# Yasmin for birth control: share your experiences please! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 11, 2005, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yasmin-for-birth-control-share-your-experiences-please/298765 "2005-04-11T09:10:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yasmin-for-birth-control-share-your-experiences-please/298765/1 "2005-04-11T09:10:31Z")
So after 3 years on Dianette, my body is feeling a lack of progesterone, so I’m switching to Yasmin in a couple of weeks. If anyone has tried it, especially people who can compare it to other brands, please give me some feedback. Yasmin is basically my only choice other than Dianette, as I’ve had pretty horrible side effects from several other brands. Dianette has actually kept me feeling great, no weight gain, great skin, bigger boobs (I don’t mind) and easy periods. However, my doctor and I have decided that it’s not going to work out in the long term (too much oestrogen, not enough progesterone) so I’m changing over. Microgynon: I gained weight and my periods actually got heavier. Minulet: I was an emotional wreck and only lasted for one packet. Mercilon: I threw up ALL THE TIME, again, I only lasted one packet. I get different side effects with every brand of pill I’ve tried, so it’s a little hard for me to know what to expect. I know every woman is different, but if there is something about Yasmin in particular that made it work/not work for you, please share. So, how was it for you? ---
**Author:** ![Q.N.Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3da27b/32.png) [@Q.N.Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.N.Jones)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yasmin-for-birth-control-share-your-experiences-please/298765/2 "2005-04-11T09:14:35Z")
I don’t take it but my sister does, for a couple of years now. She likes it pretty well. She claims not to have any side effects from it except that it made her sick to her stomach when she took it in the morning. She switched to taking it at night and now she is perfectly happy with it. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yasmin-for-birth-control-share-your-experiences-please/298765/3 "2005-04-11T13:50:22Z")
I’m on it. My only complaint with it is that I have little knowledge of when my period will start - typically it starts the third day after I stop taking it, but it’s started anywhere from less than 12 hours after my last pill to 6 days later. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about oral contraceptives, it’s the amazingly wide array of reactions between women to different kinds. I’ve had no noticeable side effects from the varieties I’ve tried, other than some types’ inability to stop my menstrual cramps. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yasmin-for-birth-control-share-your-experiences-please/298765/4 "2005-04-11T13:51:47Z")
I’ve never heard of it. Just wishing you good luck and it sucks being a female. Hang in there, sister! ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yasmin-for-birth-control-share-your-experiences-please/298765/5 "2005-04-11T14:02:21Z")
Why yes, I use [Yasmine](http://www.thesmokinggun.com/mugshots/bleethmug1.html) as birth control. One look at that picture and I have no desire to have sex. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yasmin-for-birth-control-share-your-experiences-please/298765/6 "2005-04-11T14:36:47Z")
I’ve used it. Had about the same effect on me all BCPs do: absolutely no libido. But, like I said, so far every single BCP I’ve tried has done that to me. ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yasmin-for-birth-control-share-your-experiences-please/298765/7 "2005-04-11T17:13:18Z")
The only problem with Yasmin I had was that my skin was extra sensitive to the sun. I developed a large brown patch on my forehead and a bunch of freckles, despite using SPF 50 all over my face. I had to use fade creams and glycolic acid to get rid of it. That is a possible side-effect from all BC’s, so YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yasmin-for-birth-control-share-your-experiences-please/298765/8 "2005-04-11T17:48:28Z")
> [@tremorviolet](#): > > I’ve used it. Had about the same effect on me all BCPs do: absolutely no libido. But, like I said, so far every single BCP I’ve tried has done that to me. Is this common with many women? My ex-girlfriend pretty much lost all interest in sex about a month or so after starting on The Pill (some version of Ortho-Novum, as I recall.) The same might be true for the ex-wife, though there were so many other issues in that relationship that it’s hard to discern any root cause for those problems. Intelligent design, my ass. Never mind the veriform appendix or the backwards mounted retinal sensors; you’d think any decent endocrinal systems engineer would allow voluntary control over the reproductive system. :dubious: Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yasmin-for-birth-control-share-your-experiences-please/298765/9 "2005-04-11T18:15:12Z")
> [@Indygrrl](#): > > The only problem with Yasmin I had was that my skin was extra sensitive to the sun. I developed a large brown patch on my forehead and a bunch of freckles, despite using SPF 50 all over my face. > . > [@](#): > > Crunching the numbers: an SPF 2 blocks about 50% of UVB rays; an SPF 10 filters out about 85% of UVB rays; an SPF 15 stops about 95%; and an SPF 30 stops about 97%. An SPF that’s higher than 30 does not provide any more UV protection, it just offers more time that you can stay in the sun without burning. From the Cosmetic Cop, Paula Bergoun. Highly recommended browsing. [Cosmetic Cop](http://www.paulabegoun.com/learn/article.asp?PAGETYPE=ART&REFER=SUN&ID=31) ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yasmin-for-birth-control-share-your-experiences-please/298765/10 "2005-04-11T18:27:25Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#): > > Is this common with many women? My ex-girlfriend pretty much lost all interest in sex about a month or so after starting on The Pill (some version of Ortho-Novum, as I recall.) The same might be true for the ex-wife, though there were so many other issues in that relationship that it’s hard to discern any root cause for those problems. It’s not uncommon (definitely makes it effective birth control 🙂 ) although many women can eventually find a brand that doesn’t have those side-effects. It’s kinda annoying to me because I love all the other side-effects like clear skin, increased breast size, lighter flow, etc. But having absolutely no libido is very weird, like I’m missing a part of me. Not only do I not even think about sex, the idea of actually sharing body fluids becomes this intensely icky thing… ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yasmin-for-birth-control-share-your-experiences-please/298765/11 "2005-04-11T18:29:34Z")
First, no religion or politics. This is for the materialistic thingies in life. Things that you are absolutely anal (dental hygiene/exercising/investing/lawn maitenence/oil changes/Whatever is your thing, post it here.) That way we all can share what is our Burning Desire Du Jour of Spreading The Gospel According To Whatever. I am really fanatical about **sunscreen** and the evils of tanning. I find it in light of all the skin cancer warnings and Tanning Causings, y’know, wrinkles,.Hard to believe that tanning booths still exist. Did these people miss the memo? I haven’t always been this way. I use to roast my youth slim body in the sun wasting hours upon exhausting hours of trying to brown myself up to a nice melanoma coloring. Then I met one of my aunts swim buddies ( they live in Florida and swim in an outside pool.) who had a huge chunk of her back taken out because of skin cancer. It also helped that I use to have a client who when I met her, thought she was about 65 and was going on a trip with her 40 year old son. She was a 40 year old woman who was a sun worshipper that was more wrinkled than Jack Palance. Turned me off to the sun right then and there. When ever I see the Beef Jerky selection at the store I think of Claire. I’ve been putting it on faithfully for a good five years to the face (citing problems with finding a decent sunscreen that did not make me break out or shine) , but at least 10 years overall. I wear floppy hats. From Paula Begoun, the [The Cosmetic Cop](http://www.paulabegoun.com/learn/article.asp?PAGETYPE=ART&REFER=SUN&ID=31) > [@](#): > > What You Must Know > > \*\*There is no such thing as a safe tan, whether it is from the sun or a tanning booth. Even if you tan slowly without burning, the damage is hazardous to the health of your skin. \*\* > \*\*UVB radiation is the sun’s burning ray and has an immediate, harmful impact on skin. \* Damage from UVB rays takes place within the very first minute (yes, 60 seconds) of walking outside. \*\* \* > UVA rays are the sun’s silent killers. You don’t feel them but they are the primary cause of skin cancer and wrinkles. (UVA rays penetrate through clear glass windows that do not have a UV coatin.) > Even on a cloudy or hazy day, the sun’s rays are present and attacking the skin. > Sitting in the shade or wearing a hat only protects against a portion of the sun’s rays. Plus, other surrounding surfaces such as water, cement, and grass reflect the rays from the ground to your skin giving you a double whammy of exposure. > Altitude is a sun enhancer: for every 1,000-foot increase in altitude, the sun’s potency increases by 4%. > According to the FDA, a product’s SPF (sunscreen protection factor) number tells you how long you can stay in the sun before getting burned. If you can normally stay in the sun 20 minutes before you start turning pink, an SPF 15 product will let you stay in the sun for five hours without burning. The formula is 20 (minutes) x 15(SPF) = 300 (minutes), or five hours. If you’re swimming or perspiring, you must wear a water-resistant sunscreen which provides 40 to 80 minutes of protection before you need to reapply it. > SPF is crucial, but it is only a measurement regarding sunburn (UVB) rays. It is dangerous for your skin to not have UVA protection and many sunscreens do not have ingredients that can provided true full-spectrum (both UVA and UVB) coverage. There are no numbers to tell you about protection from UVA radiation. For that protection you have to check the active ingredient list to see if either zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, avobenzone (which may also be listed as Parsol 1789 or butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane), Mexoryl SX, or Tinosorb (Mexoryl SX and Tinosorb are only available in products sold outside the US). If one of those isn’t part of the active ingredient list (it doesn’t count if it is just part of the regular or “other” ingredients) you are not applying adequate UVA protection and that is dangerous for your skin. > Oxybenzone (also called benzophenone-3) is a sunscreen ingredient that sounds similar to avobenzone, but is not the same. There are several sunscreen ingredients approved for use in the United States for sunburn protection. While benzophenones and oxybenzone do provide some UVA protection, they are not as effective as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone, Mexoryl SX, or Tinosorb. > For those of you who want more specifics about the issue of UVA vs. UVB protection: According to the Skin Therapy Letter published by the Division of Dermatology at the University of British Columbia (vol. 2, no. 5, 1997), “UVA [range is] 315-400 nanometers.” According to the FDA, the UVB range is from 280 to 315. The range of protection for the following sunscreen ingredients is listed as “Padimate O, 290-315 nanometers; Benzophenones, 250-350 nanometers; Octyl methoxycinnamate, 290-320 nanometers; Avobenzone, 320-400 nanometers; Oxybenzone 270 to 350 nanometers; Titanium dioxide, 290-700 nanometers; and Zinc oxide, 290-700 nanometers.” > There is no such thing as a truly “waterproof” sunscreen and the FDA’s 2002 regulations require companies to eliminate the use of the word. However, sunscreens that meet stringent FDA requirements can be labeled “water resistant,” which means they need to be reapplied if you’ve been swimming or sweating for more than 40 minutes and up to 80 minutes. > Crunching the numbers: an SPF 2 blocks about 50% of UVB rays; an SPF 10 filters out about 85% of UVB rays; an SPF 15 stops about 95%; and an SPF 30 stops about 97%. An SPF that’s higher than 30 does not provide any more UV protection, it just offers more time that you can stay in the sun without burning. > Even if the SPF number on your sunscreen’s label is an SPF 50, it still has limitations and can let approximately 3% of UV rays penetrate your skin (Note that new, as yet unpublished, FDA regulations state that no sunscreens will be allowed to have ratings over an SPF 30.), which explains why you still might get some color after prolonged exposure to the sun despite slathering sunscreen on your skin. > \*\*As a general rule it is best to apply sunscreen at least 15 to 20 minutes before sun exposure. This gives the sunscreen time to absorb and to spread over and into the skin. \*\* > You must apply sunscreen liberally. A study published in the Archives of Dermatology (October 2002, Volume 138, Issue 10, pages m1319-1325) said “Sunscreen users are only applying 50 percent of the recommended amount, so they are only receiving 50 percent of the SPF protection.” > > If you are using AHA, BHA, Retin-A, Renova, Differin, or any topical pharmaceutical retinoid, it can make your skin more vulnerable to sun damage due to the surface exfoliation and changes (removing the top layer of sun-damaged skin) caused by using these products. This information does not impact those who are already diligent about using sunscreen, but if you are not being diligent, you’re skin is even more at risk for sun damage and sunburn with minimal sun exposure. > If you are using more than one product that contains sunscreen, the two sunscreens do not add up to one SPF number. In other words, an SPF 8 and an SPF 15 do not add up to an SPF 23. Though you would get an increased SPF value for protection, there is no way of knowing what that increased protection would be. If you want to count on getting an SPF 30’s worth of protection, then that is the number you should look for in one product. > [snip] > If you have babies or small children, sunscreen protection should be of primary concern. Their delicate skin is even more sensitive to the sun’s damaging energy. All sunscreen formulations that have an SPF are regulated closely by the FDA; the formulations don’t differ in any way because of the age of the intended user. Of greater concern than the cute packaging on kids’ products is that the formulation you choose contains one of these UVA-protecting ingredients: avobenzone, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, Mexoryl SX, or Tinosorb. For more information on protecting small children from the sun, see our Baby Skin Care Section. > If you are looking for a less irritating sunscreen for your kids or yourself, choose one that contains only pure titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide as the active ingredient (Paula’s Choice Pure Mineral Sunscreen is one option and there are other options available in drugstores and department stores). These non-chemical ingredients are definitely less irritating than other types of sunscreen agents. I free up the soap box for the next speaker. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yasmin-for-birth-control-share-your-experiences-please/298765/12 "2005-04-11T19:54:15Z")
Yasmin has worked out great for me! I was on the Depo shot for about a year and was horribly sick from it: migrains, 40 lb weight gain, hair falling out in chunks, sick all the time, no sex drive. Then I switched to Yasmin and I have been healthy! As someone mentioned, your period does start at odd times. It’s usually the 4th or 5th day of the 4th week (if that makes sense). ---
**Author:** ![FilmGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@FilmGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FilmGeek)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yasmin-for-birth-control-share-your-experiences-please/298765/13 "2005-04-11T20:53:23Z")
I’m a big fan of the Nuvaring. Once a month, no pills to take (i hate taking pills), low low doses of hormones. I don’t have periods on Nuvaring, my sex drive has dropped (but that was a desired side-effect), my skin is clear. No cramps, no other side effects. I don’t know what countries it’s available in, however. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yasmin-for-birth-control-share-your-experiences-please/298765/14 "2005-04-11T21:04:18Z")
I have been on Yasmin for three weeks now. Before that, I didn’t use homonal BC; ten years ago, I used Marvelon and Mercilon. So far, the only difference seems that with Yasmin there’s less bloating (tense, swollen belly, hard with water). That’s nice, though. ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yasmin-for-birth-control-share-your-experiences-please/298765/15 "2005-04-11T21:12:47Z")
I’ve been on Yasmin since it was first introduced. Love it. Love it. Love it. No bloating. No spotting. No nausea, but I take mine at bedtime. I haven’t noticed decreased libido. None of the side effects I typically got from B/C pill that were too strong. ---
**Author:** ![Abbie\_Carmichael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@Abbie\_Carmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abbie_Carmichael)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2005, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yasmin-for-birth-control-share-your-experiences-please/298765/16 "2005-04-11T22:48:32Z")
I’ve never had any trouble with Yasmin. ---
**Author:** ![saramamalana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@saramamalana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saramamalana)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2005, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yasmin-for-birth-control-share-your-experiences-please/298765/17 "2005-04-12T00:02:24Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > As someone mentioned, your period does start at odd times. It’s usually the 4th or 5th day of the 4th week (if that makes sense). I haven’t had that at all. I start my week on Sunday and get my period usually Tuesday night. On the rare occasion, first thing Wednesday morning. I haven’t had a problem with the libido. I haven’t had a problem at all with Yasmin, actually. The only problem I encountered was the first month I was on it, when PMS hit I was a raging moody bitch. I chalked it up to first time being on a higher dosage (previously on Levlite). Since then (September) it’s been fine.