) and something akin to anxiety and "jitteriness" - almost like having a caffeine overload ALL THE TIME. The second month I was on yasmin, my reaction was identical. Rage and anger and now here I am, feeling like I have the flu. I am so incredibly achy and have severe nausea. I, too, also seem to have some effects due to dehydration and I am peeing constantly. I am stopping yasmin as of right now - particularly after reading these posts. I was wondering if the fact that yasmin increases potassium levels had something to do with all of this. Now I REALLY wonder. I will post again once I determine how things go while off of yasmin.

I have been on Yasmin for almost a year and at first everything was fine and I experienced very few side effects. Now I have completely lost my sex drive, I am extremely moody and unhappy all the time (not just the week before my period), I have break through bleeding, headaches, nausea, and my doctor just did blood work and said my potassium levels are through the roof! I have taken my last Yasmin pill.

I was on Yasmin for a month and a half with little side effects (lack of sex drive, that's about it). After the middle of the second pack, I started having heart palpitations. They went away the first time.

The second time it happened, I had to go to the ER. My heart was racing 200 beats per minute! I had a spend a WEEK in the hospital. The only thing that has changed in my life was the birth control. My gynocologist said it couldn't be the Yasmin.

The hospital said I can feel free to quit taking the Yasmin (which I did) but they didn't know if that was what was causing my problems.

My friend is a pharmicist and she has found some possible links to Yasmin and heart palpitations. Someone on these boards touched on it... it had to do with postassium levels getting depleted by the Yasmin and the heart racing accodingly. There's a dieretic (?) in the birth control that is supposed to keep water retention down. But, it can deplete your potassium levels which can cause heart palpitations.

The doctors diagnosed me with PSVT. I have two follow-ups the next two weeks.

I think it was the Yasmin and I hope that since I have stopped, the heart problems will, too. I'm on four pills a day and I hate it.

Hello,

I have been using Yasmin for a little over a month, and I am still trying to decide how I feel about it. I was switched over to this pill from Cyclessa because my doctor thought the diuretic effects might help my moderately elevated blood pressure. In fact, my blood pressure dropped dramatically--almost to the level it had been at prior to ever starting birth control pills. I was pleased by this, but then I had my first period since starting Yasmin.

The first thing I noticed was in increase in cramping and nausea during my period--because I have been on birth control pills for 2.5 years, I'd forgotten what that was like. My cramping was worse on Yasmin, than when I was on Cyclessa or Apri. I have also experienced mood swings on Yasmin, particularly in the first 2 weeks of starting the pill. This seems to have gotten better, but now I am having mild nausea that may or may not be caused by Yasmin.

I guess I am going to give Yasmin another month or two, and then decide whether or not to stick with it. In general, my experience with birth control pills has been more positive than negative. I am concerned about the side effects regarding increased Potassium levels. Does anyone know more about this? I was not told about this potential side effect at the time the pill was perscribed, and am somewhat concerned. I have had the recommended blood test, and am still waiting to find out the results.

Well, I just happend to stumble along this site. I am 30 in 3 weeks, I have been on Yasmin for approx 3-4 mos. I am in my 4th month of the pill now. I have been on bc pills before. I was on Orthotricyclen for 6 years, went off because I was not in a relationship, then tried that again, ended up putting on weight, then being switched to Mircette which I also put weight on with and now, I am on Yasmin. I heard Yasmin was supposed to be this great new bc pill (not too much weight gain). Let me tell you, out of all the pills i have been on in the past, this one takes the cake. My breasts have gotten sooo big. I was already a 32dd, I am a now full 32F. Had to go buy new bras 2/$90. I have absolutely no sexual desire, not even by myself. Then, I feel like a cow. I feel like the weight gain is going to be neverending. I always want to eat (especially sweets). I am obsessing about my weight. Also, I have major mood swings when I am at work, no patience for anyone. (That could be related to me going off Wellbutrin XL).

Also, I do not know if you girls out there know this but, due to the fact that Yasmin has a different progesterone in it, do you know that in the pamphelet that comes with the pak of pills says to go for a blood test after the 1st month to get your potassium level checked for your kidneys. My doctor never told me that. I have a boyfriend with Kidney failure who is on dialysis so I am very up on all this. To me, that just does not sound good. Time for me to make a switch. I am going to try Ortho Tricyclen Lo. We will see how that works out. Well, my advice, I do not like this pill, especially b/c of the kidney affect it has raising potassium levels. One day I hope to donate my kidney to my boyfriend, not lose function of my own. Good luck to whoever comes to this site for advice and making their own decision.