Yasmin & Yaz Survivors

Joined: 09 Feb 2011 Posts: 50 : Items

I was on Yasmin for around 2 years, stopped taking it about a month ago, mainly because it has completely changed who I am. It took me a while to realise that the pill was to blame but am glad to be off of it now.

Aswell as making me a paranoid, anxious and less confident person, my hair has probably been the biggest problem. It's so thin and greasy and even my eyelashes have fallen out. I have huge patches on my upper and lower eyelashes that are completely bald. Ive wasted so much money over the years on lash products (none of which helped) before it suddenly dawned on me that the reason behind this was actually yasmin.

After doing some research and seeing my doctor I have decided to come off of the pill altogether... I just want to be back to normal. My eyelashes have stopped me going out on many occasions and I hate looking in the mirror. Has anyone else experienced this same thing? or anything similar? and when, if ever, will my lashes be back to normal? I've been off Yasmin for a month now and they are still falling out daily.

Thanks girls

Joined: 14 Jun 2010 Posts: 200 : Location: UK Items

Yes! And my scalp hair became much thinner too (among a miriad of other issues). Its a common side effect (see the seperate forum thread for hair loss etc).

It does get better though once you are off Yasmin. (Although I did have a very scary shed about 3months off the pills but its all growing in again now andemy eye lashes are back to normal - I stopped the Yasmin last summer).

If you asked for my advice I'd tell you to check out the nutrition threads - the correct supplements can help your recovery enormously. Then I'd tell you to go and get some gorgeous false eyelashes to wear when you go out - you can get some that look fab but not over the top. I'd also say that most people won't notice as much as you think. Try not to let it stop you doing stuff, come here on bad days for support (its been fab for me on bad days) and remember this is temporary and you will get better but it is a process.
Look after yourself, rest, eat well etc and try not to stress.
Smile

Joined: 09 Feb 2011 Posts: 50 : Items

thank u Lucia! i feel so much better already for reading your reply! its so good to know that you've overcome it and back to normal! i cant believe that this pill can affect so many women in such a huge way! its just not fair and could have been avoided Crying or Very sad

just wish i had come off sooner! this forum is really helping though! i will have a look at the nutrition threads thank you Very Happy

im just looking forward to the day that I feel normal again, I know it sounds ridiculous but the whole eyelash and hairloss thing has pretty much ruled my life for the past year or so. im 22 and i never make solid plans as i'd rather wait to see what state my hair is in first. its not right, this pill should be banned! thank you so much for your reply

xo

Joined: 24 Nov 2010 Posts: 52 : Items

I agree. I was on it for about a year, and experienced the same things as well. Have been off since August.

I've been using minoxidil and taking a hair vitamin (nothing pricey or fancy, just the Nature's Bounty one you can get from most grocery stores--Albertsons, CVS, and Fresh and Easy all have them). Seems to be helping.

Also stopped using the normal shampoos and bought tea tree shampoo from Whole Foods...someone on this forum suggested it to help with scalp irritation, and it has.

The hardest thing is to be patient. Mine is coming back, especially around the front it is noticeable, but its a much slower process than losing it. Mine fell out for around 3 months after I stopped the pill before I noticed it slowing down and growing back. Hope this helps.

Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 14 : Location: Michigan Items

Yes..I had the same exact thing. I have such thick hair and that all changed with the Yasmin. The hair on my head was also wiry and greasy. My eyebrow and arm hair thinned out considrably. I could no longer wear mascara.

One of the first things that happened to me after going off the pill was my hair started growing like a weed. Now it is very thick again. I was actually excited to see my caterpillar eyebrows.

Good luck to you.

Joined: 25 Aug 2010 Posts: 195 : Items

I hate these effin pills!!! Its crazy how we all suffer but in such different ways, i havent had hair loss at all, bad acne, heart palps..like so many have. I cant imagine fearing i was going to go bald, however i could never imagine feeling this sick either, this often.. but here I am. Feel like i'm imprisoned in a body that just doesn't work right. I remember how awful my anxiety was on the pill too and think that was as bad as physical stuff, I felt so insane!! Regardless, i pray daily for all of us to heal. Hopefully, you will start to see more and more hair growth the longer you're off!! Hang in there girl..

Continued healing-Kelly

Joined: 09 Feb 2011 Posts: 50 : Items

Hi girls just a quick update for you and also any other women that stumble across this and have the same probs with their eyelashes/eyebrows, ive been using an eyelash enhancing serum called "rapidlash" (I don't know if they sell this in the US but probably do something similar?) and although it doesn't stop my lashes falling out (i think this process is inevitable) it makes the new lashes grow in so fast and they've all come back stronger than ever and these new lashes haven't fallen out at all! You apply a thin line of the serum before bed and honestly its really working, quite pricey but so worth it! Also great for eyebrows too! Hope you're all well! Smile

K x