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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To be scared of taking Yaz?

27 replies

HarryHarry1 · 31/08/2020 02:32

I’ve been prescribed the contraceptive pill Yaz for severe PMDD (pre-menstrual dysphoria disorder). I started taking it today but I’m a bit nervous considering all the horror stories I’ve heard about strokes, embolisms, gallbladder removals, etc.

Is there anyone here who takes it and is fine? Looking for reassurance as I am desperate to stop my periods but obviously don’t want any serious side effects from the medication!

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 31/08/2020 02:33

Are you young and a normal weight?

HarryHarry1 · 31/08/2020 02:41

Not that young (34) but yes fit and healthy and slim.

OP posts:
Ploughingthrough · 31/08/2020 03:08

Hi op. I'm also 34 and have been taking Yaz for 9 months now. I don't have any side effects and feel perfectly well. And I've had a lot of trouble with different pills over the years.

LadyH846 · 31/08/2020 03:10

I took Yaz and the acne was a nightmare.

cbt944 · 31/08/2020 03:45

Is there any reason why this particular pill was prescribed?

It was something that was pushed on me some years back when it was all the rage with GPs (in my case, Yasmin; they seem to be much the same, both products containing the hormone drospirenone) but I felt strongly that I'd rather stay on the older-style pill I was on. Turned out soon after, my instincts were right. Reports of women dying, going blind, experiencing venous thromboembolisms or blood clots, or just developing depression (which would be another reason I find it odd you've been prescribed this brand), after a short time on these pills, started popping up in the media. This was years ago.

Obviously, not everyone suffers serious side affects, or there would be no-one still on these pills, and there are always risks with any medication and with other oral contraceptive pills. But I have read that the manufacturer, Bayer, has settled something in the realm of 19,000 claims from women who have suffered serious side-effects from taking Yaz or Yasmin; elsewhere it has been reported that by 2012 they had paid out one billion dollars to settle claims! I'm surprised it is still on the market, actually.

Here is a readable article on some concerns re Yaz:

www.marieclaire.com.au/yasmin-side-effects

Sorry, you wanted reassurance, but I see no reason to take this formulation when there are older, safer products on the market, or other non-hormonal alternatives to your problem, surely.

Listen to your body in this, and your instincts - it can be hard to tell what's what if you are a worrier, as I sometimes am - and please, if you do decide to give it a try, don't dismiss any odd symptoms or reactions if they do occur. You may be fine with it, like the previous poster, and many others. Just be aware.

Ihave2dogs2cats5dc · 31/08/2020 03:51

Then take something else, passion flower and vitex for example.

steff13 · 31/08/2020 04:01

I take Zoloft for my PMDD.

LuaDipa · 31/08/2020 05:13

I take Yasmin for severe PMS and it is the only thing that helps. Has also sorted out my heavy periods and hormonal blemishes too. It was a last resort after trying every natural solution and low dose AD but it has been genuinely life changing for me.

Jocasta2018 · 31/08/2020 05:52

I think it's different for everyone.

I started taking Dianette when I was 16 for PCOS - no problems at all - Id always been very slim, skin cleared up & body hair lessened, no weight gain, moods ok, libido fine.
When I was 40 my GP switched me to Yasmin as my GP thought I was told old for Dianette. Again no problems at all - like Dianette it really suited me.
Then at 43, I was switched to Lucette due to worries about Yasmin - apparently I was too old & it was risky to take Yasmin.
I found Lucette unsatisfactory - maybe didn't help I was slipping into perimenopause - but compared to the easy time I'd had with both Dianette & Yasmin, it just sucked - weight gain, lethargy, no libido, bad skin,

I spent ages after starting Lucette begging to go back on Dianette/Yasmin!

peachypetite · 31/08/2020 06:19

I took yasmin for years and never had a problem.

TitsOutForHarambe · 31/08/2020 06:41

I took it for 2 years and was fine

Frenchwindows · 31/08/2020 06:45

I’ve taken it for about 8 years - fantastic pill for me. Gave me perfect skin, no side effects and I loved being able to skip periods whenever I wanted! Only came off to TTC!

Mummyoflittledragon · 31/08/2020 06:55

All of these things come with risks. I can only anecdotally tell you what happened with the pill, microgynon. I took it in my early 20’s with no issue. I then had ivf in my mid 30’s and was given one packet. Within 2 days, I was very fatigued and I have never recovered. I’m late 40’s now.

ChooksAndBooks · 31/08/2020 07:00

I only started it back in June to tide us over until my DH gets the snip. I'm getting a full period every 2.5 weeks. I'm going to stop it.

Spinakker · 31/08/2020 07:11

I have taken it a couple of times but I noticed last time how anxious and depressed I felt on it. So after one week had to stop it. It might be ok for you. You could try it and keep a diary of any side effects you notice.

pylongazer · 31/08/2020 07:13

Everyone is different but I felt in a permanent state of grumpiness on Yasmin! Have you tried all natural options?

TheGinGenie · 31/08/2020 07:13

I've taken Yasmin for nearly 20 years. I'm mid 30s and overweight (not pill-related) but I've had a lot of discussions about it with my doctor who said if I haven't had problems so far it's likely to be fine. I think you have to find the right pill for you, and just be mindful of side effects and don't ignore them, as a previous poster said.

peakygal · 31/08/2020 07:14

Hi, I'm taking it 3 years now and no issues whatsoever x

HarryHarry1 · 31/08/2020 18:59

@cbt944 Is there any reason why this particular pill was prescribed?

Where I live it’s the only one approved for treating PMDD. (I refused antidepressants as it took me a long time to come off them in the past).

OP posts:
EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 31/08/2020 19:03

No idea - but has this thread given anyone else the earworm of "the only way is up?

LadyH846 · 31/08/2020 21:19

Stopping ovulation long term with the pill can be very bad for your body and bones once you reach menopause.

HarryHarry1 · 01/09/2020 03:28

@Frenchwindows @TheGinGenie @peakygal That’s good to read! Thank you for the reassurance.

Obviously I would rather not take any medication at all - I’m not worried about getting pregnant or whatever - but at this point I cannot function without it. I have to give it a try.

OP posts:
Porridgeoat · 01/09/2020 03:43

Sertraline would be better

HarryHarry1 · 01/09/2020 03:50

I was on Sertraline before for many years but that would only help me with the depression and anxiety, not with the range of debilitating physical symptoms associated with PMDD.

OP posts: