Hi Belladonna
I know a little about Yasmin although BCP are a distant memory for me!
Just wondering why, if your ovaries have "shut down" and Estalis patches didn't work effectively you were prescribed Yasmin?
Given the health risks with BCP? I know HRT can have risks but they are minimised if you are on the right treatment at the right dose with the minimal amount of progesterone required for a monthly necessary blled (it's the progesterone that causes the negative side effects and possible health issues, not oestrogen HRT only)
I know Yasmin is cited to cause side effects of weight gain (my niece is on it and gained 14lbs in six months and she runs marathons!) and it contains synthetic (rather bio identical) versions of oestrogen and progesterone. These can cause problems in themselves being synthetic.
I had very thinning hair, brittle nails, lousy skin, eyes like two dead oysters, looked like an older version of my mother (she's alive and 74), as well anxiety, low mood, no libido, no motivation, etc., when I was on oral HRT (Femoston 1/10) which was totally inadequate for me.
Long story short: didn't have enough oestrogen, switched to the Oestrogel/Utrogestan regime back in April this year and it's significantly improved my physical and emotional symptoms.
I know transdermal oestrogen (e.g. gels or patches) are safer and more effective than oral hormones.
Also, being a bit of a geek, I've read up in clinical papers that the BCP doesn't help PMS symptoms in younger women in premature menopause, but transdermal oestrogen does, plus the gel is bio identical and easier to adjust dosage than patches.
Maybe read up on some of the threads on here and consider going back to your gynae with a view to discuss a prescription change?
Good luck and let us know how it goes? x