Please note, those of you who don’t like talking about periods, mucus, sperm etc should look away now. However, I am discussing things as scientifically as I can, and have kept smut to a minimum!
About Yasmin
Yasmin is a combined contraceptive pill. This means it contains synthetic versions of the two major female hormones- Drospirenone (a synthetic progestrogen) and Ethinylestradiol (a synthetic estrogen).
Hormones & Reproduction:
Oestrogen levels rise during the first half of the menstrual cycle. It’s main role is preparing the womb to receive and nurture a potential foestus. They cause the thickening and vascularisation of the inner uterine lining (the endometrium). This provides an ideal environment for the zygote. Other hormones cause the ripening & release of an egg cell, and this happens half-way through your cycle. At this point, oestrogen is replaced by progesterone as the main hormone. Progesterone finishes the preparation of the uterus, and if an egg is fertilised, the levels of this hormone remain high, maintaining the pregnancy and preventing the production of further eggs. If the egg is not fertilised, however, the levels of progesterone drop after 10-15 days. The later half of this drop causes the degeneration of the endometrium, and this lining is lost during menstruation.
How the combined pill works:
All combined pills have a similar method of action. This is basically a combination of tricking your body into thinking it is pregnant, and making the reproductive tract hostile to sperm and fertilised eggs. You do not release an egg while on the pill, although you will have thickening of the endometrium. However this is thinner than normal, so if an egg were to be released it could not settle in the uterus. Also, you develop a thicker, more acidic layer of musus over the cervix, reducing the likelihood of sperm getting through into the uterus.
You must take the pill correctly to gain over 99% protection (this means that for 100 couples having regular sex for a year, less than one will get pregnant). This involves taking one pill a day for 21 days, then having 7 days off the pill. Your period will start in this seven days. All pill packs are labelled with days of the week, so you can keep track of the amount you’ve taken. You should aim to take the pill at the same time each day. However, you have 12 hours leeway before your protection is compromised. If, for any reason (such as sickness, antibiotic use, forgetfullnes etc), you feel your protection has been compromised, you must follow the instructions given with the pill. This usually involves staying on the pill, but also using another contraceptive, such as a condom, for seven days.
Who can use the pill?
It is not suitable for everyone. Although the pill protects against pregnancy, it offers no protection against STI’s. Therefore, if you are not with a regular partner, or you think either of you may have an infection, you should use a condom- the only contraceptive to protect from diseases. If you are unsure, your doctor or family planning clinic offers free screening, especially for diseases such as chlamidia.
There are also a number of health conditions that prevent pill use. These include deep vein thrombosis, diabetes, circulatory disorders amongst other things. Your doctor will ask questions relating to these conditions when you first visit. The doctor will also check your weight, height and blood pressure, An internal examination is not usually needed.
There are a wide range of side effects, and if you are suffering badly, the doctor may try you with another brand. If you cannot find any that suit you, the pill may not be for you. The side effects common to Yasmin include: -Bleeding between periods (usually only the first few months) - Changes in discharge or thrush - Headaches/migraine - Sickness - Sore breasts - Mood swings - Reduced sex drive - Changes in body weight - Acne - Blood clots If you think you have another symptom caused by your pill, tell the doctor.
My Experiences with the Pill
I started on the pill when I was 17, and was given a pill called microgynon. This pill was OK, I didn't get pregnant and my painful periods were easier to control. However, there was one major problem- weight gain. Without changing my diet I put on half a stone very quickly, then, combined with the stress of going away to uni, it soon went up to over a stone. Now, I have lost weight before, and know what to do, but whatever I did, nothing would shift it. I also suffered from major cravings for all the wrong foods.
Eventually I got fed up with this and when back to the doctors. He prescribed me a mini pill (can't remember the name right now) as it was supposed to help with weight control. This contains only progestrogens. All I can say is this was pure hell. I had uncontrollable mood swings- wild rage to uncontrolled sobbing at the slightest of things, but because I had no side effects on microgynon, it took me a long time to figure out it was the pill. I decided to come off it while I calmed down again.
Fed up with the hassle of other contraceptives (I have a slight allergy to latex, so condoms put me off), and the AGONISING periods, I went back to the doctors explaining that I didn't want the hassle of a barrier method, but I also wanted a pill that would a) Not make me fat as a pig and b) that wouldn't make me cry at the slightest thing. He suggested a new pill called Yasmin. He said it was as good as earlier pills, but with a lower hormone content, so it reduced side effects and was, apparently, easier to maintain your weight with.
So, when the time was right, I started using it. There were no initial side effects (although some of my friends on the same pill had some breakthrough bleeding, and one lucky girl went up a bra size without gaining weight anywhere else!), and my period was a lot less painful than off the pill. There was also the advantage that my appetite went down, and I have found I am loosing the weight I put on on previous pills-a bonus in most people's books!
However, there are a few side effects I have noticed. My sex drive did go down a little (not a big problem, but it's worse if I'm very stressed). I also noticed that I was loosing a lot of hair. This is concerning me less now, because although it's been falling out, it seems to be all over, not in clumps or patches. New Hair shampoo by lush is helping me control this now. I think that's it for side effects, although as I said earlier, individual people can suffer a myriad of side effects from the pill, so don't take my word for it!
Anyway, overall, if you are in a long term relationship, and you are confident of the sexual health of you both, I'd recommend this product- no baby (so far!), increased convenience, reduced period problems, and a better chance of controlling weight.
A note on strength- I think for a combined pill, it is quite weak, but it is stronger than mini pills, that's why I put medium!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Good op, I like that you have put both positive and negative information abou this pill. I have just been prescribed this by my doctor as they no longer make my other one (Eugynon 30), so i'll see how I go with it. Terri x
saffdarling 10.07.2004 23:11
I really appreciated this review. I have aked my doctor about Yasmin after problems with other brands, bit he tells me it is no different to any other pill. I felt this review gave a realistic idea of positives and negatives, and has made me feel that I could go back and ask again.
JenStar248 02.05.2004 16:56
I've just been put on this pill, so I hope the reports are true about no weight gain!! xx
Advantages: Clear skin, reduces water retention, effective contraceptive Disadvantages: Dry skin, feeling sick, new pill (long term side effects unknown)
Jan 27th, 2004
(Mar 1st, 2004)
very helpful by (44%):
helpful by (50%):
somewhat helpful by (6%):
