YAZ OR YASMIN... Pleeze help me decide!!!

cybercyster · 04-04-2007, 01:29 PM

Hi,

I am trying to figure out which one of these to take!!
I am currently on 100 mg Spiro, to help with hair loss and hiruitism issues.
In the past, I have tried many bcps, they all made me feel pretty icky. However, both my ob and endo are advising me to take bcp to improve my hormonal profile (high normal T, high free T, low SHBG).
I am 43 yrs old, and so I am thinking I have some low E issues too (CD3 E2 of 23).

Yaz is fairly new, but I understand that it is the same as yasmin, only with low EE content, and a 4 day break rather than 7 days with yasmin.

So you think that I should take yasmin for its higher E content, or is it not really going to make a difference? My ob says to take Yaz because of its low E, which will be better for me side effects wise.
I am doing pretty okay on Spiro....no real side effects, but not a lot of improvement in the hair issues either. I have been on IR diet, and daily exercise since Jan of this year, and have lost 16 lbs.

Just want to hear what your guys' expereiences have been with yaz or yasmin.
Thanks!

JosieFB · 04-05-2007, 12:30 AM

Yaz is supposed to be helpful for women in perimenopause, especially if you are having bleeding problems. I'm 46 and have been on it about 4 months, and after the first month, my periods have only been very light spotting. In fact, I'm going to call my doctor if my period is non-existent this month to make sure she thinks it's OK.

cybercyster · 04-05-2007, 12:08 PM

Hi JosieFB,
I appreciate your reply! Glad to see that there are some 40+ cysters out here! ( I don't feel so left out now

)

With our age, and perimenopause issues, I think our situations are different than when we are in our 20's and 30's.

I am concerned about the light periods with Yaz because for the past 3-4 years, whenerever my periods decided to arrive, they have been getting lighter and lighter, only lasting 2 days (compared to 5-7 days in my younger days!)/ My ob knows this, but still thinks I should take Yaz, even though it has a much lower E2 content.
I will probably give it a try, the idea of less side effects appeals to me right now.

In another thread, there seems to be mention about Yaz being controversial (because of the potassium issues). However, I am on 100 mg spiro, and get my bloods checked every 3 months. I feel just fine on Spiro, so I think the drsp in YaZ will probably not be a negative thing for me.

Please let me know what your doctor tells you regarding the light periods you are getting on Yaz. Were your periods heavy before you started Yaz? Are you having any other side-effects?

Thanks!

JosieFB · 04-06-2007, 12:09 AM

My period wasn't terribly heavy before Yaz, but it lasted about 8 days, with 3 days of very painful cramps. I'm not sure I should be taking BCPs because of my age and family history of breast cancer, but my GP advised me to stop taking NSAIDs (like Ibuprofen) due to a 24 hour urine test that showed that my kidney function was slightly reduced. It was either surgery or BCPs because I could not function during my period without painkillers.

I started 50mg of Spiro about two months after starting Yaz. The Endo wants me to take 100mg, but I have had a problems with mild foot and leg cramps. Every so often I skip a day of Spiro when it seems I am getting more than just an occasional cramp, and the cramps go away. I get bloodwork done every 6 months, but I have not been tested since adding the Spiro.

I have not had any side effects from Yaz except for feeling a little strange the first day or two of the first pack. In fact, I still get night sweats periodically. I thought those would stop since Yaz should be keeping my estrogen level even.

avonlady1981 · 04-06-2007, 03:09 AM

i have been on yaz about 5 months now i think- it was dreadful in the begining- i was an emotional wreck and sick to my stomach all day- i have lost 15 lbs on this pill- it was seriously reduced my acne to nothing..it has slowed the grow-back of all hair...it reduced my normal and constant ovary pains to very little...and reduced bleeding to barley one box of tampons a cycle...the emotional issues(crying crying crying)...and the neausea have subsided...the RE endo i go to said that its caused from the estrogen...the only time i feel sick is when i start a new pack...i think from the surge of estrogen(yes yaz is supposed to be low E...i think i'm very sensative)...only complaint is sore brests occasionally and randomly thru the month...but its not worth changing pills for just that...i actullay feel kinda normal for the first time in a long while...i think for me the first few months sucked but now im good- and feel better than i have in years...

just a note- on th NSAIDS...i was told you are fine taking them as long as its not an everyday thing...thak god because motrin is only thing to get rid of my headaches

i was also told that yaz has some equivalent to spiro- i don't know how much but i can say it helped my hair growth...although it'd be great of the damn hair would just fall out and never come back!!!

i would love to hear others yaz experiences!

elocinintherain · 04-06-2007, 02:15 PM

I'm almost done with my first pack. It's reduced my acne, and slowed my hair growth, and reduced some fallout, and the first few days were great. However, I've been spotting for a week straight,

and so sick I can't eat anything other than soup and jello. However, I've lost about 10 lbs since starting Yaz, so if I can get the spotting to stop with the next pack, it will be well worth it.

we'll see what happens when AF rolls around, since normally I have hellacious periods, the kind where you need a bucket and a mattress sized maxi every hour for about 2 weeks.

Like I said, the benefits are definitely worth it so far, and it's only the first month. I'm willing to give it up to a year before I decide to chuck it.

JosieFB · 04-07-2007, 01:25 AM

My first month I started spotting before the end of the pack and bled heavily for about 8 days. Since then, I barely spot. I think any BCPs can cause issues like that for 3 - 6 months until your body adjusts.

Regarding the NSAIDs, I was taking way too many during my period. 800mg of Ibuprofen every 4 hours for 2 or 3 days, and I'd been doing it for years and years. That much can damage your kidneys.

just_lindsey · 11-29-2007, 07:14 PM

i'm telling you right now do not take either one of those bcp's. the side effects are not worth it. i myself have experienced panic/anxiety attacks, spinning and dizziness, being disoriented, depression and moodyness often resulting in me crying for no reason, and frustration at pretty much nothing. i've only been taking yasmin for about three months and i've never felt worse. i've gained weight and i can't lose it at all. if you are thinking about birth control, find something natural, not synthetic. i've never felt worse in my life. and even though i have lived a short life so far (i'm only 17), these are still feelings that no one should have to deal with.

novachick · 11-30-2007, 03:28 AM

Love Yaz, but I remember my gyn saying something about choosing it for me because I didn't need any more estrogen. If you're already low, maybe Yasmin would be better? I don't really know about the estrogen issues, it's not one I have personally.

I had no emotional issues on Yaz, of any sort. The only drawback for me was 3.5 weeks of spotting (low to medium type period) when I first started, with accompanying exhaustion. Once that finished up, I have felt amazing! It's helped a lot with "sideburn" area hair growth, and although it hasn't done much but slow the few dark chin hairs I get, I've only had one small pimple in 4 months (used to have one or two at all times).

Hope that helps!