Coming off BCP (yasmin)

fitopia · 02-28-2009, 02:08 PM

I stopped taking yasmin a week ago after using it for 4 years, after reading about side-effects online that I didn't realize were due to it - occasional leg and chest pains, and breathlessness. So far, I feel fine.

Is there any nutritional support I should pay attention to over the next couple of months so I can avoid any side effects from coming off it - lots of people online report a whole host of sides coming off, including hair loss, weight gain and very bad acne, including back acne.

I take the usual multi, also extra mg and zn, fish oils (just increased this to 6g of DHA+EPA) and whey.

sherdi · 02-28-2009, 04:01 PM

I have recently (4 months ago) gone off yasmin. I experienced some slight discomfort during ovulation and during my period, but it has really evened out now and I am very regular. I did notic a little acne, especially 1 week before period, but nothing major. I have lost weight but I have been watching my weight, so I'm not sure if it's the diet or going off the pill. You are taking all the right supplements though, so just make sure you eat well (lots of fruit and veg).

fitopia · 02-28-2009, 07:02 PM

Great! Thanks Sherdi.

Jessica29 · 02-28-2009, 07:48 PM

I experienced acne as a definite side effect... on my back..upper arms.. and chest..had to go on some medicine for it but now thankfully it is doing better! May be different for everyone else though so dont panic!

ljsparkleee · 03-01-2009, 06:42 AM

I took yasmin for about 5 years and decided to go off it. I ended up losing 10 lbs without even trying (I was eating well, but I lost muscle too, so it wasn't that great). Also, my period did not come back. I took about 8-9 months off the pill and when I started back up again, not only did I gain back the 10 lbs. but another 5 to go with it! Also, since I lost muscle during the weight loss, when I gained 15, it was all fat, so I looked really plump!! And this was still with a decent diet and exercise. Hahah, everyone at work made comments about me being pregnant because my breasts were so huge!! Anyways, 3 months into re-using yasmin, I changed to ortho-tri-cyclen lo. My gyno said it was due to too much estrogen in the yasmin. It can make all those weird side effects like mood swings, restless legs, headaches.

fitopia · 03-01-2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljsparkleee

I took yasmin for about 5 years and decided to go off it. I ended up losing 10 lbs without even trying (I was eating well, but I lost muscle too, so it wasn't that great). Also, my period did not come back. I took about 8-9 months off the pill and when I started back up again, not only did I gain back the 10 lbs. but another 5 to go with it! Also, since I lost muscle during the weight loss, when I gained 15, it was all fat, so I looked really plump!! And this was still with a decent diet and exercise. Hahah, everyone at work made comments about me being pregnant because my breasts were so huge!! Anyways, 3 months into re-using yasmin, I changed to ortho-tri-cyclen lo. My gyno said it was due to too much estrogen in the yasmin. It can make all those weird side effects like mood swings, restless legs, headaches.

I've read that when some women come off yasmin it can take many months to get their periods back. Did your dr check your estrogen, testosterone and progesterone levels while you were off?

The muscle loss is due to the anti-androgenic action of yasmin's Spironolactone (which is potassium-sparing).

One point you may already be aware of, but worth mentioning is that the bleeding you have while on the pill is a fake period / withdrawal bleeding from the 7 days off (placebo pills). The pill suppresses ovulation, so you no longer get a true menses while on it.

These articles discuss it:
http://thewelltimedperiod.blogspot.c...ession-vs.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...052502020.html

fitopia · 03-01-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessica29

I experienced acne as a definite side effect... on my back..upper arms.. and chest..had to go on some medicine for it but now thankfully it is doing better! May be different for everyone else though so dont panic!

Yikes! I'll try to stay calm.

ljsparkleee · 03-01-2009, 01:14 PM

I never got my hormones tested. My gyno said to not worry and after a while if it does not come back he will do something. But after being off it for 8-9 months I decided to go back on for obvious reasons

. That is interesting about the muscle loss, I knew it was because of the BC but not specifically why.

This all happened a few years ago. Recently, I decided to go off ortho-tri-cylen lo after being on that for 2.5 years. Surely, one month after stopping, huge cramps arrived along with my period.

fitopia · 03-14-2009, 05:10 PM

Update:

Aunt Flo showed up today. No breakouts, so far. I think I'm in the clear...

ljsparkleee · 03-19-2009, 02:52 PM

o good!!! Glad she came back quickly!

sherdi · 03-20-2009, 03:47 AM

Just like me....I didn't have any issues with my periods being on time and minimal zits....seems like things are going well. Did you experience any ovulation issues?

fitopia · 03-20-2009, 09:16 AM

Usually, I can't tell when I'm ovulating, but this time around I had some cramping - first time I've ever felt happy to be all crampy

FameGirl · 03-20-2009, 08:34 PM

Wow, i'm glad I stumbled on this thread. I came off of yasmin a few months ago after a weird side effect, it was making my glands in my armpits swell up. Very painful! Took a while to figure out it was the BC causing it. I stopped taking it and got bad breakouts on my face and minor back breakouts. I never had a problem like this in my life... i guess it was due to the yasmin.

I have been on the Nuva Ring, but I'm thinking of dropping the idea of this type of BC all together. The hormonal changes just aren't worth it. I always feel so much leaner, happier, and generally better when I'm without prescription bc.

fitopia · 03-20-2009, 09:52 PM

FameGirl, pay close attention to how your body is reacting to the nuvaring. A lot of people that switched from yasmin to nuvaring ended up with the similar symptoms as those commonly reported on yasmin: fatigue, anxiety, joint pain, and headaches.

What really disturbs me about these latest bc methods is how slowly the symptoms creep up on most people that suffer side-effects. I was in heaven my first year or so on yasmin. My symptoms, once they started, were troubling but fleeting so someone like me who hates to go to the doctors would just brush them off and blame something other than the bcp.

Even when I would get so tired and doze at the wheel, I promptly changed jobs figuring it was the commute or too many carbs (I still think it was mainly too many carbs), not even considering it might be yasmin *smacks head*.

Also, is it a coincidence that I was hungry all the time and gained 20+ lbs within a year of starting yasmin... I just don't know.

ccchance22 · 03-21-2009, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljsparkleee

I took yasmin for about 5 years and decided to go off it. I ended up losing 10 lbs without even trying (I was eating well, but I lost muscle too, so it wasn't that great). Also, my period did not come back. I took about 8-9 months off the pill and when I started back up again, not only did I gain back the 10 lbs. but another 5 to go with it! Also, since I lost muscle during the weight loss, when I gained 15, it was all fat, so I looked really plump!! And this was still with a decent diet and exercise. Hahah, everyone at work made comments about me being pregnant because my breasts were so huge!! Anyways, 3 months into re-using yasmin, I changed to ortho-tri-cyclen lo. My gyno said it was due to too much estrogen in the yasmin. It can make all those weird side effects like mood swings, restless legs, headaches.

OMG I wish i saw this early today!!! I got off my BCP's this month...and today especially I feel sooo out of wack. I was on the generic brand of yaz but got off cause my insurance stopped in in Jan and I can't afford $57 a month for that anymore plus i only went on for lighter periods and stay acne free. Now did any of you find it hard to lose weight with being on the pill? Cause I did,I haven't been down to my normal 120lbs since I started them. Also did you lose weight once you got off them..I'm bloated today,grrr and moody lol. I spotted earlier this month but thats about it.

Soooooooo happy i'm NOT alone on this...I was highly depressed when I hopped on the scale and gained the 3lbs I lost from the following wk but I'm thinking it's just water weight now

fitopia · 03-21-2009, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccchance22

OMG I wish i saw this early today!!! I got off my BCP's this month...and today especially I feel sooo out of wack. I was on the generic brand of yaz but got off cause my insurance stopped in in Jan and I can't afford $57 a month for that anymore plus i only went on for lighter periods and stay acne free. Now did any of you find it hard to lose weight with being on the pill? Cause I did,I haven't been down to my normal 120lbs since I started them. Also did you lose weight once you got off them..I'm bloated today,grrr and moody lol. I spotted earlier this month but thats about it.

Soooooooo happy i'm NOT alone on this...I was highly depressed when I hopped on the scale and gained the 3lbs I lost from the following wk but I'm thinking it's just water weight now

It's probably water weight. Don't worry about it

Yaz and yasmin are basically the same. A LOT of women who are regular gym-goers and eat healthy report they gained 10-30lbs that would not budge while on yasmin/yaz. Some lost as much as 20lbs (that they'd have rather kept because it was mostly muscle mass) that they couldn't gain back while on either pill. I've also read both promote insulin resistance - not sure how that's possible but it must be the synthetic estrogen.

I know I overate while on yasmin, but yes it's been harder to budge the scale, in a twisted way this has been good because I'm not losing weight (i.e muscle) quickly like I usually do. Happily my BF was very responsive my last 2 months on it when I cut back on carbs, and that should continue.

The side effects of coming off can be as bad or worse than on it so you have to take solid care of yourself for the first 3-6 months off. You might want to try milk thistle to flush it out of your liver faster. B vitamins (esp b12), Mg, CA and Zn are also important because these bcp pills will cause you to be low on them. There's a lot of good info at medications.com and yasminsurvivors.

ccchance22 · 03-21-2009, 01:24 PM

Thanks ladies...I have milk thistle as a supplement just need to buy a new bottle.I hope what you're right fitopia,I'd love to lose the 15lbs my body has been holding on too.My body adds muscle pretty quickly so losing the extra BF would be key to my fitness goal.I must say I'm happy I got off the pill before summer comes around,I wouldn't feel to great in a swimsuit at 130lbs...

Thanks again,I'd be lost without y'alls knowledge...MUAHHHH

Superwifey · 03-24-2009, 09:08 PM

I was on Yaz for 4 years. It helped with the shortness of periods, I wasn't as moody, and kept me baby free! However, I stopped taking the pill and was pregnant three weeks later. The pregnancy was planned, but I didn't expect it to happen so fast! Now after the baby is here, I am considering going back on the pill but I don't want to gain any more weight (still have the baby weight to lose!). Has anyone tried an IUD? I am considering this as a method, but have my reservations.

Hawksgirl55 · 03-24-2009, 11:24 PM

I am currently on the generic form of YAZ and I don't know if its the pill that caused the weight gain...or the pill that caused my mood swings and cravings that led me to the bad food that I shoved in my mouth that caused the weight gain! hahaha.

I think I will stick to a clean diet and good training regimine before I can TOTALLY blame my pill, but with all of you ladies experiencing these bad side effects...it makes me weary!!

I have tried an IUD. I did it to have an alternative to hormones. I used the copper one (Mirena? or something). I had it for 2 years and I really liked it (except for the terrible cramping during that time of the month)...but I also haven't had a child yet. You might have better luck with it because they rec. IUD's for people who have given birth. All in all I really liked it, but my body didn't and kept trying to "get rid of it" (to spare you the details).

Hope that helps!

ccchance22 · 03-25-2009, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawksgirl55

I am currently on the generic form of YAZ and I don't know if its the pill that caused the weight gain...or the pill that caused my mood swings and cravings that led me to the bad food that I shoved in my mouth that caused the weight gain! hahaha.

I think I will stick to a clean diet and good training regimine before I can TOTALLY blame my pill, but with all of you ladies experiencing these bad side effects...it makes me weary!!

I have tried an IUD. I did it to have an alternative to hormones. I used the copper one (Mirena? or something). I had it for 2 years and I really liked it (except for the terrible cramping during that time of the month)...but I also haven't had a child yet. You might have better luck with it because they rec. IUD's for people who have given birth. All in all I really liked it, but my body didn't and kept trying to "get rid of it" (to spare you the details).

Hope that helps!

I too WAS on the generic brand of yaz and I put on 10-15lbs( feb 08'-feb 09') and I ate clean an was always in the gym!!! I'm soo soo done with the pill lol now I can start to lose what i gained and hopefully FAST.

Superwifey · 03-25-2009, 10:06 AM

Thanks! I think I am going to do the same and go back on the pill, eat clean, continue to workout, and see if I can keep the weight gain at bay. While on the pill previously I wasn't watching my weight or working out consistantly. I can always try the IUD if I see weight gain from the pill later.

soon2Beyecandy · 03-25-2009, 10:33 AM

I have put on 9 pounds since taking YAZ. I stopped taking it about 3 days ago. I've been extremely moody the whole time on the pill. But my periods were light and cramping was minimal.

ccchance22 · 03-25-2009, 03:11 PM

How long did it take some of you to notice changes in your weight after you went off the pill? I swear I'm carrying A LOT of water weight in my thighs..

MJJRules · 03-25-2009, 05:13 PM

I have to take Yazmim soon to help regulate my hormones (I have PCOS) and reading all your comments has me scared. I don't want to gain weight like it seems everyone has. Has anyone had any positive experiences on it?

fitopia · 03-29-2009, 08:16 AM

I don't have PCOS, but I came across some PCOS boards while doing my yasmin research, and one interesting post I recall is that the use of bcp for treating PCOS is the old way of approaching the issue, and doesn't really get to the root. I can't remember what the enlightened approach is supposed to be, so I recommend researching it.

MJJRules · 03-29-2009, 02:28 PM

My doctor isn't using it to treat PCOS, I'm on Metformin for that, I'm currently on Androcur, which is an anti androgen, to block my extra testosterone, but it also blocks estrogen, so my estrogen levels are low, so she wants to take me off it, and put me on Yasmin to bring them back up and give me a period again. She said it's the best one for women with PCOS.

crystalleannaperry · 03-30-2009, 12:33 AM

AHHHH...

Geeze I am glad I came across this. I was on YAZ adn then my doc switched me to yasmin because my periods were all out of wack. Well im in the military and I was going through alot of stressful training (i.e living in the woods for 6 days with nothing, and hiking with 70lbs on my back lol) I was sure that was why I was out of wack. Then when I got home my doc swithced me to yasmin. My periods have been insane...im in iraq right now and started before i left a month before I was suppose to adn had "the bill" for a whole month!! Since ive been here ive been spotting. One of my docs form homestation is here with me and he told me to double up on the pill. So two a day! I havent been bleeding since ive done this. But ive been working out really hard and have a good meal plan, and nothing is happening lol! I am thinking about going off of this, but uhhh I go home in a month and dont want to have a period when I get home (at least not for a few days, cant wait to see the hubb

....but I think I will try going off asap...

MissBlueyez · 03-30-2009, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccchance22

How long did it take some of you to notice changes in your weight after you went off the pill? I swear I'm carrying A LOT of water weight in my thighs..

Most of the extra weight you're holding on to right now is most likely just water weight from being on the pill. Don't worry girl just keep on eating clean and working out. You'll lose the excess water weight before you know it

I went on Yaz last summer because I developed horrible cystic acne. My dermatologist wanted to put me on accutane but I refused because of the side effects associated with it and decided to try and see if Yaz would help.

The first month I was on it I was so tired I could barely get myself out of bed in the morning. I didn't feel like working out, had intense cravings for bad food, and just wanted to isolate myself from the world. The second month the tiredness went away but the cravings continued and I did gain a significant amount of weight. The third month I was on it I started working out with a trainer hardcore because I was going crazy from the weight gain. I was depressed at the time and dealing w/ some stressful issues so I didn't immediately connect my weight gain to Yaz. I did lose weight while I was working out and still on Yaz, but I still had intense cravings and I began to feel irritable and angry 24/7. The last month I was on it I was in such a bad mood all day, everyday and my anxiety was through the roof. Also before I got my period I held on to so much water and I felt so bloated I couldn't take it anymore. Everything that Yaz was supposed to do it did the opposite for me.

I stopped taking it Jan of this year and instead found a herbal supplement online for PMS relief. I immediately lost the extra weight I was carrying and couldn't be happier! I no longer feel like a crazy person. Oh and it didn't help my acne whatsoever.

The pill affects everyone differently. The above is just my experience with Yaz. For those of you who have had a bad experience w/ Yaz or any other birth control just stay positive and know that the side efffects will diminish once you stop taking it.

Eat clean, train hard, and look into all natural, herbal alternatives

ccchance22 · 03-30-2009, 08:13 AM

i'm def eating clean these days an can see the results and I'm being patient about the water weight "it is what it is" for the time being. I went on yaz just for vannity reasons stupid me,I wanted clear skin and lighter periods which it gave me. I do remember being super emotional while on it, I had to leave school once because I was on the verge of tears for NO reason. Or I'd hear a sad love song,sad commerical and i'd cry lol. My cravings OMG,every month it was something new that I wanted and had to have.

Now being off the pill my acne has acted up a bit not to crazy but enough that i feel self consious that I wear a hat in the gym(people love to talk to me)

fitopia · 03-30-2009, 11:23 AM

I'm finally starting to feel a bit hydrated. I upped my water intake quite a lot yesterday and it seems to be working. It's funny that I'm still feeling the effects of the diuretic in this pill.