Yasmin & Yaz Survivors

Joined: 22 Apr 2011 Posts: 4 : Items

I have been on birth control of some form for the last 20 years, and the last several on Yasmin. Approx. 5 years ago I developed a very pronuced darking of the skin on my face..upper lip,forehead, and cheeks. Anyone with the same problem and is there a way to get rid of it?
I am do have an appointment with my doctor on Monday to talk about my birth control options. I was thinking of an IUD, but want to know if it is hormone infused(and will it cause the same problem I have now)?
I also had one problem that was never diagnosed..even after seeing two dermatoligists and ER doctors...I had severe swelling of the ankles, with red blood (dots) that wept.(felt damp) A slight breeze on that area of skin felt as if I was being attacked with a cheese grater. It would happen once every few months. If anyone has had the same symptom and we can make a connection between it and the pill it would finally put my mind at rest as to what it is. I haven't had an episode for two years now, but often have pain in the back of my ankles and wonder when it will be back.
Thanks in advance for any replies!
Wendy Lee.

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 6:00 pm

Hello Wendy,

Many people have felt swelling, maybe not to the extent you are describing here, but swollen ankles have def been on some people's list of side effects. It is the water retention that these pills is causing and probably also depletion of nutrients, probably some minerals.

The darkening on the skin can be a result of that your thyroid has been damaged by the synthetic hormones, but don't take my word for it - I am not sure. But pigment changes are absolutely a result of hormone changes.

Even though I can't give you proof - I am 99% sure that what you are experience is due to your birth control and if you can I would try to stay off synthetic hormones from now on. The recover and detox might be harsh, but in the long run you will be so much better without it. There is one kind of IUD available in some countries that does not have hormones, instead it is made out of copper that makes the uterus an unfriendly environment for the sperm and egg... I prefer to be even more natural and use FAM - have you looked into it? The book "taking charge of your fertility" is amazing and will explain you everything you need to know. You can also look at the authors website for more info if you are interested www.tcoyf.com Every method has it limitation so you basically need to find something that fits you and your relationship.

Are you still on yasmin?

Are you seeing any other side effects?

Sending you many hugs,
Helena

Joined: 22 Apr 2011 Posts: 4 : Items

Thanks for the reply Helena!
I did have an appointment this morning and will be going on an IUD. It does have progesterone, but no estrogen like the yasmin to cause the darkning of the skin. If I could go without any hormones I would....but my sanity would be at question since I currently have 15 month old twins(-:
Once I discontinue the yasmin i'll be able to fight off the dark spots on my face, since spf and quinnine cream wasn't working. Does anyone know if the marks are permanant or do they fade? I have a double whammy....the skin darkning runs in my family.

Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Posts: 98 : Items

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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 4:12 am

Hello Wendy,

Just be aware that what the medical field calls progesterone (the kind that is in IUD) is NOT progesterone but a man made sister called progestin. Many medical professionals don't know the difference between them, or even understand that there is a difference. I call her the EVIL sister. Progestin works (in simple terms) by getting absorbed by the progesterone receptors, and when they get full they will send out a signal to your body telling it to not produce its natural progesterone - just as the bc pill.

What do you mean about going without hormones because of your twins? I mean I understand they are a HANDFUL but are you afraid of the detox effects you might face from coming off the pill, or is it something else?

I realize that you will have to do what is best for you, but changing to another type of progestin may not be what is at best interest for your health. Using this will not let your body heal...

Anyway, keep us updated on any side effects you might have from the switch.
xoxox
Helena