hello,

i've browsed through the message board because my gyn has given me yaz for irregular periods/contraception. i was on yasmin for 6months a couple years ago and i had mood swings and slight weight gain. ive read about positive results from switching from another bc to yaz, but do you think the results would be as positive if i began bc on yaz? what are your general opinions about starting the pill?

also, what is everyones opinion about using the pill as the only form of birth control or using it w/another form like a condom? im unsure of what i want to do.

thanks so much for input.

I'm a tad confused. Are you on YAZ now? I think what you are saying is you went off of (YAZ) it because of mood swings and weight gain and now you are on another but you are considering going on Yasmin?

YAZ is supposed to reduce PMS symptoms as well as PMDD so i'm thinking you shouldnt have mood swings. What makes it different is the amount of hormonestaken each day is lower, however it is extended 3 extra days so you have 24 regular pills and 4 sugar pills.

Yasmin has more hormones, it is still a low dose. I was on Yasmine for 3 months and didn't get major side effects from it, I only stopped because it wasn't reducing my cysts. I also switched to Yasmin from Ortho Evra. Now, I did have heavy bleeding from the switch (because of the difference in hormones), but the levels for you are not as drastic because they are both considered low doses.

I have no problems with others starting the pilll. I think you should look at the reasons you want to start as well as looking what you want to gain from it but stay away from things you want to avoid. Then go in to your doctor with your conserns and issues.

I would never recommend birth control alone as a contraceptive. The idea is great, but it's not 100% accurate. While I'm sure there are tons of women who have had success with just b.c. I myself have known 3 women who because preg. 2 while on the pill, one on depo. You really have to decide the risks for yourself and if its worth it. I myself don't want to take that risk! Are you ready for the possibility of children? If it were to come would you be stable (financially and emotionally)? How would your partner feel? How about your families - are they accepting of sex (I'm assuming you are not married - I'm sorry if I'm wrong) or would you be the gossip of the family? But sex feels completely different if you don't use a condom, so if you don't use it once you may never want to use it again. They make thinner condoms, a new line came out of male condoms for women called Elexa. They are supposed to be great and thinner. The condom market has grown so there are options for people who have allergies or don't like the feel!

Hope I helped.

thanks so much for your input.

sorry that was confusing-- i was on yasmin a couple years ago for only 6 months. i didn't have terrible side effects, i was kind of moody and i gained weight.

but it's been two years since i went off yasmin, and now i'm about to go on yaz. i was just wondering if the side effects would be less on yaz and if it takes a while to see a shortened period and whatnot.

No problem, I was just not too sure what you were saying, I read it a few times and took away different things! :)

Yes, you should have less side effects, because it is a lower dose. You should still wait 3 months to decide as that is how long it takes for your body to adjust.

I think it may shorten your period, I never had mine when I was on yasmin. But everyone's body reacts differently. I know they put women on birth control to make the periods less heavy and shorter. So in theory it should!

Hope I helped.