Yasmin and IBS?

[niki84]

About 7 months ago I was for sure I had IBS. My stomach was always up set and had symptoms of IBS. This went on pretty much every day for the next 3 months. I stopped taking yasmin because I was planning on ttc when my husband gets back from being over seas (he'll be back in the next couple weeks).
Shortly after stopping yasmin all of my IBS symptoms went away and I also no longer had migraines (another thing I was suffering from). After being off of it for a couple months I decided I no longer want another baby so I started taking the pills again. My migraines started back up with in the first week and in the 3rd the IBS symptoms came back.
Anyone else taking yasmin having these problems. I use to be on nordette (I think that's what it was called) and I do not remember having IBS problems but I did have migraines. I'm thinking about calling my dr and seeing if maybe he'll switch me to something else and see if that helps me out a little.

[kay21]

I definitely think Yasmin caused my stomach problems (and other problems as well). About 1 year and a half into Yasmin I was told that I had IBs, however, like always, my doctors attributed it to stress. Although I do believe that stress has triggered some of my symptoms of IBS, I do not believe it has been the cause. I was on Yasmin for 3 years and had developed major side effects:
-severe anxiety,
-IBS(bloaing, constipation, diarrhea, etc),
-bladder problems (increased urgency and frequency),
-muscle aches,
-migraines,
-high blood pressure (145/90),
-increased heart rate (95-115 resting heart rate),
-high cholesterol (246)
-vaginal dryness.

Many of these symptoms did not start until about 6 months to 1 year after I started Yasmin. Even though many of my doctors (2 GYNS, 1 Gastro, 3 PCPs, and 1 Urologist) said that Yasmin couldn't be linked to my symptoms, when I realized I had seen more than 5 doctors (including 3 specialists) in a year and been to the doctor's office 20 times in 1 year, I knew that Yasmin had to be the problem. I have been off of Yasmin for about 7 weeks and am going through so much depression and anxiety (I am hoping that it is just my hormoneds adjusting). However, I have noticed the following improvements:
-lower/normal heart rate (about 80)
-lower blood pressure (about 110/70)
-decrease in cholesterol (about 198- now normal)
-some improvement with stomach

However, I still have not gotten my period and am losing TONS, I mean TONS of hair since I stopped Yasmin. I have been told that this is caused by the "dead shed" due to the change in hormones and should improve in 3 months. I am also still experiencing severe mood swings, but am hoping that this will improve over time. Hope this helps...

[calgarygirl]

I'm not sure which side effects are directly a result of Yasmin. All birth control pills can make your blood pressure go up a little in certain individuals and can also therefore cause your heart rate to go up. I know that some pills can also cause an increase to your cholesterol level (Yasmin included on this), and there are many side effects that other bc pills can give you as well. I am on Yasmin and have lost weight and have seen my migraines improve significantly, from 16-20/mth to 4/mth! Certain birth control pills may make migraines worse and maybe cause migraines. I have experienced chest pain which I thought may have had something to do with the Yasmin. I was examined and had a chest x-ray and EKG only to find out that I had an inflamation in my chest cavity from lifting something heavy. What will work for one person may not work for another person. Maybe Yasmin can cause an upset stomach in certain individuals. It would be interesting to see if you would have any side effects on a different type of bc pill. Maybe certain individuals are more prone to suffering from certain side effects and the bc pill would be the first thing to blame. For example, there is someone that suffers from depression in my family and at times I have felt pretty gloomy and the bc pill could be the culprit BUT so could the family history. I hope that you can find a bc pill that help alleviate your symtoms.
Good-luck in finding something that works for you.

[serafina]

Niki84 - your post is very interesting regarding the possible connection between bcp and IBS. I was diagnosed with IBS before I was on Yasmin but while on Mircette (I've been on bcps - several different types for years). IBS symptoms continued until I stopped bcps all together. I never thought about it until I read your post. For three months I've been pill free and pretty much IBS free; although, I have terrible bloating and seem to be retaining LOTS of water. I sort of feel as though I'm in a perpetual state of pms - but with no period. Just wondering, do you have any adverse affects since stopping yasmin? i.e. fluid retention, acne, hot flashes, etc.?? I know there is a diruetic component in yasmin and am wondering what effect it has on your body when you stop taking it. I'm glad to hear your IBS symptoms have been alleviated. I know it is an awful thing to live with!

[niki84]

When i'm off of yasmin i have no adverse affects other than longer periods, which is normal.
Since starting back on yasmin i have found that i get acne more often and also heart racing and sometimes i have a feeling like i cant breath.
I'm thinking about giving up on bcp and going to an iud.