Yasmine versus Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo

[Aprilr21]

I'm looking for some opinions and feedback. I've been on birth control for a very long time 10yrs+. For the last few years I've taken Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo. They just changed to generic and my body decided it didn't like that and started getting nauseous within an hour of taking it. I've had a history of this problem with birth control before but not with OTC Lo. My insurance won't pay for the name brand and so since generic makes me sick my doctor decided to switch me. I'm supposed to start taking Yasmin this Sunday. However, a friend just told me today that she had heard that Yasmin had been linked to some deaths.

My question is: What kind of bc do you take? Have you heard of any major problems with Yasmin? Any opinion on this topic would be appreciated as I have until Sunday to figure out what I'm going to take. Well actually Friday 'cause I'll have to get a prescription for it and get it filled before Sunday. I'd appreciate any feedback with this.

I've tried googling both of these birth controls but have not found much out.

[PharmD2B]

I've taken OTC, OTC Lo, and am currently on Yasmin. I loved all of them, but especially the Yasmin, because under my MD's supervision, I am able to skip periods on it (it can work with the tricyclic ones like you've taken, but not for everyone - and before I switched to Yasmin, I tried it with a tricyclic birth control and had my period for the entire month - not fun!).

As far as the deaths go - all medications have risks. Do you or anyone have a history of heart trouble, clots, or depression? These are the biggies to discuss with your MD. If you have a history of heart problems, they'll want to monitor your potassium levels closely when you start because Yasmin can alter them. The bigger risk on birth control is suicide due to depression - which can happen with any birth control. I did somme quick research on the databases available to me, and found no increase in deaths in one pill vs the other. In either case, this is more rare than common side effects of starting Yasmin such as clearer skin, less PMS, and bigger boobs (yes, side effects can be beneficial!), or the unwanted ones like weight gain or bloating.

The biggest barometer for what birth control you should take is YOU - everyone reacts differently to different forms of birth control. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist more about the risks and benefits of switching and make an informed decision based on that discussion.

[kygirl]

I agree with the previous poster. I love Yaz. Any pill has risks, but I haven't had any issues with Yaz and the ability to skip a cycle is great!

[cristine]

I used to be on ortho-tri-cyclen lo until my friend recommended Yasmin. It works fine as birth control, but I found myself getting moodier and worried about everything for no reason.Then i heard it has some side effects(for more details follow the link below). I used to love sex with my boyfriend (we would do it every day) but the sex drive slowly went away. Now I just don't feel like it at all and we go weeks without sex.It makes me even more angry and moody! I am going off this pill immediately, especially reading about other people's experiences.

(edited for outbound links)