Yasmin & Yaz Survivors

Joined: 28 Nov 2011 Posts: 3 : Location: Ireland Items

I'm new here guys Smile

I was on Yasmin for 2+ years, started it to help with the horrible time I was having every month, (Dizziness, terrible cramps, headaches, fainting etc). I started it when I was 18. Then around March this year, I was switched to Yasminelle to try help with the terrible headaches/migraines I was getting. This didn't help much. Also, my sex drive was perfect before I initially started Yasmin, but over time its become practically non-existent. I was also getting pelvic pains and don't feel like the happy person I originally was. Sad

So, a month ago now I stopped taking it after my gap week. My sex drive seemed to come back with a bang for a week or so, now its not great but still an improvement. I'm waiting for a period to come, so its due around now. But my hair is now really greasy after a day (I never had to wash my hair more than after 3+ days!! Surprised

) and my skin on my back feels oily.

Thing is, I have been in a relationship for 4 years and we certainly don't want kids yet, so I need to be on some sort of birth control as I don't fully trust condoms (even while I was on the pill I made sure we used a condom too) and I also need something to prevent the inevitable horrors coming back every month.

Oh, also, I'm very flat-chested, I was hoping Yasmin would help this, but it didn't... Any recommendations as to what I should go on now?? That wont affect my sex-drive (or maybe increase it Smile

), will rid me of cramps etc and maybe enhance my bust size...? I know its a lot to ask Razz

Joined: 05 Jun 2010 Posts: 271 : Location: Texas Items

Radish Earrings,

Hi and welcome to the forum! So glad you decided to come off of Yasmin and that you are starting to feel better.

I was on the pill for a total of 5 years (Yaz for 2). After going through a hormone hell, caused by birth control pills, I would NEVER recommend hormones to women. I think that most women on this forum would say the same thing.

If you haven't had any major health problems from birth control pills, consider yourself fortunate. Why risk it by going on another pill? Birth control pills increase your risk of blood clots, strokes, heart attacks, sudden death, gallbladder disease, cancer (breast, liver, cervical). They also increase your risk of depression, anxiety, panic attacks, stomach problems, migraines, etc. Furthermore, the pill depletes the body of NUMEROUS nutrients, which stresses the immune system, leading to illness over time. The pill is a chemical castration that stops ovulation, but in turn, affects every hormone in your body including thyroid, cortisol, progesterone, estrogen, and more.

I am not trying to scare you, I just know that you have your whole life before you and I would NEVER want what has happened to me or many other women on this forum to happen to you. The pill almost destroyed my life and I am still recovering from it almost 2 years later. Please reconsider. There are many other responsible methods of birth control that are HIGHLY effective. A good place to start is the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility"... by Toni Weschler. In the meantime you can use condoms and the diaphragm/spermacide at the same time, which is very effective.

You said that you used to have a horrible time each month with dizziness, cramps, and fainting.. was this before the pill? Are you on any other type of medication?

I STRONGLY encourage you to stay off of hormones. Let me know if you have any questions Smile

I am happy to help you figure out another method.

Joined: 28 Nov 2011 Posts: 3 : Location: Ireland Items

Hi, yes all the dizziness etc before periods was all before I went on the pill, it hasnt happened like that since, maybe once or twice, if even...

I cant understand why these pills are on the market and being offered if they are so bad!? The last thing I want is to get pregnant though, so I really dont know what to do... Ha ha

Joined: 24 Feb 2011 Posts: 257 : Location: London Items

Hello Radish Earnings.
I cannot but agree with Texas. The bottom line is ALL hormonal contraception is dangerous and even though nobody can stop you from taking it, I would very strongly advise you against it.
As your symptoms (before the pill) were related to your cycle, they were most probably caused by some form of hormonal imbalance. But the pill does not balance your hormones, it just covers/masks the original imbalance (usually by creating another one).
The problem is, that most doctors are relying on information from pharmaceutical companies which are obviously not going to admit what this stuff does to women because they would lose billions in profit.

There are natural ways you can deal with your symptoms – you might need to change your diet slightly, take some supplements. I would recommend a book called ‘Natural Solutions to PMS’ for some great guidance.

As for another method of contraception – again, I can only second Texas’s advice – get the book! I have learnt some amazing things about my body from it and frankly I think what’s in the book should be taught in schools.
You mentioned that you have been using condoms anyway and I believe in combination with fertility awareness method you have the perfect contraceptive solution.

Kat

Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 11:55 am

RadishEarrings wrote:

I'm new here guys Smile

I was on Yasmin for 2+ years, started it to help with the horrible time I was having every month, (Dizziness, terrible cramps, headaches, fainting etc). I started it when I was 18. Then around March this year, I was switched to Yasminelle to try help with the terrible headaches/migraines I was getting. This didn't help much. Also, my sex drive was perfect before I initially started Yasmin, but over time its become practically non-existent. I was also getting pelvic pains and don't feel like the happy person I originally was. Sad

So, a month ago now I stopped taking it after my gap week. My sex drive seemed to come back with a bang for a week or so, now its not great but still an improvement. I'm waiting for a period to come, so its due around now. But my hair is now really greasy after a day (I never had to wash my hair more than after 3+ days!! Surprised

) and my skin on my back feels oily.

Thing is, I have been in a relationship for 4 years and we certainly don't want kids yet, so I need to be on some sort of birth control as I don't fully trust condoms (even while I was on the pill I made sure we used a condom too) and I also need something to prevent the inevitable horrors coming back every month.

Oh, also, I'm very flat-chested, I was hoping Yasmin would help this, but it didn't... Any recommendations as to what I should go on now?? That wont affect my sex-drive (or maybe increase it Smile

), will rid me of cramps etc and maybe enhance my bust size...? I know its a lot to ask Razz

Gosh, definitely don't try Yaz, or really ANY other birth control pill. There's the Fertility Awareness Method, outlined in "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler. Condoms ARE effective. Ask your OBGYN about a non-hormonal IUD. There's a diaphragm. All are just as effective (most are MORE effective) than the BC pill. Why do young women assume the pill is the only effective form of contraception? At normal usage, the BC pill is only 92% effective per cycle. Yes, you have an 8% chance of getting pregnant while taking the pill.

No BC pill is guaranteed to increase your breast size. Love your body for what it is, seriously hon. Cramps can be alleviated via Magnesium and Potassium supplements (better to eat more leafy green veggies for Magnesium and fresh fruits, actually, bananas for potassium). Also a Vitamin B complex supplement should help with cramping, as well, along with peppermint tea.

You can also try Aleve, Tylenol, and a new drug that doesn't contain hormones that you take for 5 days during your period for menstrual cramps. I forget its name but you could ask your OBGYN about trying it.

There are many acne drugs you can try without screwing up your hormones. Salycylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide, (these are OTC); Retin-A, Accutane (BE CAREFUL with this one - I took it when I was 14, and was fine, but you cannot get pregnant on it, your fetus will be born with terrible birth defects - only use this for very severe cystic acne, not moderate or mild types), and lots of other options.

And not being rude, but you really don't wash your hair for more than 3 days in a row? Darling that is not typical! I wash my hair every day, because I have semi-oily skin. It's not that big a deal. It takes about 10 minutes. I also shave my legs every day. Again, takes about 5 minutes. These are not major life inconveniences.

The pill isn't worth ruining your body's hormones, risking your future fertility, or gradually getting terrible severe side-effects. Yaz and Yasmin are not the only "bad" hormonal contraceptives; they're all bad for you.

Joined: 28 Nov 2011 Posts: 3 : Location: Ireland Items

Its worse for your hair to wash it too much. Washing it every day removes the natural oils in your hair and makes its condition worse, more prone to breakage etc, thats why I dont bother washing it all the time. Plus, its very long and takes ages to dry (I hate using the hair dryer or straighteners cos they ruin it too) and it doesnt need it every day, so why would I.

This thread is old- I'm on the patch now and have been told I have an underactive thyroid, so that was playing a big part in a lot of it. Thanks for your response though!

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 8:50 pm

RadishEarrings wrote:

Its worse for your hair to wash it too much. Washing it every day removes the natural oils in your hair and makes its condition worse, more prone to breakage etc, thats why I dont bother washing it all the time. Plus, its very long and takes ages to dry (I hate using the hair dryer or straighteners cos they ruin it too) and it doesnt need it every day, so why would I.

This thread is old- I'm on the patch now and have been told I have an underactive thyroid, so that was playing a big part in a lot of it. Thanks for your response though!

Ah, I see (sorry didn't realize the thread was so old!).

Well I hope the patch is working out better than Yasmin/Yaz (sorry I can't keep straight who was taking which! They're both pretty much the same anyway Smile

)

I have a naturally oily scalp, so I wash my hair every day. I definitely try not to over wash it - just my scalp area with very gentle shampoo and I usually leave in conditioner. Everyone is different, and if you don't have an oily scalp you prob don't need to wash it every day! Sorry if I came across as being a know-it-all about that - I'm no expert in hair care!

Mine is very long too, and I never bother to dry it because of how damaging it is to my hair. I also never get haircuts at salons, I trim it myself.

Anyway, thanks for your kind response. My hair is still falling out on one side but it seems to be slowing, which is good.

Joined: 23 Jan 2013 Posts: 8 : Items

great Post!
Thanks for sharing this.

Thanks,