Pcos symptoms and conditions

I have been on Yasmin since April of this year, 2008. My doctor put me on Yasmin because of a hormonal imbalance caused by PCOS. At first, all I noticed was my periods had become regular and my skin had cleared up. About 4-6 weeks later, I started experiencing EXTREME pain in my right breast. After the onset of the pain, just my right breast became enlarged. A few weeks later I started having chest/heart pains at random times. It started occurring when I would run and that made me really scared. I had the feeling of having a heavy rock on my chest and wasn't able to get a real breath. After an EKG my doctor confirmed that my heart was healthy. Here is a list of some of the other side effects that I noticed: no sex drive, weight gain, TIREDNESS, forgetfulness, cramps in my legs, but only while sleeping, extreme thirst.

I am so grateful that I found this website. It's just awful to hear some many other women complaining of the same symptoms.

This is my 4th month on Nuvaring. Luckily, I work in a clinic and have a pretty good gyn as well. The symptoms normally pass after the 2nd month. I developed a rash on my face, headaches, nausea, and lost about 5-7 lbs because I wouldn't eat due to the nausea. The discharge stays. Each time I have sex something new happens. I swell up, I itch, I get a bump, something. The last sexual encounter resulting in a watery discharge that lasted for 2 days. My partner doesn't seem to notice this. I too have had the night sweats. I do like the convenience. I began the nuvaring because of very bad periods, cramps, bleeding for 10 days. Month 3- I had so many clots I thought I was having a miscarriage. I wasn't. At this point, unless something severe happens, and I don't have sex 2 often, I may remain on the nuvaring. Without it, I am out of work at least 3 days of my, READ, 10 day cycle. I should mention that I have the beginnings of PCOS, and it has helped to reduce the hair on my face. I may consider the birth control pills. I just read today that inserting them would alleviate a lot of side effects. However, I don't feel like inserting them each day. Within the last month, I have become fatigued. Vitamins help some. Everyone is an individual. I am still evaluating if it's for me. I can't blame all of this on the Nuvaring, but let's just say, I couldn't report any of these symptoms prior to it's use.

I took aldactone (50mg / day) for a little over 6 years for the excess hair growth associated with PCOS. It did make the hair issue much better. About a year into taking it I wasn't sure it was working, so I stopped taking it. All my old facial hair grew back while off of it, so I started back up again.

I had no problems with the medication at all - or so I thought. I have had dizzy spells for years, especially after standing up from sitting or squatting, to the point where I would almost fall over or black out. For 6 years I went on like this, thinking it was no big deal until I went to a new doctor and he mentioned that my blood pressure was low 90/60 (Usually the nurse would say "you're BP is low, that's good") and he asked me if I ever got dizzy spells and I said yes all the time. He told me to stop taking the spironalactone NOW because REALLY LOW bp can cause damage to your organs. Now that I have stopped, my face is more hairy but I'm not dizzy anymore.

It works for PCOS, but keep an eye on your BP.

I researched Mirena extensively prior to getting it a month ago. My doctor recommended it because I have Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Which can cause depression, abdominal cramps due to ovarian cysts, months without periods only to have a long period, weight gain especially in the mid section, hair loss on the head, extra hair everywhere else and difficulty getting pregnant. I had just had a period that lasted over 2 weeks.

The day I got the IUD fitted, the lining of my uterus was already thin. I spotted for 2 days and it was over. The pain was like nothing I had ever experienced. I have never had children, but my fiance and I want to hold off on having kids for a while. This month, I have noticed that my breasts are tender and my fiance noticed that they are bigger.

I already have issues with weight and after reading the blogs before I decided that I would join Weight Watchers. Because I'm keeping track of my food intake, I have lost weight, but I've noticed that my chocolate cravings are more frequent and more severe. I also decided that exercise would be in order. The first week, before I added the exercise, I didn't have a sex drive. Since I've been hitting the pavement running, I have been stressing my fiance out! I believe the exercise also helps with the mood swings and depression.

I know that I still have the ovarian cysts because I have the abdominal pains. Many women complain about this, but for women with PCOS, it's a way of life.

I came on to blog about my short experience with Mirena because it's been a month and I got my first Mirena period today. It feels like a normal, crampy, bloated, painful period. I just hope that it will be over soon.

I am 18 years old and ive been taking Yasmin for about 2 years, and tonight i came across all of these stories of bad experiences.
after putting together the pieces, ive realized that im not crazy after all! i have had every symptom out there for this pill except high blood pressure and nausea.
i used to be 135 pounds before i got on this pill, and now i am 160 pounds.
i find myself crying all the time, im surprised my boyfriend can put up with it.
i have no energy, all i want to do is sleep. i get sharp pains behind my eyes that cause me to shift them to find a spot where it wont hurt. i have no sex drive at all. i constantly feel depressed and sometimes don't want to live. im so tired of feeling this way.
the only good thing that happened for me was that my skin had cleared up tremendously!
and now i want to just stop and quit this pill right now! im just afraid my acne will come back.
this pill should not be given to women, all of these stories show great reasons on why its harmful.
PLEASE DON'T TAKE THIS PILL!! ITS NOT WORTH IT.
im glad i found all this out before it was too late.
my boyfriend wants me to finish the rest of my pill pack but i just want to stop right now.
i don't know what to do.
if i continue taking this pill for the rest of the pack i will feel worse about it each day knowing its harming my body and life.
help.

I've been on yasmin for less than 3 weeks... and I'm getting skin irritations. they look alot like chicken pox, but they are mainly on my breasts. has anyone else had this problem???

im also in alot of pain. which was one of the reasons i was put on this pill. i was put on it becuase i had a stabbing bain on my left side all the time at the beginning of a menstural peroid, however this time the pain has not gone away. +diahrea every day for the past 2 weeks.

I was on Yasmin from November 2005 to February 2007. I didn't have a period until June 2007, and have only had 4 periods since then (and one was medically induced). I have been to a gynecologist and an endocrinologist. I have had a battery of blood tests done and all have come back normal. I have some more coming up.
Before going on Yasmin, my periods were relatively normal. I didn't have a "set your watch by it" kind of period, but I did have a period every single month (just different times during the month). While on Yasmin, I can't name specific side effects that I noticed. Looking back, breast tenderness increased (and continues), increased propensity to headaches and fatigue, and weight gain were all present. It is going off of it that has really messed up my system. My doctor originally thought I had PCOS, but blood tests have come back normal. I was even convinced, because since going off Yasmin, I have developed some of the classic symptoms. I am at a loss as to why my cycle has not returned to normal.
I am so frustrated, and while it is nice not to have periods, I want to know that I am okay. I am wondering if my being on Yasmin is still haunting me.
Has anyone else had difficulties for such an extended period after coming off of Yasmin?

I discontinued Loestrin 24 due to is causing 3 months of breakthrough bleeding lasting about 7-15 days along with having a period. I had severe acne from it, constipation, gallbladder attacks,pain in right side,anxiety, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, etc. I have PCOS and this is a combination of hormones that do not work properly. Since I have stopped using this medicine all of these side effects have gone away.

I had to go off Yaz due to it causing my blood pressure to skyrocket, causing horrific acne on my face, excessive mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, constipation, and the severe weight gain (20lbs). I have PCOS and this truly is not the right medicine for women with PCOS.

Wow you are all a bunch of complainers who try and blame XYZ on Yasmin which probably have ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the pills. I have bee diagnosed with PCOS and have been on hormone therapy since age 15, first zovia, which worked well enough but did not get rid of a lot of my symptoms, only lessened them somewhat, so now I am on yaz. My depression has completely subsided, I feel GREAT and only had some nausea which almost EVERYONE gets when taking a hormone therapy birth control pill. Trust me, if you are going to have SIDE EFFECTS it is not going to happen 4 YEARS LATER, please.... grow up and take responsibility for yourselves, rather than trying to blame a pill

OMG! I thought I was losing it. Have had the Mirena since April and have gained weight (an entire dress size) for NO REASON, been foggy, moody, no sex drive, joint pains, cramps, etc.I thought I was alone, Did I mention EXHAUSTED all the time and acne on my face and back-sever enough to get antibiotics from the dermatologist?
I also suffer with PCOS--does anyoen else on the Mirena suffer with PCOS? Would be interested to see how it has affected you. Tried BC pills and after awhile they stopped working then switched to the YAZ--DO NOT GO THERE--the worst Pill ever--so not many options for those of us with PCOS. Just can't wait to go to the DR and get this thing out.

I am on my second week of taking Femcon and I am nauseous all day. It seems to get worse after I eat, and I have lost my appetite. My acid reflux has gotten 5x worse than it usually is. I was given free samples from my doctor for my PCOS, but I'm going back next week-I'd like to stop taking these and try something different! I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels like this. Thanks for the posts.

I had terrible side effects with Yaz....I literally thought I had a deathly disease. It took 6 weeks to feel normal again. Get off of it if you are suspicious....there are other forms of birth control.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!! I am sooo glad that I read all your posts, because I was so confused about taking this pill. I have been diagnosed with PCOS, and I have been told to take Provera, but then told that my acne and hair growth won't be under control by Provera, so I went to another gynecologist, and she prescribed Femcon FE, but I have been told that BC makes you fat, and makes you breasts bigger. I have already gained like 20 pounds since I started having irregular periods, my breasts have increased from a 32A to a 34D..its good, but it sucks at the same time! I hate being fat. I am only 18!! I don't wanna get anymore fatter! I am def. not taking this..Thanks again!!

I'm still trying to find out if my symptoms are associated with Yasmin, but I STRONGLY believe they are. I can't believe I didn't pu the pieces together sooner. I've been on Yasmin close to 4 years... it was pretty new when I started taking it for my PCOS. For the last two years (yes, two years!) I've been experiencing extreme nausea and upset stomach and my resistance to illness/allergies has been non-existent. I've noticed that I feel depressed and lack a lot of energy. My sex drive wanes... sometimes it's nill and other times I can't get enough. I've had endoscopies, colonoscopies, blood work, etc... but nothing ever came back conclusive on anything particular. After my last cycle, it took me about a week to get my new pack and guess what? I felt somewhat normal! My sex drive came back and my gastrointestinal issues subsided. I'm going to stop taking it completely and see if it solves my "mystery illnesses".

I was on Yasmin for 6 months before my wedding. i had to go to the hospital for the headaches I was getting....they were indescribably painful. i stopped Yasmin end of aug and got my period normal for sept-jan. then feb and march skipped but had weird cramping and nausea and then got in randomly in april but was brown blood only. then may skipped. i demanded blood work and got tested last tues for thyroid, glucose, insulin, and hormone levels to help rule out PCOS. i am worried i have pcos or premenopause from the pill. i should get the results tomorrow.

I used the Nuvaring for over two years. I absolutely loved the convenience of it, and for a while, everything else. I had always had a little PMDD/PMS on hormonal BC, but over for the last 8 months or so I was on the NR it had gone from one or two days a month feeling a little wacky, to a week, to two weeks, then to feeling like that ALL the time. My self esteem was shot, I could rarely feel really happy or excited about anything, my sex drive had finally started to go, and it go so bad that one day I couldn't even get out of bed. I am pretty in-tune with my body and I knew this wasn't normal at all. It had started to affect my relationships with friends, and most importantly my wonderful boyfriend. I wasn't the confident, fun girl he fell in love with...I was a crybaby with self esteem issues and severe mood swings. So, I decided to stop using the Nuvaring for good about a month and a half ago. I have PCOS so it was "regulating" my cycles as well as preventing pregnancy, but I did a lot of research and decided to try and treat my PCOS with diet, exercise and supplements. I have already had one whole cycle off the ring, and I feel amazing. My body is doing what it is supposed to do, naturally, without synthetic hormones dictating what my female parts do. I am not depressed, my self esteem and motivation have returned and I feel HAPPY again. It's like a cloud was lifted from me or something. I can hardly describe the difference.

I know to some women, this may sound a little exaggerated, but the ring really was making me severely depressed. So, if you're one of the women who are affected this way, stopping it may help. I had my doc fit me for a diaphragm, and though it's a little weird at first, I love it and so far it works great for us. Hormonal BC only masks the symptoms of my PCOS, so I believe treating it the natural way will be a lot better for me.

This list of side effects helped me tremendously when I was researching my depression and going off the ring. Good luck to any of you other ladies who are going through that! It will get better :)

I took Yaz for about 6 weeks. After week 4 I noticed I had heart palpitations, shortness of breath, abnormal mood swings - always upset and easily frustrated by the smallest things. The change in my mood was noticed by everyone from my family and boyfriend to co-workers and business associates. I myself noticed this big change. After week 5 I had a huge breakdown where I literally felt my heart thumping out of my chest...it felt like a heart attack (I can only guess). I could not breathe. I brushed it off as nothing (big mistake). Exactly 9 days later I was at work and the exact thing happened to me. This time I could not function - could not breathe, heart palpitations, the works!. I work in the medical field and so I my blood pressure was taken by a colleague and it was 168/108 on the left hand and 159/109 on the right (can you say OMG!!!). Sure enough I was rushed to the ER and they managed to bring my BP within normal range. The doctors told me I was knocking on the door of a pulmonary embolism(PE) (bolt clot in the lung) and/or a heart attack. I am a 24 y/o athletic, very fit, never even had a cold female who is extremely healthy. I take OC for PCOS for about 2+ yrs now. I made the switch from Yasmin to Yaz 6 weeks ago as I wanted to try something new with more 'so called' benefits (fewer periods and helping with moods swings that I also attribute to Yasmin).
I have done so much research and read so many experiences of other women on OC and none have as much reported MAJOR SIDE EFFECTS that Yaz and Yasmin...especially YAZ. While I agree with posts that notes that all OC have side effects; it should be noted well that YAZ is the worst.
Ladies...DO NOT TAKE YAZ IF YOU WANT TO LIVE! This is no joke.
I am happy to report that I am back to my happy healthy self. I am staying clear of all OC and will just live with my PCOS until I am ready to have kids.
Blood clots, PE, heart attack, HTN etc. is no joke. CHOOSE LIFE. They should take this drug off the market.
If you must take an OC, try ortho try-cyclen lo or talk to your doctor in details and to the health risk of them all and the one with the least side effects.
I appreciate this site for affording us ladies the opportunity to share our experiences, learn from the experiences of others and avoid a costly mistake.
God bless.
S.D. - FL
P.S. - DO NOT TAKE YAZ

Hmmm.

My advice to all is to go see your doctor and discuss this with your doctor.
A doctor can help you much more than a bunch of postings over the internet.

I took Yasmin for 4 years and had no issues. I gained a little more weight, but considering everything else it did to help me with the PCOS, that is okay.

I took myself off of the pill for nearly 3 years because I was mad at my OBGYN for never being in the office so I stopped going.

I recently started the Yasmin again and I am glad.

Yasmin is mostly designed for women with PCOS or who need estrogen supplements. Yasmin is not for everybody. You should discuss this with your doctor to determine if Yasmin is right for you.

I've been on Yaz for about 2 years and I really like it. I am taking it for PCOS (so I don't have a choice to NOT be on BC) and so far, I have not experienced any of the problems other people have had. I did notice a decrease in sex drive, but I'm fairly certain this is due to my under-active thyroid.

At any rate, my doctor said that Yaz, like other BC methods, can deplete B vitamins from your system which can contribute to loss of sex drive. He suggested I start taking a High-Potency B vitamin (they come in standard doses) as well as DHL or DCL or something, I can't remember, 2-3x a week. I have seen my sex drive return, although it still isn't what it used to be.

Good luck to all of you with the other symptoms. I am shocked at the problems it has been causing and I'm horrified for each and every one of you. If you are like me and only have a few mild problems, talk to your doctor about some vitamins!

I just started taking Metformin for PCOS and suddenly I began having severe muscle pain on my left side, upper thigh area. So severe that I can hardly walk, sit on a chair or get up once I do. I have had no problem with mobility previous to this. I had severe, runny, almost water-like bowel movements so I decreased and then gradually increased the dosage over time which helped resolve this (sorry to be so graphic). I describe the pain like a pulled groin muscle, although I've never experienced that, but that is the area that the pain is in. Has anyone else experienced this type of muscle pain??? If so, what helped if anything?

I was prescribed Yasmin for PCOS in 2002. I took it and never had any problems and it made the PCOS easier to live with. This was until 2005. I started having real bad pain in my left side, so I went to the emergency room. They did x-rays and blood work on me. They admitted me to the hospital. They told me I had an infarct spleen. I was in there for almost a full week. My medical doctor told me he thought it was caused from my birth control (I did not take any other meds) and he took me off of it. Well I was having a lot of trouble with my PCOS so I went back to my gyno and told them about being in the hospital and what my medical doctor said. My gyno said they never heard of such a thing and put me back on Yasmin. They said I needed to be on it because it had an ingredient I needed to help me deal with the PCOS. So I went back on it after being off of it for 3 months. Well in May of 2007 I ended up in the ER once again. This time I was having severe headaches. I had never had headaches in my entire life until now. They ordered an MRI and gave me miagrane medication. I had the MRI done and they admitted me to the hospital once again. I saw at least 5 different doctors while I was in there. The MRI showed I had suffered 3 mild strokes (the cause of headache) and the only conclusion they could come to was the birth control again. I have never smoked in my entire life but yet I still suffered from strokes. I now have to take medication for my blood pressure, aspirin for blood clots, and migrane meds daily because of Yasmin. Yasmin is a very dangerous birth control. I also had to have an endometrial abaltion since I can't take any type of birth control. I am only 29 years old and can no longer have children because of this drug. It is very dangerous, I hope if I do nothing else someone will read this and stop taking Yasmin before it is to late for them also!!!

I started on Yasmin a year ago because I believed the TV advertising. I had no noticeable side effects for several months, then began heart palpitations, anxiety attacks in the middle of the night, crying for no reason, severe headaches, and my blood pressure, which has always been low, skyrocketed to as high as 160/130. I asked my gyn if Yasmin could be the cause and he said maybe, so I took myself off it. I had to go on blood pressure medication, but I'm hopeful that after that poison pill is out of my system I can get off the meds. The doctor's office called yesterday to say my cholesterol was so high they wanted me to go on medication for that. I last had cholesterol checked in Nov, and it was fine. I've been off yasmin for two weeks and already feel more hopeful and less anxious.

you can't seriously think you got PCOS from taking Yasmin. PCOS is a syndrome, and taking the pill is used as one of the treatments for it.
One of the possibilities is the it is genetic, and it can be caused by insulin resistance or problems in your adrenal gland. You can't possibly get PCOS from taking yasmin. And PCOS does in fact increase the risk for cervical cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Diabetes, but has nothing to do with taking the pill or not.