Yasmin or Seasonale for acne and cramps

Avatar for lucky30605
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Yasmin or Seasonale for acne and cramps
4
Thu, 07-01-2004 - 10:31am
I am 38 with cystic acne. I am considering Yasmin to clear up my skin. I also have heinous periods with bloating, cramps, painful bowel and urination, and breast tenderness. Also, my cycles are only 21 days. I am done having kids and I do NOT want to menstruate anymore. When I read about Seasonale I was very excited but was wondering if it helps acne at all.

Any personal experiences you share will be very helpful. I am going to the doc on the 7th to get started.

Thanks,

Lucky

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-14-2003
Fri, 07-02-2004 - 1:43am


hi, Lucky

I have been dealing with cystic acne for years and *finally* have gotten control of it -- my doctor has me on aldactone (spironolactone) -- it's a diuretic used to control blood pressure, but also lowers the hormonal levels that cause the cystic acne. He told me that for the best and quickest results, I had to get on a BCP of some sorts...so with the spironolactone and OTC, things are working well....when I went to get back on the BCP, I wanted to get on the Seasonale (who doesn't only want 4 periods a year?!), but my doctor told me that the hormonal levels in the Seasonale would do nothing for my acne....Just some things to consider! Hope I've been of *some* help!


~* Kristen

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2004
Fri, 07-02-2004 - 1:29pm
For what it's worth, Seasonale made my skin oilier, and therefore more acne prone, for the first few weeks. I'm lucky, though, I normally have pretty good skin, so I think that's why it balanced out. Since seasonale is a really potent and androgenic progestin, I would think it would only make your acne worse.

If you want to try Yasmin (which has a pretty low-potency, low-androgenicity progestin) and want to stop getting periods altogether, talk to your doctor about prescribing an extended cycle of yasmin. There's nothing magical about seasonale, it's just Nordette repackaged in 13 week cycles. Many doctors approve of extended and continuous cycles of birth control pills, and just about any monophasic pill will work. If your doctor doesn't have any problem with putting you on an extended or continuous cycle, she can prescribe you more packs of yasmin per year to make it happen. You might run into problems with your insurance company, however, if they cover your pills. many won't let you refill your pills more than every 28 days.

If you do want to do an extended cycle, keep in mind that your chances of bleeding during active pills are greatly increased. It's best to start doing regular 4 week cycles at a time until you have no BTB or spotting, then start doing 2 packs back-to back (7 week cycle) until there's no problem, then 3 (10 week cycle) and so on until you have no BTB or spotting during active pills. If your doctor approves of the idea, you could even start taking your pills continuously with few or no breaks during the year once your body has adjusted to the smaller extended cycle.

Good luck!

Avatar for lucky30605
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 07-03-2004 - 10:16am
Thank you so much for the info. The consensus seems to be that Seasonale makes your skin break out at first and it tends to be oilier. Definately NOT for me.

Also, I have heard several mentions about spironolactone. My derm has never mentioned this. Is it a natural remedy (which don't seem to work for me) or a Rx?

I do everything to keep in shape. I'm pretty (and very vain.....lol) and look young for my age. This acne has been with me for 20 years. I do think it stopped during my 10 years on BCP's. I can't remember since it was so long ago.

anyways, thanks.

Lucky

Avatar for lucky30605
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 07-03-2004 - 10:38am
WOW, this is great information! Thank you.

I have always heard that you can just take the monophasic pills back to back. I just didn't know that doctor's would go along with it.

I am also a cardiology patient and asked my doc if Yasmin would be safe for me to take since it can raise potassium levels. They advised me to get bloodwork done a week before starting the pill to establish a baseline, then a week after, then 2 weeks after that, and 2 more weeks after that. If my levels stay the same then I probably won't have problems. It just makes me a little leary about taking it back to back. I am going to give the 28 day cycle a try, though. I am very excited as some women I know have had INcreased libido and weight LOSS on it! Now THAT's a switch! And my dermatologist's receptionist is on it and she has beautiful skin. She used to have cystic acne, too.

Have a great 4th!

Lucky