Yasmin and zero sex

I posted about a year and a half ago about how Yasmin was doing all the things described by many. Lost my hair....zero sex drive...and if we DID have sex...It was the most painful experience ever....heart palpitations.....severe anxiety attacks for the first time ever in my life...and even suicidal feelings. I got off of it as I quickly realized I was essentially poisoning myself with this awful drug. And got a non hormonal IUD. The IUD has been excellent. But I must say...I have never truly stopped getting the panic attacks. They still come and go. I've tried detox teas....even seeing a therapist to help with it. I'm not on any anti anxiety drugs...I've been meditating and doing yoga to help with it. But honestly.....I wonder sometimes if I'll ever get my pre-Yasmin body back. :(

I have been on Yasmin for 4 years now and I only recently started to question if some of the things that I have been experiencing are related to this pill. After reading your comments here, I'm more convinced then ever! I am a relatively healthy 31 year right now but for over a year now I have had a terrible ongoing ache in the back of my right thigh, just above my knee. I went to a vein specialist who just wanted to inject me to reduce the vein and "hoped" that it would help resolve the pain. He said that I had reticular veins and that they can be painful but as I understand it, you can get pain in your deep veins, which can result in deep vein thrombosis and even pulmonary embolisms (very life threatening). I have also had terrible ongoing headaches that last me 3 days at least once per month. I've always suffered from migraines so I didn't necessarily connect these headaches to the pill. I have absolutely ZERO sex drive. It's like I have to force myself to do it and it fills me with anxiety to even "gear up" for it. I have vaginal dryness, which can be very frustrating during foreplay and painful during sex. I had previously always been pleased that Yasmin resolved my 10 + year battle with painful cystic back acne. I have beautiful, clear skin on my back since I started taking Yasmin. I have also experienced fairly normal periods (for me). I used to have debilitating cramps and periods so heavy that I would wear a tampon and double my pads (with wings) so that I could live through the first part of the day at work without completely breaking through and bleeding through my pants. They would last for 5 - 7 days but with the pill I have more normal periods, manageable cramps, minor bloating, and still a heavy flow but not nearly as bad as before. I have always had good cholesterol levels and low triglycerides until 4 years ago when I started the pill. Since then I have had 2 blood tests where my cholesterol has skyrocketed and my triglycerides are triple the "normal" range. I eat healthier now then ever before and I regularly exercise as well so I cannot explain my cholesterol change, nor can my doctor (after showing a food diary of mostly fruits, veggies, limited whole grains, lean meat and optimal water). He told me to "go on a low carb diet" and "stay away from "sugars". I can't explain it either, I am always thirsty. I drink almost a gallon of water a day. I have this constant craving for a beverage and dryness if I'm not consistently sipping on water. My eyes are always dry, so dry in fact that it makes me feel tired or like I just want to close them to give them a break. I just started using eye drops, which has helped. Also, I'm tired, very very tired. It's summer so my energy is better only because I force myself to go workout, which always makes me feel better. I must say though, all in all, I have some concerning symptoms that seem to be prevalent throughout the blog but I've also had some positive effects from Yasmin. My concerns and your comments however are enough to take myself off the pill (Yasmin and all others) to try and live with my natural hormones instead of the synthetic in the pill. I think the potential risks outweigh the rewards. Thank you all for sharing and helping me in my decision making process.

I have been on Yasmin for 4 years now.. and my fiance just called off the wedding because I have been acting so crazy. From the moment I was with him I started this pill and that is the moment I changed. I was also the happiest sweetest girl. Now that I reflect all the symptoms I have been having all come back to when I got on Yasmin. I have become severely depressed when I have nothing to be depressed about because my life is great. I am emotional and cry all the time, I cant control my tears at all. The week before my period I become an angry crazy out of control emotional lunatic and I know i'm acting crazy but I cant snap myself out of it. I have sever anger issues which i never had before I curse yell and scream which I never did before, and I"m telling you I have the greatest life I should not be this way but I can snap out of it. I have lost all motivation for life, I have no motivation to work I have no motivation to be with friends talk on the phone go out go to the gym, and I used to be the life of the party. I have zero zero zero sex drive, my fiance thinks i'm not attracted to him but I so am, but if you killed me I cant get orgasm or get in the mood. I literally have lost all sense of who I am, I never thought it was because of the pill but after reading all these posts I am convinced I know these symptoms started the day I started Yasmin. Today I stopped taking them, I have to see if this is the cause I have to see if I feel normal again I don't even know who I am anymore. Hopefully getting off this pill will bring me back to normal.

I'm so glad to find this. It's taken me a while to put 2 and 2 together, but I am absolutely convinced that Yasmin is responsible for the subzero sex drive I've had for most of the past year. After reading this page, I also have an explanation for the brown discoloration on my forehead after I got a sunburn this spring -- it hasn't gone away! It's been a week and a half since I took any of the active pills, and I already feel SO much better. I was beginning to think I would never be interested in sex again! I have an appt. with my doctor this week, but there's no way I'm going back on Yasmin.

It all finally makes sense!!! I'm 26 yrs old, have been on 3 bc's in my life for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and this past bc was Yasmin. Weird things have been happening and I never thought to link them with the bc but after reading all of these stories it makes perfect sense. Here I'm thinking that I have severe IBS and zero sex drive b/c I'm just a medical disaster but these other woman have opened my eyes. The worst side effect of all is the story that I am about to tell you and I hope that nobody else has this problem. My gyno put me on Yasmin the 8th of Aug. ('07) and at the end of Aug. beginning of Sept. I noticed a big sore knot on the back of my ankle. I thought nothing of it until another one appeared under the skin of my other ankle. I went to my doctor (who is my regular and gyno) and she told me that she didn't know what these lumps were but were NOT caused by my bc. She gave me antibiotics and sent me on my way...one knot went away and another larger one appeared. I went back to her and she gave me a 2nd dose of antibiotics, one goes away and 2 more appear. So this time she sends me to an Orthopedic Specialist who takes x-rays and has no idea what is wrong. He tells me to go see a dermatologist. I went to a dermatologist 2 weeks ago who tells me that I have a blood flow problem. My blood is thick (never had this problem in my life) and has problems flowing back up from my feet in my veins. He diagnosis me with Lipodermasclerosis...ok, so I ask him if this could be caused by my taking Yasmin...YEP! So, I stopped my bc that night. Now I am going to wait the three months for the Yasmin to completely leave my system before I know for sure that this was the cause of the knots on my ankles. Please let me know your thoughts and if anyone has had this same issue. Thank you!

Hello,

I read about how YAZ birth control pill affects the body and psych and I am now scared. This is my 2nd day of YAZ (I've never been on birth control pills ever and I am 27 years old), it's all new to me but after reading all these negative posts about Yaz I don't know what to do. Before the birth control pills, I was depressed, annoying, serious weight problems - 210 lbs :~~((, low energy, low libido, always tired, terrible migraines every 2nd day, ridiculously increased appetite and excessive hunger, hair where it shouldn't be, menstrual blood clots, excessive cramping etc
I have all these problems for 3 years now and now that the family doc. put me on YAZ birth control pill I am even more scared - mainly of more weight gain, it would be a tragedy for me, I am fat enough already and what's worse I can't lose the weight, exercise doesn't help, diet doesn't help, NOTHING. Will YAZ birth control pill worsen my already tragic condition? I just don't know what to do and what to believe ... I appreciate any advice or help you can give me ... Thank You to all!

I have been on Yaz for 3 months and I have ZERO sex drive. I love my boyfriend, find him incredibly attractive, but sex just bores me now. I get no enjoyment at ALL--never have orgasms anymore. Before getting on Yaz I thought about sex ALL the time and wanted hime 2 times a day--now, If we go a week w/o sex, it's no big deal to me b/c I just forget that it's something to do--totally sucks. I'd rather get pregnant than not want to be with my man that way. I also feel totally "out of it" sometimes or just indifferent to things which is NOT me. I used to be on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Low for like 4 years. I didn't notice much of a sexual side effect with it, but I will say that when I got off Ortho, I was as "horny" as a teenage boy so I'm guessing all hormonal birth controls are not for me.

I'm so glad I googled side effects of Yasmin and found this site. All of the sudden my mood swings for the past almost YEAR make sense. I started out fine. The pill was great, and I haven't had to worry about acne at all. Of course I gained a few pounds, but not too much. However, I'm a pre medical student trying to study for the MCAT this summer. I've been SO tired and drained and majorly depressed that I just can't seem to concentrate. I feel like I'm always crying over the stupidest stuff (AKA: no reason at ALL), and my grades are starting to suffer. Hopefully now that I've read this, I can stop taking this pill and see an improvement. It's just not worth the depression. I'm 22 right now, and until recently had never had a suicidal thought. I was starting to panic, because I couldn't identify the cause of my depression. I'm a good student, have lots of friends, and have the most amazing boyfriend and family. Life is good, I shouldn't feel this bad. Now that I have a clue as to what this may be, I can fix it.

I have been using Yasmin for almost 10 years. Recently I have began getting migraines (never had them before), nasty vaginal discharge and an embarrassing increase in facial hair. I can somewhat deal with the migraines, but the other two symptoms are extremely irritating.
I have been to my gyno for both. She told me that the discharge was "normal" with the use of Yasmin. I don't think snotty goo coming from your vagina for a straight week before your period is "normal". She assured me that all testing came back negative and it was just something I would have to deal with. As far as the facial hair goes...I can't leave the house without standing in front of a mirror and plucking my poor chin and neck for up to an hour each day. My gyno suggested that I get laser treatment, which would be grand if SHE were paying for it.
I don't know if I want to continue taking Yasmin or not. I have ovarian cysts and used to have severe periods lasting for a week and a half at a time, and Yasmin had helped with those problems.
Has anyone else had these problems...and what are you doing for them?

I originally went on Yasmin because I experience horrible menstrual cramps. As a cure for cramps, Yasmin is a miracle. HOWEVER...I have been on it for almost 3 years now & have noticed new issues. I now have insomnia (recurring almost EVERY night). I can fall asleep, but ALWAYS wake up after a couple of hours & usually can't go back to sleep, or sometimes wake up every hour or less. Also, I haven't been able to wear contact lenses in almost 3 years. I have an unusual condition that causes my eyelashes to grow abnormally. I have zero sex drive. Other birth control brands make me moody & angry, but I don't know which is worse.

hi guest 35540,
this is a really common side effect of yasmin,i had zero sex drive... i would rather have good book and a cup of tea than even think about sex!

Hello All,

I am now on day 10 off Yasmin. Yesterday, I had the most emotional day since getting off the Yasmin. I had all these PMS symptoms...my breasts ached terribly! I still have insomnia. And I was a crying mess yesterday.

I went to my gyno yesterday as well and she said I was the first woman to come to her with these "complaints" about Yasmin. I felt so stupid...especially since I had seen her just two months earlier thinking I had a yeast infection. (Infact, it was simply the extreme dryness from the Yasmin.) I simply never thought the stuff going on with me (hair falling out, insomnia, zero sex drive..) had anything to do with my gynecological health...so didn't mention it. I just thought it was "me". So bizarre how this all works out.

Luckily, my boyfriend is being very supportive and realizes this is my detox period. I'll have good days and bad days. :(

Has anyone else suffered from this insomnia? And when does it stop?? I can honestly say, I can only remember 2 specific nights in the last 5 or so months that I had a solid nights sleep. :(

P.S. I am looking into getting the Copper IUD. I got a lot of information about it..I just need to check and see if my insurance company will cover it. IF they do not cover the IUD, I will have to pay for it out of pocket. It'll be around $750 total to get it inserted. While it's a lot of money upfront, the IUD is good for 10 years. So it will pay for itself in less than 2 years...seeing as my health insurance doesn't pay much for my BC. I was paying $40 a month anyway. ugh. The injustice. :(

Hi Everyone,

I've been on Yasmin for about 2.5 years now. A little over a year ago I started having some wicked symptoms, like anxiety, depression, crying spells, panic attacks, night sweats, etc. I attributed it to having a lot going on in my life at the time, but looking back, I truly believe that yasmin may have played a big part in it all. After reading through a lot of postings on this website, it totally confirms what I believed. I've been weaning myself off the yasmin for the last week or so, and the withdrawal symptoms have started to kick in - terribly vivid dreams (nightmares), panic attacks, cramping - it's awful, and I just want it to be over! I don't know how long to expect this to last - I'm thinking it will be a while since I've been on the pill for so long. Has anyone else taken yasmin this long and tried quitting?? I'd love to hear your experiences!!!

I can't tell you all how ANGRY I am about this situation - I told my Dr. about these side effects, and she just told me they were "normal." I can't believe that at 24 yrs old it's "normal" to have night sweats & zero sex drive. I just hope I'll be back to what it truly NORMAL very soon!!

Hello everyone,

I wanted to post my side effects and have questions.

I did nothing differently with my eating habits or exersize regimen:

Extreme weight loss in the begining of taking YASMIN
I didn't complain about that at first, but I started losing too much
weight.
The extreme weight loss effect went away about after 1 1/2 year and now
I have maintained pretty normal weight for myself.
It has not made me gain any weight, which I am happy about.

I had been on Ortho tri Cyclen and it made me gain 35 pounds in under
one year!!!!! I was getting pretty heavy. I eat very healthy and am
active. Must be why my doc presricbed YASMIN, she said it ha oppisite
effect, and I really did notice this effect.
Also, BAD BAD depression with Ortho tri cyclen.

Yasmin makes me:
feel like crying for no reason and irritable
ZERO ZERO sex drive
headaches! - which I never used to get.
seldom eye twiching.

I actually feel better on the " 7 day placebo pills" while I am on my
period.
This is the only time I feel sexy and aroused, and in a better mood.
This tells me something.

I have been on YASMIN for about 2 years.

i have told my OBGYN of the sex drive problem and she said that all
pills will do the same thing. She said prescribing me another BCP would
make no difference what so ever.

I also felt deppresion with YASMIN in the begining and saw my OBGYN
about it and she said to give more time for my body to adjust to YASMIN,
it did get better, but I still have these outburts or crying, anger
irritable... that is not normal, I feel so sensitive.

Has anyone tried Ortho Evra, the patch?????

I can not tolerate zero sex drive any longer.

Is there a pill that won't do this to me???????
Can any one reccomend a pill that they have been happy with??????????

I know it's hard to say because I guess every pill effects every women
different.
Please help with any suggestions

Sick and tired of Yasmin
JAS

Wow! I just stumbled on this site and am very happy I did. I'm 42 years old and am almost finished my fourth pack of Yasmin, which I started basically for skin problems. My skin did clear immediately, but I gradually started having other things happen, but never really attributed it to the pill...actually thought it was more an age thing (I hate to say it) and was happy with my clear skin. I had the chest pain thing and went for an exercise test, which turned up okay. I turn into this "freak" every once in a while, crying and stuff, which I thought was basically because I'm so busy with work and family, etc. I used to run half-marathons, but was feeling so crappy and had gained a lot of weight, so I decided to join a gym and hire a personal trainer, as exercise had always made me feel better. Near the end of one of our sessions, I started to have trouble remembering her instructions. I then went into the change room when we were finished and I could not remember my lock combination. This scared me quite a bit. A woman then came into the change room and was asking me about my trainer and what her name was...and I couldn't remember her name! I managed to get my lock open, but I kinda walked out of there in a fog and it probably took me about an hour to feel "human" again. Later that night I had a pretty good headache. I talked to my trainer about it and we figured that I must have had an extremely hard workout and that maybe I was a little dehydrated. I have noticed that I have not been as thirsty as I usually am, so figured this was the problem. The final straw came a few days ago when I developed this killer headache with some breakthrough bleeding. I've made an appointment with my GP to talk about going on Alesse, but am now wondering if I should just forget about messing about with my hormones and put up with a few pimples in my 40s. Any thoughts? Any Alesse horror stories?

Julia

We'll I was going to the doctor today, but after reading all this information I'm just getting off this pill. My husband confronted me last night and said something had to change because of my change in mood and being ill ALL the time. I have zero sex drive and just got married less than a year ago. These postings answered it for me. I have experienced every single side effect listed: tender breast, left arm numb most of the day, severe leg cramps, luckily no weight gain, dizzy a lot and severe headaches. My husband said I changed right after I switched to this pill. He was right. Ladies, listen to your bodies.. Get off this nightmare. It's tough enough daily without some drug interfering.. Best wishes to all!