Yasmin Potassium Sparing Diuretic, Aldosterone, Mineralocorticoids, Potassium Levels, High Blood Pressure

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...