Yasmin Birth Control Pill - Questions about side effects when stopping

[Kristi86]

I started taking the pill 2 days ago and I am nervous about it. I feel very sleepy and I'm not as happy as I usually am...I took Diane 35 for 9 years and it worked amazing for me...my skin was amazing, my weight was stable and I was very happy. I decided to stop taking it b/c I have read it is not good for you. However when I stopped taking it I broke out very bad and gained about 5 pounds :S...then I started freaking out and decided to go with Yaz...however now I'm freaking out about this pill as well...I'm thinking maybe I should just suck the weight gain and break out up for a while and hopefully my body will go back to normal!! any suggestions??

[dazzlinstar03]

I have been taking yaz for 6 months. and at first it made me break out pretty bad. 6 months later it looks alot better but still not clear and not where I want it to be, where it was before I started the birth control. I have heard better things about yasmin and was wondering if anybody had any idea that if I switch next cycle which would be sunday, if my skin would break out bad like it did for yaz. or if it won't because it's used to the hormones and its not like i'm sticking hormones in me for the first time you know? any suggestions would be great. thanks.

[leeloolee]

I was taking Yasmine for more than 3 years and last week I went off this pill. The only good thing was that I didn't get pregnant during this time, I could say exactly when and what time I'll get period, so when I was traveling I could choose dates. That was the only good thing.
Bad things - I am upset with myself I never checked websites about Yasmin before, as I would dump it straight away.
My marriage went threw nightmares because of my "dryiness", sexuall coldness, swing moods, had lots of muscle cramps (extremly painfull and every 2-3 days), yes - tearfull. I was getting into depression, couldn't stop secretly crying (was very embarassed about it as I am a strong person). Just one thought could bring huge cloud of sadness over my head. I spoke to my mother in law and she asked me to stop taking pills, or go to doctor. Went to doctor with my concerns and was told that it is the best pill in the market and shouldn't complain. (it was doctor surgery in Tottenham on Philip lane, so be carefull with them if registered there. they don't care about patients and do not listen).
One week after stopping Yasmin pills - no more sadness, pains like before period, no more moods or crying, i feel like my mind was sharper and feel like i didnt have a good sex since I started with pill (my hubby does job very well, it was that pill that was making me emotionally disabled :-)

[shezmoida]

I can say with most confidence that the Yasmin Pill is a personality destroyer. I went on it as I was getting married and both my hubbie and I could see dramatic side effects; namely sever personality distortion, almost immediately. I became irrational, overly sensitive, severely depressed to the point of being constantly suicidal and anxious.
I went from being strong, academic, vivacious and friendly to withdrawn, temperamental and so on.
To say the least, I was no longer the same person.
Yes my skin cleared up and I did not put on weight, but it began to make my life and my hubbie's life a living hell.
To give you an idea... I found sand in my bed one night after we'd been to the beach. Instead of brushing it off or changing the sheets I broke down in hysterics and wanted to die because I felt I could do nothing right, not even have a clean bed. THIS IS NOT NORMAL!
This pill causes much worse effects than even the severest case of my previous PMS episodes.
One day, at the absolute brink of over the edge craziness, I called in to my best friend and told her that my marriage was in ruins after only 2 months and that I felt I was going crazy! She asked if I was on Yasmin and mentioned she and several girls she knows also suffered these symptoms after going on this pill.
I spoke to my doctor and he said it was unlikely the pill was causing it... but how naive. The Yasmin Pill has a very high dose of oestrogen in it causing a hormoned crazed woman to be full of even more emotion provoking hormones.
After discontinuing on the Yasmin Pill I felt back to myself again within 1 WEEK! I swear, I would much rather fall pregnant, have zits and period pain that experience the overbearing desire to kill myself whilst on this pill. I will be advocating it's dismissal from the birth control market! Stay away from this pill. Unless you are married practice abstinence... safest method of birth control!!! :)

[Geezie]

When i first started Yaz 18 months ago, I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. My skin is radient, periods come like clock work and are short, all the great things they said it would do. However, I think i'm depressed, i am not the same person i use to be, i don't want to do anything but sleep,I'm fatter than ever (and no exercise does not work), I don't want to be bothered with anyone, sex life in null. Today is my last pink pill and I am going off this **** for good.

If you have recently gone off Yaz, please share with me your experience with side effects and any remedies that helped you get through them.

I want my old life back....

[Princess270]

I stopped taking Yasmin about 6 months ago after taking it for about 4 years.  The side effects I have experienced from stopping the pill:

-bad acne on my face, back and neck
- bloated/ gas
- increased sex drive (back to normal! yay!)
- Panic attacks (went to ER several times) including heaviness in my chest and heart palpitations
- depression
-headaches

I never want to take birth control pills ever again.  I recommend that no one takes Yasmin!

[cjd0910]

Hi,

I took Yasmin for years as well and recently stopped taking it after my boyfriend begged me to stop.  Not to get pregnant, mind you, but just to be a more natural and healthy person.  I never had the personality issues that people have discussed on here that I noticed, but after stopping the pill, my skin actually looked WAY better for a few months and now I am SUPER broken out!!  I haven't had this bad of acne since high school!  My question to you since you stopped taking the same pill around the same time as me is has your skin cleared back up at all?  If so, how long did the bad breakout last?  My neck, chest, back, and face look terrible right now and I'm used to the idea of not taking the pill anymore, but I HATE having all of this acne!

I haven't really had any other side effects that are noticeable.  

I was just curious.  Thanks!

[vikochka]

My neck, chest, back, and face look terrible right now and I'm used to the idea of not taking the pill anymore, but I HATE having all of this acne!  -------- That's what i'm going through! :(((((( The worst thing skin clears up around period days and on ovulation days it just looks horrible! Severe break out happens almost over night!  And all my upper body covered with little pustules!  Went to the doctor, no allergies no bacteria. It must be post effect of quitting pills! I took Yasmin for years, never had any problems. Never had acne. But last 3 month is a nightmare!

Victoria.

[LizzyG519]

This is my first month and a half off Yasmin.  I took it for about 5 years...switching up to different pills once in a blue.  Yasmin had my skin beautifully clear but I was depressed, anxious, suicidal and just felt like I was going crazy and couldn't control it.  I stopped Yasmin once before and the nasty acne that followed made me go back on it.  I'm determined this time but my strength is wavering.  My face, chest and back look horrible.  I want to close myself into a room and not face the world until it clears up.  The first month off it, I felt great again, felt back to my old self.  These past two weeks, I have been depressed and agitated again.  I don't know what to do.  How long do the break outs normally last?

[cgf68]

I've been on Yaz for about 14 mns.  I too thought it was the best at first.  Then after about a year I started to notice that I was depressed and indifferent to everything and everyone.  I had zero sex drive, sexual dryness, I have been getting headaches during the 4 days off (and I never have headaches typically) and I got an unexplained rash on my legs and abdomin (abdomen) - I just read that rashes could be a side effect...
After reading some of the entries from other ladies, I know now that I'm not crazy and "something" has been making me feel so different.  I believe now it is Yaz and I am calling my Dr. tomorrow to talk about a differnt pill.

[2jacks4me]

I was on Yaz for 2 years to combat the bad PMS (bloating all month and mild depression/ or agitation).. PRO's:  Lite periods, no cramps, no bloating, great skin, curbs the stress.  CONS:  Sex drive went to '0'! , marital issues due to low sex drive-  this was my main concern since i never felt that way before.  Also, wanting to be alone alot, not having the urge to visit family/friends, and then in the last 3 months, not getting my period at all.  This freaked me out so I just finished my last pack and have been off for a little over a week.  
  Withdrawl effects:  starting to lightly breakout... too early to tell but just got a pimple on my back and hadn't had one the whole time while on YAZ.  Also, I'm completely spazzing out.. obviously it's hormonal, but I'm really set off by the littlest things; Bloated/Gassey feeling, and started eating way more than normal!!   GOOD thing-  I'm starting to get my sex drive back!  YEAH!  I hope I don't start breaking out like the others... also, just went on a diet today so I don't gain any weight!

[kayerz]

I took the Yaz pill about a year ago for 2-3 months, and I absolutely hated it. Right away it started messing with my emotions, I was super depressed, and it DID NOT help my period, it only made it longer, and more cramping than usual. Which was horrid to begin with. So I immediately went off from it. Honestly, it's the second or third birth control I've been on (the first was the Ortho Evra? Patch) and neither worked wonders for me. So I've just sworn off all hormonal birth controls.

[placey]

I took my last Yasmin pill on Christmas Day 2008 as my husband and  decided we'll start trying for a baby.  I had the lightest period ever a couple of days later and then it started...I spent January nauseus, bloated, going through mood swings and starting to lose more hair than usual (enough for em to notice a difference).  I was also constantly tired and I would sleep talk.

In February, my jeans started to get tighter, I was still constantly tired, still bloated, still losing my hair, getting alot more irritated than usual, light period again - at about 30 days.

Now in March (almost 3 months since I took my last pill) I am so glad I have seen this forum as I'm not going crazy like I thought!!

So far this month, my period came on a 40 day cycle, I am losing clumps of hair, I have been very emotional and irrational, suffering mood swings constantly, exhaustion, chest pains, onset of panic attacks, headaches, bloatedness and eating more than usual (sugar cravings especially..).  I'm constantly feeling sad, even though everything in my life is going great.  My fingers and ankles keep swelling up and I constantly have hot flushes and sweaty palms.

I now realise though that this is all attributed to my body getting back to normal and I can't wait to stop feeling this way!

Does anyone have any suggestions of what I can take to make this transition more bearable??

[Fiona_A]

Hey Girls
I stopped taking Yaz 4months ago in hope that my husband and me can have a baby. I have not had a period since...and my depression and anxiety is worse. I have broken out in so many pimples...when i was 16 i never had these many! Did you girls go through a long time without a period after stopping Yaz??

[Les74]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their posts.  I have just realised that there is a reason for me (the most patient person ever) has lost her patience, even with my children.  The slightest thing sets me off, my four year old not putting his shoes on etc.  i feel sad even though i have nothing to be sad about and i cry at the slightest thing.  im a blubbering wreck!!  Yasmin is brilliant in lots of ways but i cant continue with this sad feeling anymore and im going to stop taking it.  Thanks x

[Ambersnow]

I first started taking yasmin March 17, then went on vacation this tuesday through friday, and forgot the pills. So my period started yesterday (thursday), and I haven't taken any pills since monday (4 days missed). I have not had sex for several weeks (since before my last period), so I'm not pregnant. Should I continue this pill pack and double up for a couple days, or start a new pill pack in a few days?

[chryst]

I have been on Yaz since May, 2008.  I have been nothing but an emotional wreck since I started.  I have put on weight and now am not getting my period.  When I was getting my period, it was about 3-5 days long but I had terrible cramps.  My sex drive has diminished.  
I am getting off this pill after this month. Hopefully I will not get any bad side effects from stopping use.
Congrats to those who have no problem with this pill.
It ***** for me.

[aimster183]

I stopped Yasmin-28 birth control about 2 weeks ago after being on it for about 7 years- I am 25 now and trying to concieve. At the beginning of my marriage, which happened after I was on the pill for about 1 year everything seemed strange and I was pretty much an emotional mess- I always thought it was because I was young, newly married and just coming to terms with the depressional I battled for years. Now I think it may have been something else- namely the pill.
I have never been one to take medications that can alter you- like Prozac and Welbutrin which I tried at the beginning of my marrige only to feel like I had no feeling what-so-ever, like a robot or something (not to say that people should not take these meds, they just were not for for me.)
I have been soooo tired lately and I have been getting bad headaches and nausea everyday, I have also been noticing my sex drive being stronger like when I was 18 years old- before the pill! and my husband asked me what I dreamt about, apparently I was talking in my sleep.
I could not put my finger on it until now but something was not right with me and now that maybe my body is readjusting itself and my hormone levels are getting back to normal I feel very strange, but hopeful- I don't think I will go back on the pill ever again. Of all things to mess with in a women's body hormone levels seem like it can cause so much to go wrong with you mentally- I guess I was young and didn't want to get pregnant so I never really thought about the possible side effects...

[Meechie445]

I have been taking Yasmin for about 4 years now due to horrible and irregular periods since I got it and I have never experienced anything like everyone else is describing.  I am the same person I was before, but I will admit my skin is better but that can also get better with age. I have never had depression, mood swings(well I have, but nothing out of the norm) or suicidal thoughts. I have no idea why everyone else is getting this.  I am only concerned about being able to stop taking it when I want to have children and not have any complications. Does anyone know anything about that issue?

[hhaustin]

I was on Yasmin for 8 years and stopped taking it in January solely because I wanted to see what my body, mood, etc. was like without birth control.  Overall I was very pleased with yasmin over the 8 years.  Since stopping I have also felt like I am losing my mind, constantly emotional, bouts of depression, I feel swollen, I have gained weight, I am indecisive and irritable.  I have NEVER experienced anything like this.  Oh and my skin is also the worst it has ever been.  
The funny thing is that my life in general is going better than ever and there is no reason behind all this moodiness.  I am also far less stressed than I was before I stopped.  Yet I am ALWAYS sad.  

Also I have yet to get my period since my last one (which was at the end February) and it only lasted for about 2 days but was very heavy.  

Im considering just getting back on the BC as I am quite discouraged that this will stop.  Who knew hormone withdrawl coudl make you feel THIS crazy?!

Glad to know I'm not the only one!

[Anonymous09]

Was on yasmin for 7 years with some minor breaks in between. Off fully the last 4 months and getting spots on face, neck and back. To top things off, my hair has become quite greasy. Have to wash it nearly every second day. Used to get away with every 4th day.Debating now whether to go back on it or not to get back my glowing skin and normal hair

[anonymous2182]

i've only just recently been on the pill and noticed that i'm constantly agitated (even over the smallest of things), my mood swings come and go, i can't seem to get enough sleep, alot of bodily discomfort, and most of all, angry all the time..

my husband seems to be weirded out with the emotions going on and off all the time. after reading this forum, i thank everyone for putting up their comments.. at least now i know i'm not the only one feeling this way..

[smich]

WELL AFTER READING COMMENTS I´M A LITTLE SCARED I´VE BEEN TAKING JASMIN PILLS FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A SPORTY PERSON. THE LAST COUPLE YEARS I HAVE FELT TOO MUCH BONE PAIN, MY KNEES, HIPS AND HEALS. TO THE POINT THAT I HAVE STOPED EXERCISING AS I USE TO.
ABOUT MY TEMPER... I THIN THAT IT HAS CHANGED A LOT MAKING ME VERY SENSIBLE AND EVEN NEUROTIC. I HEARD ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS ON THE WEB AND WELL. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE I DONT WANT TO STOP WHAT I LIKE.
AS SOMEONE SAID I AM GLAD TO KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT FEELS LIKE I DO.
AND BECAUSE OF THIS I HOPE I CAN GET NORMAL AGAIN.

[hannib]

I went off of yasmin almost three weeks ago. I am almost twenty and had been on it for around 3 years. I decided to go off of it because i had just broken up with my boyfriend so I wasn't going to be having regular sex, I thought it may relate to my extreme emotional-ness and was hoping i would shed a few pounds.

So now its been a few weeks and I feel a lot more stable emotionally but I think i have definitly gained some weight even though I have noticed that i barely have an appetite and I have barely been eating anything compared to before when I was on them. For those who this has happened to..did you eventually lose the weight once your hormones got back in balance?
hope to hear from someone soon!

[krissty]

I was on yasmin for about 2 years and didnt have any problems at all for the first year and a half. The last 6 months of taking it, I started experiencing excruciating chest pain and shortness of breath. I had lots of differerent tests (the doctors thought i had blood clots in my lungs) and most came back inconclusive. I didnt even think about this pill causing these problems until i THOROUGHLY read the leaflet and researched information, went back to the docs and he advised me to get off Yasmin as soon as possible. with-in the next month or so I noticed the difference and havent had any problems since.
This pill is proven to have a higher blood clotting percentage than any other pill on the market. Never would i reccommend it to anyone.

[Beccz]

It's been almost two weeks being off Yaz. Everything is fine. Skin, Hair and body feel great. I can only complain of minor cramps now and then. As a preventative--I'm taking super vitamins, specifically Biotin for hair, Zinc for the skin and Iron, because i've been anemic in the past. I'm also taking minocyclin for the skin because I tend to breakout. I'm hoping to keep reporting good things. Yes, many people write down their problems and it can scare everyone to think it may happen to them, while the people who experience no problems don't necessarily feel the need to blog about it. I'm going to make a point to blog the good things. Here's to feeling good:)

[gina2088]

someone please help me here. i've been off yasmin for about 3 weeks now, my doctor took me off it because i was having hair growth on my body and mood swings. I was on yasmin for 3years. I had never had any problems with it up til about 6months ago. since i've been off it, i've been to the ER, had hair loss, and the worst part is i have felt serious anxiety and i always feel like im going to pass out. im trying to tough it out and hope everything will pass. on top of naseua and just being scared of whats happening to my body...i need support. please if you've had these symptoms to..let me know. im 20yrs old and dont think i should be feeling like this.

[Jazzy_J]

Hello there
I have been on this pill for a year and a half now. In the beginning it was great, my skin cleared up, my periods where like clock work and my post period moods seemed better.
About two months after starting it I started having a massive amount of hair loss (at that time I was under alot of stress and thought that was the cause) on top of that I became very depressed. Now I am the type of girl that have people thinking I am on something of drunk because im always so Happy. It was instant in heavy depression I thot of suicide, something completely foreign to me. Non the less I thought it was the stress once again.
About a month later I went on pills for depression. The doctor said I cannot take it for less than 6 months so thats what I did. I couldn't even focus at work so I stopped working during this time.
I stopped with the pills after 6 months thinking all is well again, the skys have cleared up.
After about 6 months slowly sadness crept back into my life, combined with constant sore nipples, headaches every day (must be the stress again) and thoughts of death again.
I am so glad for thinking FINALLY that this cannot be normal.
I think woman are so use to comprimising in life that we miss problems when it's staring us in the face.
Thank you so much for everyone thats speaking up about their problems. Without you girls I would have never known.
Im of the pill for 11 days now.
Some pimples have come back and stomach pains for some reason.
I went throught heavy depression for 3 days where i had no control over myself and actually had to ask someone to stay with me just so i don't do anything stupid.
Now I feel like i use to a very long time ago. I have forgotten how happy i use to be and how good life is. THANK YOU EVERYONE
Oh! Something off interest. I read Yasmin makes your breast grow. I went from a B to a double D in this little year and a half CRAZY
I wonder whats going to happen to the girls now??

[rshaz]

hi there.
over 2 year i take 1 pill enjecton so after enjection my heavy period start..never stop...so i hade pain in my tummy u know in women egg,s.on my back side...i m soo worried ...i request to all women..plz never take pill enjection....

[JessA1983]

I went to the doctors the other day to have a transvaginal ultrasound because of being in soo much pain all the time,expecially around my periods.,I was told it was only due to my endometriosis.but,after having the ultrasound it showed that I also have alot of cysts on my ovaries.so my doctor suggest I get on Yazmine. But after doing some reserch on it makes me not want to take it. She said that it would remove the cyst
me and my husband having been wainting a baby also please help.

[chp7377]

When I went off Yaz, I too broke out all over my face, chest, and back so I went back on it for another 18 months. I've been off 2 months now and I took preventive measures this time. I went to a dermatologist and I got a prescription for doryx(antobiotic to prevent acne), nicomide and differin topical gel. I also bought special face wash and exfoliant at the dermatologist as well. I also use neutrogena acne toner with 2% salicylic acid on my back and chest 1-2x a day and so far I am zit free.

[mrd80]

Ladies,

You may want to look into trying a Tri-phaisc pill, like OrthoTriCycline instead of Yasmin.  Yasmin is a Mono-phaisc pill  which means it has one steady dose of hormones throughout the cycle.  A Triphasic pill has 3 increasing levels of hormones throughout the cycle.  

I had similar depression, anxiety feelings on the Triphasic pills, but have found Monophasics to work better for me.  Everyone's body is different and I would urge you to try to find one that works for you.  
Another alternative is the NUVA RING which is mono-phasic, but has the lowest dosage of hormones and works like a charm ;)

[jd157]

I was on birth control for about 9 years and the last 3-4 were on Yasmin, last year i stopped taking Yasmin and got an IUD Mirena.  Mirena had hardly any hormones, so it was basically like stopping the pill and not having birth control almost since the hormone dose is basically non-existant.  I broke out like crazy after I stopped, just like everyone here has said.  On my face, neck, back...etc and this was worse than anything i went through in puberty!  That and my skin was greasy and my hair smelled even showering a couple times a day.  I felt disgusting.  I thought I would wait it out though and figured that my body was just in shock since I had been on pills for 9 years and Yasmin for 3-4.  I gave it a year and not once in that year did my acne get any better.  I even bought pro-active and it didn't help at all!  So after a year I gave up since there was no sign it was getting even slightly better and I went back on Yasmin.  My acne cleared up within a month and I went back to normal.  I never experienced the depression and some of the other symptoms here, but my sex drive was down as well.  But Mirena also had some bad side effects like abdominal cramping.  I didn't know what else to try for birth control besides just using condoms.  Anyone else have any suggestions?  Right now it seems the pill has the least number of bad effects, at least for me.

[jmic14]

I have been off Yaz for 7 months and still have many side effects, such as depression, mood swings. Does anyone know how long this will go on for?

[iwillbeaniceperson]

     If we don't want to eat artificial hormones in our meats, why are we putting them in our bodies!

    I am a nurse, and the incidences of cancer in young adults/adults aged 45-60 is astounding me on nearly a daily basis. A combination of wanting to be TOTALLY healthy and natural in skin care and food products has led to my decision to stop birth control. I feel way better and I value emotions more... who wouldda thunk...? Do your own research, birth control changes your thought processes and your ability to rationally behave!

My story:
  
I started taking Marvelon when I was 18. I had mood swings from that so I switched to Yasmin shortly after. I am 23 now and decided to go off of the Yasmin as birth control does not seem natural and artificial hormones after a long period of time would most likely cause side effects and alter normal body systems. Hormones are responsible for chemical reactions in our bodies!

    It's been about a month now, since going off of the pill, and I have gasseous bloating and sore nipples. My skin is still clear and my weight is close to what it was before.

   I feel mentally clearer now and more cognizant of my family and friends. I feel more mentally stable. While I was on Yasmin I had one partner. I was rarely able to climax during sex, and felt the need to wander and have my needs met by other partners. I found it difficult to climax with others, and my thinking around the emotional repercussion of having multiple sexual partners was emotionally blocked. I was like a man, and did not have any feelings or feel bad about hurting other men who may have been emotionally invested in me at that time.

    I am a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PERSON NOW! I feel as though I am back to the person who I was before I started taking birth control. I value my relationships with my previous long lasting lover, and my friends and family. I am more able to be emotionally involved and not block out feelings which are so important! (ie: decision making, and taking into consideration the emotional well being of those around me.)

    Birth control made me into a zombie. My sex drive was there, but it was definitely lessened. I was drier than without birth control. I was having sex like a man with no emotional repercussions.

    Having been off of it for about a month now, I feel like a completely different person. Even my best friend has said I'm back to me again. It was like a hormonal/emotional switch had gone off. My nipples are super sore and constantly erected (which isn't so bad as perky nipples are super sexy :)), and I am more gassy than normal (not so sexy when you want to have sex). Other than that, I feel I am back to me and have back the ability to be rational!



  

[calymom]

I recently stopped taking Yaz due to loss of health insurence. I read alot of the blogs here and am having one problem i have not yet seen here and was wondering if anyone out there had this problem? I have not gotten my period since i stopped taking the pill 2.5 months ago (so i missed 2) I have taken pregnancy tests and all are negative but i still have no feeling of getting my period.............is this normal or are the tests wrong???? Before the pill periods were light but on time and normal (other than when i was pregnant).  Please any comments will help.

[evelyn83]

I've been off Yasmin since february 2008, almost a year and a half ago and since then i've experienced severe acne for the first time in my life. Ive never had acne til now, and i've tried everything to clear my skin, from a healthy diet and exercise to proactive and a variety of diff acne treatments. I am tempted to go back on the pill to my clear skin back and my breast size back but after reading all of these comments, i am going to wait it out, and hope that my skin will get back to normal. It's not worth getting all the other side affects from being on the pill. If anyone has suggestions on acne solutions that worked for them after getting on yasmin, please post. thank you

[Debradoozer]

I had a GREAT experience on this pill and YAZ.  Only positive side effects......got rid of all bad stuff:  NO MORE of the following... nasty moods, bloating, sleep problems, cramps, heavy painful bleeding, night sweats, tiredness, etc.  I do still have low labido but my husband works on that one for me....
Good luck.  Sometimes the good outweighs the bad.

[Lily61]

I would like to submit myself as a "test subject," as it were. I have been experiencing serious telogen effluvium (temporary hair loss) from my first round of Yasmin last year. I noticed my hair falling out in huge amounts about 1 month into taking the pill, so I got off after 3 months. My hair continued to fall out for about 6 months, then gradually stopped. There is some regrowth, but it's coming in very slowly.

Here's the important part: I RE-STARTED Yasmin because I needed to be back on the pill for contraceptive protection and thought maybe the hair-loss from the last time was all in my head (no pun intended). MY HAIR LOSS PROCEEDED TO RESTART AFTER A MONTH ON THE PILL and began to fall out in heavy amounts once again. This is not placebo at all. Here is the reason I can tell the difference:

When I am on the pill, I wake up to find small white follicles that have simply plucked themselves out of my head and are waiting to fall out. Even just touching my hair forces out two or three hairs by the very root. This did not occur after my body rid itself of the last bout of Yasmin.

I would just like to CONFIRM all the doubt that I, too, had about whether Yasmin causes hairloss while on the pill. INDEED - IT DOES.

[paullacs]

I'M ON YASMIN FOR ABOUT A WEEK And a half now and starting to feel really depressed[i went on yas for pms which i've suffered with since my period when i was 9 im now 17 and jas has given me far worse depression than pms ever did]

my advice is use condoms and let men suffer a tiny inconvienced than upsetting your whole lifestyle

[Sophia84]

Having just read the comments about the Yasmin pill, I feel a great deal of relief. I have recently stopped taking it too, and like many others who've posted here, I believe it made me depressed, angry, withdrawn and generally just a different person to how I normally am. It is the third or fourth type of pill I've tried in nearly ten years, and now I'm just staying off it for good and I'm letting my body work itself out. I am lucky that my boyfriend doesn't mind condoms and is very understanding, he has noticed the change in my moods and my sex drive has gone through the roof since stopping (back to normal lol) so he is also happier. I think maybe something should be done to remove yasmin if this many of us have had all these problems - I don't know about anyone else, but I changed a lot, and not in a good way at all. I never realised until I stopped taking it, but it was ruining my personality, I didn't even like myself. I would rather be spotty and pregnant than feel like that ever again. Reading your comments has made me feel less alone in the matter, so thank you. Good luck to you all :)

[Dani486]

one of my friends two year old children swallowed one of my pills. what effect does it have on a two year old, is it bad?

[nugget1220]

Hey girls! Im am sooo relieved to hear that i am not the only one going through all of this! I am 21 years old and when i was in highschool i was having 2 periods a month and had to get on birth control for that and acne. I started on Orthro Tricyclin, which made me gain weight like crazy and i have always been a small person. I switched my birth control to Yasmin, thinking it might help. I have been taking it for 2 years now, and i did drop the weight, but its not worth how i have been feeling. I am not my self at all. I am very emotional and easily aggitated. I feel like most of you ladies do, like i am going crazy. I am sad all the time and i get angry over nothing. This is not how i use to be or how i want to be. It is starting to ruin the relationship with the boyfriend that i love, who has put up with all of my emotional mood swings. I need to get off of Yasmin so i can be my self again, but im afraid if i dont take birth control i will start having 2 period again and breaking out. Any advice from anyone?? And good luck to all of you girls!!!

[jay_jay26]

You're all complaining about sex drive, right? Didn't you know about artificial lubricants? If you feel with no sex drive, at least make your bf, fiancee or hubby happy by letting him take the lead and use artificial lubricant.  I also use pills (I took Yaz for a month, but since my skin got worse, I went back to LoOvral, that made made me gain like six pounds in less than three months; I think I'd go back to Yaz, or try Yasmin for a chance.  I really don't care about mood swings, I'm already insane, so as my hubby), and the best way to fight back lack of sex drive is to depend on artificial lubricant, to let your partner take the lead (look for positions that allow him to take charge), and to be meek when it comes to sex. If your sex drive is none, just make him happy by having sex (whenever you want it or not); if you're married, why the hell are you married?! Cheaper taxes?! I don't think so. If you guy wants sex, and you don't because of the pill, just let him do you; use some lubricant, get in position (one where he takes the lead, like doggie style), and that's it.  Just let him do you.  What?! You don't like my idea?! Would you like him with somebody else? I don't think so.  Then, why the hell are you on birth control? Other than period problems, is for not having kids, right? If your concern is your trouble having an orgasm: wrong forum!  Problem solved: artificial lubricant, get used to have "forced" sex, and make your partner happy.  Don't worry, after five minutes inside you, it'll be over; you'll be with no sex drive at all, that you won't mind premature ejaculation.  Is a win-win situation.  Mood swings? Shut up whenever your guy feels troublesome; you  have no idea how many problems you'll avoid by being quiet knowing about mood swings.

[jess100284]

I honestly can say I don't like birth control, but started taking them because me and my boyfriend were living reckless, while trying to form careers. So I started taking yasmin well a month ago. For the first week, I felt like I was Bipolar. after I started the second week of pills, I felt normal. My sex drive didn't change, I had the extra mucas that the talked about on the information packet. I didn't have any cramps nor did I feel in any way like killing myself. When came time for my period I was able to actually go to work. This pill has made my period more bearable. Because of the increased potasium levels, my cramps aren't crippling and I have also lost a few inches. All in all I researched everything about this pill and to my understanding it is suposed to miror the first few months of pregnancy in your body. Stopping this pill seems to cause, from what it seems like, a sort of post-partum depression. I guess basically what I'm saying is that you can't expect your body to go right back to normal. Getting off these pills are like after you have a baby. you have to allow your body time to adjust. Mind you any other birth control I have tried, has treated my body extra harshly. I would sugest these women slow down and stop throwing everything in there body and do some sound research if they are not trying to have kids.

[charleyfarley]

Im on Yasmin and have been for nearly 4 years, I came off last aug to try a new pill that allowed me not to have periods and conitnuoulsy take them .However my skin became horrendous, my hair greasy, depressive tendancies and fatigue. So I went back to the nurse and asked to go straight back to yasmin. Its the best pill for me. I have a great sex life, more so than my Hubby (if thats Possible haha), my hair is growing and my skin is back to its unspotty self. Im sure its trial and error with some people and how our bodies differ to each other. I recommend yas all the way. Although I am concerned about when the time comes for baby making....Ive been taking a pill for 12 years now and never had a break, my nurse says its ok but does anyone have any comments or advice on this. Thanks

[alli564]

when I was 18 my DR put me on yasmine birth control to make my cycle more regular and shorter. I got married at 23 and missed about a week of pills ( one day here, one day there) well I found out 3 months later I was pregnant.
I got off the pills because I was expeciting and never started again because I thought it would be easier to concieve a 2 with out having the added hormones. My husband and I have been trying to concieve # 2 for 4 years and I have tried Mitformin and clomid. I have an apointment to go back on this pill next week and hopefully I will concieve soon.
As far as the other comments, if you have pcos then you are already loosing massive ammounts of hair and you are prob. an emotional roller coaster. I really don't remember acting like that when I was on the pill.
I am told it is because the pill provides our bodies with the added hormones that our bodies are lacking. i hope this helps

[purward]

I just stopped taking yamine 3 weeks ago and I am full of acne on my face. Anybody any idea when it will get better.

[todaysday]

I took Yasmin for about six months. At first I felts amazing, my skin was glowing, no side affects, and my boobs got huge! on the fourth month things went downhill. I became a different person physically and mentally. I began to spot over a week before my period was due, and in this week my body became bloated to the point were I could not even pull a pair of my jeans up past my knees. I became obsessed with things, started spending countless hours by myself, not sleeping or sleeping all the time but the hours just seemed to go by without notice. The final straw was when I went absolutly crazy, I couldn't think, I had no control over the insane things I was saying or doing while I was in these emotional tornadoes! My skin began to look horrible, big cyst like marks and that is when I stopped the Yasmin nightmare!
I switched to ortho tri-cyclen lo and within two weeks I had lost more then five pounds (of water probably), my skin was looking good again and I felt normal.
I recently stopped all oral contraceptives cause the side effects just suck way to much.

Doctor said it was to much progestin in the Yasmin  - i don't know, whatever!
hope that helps!

[fanny_lewis]

I was also shedding a lot of hair while on YASMIN which was annoying because they fell in huge chunks and I would find them everywhere (my clothes, pillow, floor...) Anyway, I wasn't worried because my hair is naturally thick and voluminous so the hair-loss actually benefitted its appearance. Besides that, YASMIN is awesome. I did not experience low-sex drive. It was the opposite. The one pill that ruined me was Marvelon. I'm not sure if it's still on the market but it has high dosages and is considered a strong pill which had caused various negative reactions to my body.

But women should take long breaks from the pill. Give your body a break every few years, especially if you're single.

[fanny_lewis]

To all that experience acne after terminating oral contraceptives (including myself) :

Gynocologists say that the hormones provided by the contraceptive pill take 3 days to expel from the body's system. Though, the reason why women get negative reactions after termination of the pill (even weeks later) is because of the hormonal imbalances - meaning our system is in the motion of getting back to normal. So it's like experiencing adolescence all over again: bad acne breakouts or moodiness. This is probably temporary until your hormones get back in order but may take months. I'm sure all pills have the same reaction for the simple fact that all pills introduce chemicals to your body. Once those chemicals are expelled, the system percolates and goes haywire for a while.

For improving acne after stopping these wretched pills, just eat well (lots of food with vitamin A like nuts and carrots), drink lots of water, and sleep well.

[Sue345]

Ladies, thanks for the info, if i had known about all these side effects i would have left the pill long time ago. I am on Yasmin tabs for 18 months I am planning to stop them for the following reasons:
- Sex drive is zero, the thought of it disgusts me and my hubby feels it.
- I am like a mad person due to mood swings
- planning of having a baby sometime by the end of the year, so I will give my body a chance to get rid of the hormones.
I hope I won't find it difficult as others did

[Niamh18]

Im just after starting to use yasmin today! i just need someone to tell me the pros and cons of taking the pill as im getting abit worried with hearing loads of ppls stories!
hair loss like?! im only 18!!!! :S

[Jaime13]

I had been on Yasmin for about 4 years and this may (approx. 2 months ago) i decided to get off the pill because my husband and i are trying to have a baby.  I got off the pill in early may and i got my first period on June 4th.  But i have not had a period since.  Is it normal to have one period and then not get another one for a long time?

[Vic80]

I am currently on Yasmin and I think it was a huge factor in my divorce. I was married for 9 years and we went through a divorce and I felt like a spectator during my divorce. Yasmin makes me feel depressed and moody. I started Lexapro for PMDD but I am beginning to think that Yasmin is the reason behind it all. I am afraid of coming off the pill because I have been on it so long. I was wondering if coming off the pill slowly would help with some of the hormonal changes. Like coming off steroids. Anyone have any advice before I come off the pill???

[concerned_01]

just a little concerned ,i am abit if a moody person with a high sex drive, recently i went to my doctor an he prescribed yasmin for me.i've read about the side effects of other persons and i'm in confused whether i should go on that pill  or not.I 've never been on any birth control before and i do have distressful period pains, which last for as long as 6 consecutive days.....please help me figure this thing out..

[leelawatie]

Hi, I just turn 31 and i was on yasmin for 2years, then i started to expereince stomach pain and i stop taking it. It has been 6months now and i haven't gotten any pain to this date . I have gain a lot of weight since. I was wondering if I should go back on the pill or try something new. oh while on the pill did not have any problems ontil the stomach pains started.. Would like  to know what i should do.. Diana.

[smokey22]

uggh..so today I have been on yasmin for a week now. I am stopping today. This past week I have become severly depressed. The other day I was looking in the mirror and just starting crying- so wierd. Not the first time I have cried in this past week either. and I never cry, ever! I usually go to the gym everyday and do house projects. Havent done any of that. cant leave my room. Never have I been so down. I have taken other BC pills too like allesse...which didnt make me depressed, just a royal B****. Oh, and I got the depo also...only one shot and had my period for 9 months straight.
I think I will stick with condoms. BC pills suck.

[flick88]

Hiya, i am 21 and have been on Yasmin for about 3 years- I have not had any of the side effects everyone else has been having although last week  when i was taking it i felt so depressed, stressed, crying over everything, being irritable, biting my boyfriends head off about the smallest thing!! Do you think this is related to the Yasmin pill? If i stop the pill for a couple of weeks, will it make things worse? If i dont use other contraceptive methods what would the chances be that i got pregnant? I am scared to keep filling my body with ****- i feel like my hormones are all over the place. The last 4 months my nipples have been leaking white fluid also. Im not sure if this is related to the pill or not- my doctor told me it was normal for a woman of my age!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Grr!!!!

[neitzy]

I started taking yasmine 3 weeks ago on my first day of menstural bleeding, just like the doctor said and i have been bleeding on yasmine ever since... i mean i have taken this pill and now had my period for 3 weeks and its annoying... i have been on Diane before yasmine but wanted to try another... did anyone else have this symptom and does it stop? i mean i have wasted a packet of pills pretty much coz its not like i can have sex with my period and its SO ANNOYING

[playful_r_we]

First off, is Yaz and Yazmin the same thing? Or deviations of each other? I've just gone into my fourth week on Yaz and im still bleeding too. It's so ****ing annoying! What the hell is the go with that? I've got my fingers crossed that when I get the the sugar pills in the next couple of days that my uterus will empty and I can start enjoying the pill as a contraceptive. But aside from that I feel great and can see my skill becoming clearer.

[cassie_harrison]

I've currently been on Yasmin for quite a few years now. I went on Microgynon 30 at 17 for about 2 years and I've been on Yasmin around 5 (I think). I suffer with the mood swings etc, migraines and bleeding for longer than a week! I'm not sure when it started but I've lost a lot of my hair! I think it was probably the beginning of 2008 when it started and it's progressed since. I was prescribed Steroids to stimulate growth in the hair follicles which did NOTHING! I have now been told by my doctor to give my hair 12-18 months to see if grows! I was mortified to read other womens comments about hairloss with Yasmin! Why didn't my doctor know this!?! I'd just love to stop taking Yasmin but I'm now worried about other side affects which become apparents afterwards! Can anyone give me any advice? Has anyone been in a similar position? Please help! Cassie.

[souseyeh]

hello girls,,
I've read most of your comments,, and felt that i don't want to try these pills ever!! i was thinking to start taking Yasmin pills because i experience very bad clumps when am having my period so the doctor suggested that i take pills and as usual i started reading about them on internet and found they r really good but after i read Ur comments i felt the opposite!.then i prefer to have these clumps and not have bad moods or hair loss or any side effects from the one u talked about!!
don't u agree??

[Cheri60]

Ive been on Yasmin for a couple of years now. right now i feel totally depressed and generally just wish to die as it would be much simpler. i got married two weeks ago and you would think i would be on top of the world but im not. i cannot think straight, im panicking and gettin anxiety about the stupidest things, fixating on irrational things to panic about. but i continue to take this pill every night. i havent had a break from it for two months as my anxiety was worse when i have my period. i dont know what to do. i cannot possibly risk becoming more depressed than what i am - and what if that happens? my husband says im quiet all the time. this was not supposed to be the start to our marriage. i was like this before the wedding - im surprised he turned up to be honest. i just need to stop the thinking and the talkin in my head all the time. who do i go to...who will give me the best advice? do i risk just coming off and taking all the hormones away or is there a way to come off this slowly?? please help!

[anodal]

I stopped taking Yazmin in May 2008 and had the symptoms described in previous posts, the skin breakouts do not help my self-esteem nor depression.  Has anyone been OFF the pill for over 4 months and can tell me when my skin will be back to normal?? I'm 33 and having worst skin than my 15 year old niece is truly embarassing.

[KDobbles]

I thought I've been going crazy today, but all of these comments confirmed that IT'S NOT ME, IT"S YASMIN!  I am finishing up my second month.  I'm tired alot, bloated, gaining weight, my skin is a wreck (I mean, my back/neck/face/everywhere), I'm anxious, depressed off and on, my breathing even feels off...oh and severe breast tenderness!

This is totally not normal for me!  I was on YAZ for 2 years and felt that was the better of the evils out there, and after my new insurance wouldn't covered it.  I made the switch.  Big mistake.  I'm going off of them, because I don't want to wait a couple more months to see if I get worse of better.  It is comforting to know it's not all in my head...thanks!

[Candicane281]

Wow. I have been on Yamin for three years not and it really has done the opposite effect for me. I am calmer and can concentrate more. When the fabulous week rolls around (hint: sarcasm) I can't focus, I have terrible mood swings, and that's (when I rarely do) break out. The only reason why I would want to get off of Yamin is because I am getting little to no period at all. I don't know about the depression, the weight gain (I have always been a hefty women), or anything else you lovely lady's are describing, but it really has help me.

[Skyred]

well i dont know what you guys are talking about but i have been on the yasmin for a good 3/4 years.. i havent experienced any of that yes mood swings, bad thoughts, and anxiety but that was only due to some tragic things that occured in my life the last year. i have also just always been a worried anxious person so there for i dont think its the pill at all. i have a great sex drive. probably more so then my boyfriend.. i would recommend it to anyone. i guess it just depends on the person who takes it.

take care.

[Lynminx]

I was only on Yaz for roughly 8 months. I switched from a different pill (ortho-trycyclen) because my periods were getting progressively worse. Things were great for a couple months, but regressed back to painful periods. I didn't have any emotional effects when I was on Yaz, had minimal acne, but did find that I was tired a lot. I decided that I would go off of it to give my body a rest from the 6 years I'd been on different birth control pills. Here were the side effects that I had (they all disappeared after two weeks):

- daily headaches
- vertigo
- a little more acne, but not too bad

I was very concerned about the acne thing as well. But I had been using Pro-Active for about 2 months so I made sure I kept up my morning and evening wash routine with the 3 step thing (face wash/exfolient, toner, lotion). My face is clearer now than it has ever been. Try Pro-Active if you have bad acne! I know how it feels to be embarrassed about acne! Pro-Active even works better than what the dermatologist gave me.

Jackie

[Wifey07]

I started taking Yaz about one year ago.  I've been noticing more and more that I'm dry down there during sex with my hubby.  =*(  I've never had a problem getting wet in the past.  And I feel very truned off.  I think Yaz has affected my sex drive.  I stopped taking it about 3 weeks ago because I ran out of pills and am not able to get anymore at the moment.  I totally missed my period this month when I stopped taking the pills.  Is this normal?  I'm more than happy not taking Yaz but should I be worried about missing my period?  I know I'm not pregnant because I haven't had sex in the last 3 weeks and I've taken 2 pregnancy tests.  I need to be on some sort of birth control because we're more than not ready to have children right now.  I've taken everything as far as birth control goes!  I need help!  Any suggestions?

[Little_Leanne]

Hi Im Leanne, I have been reading all of your comments about Yasmin contraceptive pill and Im glad to know it just isn't me experiencing all these problems! I have been taking Yasmin now for over 5 years and I am finally realising what is the problem in my life.

Good Points (Not many!)
* Clock work periods
* Skin good..

Bad Points
* Bloating - Having this constant feeling of being bloated and having cramps it seems like every day no matter what I eat or do!

* Weight Gain - Has gradually gone up..now I am nearly two stone over what I was before!

* Stress - Over the slightest thing! Its getting rediculous! It could be trying to put my hair in a pony and not getting it right! or something stupid that makes me scream out in anger! and want to hysterically break down to tears!

* Head Aches - Have a number of headaches a week, usually when ever I am stressed, so Yasmin is causing me to be stresses i.e. giving me head aches too! cant win.. Also suffered a number of Migranes too which I have never had before!

* Hair Loss - I have noticed slight hair loss mainly at the front of my head looks like Im going bald! I get very self concious about it..

* Tiredness - always feeling tired having to have afternoon naps as I am feeling so tired and drained!

* Anxiety - Feel stressed over every day situations.. get more panicked in certain situations.

* Dryness - I have noticed this is a big issue having to use different lubricants to make this better and having to secretly hide it from partner.

* Loss of sex drive - This is a big problem! I have totally lost my want for sex.. My partner thinks its something to do with him and its not! Its the pill I know it is..

Is it safe to just stop taking Yasmin after so long? I dont know why I am so worried to stop taking it? Its like a vicious circle.. I just want to throw them away and see how I get on without them is this advisable??

Please help! Look forward to hearing from you..

Leanne xxx

[0123jack]

I had been on Yazmin for a couple of years, then switched to yaz, 2 years ago. I decided to go off thie pill, I am almost 39...anyway, I did initially switch to Loestrin 24fe for about a week and a half, then to Aleese for a week or so, and on both, I had carmps or quesines, (This was after stopping yaz..).. But the real killer is the obsessive thoughts/nightmares. I had dreams of either sounds or visions of someone vomiting, for several nights in a row. I have been off all BCP for 18 days as of today. I started having anxiety about going to sleep due to the dreams, then it rolled over into my daily life. I was fearing the fear of hearing or thinking of it. Yesterday I called my OB/GYN and after sharing my list of issues, she told me to see my primary care dr. After crying for no reason, nervous stomach for days/nights on end, nightmares and thoughts of the dreams, loss of appetite, etc...my Dr. prescribed xanax 0.25mg to take as needed. I took 1/2 of of a pill at noon today and I started to feel a bit better. I plan on taking the other 1/2 tonight.
The effects, I believe is from yaz...
I home my story will help others and to let you know...you are not going crazy even though we feel as we are...talk to you doctor. I did request a hormonal blood work, and I have not heard back yet...thought I may be going through perimenopause, but after reading these and other posts, I believe it is from the yasmin/yaz!

[choxie]

  I am 26 and have been on the Yasmin birth control pill for about 4 years now. I have recently decided to go off the pills after reading about all of the lawsuits and then reading this forum. I have only been off of the pill for 4 days. I do feel like my anxiety and panic attacks all began after taking the pills, but i didnt think to connect anxiety with bc. My skin has been really clear and my breasts seem like they have grown about a cup size. Does anyone know if the breast shrink back down to their old size after being off the pill for awhile? I'm scared! :S

[kittycat101]

Thank you for all your shared experiences. I've been on tri-cycline about a year ago for a year and it made me crazy dramatic angry moody. I decided to try yasmine, in comparison it's much better. So now I've been on Yasmine for a year. Less angry but more subtle moody, more quiet crying and weight loss. Sometimes almost that kinda 'zombie-like' feeling I read in other people's posts. Things frustrate me off the bat and still cry more than before any pills. Few concerns: DRYNESS...seems to be getting worse. cannot get wet anymore. Do all pills do this? Sooo frustrating as you may know. Also, I've developed a Bartholin Cyst (OMG yes) for which I need surgery, wondering if it has to do with the pill's side effects that the company is not telling us?? I've gotten more cysts (like in hand and on head). Oh and yes, the low drive...sigh...read many posts on that. Is that with all the pills? Can the people that went off the pill suggest any other wise contrceptives? Anything natural? Please answer some of my concerns if you have the time. Is it true that being on the pill for more than 5 years make it harder to become pregnant?
Take care. Good luck to all the thoughtful ladies out there doing this huge favour for their men!! :P

[mom4for4]

my 15 year old daughter was put on YAZ for heavy periods about 6 months ago. she has turned into a different person. misserable mood swings, teary, irritable and depressed and worse of all nasty and rude. she is not the fun loving daughter i had. i never thought a conncection with YAZ until i saw a commercial that said it was getting out the message about the side effects to YAZ that seemed to fit with her behavior.
now, it is just a typical moody teanager or do you think this could be problem her taking this
need advice from other users please!!!!

[mcalarcon]

I have been on yasmin for about 8 months and i have to say that i have not experienced any of  these side effects that have been posted by these women. It has not made me gain weight, no mood swings, no feeling tired all the time, etc.....   i know that there have been women who have been on this longer then i have so maybe these side effects come later on down the road??? I am defiantly not a doctor and i can't really say that i always know what im talking about when it comes to this stuff but food for thought... On every birth control that's out there, there is a warning that says these pills, shots, patches, rings, etc may cause heart attack, blood clots, stroke and whatever else these things may cause. It also says that these risk are higher when you smoke or have had any other complications. We already know that these things are a risk when using birth control. We also know that every womens body is different and we react differently to certain things. I'm not saying that i amnot concerned about what is being said about Yasmin. I have been doing a lot of research online and talking to a lot of people and i do already have a doctors appointment set up and a list of cons about the pill ready to go when i see her. This is what i think, i think before getting on birth control you should always always do your research before going to see your  doctor. Know whar active ingredients are in the birth control. Know what they produce in your body.  I also think that before you start birth control and that you should be as healty as you can. No smoking, eating a healy diet, excerising on a regular basis, routine physcials when suggested, and staying away from things that could increase such serious risks. I also know  that you can be the most healthiest person on earth and still get cancer. Like i said, i really do like Yasmin. I have had no probelms being on it so far but just because i have not had the same side effects that other women have had it doesn't stop me from looking  into it and asking questions. Just something that i was thinking about.

[mliezela]

Anyone here stop yasmin and gained ridiculous amounts of weight? Just wondering.

[msniki412]

I stopped Yasmin in August 2009 after being on it for 2 years. My body seemed to bounce back ok from the pill. I had a normal (well, somewhat) cycle 8/30-8/31. No side effects from stopping it, other then the normal body changes through out the month. No weight gain from the pill, but i do have PCOS so the weight has been from that. My cycles seem to probably range from 28-30 days. Should be starting the 2nd cycle sometime this weekend.

[charmer385]

I had no idea why I was so depressed for the last year - incredibley irritable and could turn into an irrations bi*tch for no reason.  Anything could make me flip.  I asked my doctor if it was my Yasmin (it was the only medication I was on at the time), he said it couldn't possibly.  He recommended I get a prescription for an anti-depressant (which I didn't follow throug with).  After suffering from heart palpatations just 2 months ago, the cardiologist removed me from Yasmin and informed me of the dangers of taking hormone pills every day.  Since then - I have felt more grounded, rational, and overall more in control of my late-night crying and miserable mood.  I'm not saying that I was a happy-go-lucky girl my whole-life, but Yasmin magnified and darkened my moods.  Stay away from Yasmin!

[twistedx22]

I'm so glad I stumbled upon this site! I recently stopped taking Yasmin about a month ago and have found a HUGE difference in my mood/less breakouts :) I'm happy I was not the only one to go through this, not happy that ANY of us had to go through this!

I've noticed while on the pills I was over emotional crying over just about anything!  I had been taking the pills for about 3 years...within the first year and a half I started to notice strange breakouts on my sides, legs...but was told it was just eczema...then later on about 6 months ago it started on my face, just my chin area.. I had allergy tests done and nothing seemed to work so I just quit taking these pills and WHAT a difference :)! Most of the "scars" the breakouts were leaving are almost gone as well.

After stopping the pills I have had my period once and I'm still waiting for the next one...I believe I'm a little late but now not too worried I'm sure this is just a reaction from stopping them.

Thanks SO much everyone for your posts, HUGE help! :)

[wellies]

Being on Yasmin pill has been truly horrible experience for me.
At first I felt nauseous and sick all the time. Then the night sweats began making sleeping and cuddling with husband uncomfortable. After that I developed hot flushes! (I was 29!!) These hot flushes would happen all throughout the day and it was so uncomfortable and made me feel awful. I went to the doctor and was of course sent away with not much explanation or help as to why this might be. At one point few months ago I felt like I was going crazy and losing my mind with anxiety and strange unfounded fears and also extreme weird jealousy at times - I felt I literally thought I must be crazy for feeling like that, and now I've read other posts I know it must have been the pill! Hair loss has been happening constantly for over a year now, my lovely thick gorgeous hair is coming out so much the floor and carpet and everything is always covered in it :( I kept loosing weight at alarming rate, I was always size 8-10, but I became size six and keep loosing weight no matter how much I ate which began to really worry me. On plus side my C boobs became a double D, but to be frank it really wasn’t worth it.
I came off the pill last month and I already feel so much more relaxed and more with it, I am feeling sane again, my hair is still falling off quite a bit but I hope this will stop in the next few months. I have missed the easy going fun happy person I used to be so much and so has hubby, I never want to go on the pill again.

[MeaganJ28]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

But for everyone on this forum, please check out the "Yasmin Survivors" forum- just type it into your search engine and it will come up.  There, you will find many women who have experienced the same issues while taking Yasmin.  It's a large support group that is very helpful.

Best of luck to all....

[justagirl215]

can i just point out. most of ye are takin these pills for years.
who the hell stays the same person from their teens to their 20's or 30's. some of ye have had
weddings and deciding to have kids. they are life changing (very thinky) decisions
do ye think maybe part of it is yer jsut growing up and having to deal with it.
no matter how much you want to do these things they are scary! that's life!
i've taken yasmin for ages and i sometimes get moody, get bogged down
get fed up, get hyper, happy, extatic even, sad or somewhere in between.
it's life. don't blame the pill for everything. look at what's goin on around ya and how your
environment and circumstances have changed. There is no denying that some pills suit some
people better than others. some people can't take any. the pill is brilliant for knowing exactly
when yer old reliable will show up. nice and predictable. if your pill is causing horrific side effects
you might just need a different one. if ya've tried loads and they don't work then ya gotta face it
ya just gotta be careful in other ways. if the natural way works for ya, fair play to ya.
yer lucky and stick with it. each to their own!
sometimes it's hard to be a woman:D

[Aurum]

I went on Yasmin when I was 18.  Yes, I moved away from home, went to college, experienced a lot of stress, and somehow survived it all without going crazy.  I don't even blame my weight gain on the pill.  But for about the last year I have been a different person.  High levels of depression, EXTREME anxiety, mood swings, very severe PMS symptoms, etc.  Last month I finally switched to Loestrin Fe, which was substituted with the generic, Microgestin.  I haven't felt this healthy and happy in years!  The past four weeks have been wonderful - no depression, no anxiety, only one mood swing associated with PMS (and it wasn't nearly as bad as I would have come to expect while on Yasmin), no headaches, and I just feel great!  Strangely, I've felt all these positive effects even though I just started a full time job (I expected to be stressed out and exhausted, but I'm not!)

Best of all, that feeling of being "out of control" is gone.  I no longer scream or cry or go crazy at the drop of a hat.  Getting off Yasmin is the best thing I could have done for myself, and I would encourage anyone else to look for low-dose substitutes, especially if you are having any of the above symptoms.  Don't let the pill ruin your life - there are so many other pill types out there, just try until you find the right one.

[Shardz]

I have never been on a pill before and I just got yasmin today..but can only start it next month..I have been reading all these bad comments on yasmin and dont know what to do??

[shylady911]

i think that after reading most of the blogs here ,is that each of us is different and with medication it will effect all of us differenty according to our lifestyle and environment we place ourselves in,i have been on yasmin now for just over 6months and it really works for me,i havent gained weight and all of my previous troubles have been sorted out,which i am hugely relieved about,the last time i came off yasmin about in 2005 i only had mild grumpyness and a stomach cramps when i had my following period,i didnt suffer from acne or any other troubles,i think that the best thing like any medicinal treatment is to find what works for you and to trust your body's judgement.

[fussycat]

Do not go on this pill. I was on it for 3 years, my sex drive was a big fat Zero, the last 2 months on the pill my boobs were so sore I could hardly wear a bra, I had to go for a scan on my right hand side of my stomach because I was suffering from a terrible pain - the root of which was never discovered - this has now gone!  My eyesight has deteroiated, my temper was terrible, I had very little patience and shouted at my children alot (especially in the mornings when rushing out to school - not normal as my kids are great) I was a real monster.  My marriage was not going well because of the low sex drive....what a disaster, I then googled yasmin and found that I had common symptoms with alot of other users, i have now been off the pill for over a month now, my sex drive has returned, my marriage is back on track and my kids are happier with me, even my little boy told me he loves me more because I am nicer,  I think I am back to my normal happy self, I feel great, the only thing that I dont like is that I have gained a little weight about 3 lbs so I am on a keep it and diet.  My advice is stay away from this pill if you have any side effects.  Good luck.

[CORTCOCO]

PLEASE READ IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT STOPPING YAZ OR CURRENTLY TAKING!
I was on yaz for about 2 years. I have been back and forth about getting off the pill for a long time now, because although, yes my periods were not as painful, and were regular, i had 0 sex drive, very dry, I was always tired, and always hungry and didnt have any energy to socialize with friends anymore. It was very different emotionally. But I completely noticed how little sex drive i had and couldnt explain why i felt that way to my boyfriend. Luckily I have been so supported by him. I have been scared to stop the past 5 months, because the last time i got off birth control i got sooooo sick after constantly nauseous and insanely dizzy.  I decided to get off FINALLY i worked up the courage and stopped about 2 weeks ago!!! I felt sooo much better within a couple days!!!!

So far negitive side effects of getting off have been:
-headaches (lasted one week, now gone)
-cramps (still have, getting better slowly)
-spotting (lasted 4 days, now gone)

Positive effects so far:
- increase sex drive, finally!!!
-less pain with intercourse
-more energy
-happy again!!!!!!

ITS WORTH IT!!! HOOORAY!

I am sooo happy i stopped this pill before people really find out how much damage it's already done. Women, its time to be one with your body, and know yourself, and think a pill is going to make everything go away! I have never been more excited to just know how my body works in its most natural state- medicine free!!!  <3  <3

[whatchasay]

I stopped yaz about 2 months ago. since then i have had one period and i am currently a week late on my period this month. sometimes i feel like im going to get my period but i don't. is it normal to feel like this after stoped birth control?

[Kisja]

Try a new birth control pill.

[linds411]

       I am currently 22, and I stopped taking Yasmin 4 months ago after being on it for about 5 years. When I first started taking the pill I gained a significant amount of weight - about 12 pounds - in the course of 2 months. I had been the same weight for years, gained 12 pounds quickly after starting, then didn't change weight again. But weight aside, the pill worked extremely well for me for years, I never got pregnant, my skin was clear, and the horrible cramps I used to get during my period completely vanished.
      This past summer, something seemed to change. All of a sudden I started feeling extremely emotional and dependent. I cried all of the time and felt angry for no reason, which was very out of character for me. Even though I knew I was not at the right point in my life, I started feeling like I wanted a baby or a pet or something to take care of, and I would cry about it all of the time. I wasn't experiencing any life or relationship changes or added stress, so I was confused as to why I felt that way. I stopped taking the pill and within about 2 weeks I was back to normal emotionally. I have cramps and face/back/chest pimples again like before the pill, but it is worth it to feel in control of my emotions. The experience was very strange, but I have read other comments similar to mine; some long-time users recently experienced similar changes as well which makes me a bit suspicious. For a while I think I will stick to condoms, those few months really freaked me out.
      To anyone using the generic version Ocella - be careful! My insurance had me start taking that version when it came out, and for the entire month my skin was broken out, and I had severe cramps, all of the symptoms I had before taking the pill. I went to my doc and she said multiple women she saw who used the generic claimed it didn't work for them and they got pregnant despite taking it correctly. She wrote me a prescription for the real thing. I spoke to an organic chem professor and he said generic versions only have to have the same active ingredient, not the same ingredients holding the pill together. Certain things have to be absorbed in your body at certain locations, like in your stomach or small intestine etc. but if the pill never breaks down or it breaks down too early due to a different ingredient holding it together, it might not get absorbed at all, rendering it ineffective! Please be careful!

[chichi462]

Was on empress but decided to switch due to breast tenderness. Bad mistake I was on yas for only about a month and a half before I quit this stuff. Never mind tender, my breast hurt , swelled up, and this was the least of my problems! I cried for the entire time. I was freaking out, lashing out at everyone. I did not want to talk to anyone, I almost quit school. I wanted nothing to do with my fiance at all. I had a headache just about every day. Stomach cramps and pain in the right side of my chest.I stopped eating because I could barely keep food down. I am not stupid I know that there is a period where your body needs to adjust but be real. These side affects are outrageous!  I had never heard of any major problems with this product until after I stopped taking it so I know that it was not all in my head. If you are having severe side affects and have been on it for a long time I would talk to you doctor first but I definatly would get off this product ASAP. Why risk you health? You only have one body so take care of it.  

[gentlesteps]

i stopped taking yasmin exactly two weeks today and i must say i feel great. My body's reaction since i started taking yasmin 3 years has not really been bad, i did my research before i started it too. besides the mood swings, and the slight uncomfortability in my left leg (like a soap bubble was being blown throw a straw) i have been fine.  I used to suffer with horrendous cramps and body pains the first 2 days of my period almost like someone in labour, and i must say that Yasmin was a great help in that department, my periods for the last 3 years came and went, the most i had to worry about was a little bloating. but i think that 3 years is enough and it's time to get back to my normal cycle i am a little worried about the period pain but i have already had one since i came off of the pill and i didn't suffer those severe pains i used to have before the pill. right now i am simply monitoring things to see what is what. strange enough i have noticed that my taste buds have opened up almost like an awakening of my senses, sometimes when i drink water i find it sweet lol, and that is normal Dasani bottled water lol. interesting!!

Ps - for those that have had bad experiences with Yasmin i am so sorry to hear that. my sister was taking it the same i started and she blew up to 280lbs, and we are petite ladies so that was interesting. i never had the weight gain etc, which goes to show really that everyone's body is so different, what may work for me, may go hideously wrong for you. but i feel like i have turned a new leaf coming off the pill , 3 years - that's a long time.

[stylust]

i've been on yasmin for about 4 years now.. when i first started taking it i was an emotional basket case. i cried all the time, at least once a day, over the littlest things, and i never linked it to the birth control til about a year after bucause i have a history with depression before that.  those symptoms lasted for about 6 months while my body adjusted to the pill. then i started feeling better emotionally. but my sex drive is very low and also have the dryness effect as well. but my periods are very regular and last only a few days. my skin is great. and i didnt gain any weight,  if i had known the birth control was making me emotional and feeling crazy i would have stopped taking it. but since i made it through that im happy with it over the last couple of years. im tired of taking it every day and having to remember to do so, and i dont want to take it anymore but im a bit nervous to go off of it after reading some of the comments on this page since im doing fine taking it.

[Brooklyn94]

I went off Yasmin in May '09 after being on it for 3 years. The first 2 months after I had normal-ish periods, but my first ovulation was more painful than most period cramps! Since around July, I have had very irregular periods, greasy hair, bloatedness for 2 weeks from ovulating to period, hair loss, horrible skin on my face and neck, emotional (crying at everything). I am so relieved to have found this forum, as I was feeling like I was going crazy! It's been almost 7 months now since going off Yasmin, and my hormones are still not right... I hope this all ends soon. I will not be recommending Yasmin to anyone!

[cmp75]

i have been on yasmin for about 6 yrs during this time i have been dignosed with depresion and joint hypermobity syndrome (very bad pain in my joints ) after reading your posts i am now thinking that maybe these could be down to taking yasmin , i have stopped taking it for nearly 3 wks now and feel sick , dizzy , and have bad headaches and my balance keeps going i am also bloated , is this due to stopping it ?  any advice would be much appricated many thanks