Yasmin Birth Control Pill - Questions about side effects when stopping

[JDRF - Team- SS]

Hello,

I have been on Yasmin for 6 months.  I have stopped because my husband and I are considering having another baby.

Well, I decided to search for some info. in regards to stopping yasmin and came across a message forum.  (not this one)

Okay, now, my concern is the effcts after STOPPING yasmin.
I understand that all bc pills are different and so are we women as far as side effects go.  I have read postings about women who stopped taking yasmin and have experienced the following:

- anxiety, panic attacks, heart palpitations and fluttering
- depression
- excessive weight gain
- hair loss

*I already have a prob. with depression, anxiety and panic attacks, so I am currently on medication.  (Will be weaned off if not good during the pregnancy - just wanted you to know I am thinking it all through:)

*It is one thing to gain maybe 5 lbs. or to gain weight when pregnant.  I have been pregnant before and understand weight gain comes with this.  LOL  HOWEVER, my concern is mainly the emotional / mental side effects after stopping yasmin, as well as excessive weight gain after stopping.  (while not pregnant)

Has anyone either Experienced these side effects after stopping yasmin OR known of anyone who has or know anything about these effects.  I am guessing they are caused from the drop in the hormone levels.  Also, I have heard about primrose oil and flaxseed oil being good to regulate hormones or help PMS symptoms.  (I was mainly on yasmin for PMS symptoms / moods and to regulate my periods)

Thank you!

[Razoo22]

This is a really useful thread! I was on Yasmin for 3 years, and never had any problem on it. Came off it January 2016 for no real reason other than I didn't really need it as birth control. About 2 months later, started experiencing LOTS of hair shedding. Way more than before. Dr said it could be from the drop in oestrogen since discontinuing the pill and will probably last around 3 months. However, its now July and the shedding hasn't decreased. I'm wondering if going back on the pill will reverse the shedding? (I still have a 3 month supply of Lucette - generic version of Yasmin). Has any one had any experience of this? And did going back on the pill fix it?

[Kaz86]

Hi, going back on the pill will stop it as you will be putting the regulate oestrogen levels back in but your hair is on a 2/3 month cycle so what you do today affects your hair in around 3 months time....... I stopped Yasmin in Dec 15, started shedding hair in Feb and it didn't stop until July. It was really traumatic and it is a lot thinner but it did stop. And now with taking extra iron (you need Ferratin/ iron levels of over 100 for good hair growth and often the pill depletes your absorption), hair supplement Nourkrin, hair loss shampoo Nioxin (which stimulates the scalp and makes hair look and feel thicker) I'm looking and feeling much better and seeing new growth.
If you go back on the pill you will just have to detox again so my advice would be hang on in there otherwise you will just be dealing with same thing again soon and the months you've detoxes will have been wasted. Good luck. Kaz

[KBee_92]

Hello, i started taking Yasmin when i was 16years old and when i first took them i was completely fine on them, however i stopped taking them probably just under a year later, then went back on them and was still fine on them (no side affects), however i feel as though the 3rd time (this time) i have been on Yasmin which i have been on since roughly 2011 and i am now 23yrs old that i have been experiencing some side affects, i mever thought to link anything as before i was completely fine on them, but when i think back to roughly around when I went on Yasmin for the 3rd time, this is where all my health problems stem from, i have suffered with eczema all my life.... When i was younger it sometimes got bad in the back of my knees, hands and creases of my arms, however in 2011 my eczema flared soooo bad that i had to go on a course of antibiotics as it had got infected, after this i have had nothing but constant flare ups and my eczema is now litrally head to toe, ive had numerous courses of steriod tablets from the docs and antibiotics, sent to a dermatologist and everything, none of the doctors have said it could be linked to the yasmin pill but i suspect it is after reading forums like this, also i have got ibs like syptoms and have had for years, i also suspect this is down to yasmin and in the past year my hair has started falling out alot.... Everytime i wash it a clump comes out and I've got bald patches, i want to come off yasmin but people have had worse affects after stopping it, yet i feel like i have to rule out if my severe eczema and other symptoms can be a cause of this. I have also had depression/anxiety/emotional wreck symptoms in the past few years :/ please if anyone else has suffered severe eczema flare ups can you post about it, thanks :/

[anonymous987654321]

I was always confident, happy go lucky and loved life. Yasmin made the world crash down around me for the last 6 weeks I was on it (got increasingly worse over the year I was on it) and the first 12 weeks off of it. I am over 5 months off and still not fully better, although things have improved greatly. You couldn't pay me a million bucks to go back to those first few months. I never had issues before the pill so I was left wondering WHAT could have possibly happened to me? I finally figured out it was the pill.

The symptoms for many seem to be exacerbated around ovulation time and period. It is all caused by hormonal imbalance caused by oral contraceptives. The good news is, it gets better with time. The bad news is, its a terribly hard time for many women. Good luck to you!

[JDogg97]

Hey guys,

I have been taking Yasmin for 2 years, at first I thought it was a good idea to take the pill as it did help me, however now I suffer the consequences. Not quite sure if many of you had this problem, but has anyone problems with their regular menstrual cycles once stopping taking the Yasmin Birth Control Pill? And if so, how long after you stopped, did your cycle become normal again? Please reply and let me know. I have done my research and they say that with birth control pills, it should take up to 3 months to get back to your regular cycle, however I think some birth controls are different to Yasmin and it may be also on how long you've been taking them for.  

[Param1112]

I have similar experiences as well with getting off Yasmin gaining weight and anxiety. How have you been coping with it.

[lin082014]

For me too, but not until the fourth months. My perios is starting irregular and i fsel bloating right now.

[flawa]

This is my second pack of yasmin and experiencing a heavy bleeding with this huge clots and it's 9 days with periods pls hlp

[beegirl924]

I have to agree with you. I am getting ready to go off Yasmin after 8 years. I had no bad side effects that I can really speak of...maybe a slight headache right before my period, but nothing horrible.
I was on three other BC's before my dr. perscribed Yasmin, and had adverse reactions to all of them, and coming off one of them.

I think we have to realize although there are some things that can be directly linked to Yasmin, most of the studd discussed here can happen going on or coming off ANY of these pills.

So be safe...but don't be scared!

[gg124xxx]

I have bad acne problems and I tryed nearly everything in the book to try and cure it. I tryed: freederm,clearsil,tea tree,face masks,facials,diffirin,bezyle peroxide and had tablets for acne but never ever did any of them work. I was depressed and paranoid about my face. My acne started when I was 10 and I have always been picked on. So I decided to take yazmin. I have been on it for about nearly a month and half. My skin has cleared a little! I take it every early morning at 6.35am and I have had no sickness but I have days when I am really happy( to happy) and days when I feel murderous and really really angry. I just don't know what to do.

[jun723]

my first time to take yasmin pills now i have my menstration but why fr only 1 day?

[shurma95555]

I just started yazmin and my chin has swollen is my swollen chin will go down

[Gemini12156]

My daughter of 18 was put on Yasmin by the doctor for skin problems.  She was on it 2 months, it did help with her skin problem but her appetite increased.  She has been off it for at least 5  months now, gets the symptoms of a period starting but nothing has happened. The most heart breaking thing for her is she is still a virgin and is doubting her sexual preferences. I hope this is reversible because she was fine before.

[starfish23]

Oops, sorry I meant to finish that I'm 26 now, and started taking birth control when I was 15 or 16. I was never very good about taking it at the same time every day but I do notice the difference it made in my body, after stopping the pill.

[starfish23]

Has anyone replied to your post? I have had the same symptoms as you the past few/couple months after stopping birth control. So many websites and people say they usually lose weight when they stop taking birth control, but I have definitely gained weight (or at least it has become MUCH harder to lose it with exercise and change in diet, than ever before - when I was taking birth control). I do have polycystic ovarian syndrome, which may explain the weird weight gain (I'm talking inches measured around, not lbs on the scale), huge increase in facial oiliness, increase in frequency of body odor, increase in acne, and LOTS of gas and bloating. I am 26 now, I started taking birth control (first Yasmin then the past few years switched to Zarah, the generic brand of Yasmin). Please let me know if you have found out anything about your symptoms. My similar ones are driving me crazy! Thanks for your time! :)

[weeze1988]

I was on yasmin for about a year, was taking contraception pills for about 6 years! Since stopping Yasmin, my sex drive has also increased, feel human again! Since stopping however, I've has vile headaches, lower back pain and slight cramping in my lower abdomen! 3 weeks off it, just hope my period stays regular,  but from reading posts, I doubt it will!!

[saramcf85]

I was started on Mycroginon 30 at the age of 17, and not long after I changed to Cilest (I can't remember why I changed). I thought cilest was okay, but looking back actually, I was very jealous and moody alot. And still got bad cramp and lenghty periods. I obviously can't be certain if it was Cilest that caused the moods/jealousy or just because I was young and maybe unhappy. Skin was always great on it.
I came off it after 2.5years when I split up with my boyfriend at the time.

I was off it for about a year until I met someone new I started taking it again, my skin got terrible during this time, and I couldn't understand why as Cilest worked skinwise for me before! (so different pills might work for different people, but ALSO, as your body is changing you may change towards a type of pill also). I persevered for a few months but skin just got worse, so went to doctor who put me on Yasmin.

I'm now 27, so don't even know how many years I've been on Yasmin, but it's been a long time! I'd guess about 8. It has never gave me any problems. I've never gained weight, I get less cramping, very short periods, and my skin has been great.. up until a few months ago I've been getting spots constantly on my chin. This really depresses me, as I really want to stay on Yasmin, but also want better skin! So have no idea what to do! scared to go back on any other pill as yasmin has been so great for me.

I really don't like the way alot of people on this forum immediately associate depression/anger/stress/anxiety/moodswings with that certain pill they were on, even if it was the same time you were taking it, you will never know for sure.

[fudgepudge]

HI THERE, IVE BEEN ON JASMINE FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS AND IT WAS THE BEST THING EVER. I FELT GREAT, NO WEIGHT GAIN, NO MOODINESS AND NO CRAMPS. ITS THE LIGHTEST PILL ON THE MARKET - GO FOR IT.

[sweetsophie]

I've just started almost two weeks now i notice i have no sex drive which i'm always hot for my boy friend . i would really think this Yasmin has something to do with that and i'm hoping it stops soon has i'm trying not to get pregnant.

[OlenaUA]

Please do not forget that the any contraceptive pills cheat you body by make it think that you are pregnant! So all a pregnancy complications will appear sooner or later in severe or light form. I was pregnant myself five times and I have a five lovely kids now, but every pregnancy I experienced lots of different complications and some of those could cost a life for me and my child. my faith and Irish low doesn't let me do abortions, but originally I am Ukrainian and I know well from my relatives and friends  experience that abortions it is not only non-moral ( technically it is a murder ) but also always bring a lots of trouble  for a women health. Taking a pill it is a HARD DECISION for women who doesn't want to become pregnant in different reason and this decision cannot be taken in their own. PLEASE always remember that to a kids making process involved TWO persons MALE and FEMALE so RESPONSIBILITY SHOULD BE SHARED BETWEEN THEM !!!!!! TAKE YOUR PARTNER TO THE DOCTOR WITH YOU!!!!! LET HIM KNOW WHAT YOU SHOULD COME TRUE FOR KEEP HIS LIFE NICE AND QUIET WITHOUT UNEXPECTED RESPONSIBILITIES SUCH AS A NEWBORN BABY!!!! Girls PLEASE stop killing yourself !!! I had loginon pills for 4 month and got pregnant!!!!  At that time my second baby was only 7 month old. After giving birth I took a Povera injections for 9  month (3 times ) and lost my period for three years!!! and got a  poly cystic ovaries !!! I spent a 2 years to  get my period back!!! And even got pregnant twice after all !!! But it is more like a miracle!!! I still suffer from irregular heavy bleeding so I got a YASMIN as a treatment witch should bring my periods back to normal. Not for a contraception matter. My husband do a contraception now, it is his turn! You know I dont feel the difference between intercourse with and without the condom. If my husband does   I do not care. Five kids it is a limit, you know. I'd pay lots already : I gained weight, got a high blood pressure , Got a navy spider web looking stains on my legs, regular trash infection(candidosis), depressions and poly-cystic ovaries. He would not get even 1% of those by using a condoms!!!! I am on a YASMIN pill for just two weeks for now and cant say anythingabout it but I will let you know later.

[801angel]

I was wondering if you ever got pregnent?  I have been of of Yasmin Since the middle of December and was wondering how long it usually takes.  I have had 3 normal periods.  I also have had weight gain but it is worth not having my sex drive completely gone.  

[rebelwithoutaclue]

I was put onto Dianette when I was 15 for my severe acne and chronic period pain. When I was 20, my doctor warned me that there had been scares for women who had been on Dianette long term. So she switched me to Microgynon, which is the default pill in the UK. For three months, I wanted to die. I had what felt like morning sickness, my moods became incredibly erratic. I had random bleeds and strange discharge. My cervix became really tender and would hurt during intercourse. It just didn't work for me.

I decided to take a break for a while - my skin stayed clear, but I did have a return of period pain and heavy bleeding.

After 2 years, my partner and I got sick of worrying about unwanted pregnancy and I decided to get back on the pill. Given my history with Microgynon, I was prescribed Yasmin, which was fairly new at the time. It was amazing. Pain became almost non-existent and I lost 18 pounds over the Xmas holidays. The only negative side effect was that my breasts went up a cup size, which meant that they were tender for a while. I was on Yasmin for 4 years before deciding to take another break.

The point that I'm trying to make is that everyone has a different experience, as everyone has a different body. I have friends who have been on Microgynon for years, and they've been fine. If you're not having the right reaction, try a different pill!

[debuzzbee]

i was on yasmin for at least 7 to 8 years, and my skin cleared up ,was really smooth and pretty. was weight ranged between 125 to 130lbs. look rather slim.  after a couple years i began to get really moody and mostly weepy and down.i also was getting a lot of headaches and pain in my legs.i had a doppler done but no clots were revealed. i decided to stop taking yasmin after i was heading for 34yrs.  sometime after i had a break out that  did not look like normal acne but was worst when my periods were due. Looked like a heat rash all in my face. then these unexplained allergies i never had. went to dermatologist then  found out there were several others who has simular presentation,then found out what we all had in common was yasmin. it is now 2 yrs almost since i stopped and the weight gain continues. i went from 130 to 135 then i hit 140 then late last year i was 145 ish.I am now a 153.6 lbs. my diet has not increase but decrease. i am still very active but the weight just going on the rash has now cleared 2 months but my skin has loss that beautiful glow i had with yasmin.
maybe my metabolism now slowing down, but i was never big always very slim even before yasmin,even on other bcp that usually cause weight gain.

[sunnymk505]

I was on Yasmin for about 4 years and I had no side effects (from the age of 24 to 28).  I lost weight, my periods normalised, my skin was perfect and I had no PMS.  However, after such a long time on the pill I felt my body needed a break.  I wanted to get in touch with my own cycle again and not feel so manipulated, so I went off the pill. The plan was to go off the pill for at least a year, but 3 months later met my husband and decided to go back on it.  
I stayed on it for 2.5years, but it was never the same again.  I gained weight and got the worst PMS ever.  Eventually the PMS just never went away and I was depressed and anxious all the time.  I would just cry and cry for no reason at all or have crazy outburst and temper tantrums.  My husband (fiance at the time) didn't know what to do and neither did I.  I wasn't myself anymore and I was turning into a psycho b*&*$ that even I couldn't live with.  
I had a feeling it might be the pill, although I certainly didn't blame it at first because I was under a lot of stress at the time, but after I started having regular suicidal thoughts I decided I had to do something.  
Before running to a psychologist, my husband and I thought to try going off the pill to see whether that wouldn't help.  And hey presto!  The moment I stopped taking Yasmin, the depression went away and I was able to think rationally once again.  It felt like a cloud had been lifted and I was back to my old self again.  Even though the stress in my life had not gotten any less, I was able to cope with it much better.
So, yes, our bodies go through a lot of normal changes as we get older, but do not underestimate the power of the hormones contained in these pills.  I was fine before taking them, crazy while taking them, and fine again when I stopped.  That should tell you something.  

[Natalieyaaay]

Hi Njau,

I know you posted this almost en entire year ago however I have been experiencing the same side effects as you since I've come off yaz (was on it for almost 5 years). So I have two important questions to ask you.

My story is I came off the yaz at the end of Novemeber 2011 (4 months ago). I have only had my period three times since (5 weeks, 3 weeks and then 8 weeks apart). The third time I only had it for 24 hrs. It's now been a couple of weeks since and I still haven't had my period...Prior to being on Yaz I had my period every two weeks (the reason I was on it in the first place).

So my first question for you is how long did it take for your periods to regulate again (if they ever did)?

Secondly, like you said my acne is crazy, just horrendous (my skin was spottless whilst being on the pill). It's really upsetting as Im now an adult (22), not a hormonal 16 year old teen. My skin only became like this after being off the yaz for 2.5 months - 1.5months later its even worse.

So my second question for you is, how long did it take for your skin to become clear again (if it ever did)?

I look forward to your reply.

Natalie.