Yasmin & Yaz Survivors

Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 12:29 pm

Hi I am new here and am hoping someone can maybe give me advice or tell me if I am imagining things!

I am 30, have had acne since age 11. I began Yasmin in November 2011, for contraception and to control my periods & general reproductive issues (my gyn claimed I was “ultra fertile” and this was causing the problems as today’s modern woman who does not want kids is “unnatural”). I have loved being on this pill, in that it has improved my body shape (fuller bust & smaller waist), and cleared my facial acne by 95%! I was dx with PCOS 10yrs ago, I lost 90lbs and been maintaining since; my acne was worse back then.

My blood pressure was previously on the lower side of normal (around 115/70), and with Yasmin it has been higher, around 140/85. Two doctors would not prescribe me more, but then the third one did, and said this was not too high. But I do see it as a warning sign.

I was told to take it back to back, zero breaks, and I bled 2-3 weeks per month, just lightly, and it didn’t affect my energy levels or ability to exercise/work etc. My gyn changed in March and he advised a 1 week break every 4 months, so I had this a few weeks ago, had a heavier bleed & now I haven’t been bleeding at all, so I thought a 4monthly break would be good from now on.

My main problem now – I previously had no issues sleeping, approx 8 hours, I never got up during the night to go to the toilet. I drank up to 4 litres of water a day, and usually 1 glass of wine in the evening. This never caused an issue. Now since being on Yasmin (and before that I tried Cilest & Marvelon), I wake about 4 hours after going to sleep to go to the toilet, and most of the time I do not get back to sleep. I initially thought it was “old age” but now I have been reading about aldosterone, of which I think Yasmin reduces, and it is required at higher levels at night to enable sleep and prevent the need to urinate.

I see there are side effects linked to potassium/electrolyte levels. I already think I have an issue with these as I sweat excessively at the gym & require electrolyte salts with water to prevent me from getting throbbing headaches. Incase this is of any relevance!

I am due back with my gyn in June, he mentioned the merina coil. The main reason I did not want this is because of the Yasmin benefits with my skin. Clear smooth skin after 19 years of acne has been amazing…

Something else that may be connected… Alcohol is hitting me a lot harder when on a night out, and I have become verbally abusive, psycho-like, since starting Yasmin. I feel my moods are ok otherwise.

Joined: 03 Feb 2012 Posts: 67 : Items

Hi retro, the signs and symptoms that you have shared are quite what some of the other forummers have gone through or are going through. I can totally identify with having clear skin while being on Yaz. After getting off Yaz, started having the odd pimple here and there. However, I feel that the clear skin is not worth the havoc that Yaz has wrecked on my body.

Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2012 11:15 am

Thanks for your response! I have since been to the doctor, been told Yasmin is a diuretic and was prescribed bladder tablets... I do not wish to take these, I have opted instead for magnesium supplementation. I am now waking less and when I do get up, I am more likely to get back to sleep now. Will give it some time and see what happens.

I got blood tests done - all ok with kidneys, liver, blood profile etc. I would like to be tested for adrenal gland dysfunction but I would need to go to a specialist.

I understand people have had bad experiences with Yasmin - do you/they have these after years of being on it, or are they things which they put up with in order to get benefit from Yasmin, then regret? Or problems which only occur when coming off Yasmin?

Any advice appreciated Smile

Joined: 03 Feb 2012 Posts: 67 : Items

Yes, your doctor is right, there seems to be a diuretic in Yasmin..

The second time I took Yaz (I took Yasmin some years ago and stopped after a few months), I was on it for about 5 months and stopped. Suffered from the side effects. It varies across people. Some take a few pills and suffer from the side effects. Some take for many years and are fine. Side effects could happen during or after taking it.