Yasmin questions
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| Mon, 05-03-2004 - 1:33pm |
Sorry about the double posting ... I thought I was in this folder when I posted below!
I am currently in my 5th cycle of taking Yasmin. I started the "fake pills" yesterday and started thinking about some things which I couldn't find answers for on the internet. Just looking for some thoughts on the following ...
1. Is it okay to take over the counter medications like allergy and cold stuff as well as asprin? Does taking these lessen the effectiveness of my pill?
2. I'm taking Celexa, does that make my pill less effective?
3. How do I know if Yasmin is working? I mean short of not getting pregnant, how do you know there are enough hormones in the pill for your body and that it's effective? Everyone women's body is different, I don't really understand how "one pill fits all" (for lack of a better phrase).
4. When I was taking OTC last year my period always started on the Tuesday/Wednesday of the "fake pills" but since I started Yasmin, I usually start on the Thursday. Why is that?
Thank you all in advance! :-)

Hello!
1. Is it okay to take over the counter medications like allergy and cold stuff as well as asprin? Does taking these lessen the effectiveness of my pill?
Yes you can take those items.
> 1. Is it okay to take over the counter medications like allergy and cold stuff as well as aspirin? Does taking these lessen the effectiveness of my pill?
Occasional use of over-the-counter meds shouldn’t be a problem. However: “If you are currently on daily, long-term treatment for a chronic condition with any of the following medications, you should consult your healthcare provider before taking YASMIN:
• NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen and others)
• Potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone and others)
• Potassium supplementation
• ACE inhibitors (captopril, enalapril, lisinopril and others)
• Angiotensin-II receptor antagonists (Cozaar ® , Diovan ® , Avapro ® and others)
• Heparin” (From the Yasmin prescribing info.)
2. I'm taking Celexa, does that make my pill less effective?
I saw nothing in the full prescribing info. or on the drugs interactions list for Celexa that mentioned hormonal contraceptives. Even so, if I were you I’d check with my pharmacist about that.
3. How do I know if Yasmin is working? I mean short of not getting pregnant, how do you know there are enough hormones in the pill for your body and that it's effective? Everyone women's body is different, I don't really understand how "one pill fits all" (for lack of a better phrase).
There is no 100% effective method of contraception, except abstinence, but in clinical trials of thousands of women the doses of hormones in oral contraceptives, including Yasmin, have proved effective 98-99% of the time if taken correctly. If you are really freaked about the possibility that your pills might not prevent ovulation even when taking them correctly you could chart your basal body temperature and watch for an upward temp. spike at ovulation. A few members have done that for peace of mind when starting a new hormonal method and all who have posted here have noticed no ovulation spike. If you are interested in temping or knowing more about your menstrual cycle you can check out a great book ‘Taking Charge of Your Fertility’ by Toni Weschler from your local library. It’s easy to read and understand with plenty of illustrations and packed with information presented in an interesting way.
4. When I was taking OTC last year my period always started on the Tuesday/Wednesday of the "fake pills" but since I started Yasmin, I usually start on the Thursday. Why is that?
Because that is how you body has adapted to the different hormones in Yasmin which has a lower dose of estrogen and a different progestin than does OTC. Does this help?
Good luck, I hope Yasmin works well for you.
Jill