November 1th
2009
4:18 PM
I have been on Yaz for almost two years - I quit last week. I was put on it after being diagnosed with PMDD and, for the most part, it helped a lot and I thought it was the answer to all my problems. After the first year I was on it though, my symptoms started to return and worsen. I started having severe anxiety issues. It was as if my body couldn't process the stress in my life anymore (which was no more than any other college student with a medium-heavy workload) and its only reaction was to go into full-fledged panic mode. I experienced a steep drop in my self-esteem to the point where I'd sit and look out at everyone else wondering how it was that they could find so many things to be happy about. My life is pretty great - no severe illnesses, functional family, graduated with a degree, great friends, great church - and I couldn't think of any reason to be happy. No one should have to consciously and objectively list things to be happy about and then try to convince themselves that they just forgot about them. I found that I'd rather be alone than be with even my closest friends and family members. It was the sad version of my angry PMDD anti-socialness. Anyway, months of chronic stress and depression led to a panic attack last year that took me nearly two months to recover from (nausea; tingling sensations in my arms, legs and face; lack of appetite; tightness in my chest; trouble sleeping, etc...) and the sensation of detachment that comes with a panic attack has only recently begun to subside. This detached feeling lends itself well to having a cruddy memory. I'll look at pictures from a year ago and not remember what has happened between now and then - it feels as if those pictures are just from the other day or the other week. I don't really remember the semester of my panic attack. My memory feels second-hand, like someone told me about it but I never really lived it myself. I sometimes have moments where I just forget where I am when I'm driving to my sister's house, 15 minutes away. It only takes about a minute to regain my sense of direction and remember what street I'm on - but it's a scary minute! I don't think that all of my experiences were caused or made worse by the pill (I hope not, since when I actually need birth control for birth control purposes I'll have a hard time finding a low enough dosage that doesn't screw me up), but I'm going off of it to see how I feel on my own. I'd rather be mad for a week every month and combat it with more exercise, music and a fleet of vitamin B12 than be sad all the time.
-- By ecr1009 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 5th
2009
10:31 AM
I am 30 yrs old, have been taking YAZ for a little less than one year. Loved it at first, my PMDD seemed a lot better, my skin cleared up. (I had adult acne) The decreased sex drive was immediate and after a couple of months I noticed the stomach pains, headaches, and extreme hunger in the mornings as well as shortness of breath and occasional dizziness. I even went to my regular doctor for an inhaler due to the shortness of breath. Since I started this pill to now I've gained a lot of "solid" weight that seems very hard to lose. I've gone from a size 4 to an 8. The only benefit has been that my skin is a lot clearer but as soon as I take the last pink pill in the pack my face breaks out again. This past month I've had horrible mood swings. My anxiety is worse than ever and I overreact to the smallest things. I can't stand myself and feel like a crazy person. While the thought of having acne again makes me very sad, I will no longer take YAZ.
-- By cjz | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
August 31th
2009
1:00 AM
I am 22, on my 3rd month of Yaz and have 3 days left in my packet. I will NOT continue to take this bc. I have never felt worse. I don't feel like myself, I constantly am angry or sad to point of tears nearly every day for no reason. I have not been spending time with my roommates like I used to, I feel like I have no motivation and do not want to ever do anything. I thought I was going crazy with all my yo-yo mood swings which seemed to take me down more often than up. I would not recommend this pill. I just moved to California, am living with 5 other awesome people as a volunteer in a house with a new teaching job. I should not be depressed whatsoever, but I just feel down ALL the time. Headaches, bloating, weight gain, nightmares, and poor sleep have all accompanied the severe mood swings. I think because this pill is specifically for ppl with PMDD and I do not have PMDD it is wise that I get off it as it seems to have the opposite effect for those who do not have PMDD. But after reading everyone else's side effects I feel so much better (and not like a lunatic like I've been feeling!) and positive about this decision to stop taking Yaz.
-- By ekane2 | Reply | Private Message me
August 12th
2009
2:35 AM
I got the Mirena inserted when I was 19, had no children, but had had awful experiences on the Pill... I had tried a number of Pills, including Yasmin (became depressed and moody), Loette (spotting), Levlen ED (Crazy moods and insanely tender breasts)... etc etc.
When I am not on the Pill I am a fun loving, easy going girl with my head-screwed on, but when on the Pill I become so unreasonable and emotional.
After having Mirena inserted (so painful as I hadn't had children), I had bleeding for 3 months, cramping and bloating etc... BUT - I felt WONDERFUL for the 4 years following. NO moods, no cramps, my periods stopped completely after about 6 months, no other side effects at all.
I had to have it removed recently as I developed an Ovarian Cyst the size of a lemon and got a UTI that developed into pelvic inflammation.
I had a month with no hormonal contraception, then tried the NuvaRing (Moody and incredibly sore breasts), had another month off contraception and now im trying Yaz. It is indicated for PMDD, but I feel crazy, emotional, irrational and unreasonable on it.
I have no idea where to go from here. Mirena really suited me, but I cant have another one inserted because iv had the Inflammation. I cant stay on the Pill... I hate myself, I am a different person on the Pill.
July 27th
2009
1:47 AM
Shortly after beginning Yaz, I began getting dizzy at random, messy vision, fainting spells and an arrhythmia. I spent 2 days in the hospital and none fo the doctors attributed any of the side effects to Yaz, but that was the only new thing in my lifestyle. I also had been having incredible abdominal pain in the upper right area where my liver is. I have always been incredibly healthy and I started taking this to help the PMDD. Instead I am afraid that I have a frigging pending stroke coming my way or blood clot hiding in my brain making me pass out. Im scared and incredibly angry that all I did was try to get some help and instead had my life and my family's well being threatened. I am fighting to get an MRI on my head just to be sure nothings in there. I know I sound paranoid but suddenly getting an arrhythmia and passing out at random is scary. I am afraid to hold my daughter because If I faint, she'd get hurt. Another thing is at the beginning, I would dry heave a lot, but my doctor kept telling me to stick with it. She is STILL telling me this. Im stopping it tonight and joining a class action suit.
-- By missnay | Reply | Private Message me
July 17th
2009
12:04 PM
I just came off Geodon 48 hours ago, I took 20 mgs at night for mood disorder which was caused by PMDD. I am not on a micro pill so thought I should go off Geodon to see if the hormone replacement is really working. I feel horrible and cried non stop yesterday, hope this passes soon.
-- By klima | Reply | Private Message me
July 10th
2009
10:03 AM
I cannot contribute - in the same way as other posters, I can add a side effect of getting of all birth control pills-- health. The pill seems to act by mimicking the first trimester symptoms of pregnancy in many ways - explains many of the symptoms. Can you imagine being 1st trimester-pregnant for years? I cannot understand why women will use un-natural, non-organic foreign substances in their bodies with possibly deadly side effects - yet swear by organic soy milk, veggies what have you -seems a bit schizophrenic. Better to wait for the man who would love you fully and not ask you to hurt yourself so he can use you for sex. We become just like the men here, this is so sad to me. Instead of being "liberated" we, (not the men) become slave to the pill. And then we don't get he freedom or the man. Try organic sex, in the ways God intended, much healthier.
-- By shellacy | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
July 4th
2009
10:00 PM
i've been on yaz for almost 6 months now, and i absolutely love it.
i was diagnosed with severe PMDD, and would get horribly depressed to the point of thinking of suicide for a week/week and a half before each period. i had cramps so bad i could hardly move, couldn't sleep, would have no sex drive, and could barely get myself out of bed. then, right after my period was gone, i'd be back to normal again. it took quite awhile for me to realize what was going on after i had seen some commercials for yaz talking about PMDD and how much it can affect your every day life. since taking yaz, i have had NO depression bouts and absolutely no cramps. my sex drive has actually increased, and my skin has cleared up completely.
after reading most of these reviews, i'm thinking that if you do not have a form of PMDD yaz will have the opposite effect on you that it is supposed to have as is the case for some depression medications. they clearly state on the commercials that it is for the use of treating PMDD and moderate acne, and do not encourage you to take yaz if you do not have those current symptoms.
not trying to start anything, just don't want people to have a horrible view on this pill as it has changed my life in so many ways for the better. :)
May 31th
2009
8:27 PM
For me, mostly, Yaz has been heaven sent. I had a horrible case of PMDD and it is much more manageable now. My only complaint is that after 15 months of being on Yaz, I have been bleeding now for 17 days with no end in sight. This bleeding started mid-pack and is much more severe within a couple of hours of taking a pill. Anyone else experience this?
-- By katytxmomof3 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
May 29th
2009
7:17 PM
i have mirena right now and i feel the same at all of u girls i m sick of this feeling i m ALL THE TIME MOODY ALSO I FEEL LIKE SOCCER BALL MY BREAST ARE HUGE AND I FEEL FAT I M NOT FAT BUT I FEEL MAXIVE AND YES I CAN'T LOSE ANY WEIGHT I M SICK OF THIS SOME PLZZZ HELP I WANT TO REMOVE IT I M SO SICK I ALWAYS HAVE HEADACHES DEPRESSION I WANT TO KILL MYSELF I M REALLY SICK OF THIS
-- By talita | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
May 15th
2009
9:34 PM
OMG! Thought it was due to my age. Thought I was going crazy! Everyone of these issues I have.
Headaches, fatigue, fuzzy head, incredible appetite, quick weight gain. I also have lost a lot of hair and have hair damage (very dry and breaking off).
My doctor actually suggested this product to help with my PMDD. Did not help me just created another set of issues. I do not need birth control I need the hormones but not that bad.
Has anyone else had problems with their hair?
-- By allispossible | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
May 15th
2009
7:27 PM
I took Yaz for a month and the whole time I suffered from urinary tract infections. After taking 4 different antibiotics and having my doctor say that the cause could not be the birth control pill I decided to discontinue. I'm lucky to be a researcher and have access to journals and research information that helped me figure out that it was, in fact, the pill. Doctors do not know anything and I lived in HELL for a month because of yaz with people treating me as if I'm crazy because they would not admit it was the pill. Their only suggestions was to see a urologist. As I imagined, once I stopped taking the pill the uti symptoms went away. THIS PILL AND THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM INCLUDING DOCTORS THAT CAN NEVER BE REACHED SUCKS. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAS THE WORST HEALTH CARE AND THEY TREAT PATIENTS LIKE CATTLE. YAZ is a horrible drug that is overrated.
-- By romibri | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
May 10th
2009
4:34 PM
I have been taking Yaz for six months now, and I'm stopping after I finish this pack. I've been on it this long because I thought at first the side effects caused by it were just the beginnings of aging for me (I'm 25), but the acceleration of my problems has been so noticeable that I can't be in denial any more! Basically, here's what I have:
-thinner hair that comes out more easily and doesn't grow back as fast (it would be nice if this were restricted to "unwanted" hair, but this actually includes my eyelashes, eyebrows and head hair, which have all gotten noticeably lighter and thinner)
-CELLULITE, which I never had before...not only on my thighs but on my bum and CALVES, I didn't even realize it was possible to get cellulite there!
-spider veins on my upper thighs, again, never had this before
-very decreased sex drive
-thinner skin with less elasticity
-memory problems
-much increased vaginal discharge
Now, it's not all losses...my boobs are bigger when I actively take the pills, and my skin has become less acne prone...but is all that other stuff really worth it??? I think not.
-- By littlefoot | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
May 1th
2009
12:44 AM
I thought that all the problems I've had the last 3 months that I've been on Yaz were unrelated....I thought between stress, IBS, my job as a teacher, and being a single mother, that all my problems are just stress. I've been on the pill for three months. I am taking the pill to help with adult acne and mood swings. I really think that it has helped both of those things. However, the last month I have noticed some symptoms and I think that maybe I can tie them all to yaz???? Here's the list:
Headaches
Weight gain
Muscle cramps
Extreme GI problems (worse than my normal IBS)
Blanking out (short time frames where I do weird things and I don't remember them). Is this a symptom? I haven't read about this one. I'm scared to death I have some mental disease or something! Anyone else have this problem? I am so scared that I've lost my mind and have gone crazy.
Night mares
Anxiety
Panic attacks (I think)
Abnormal heart beat
April 27th
2009
12:59 AM
I was recently put on Yasmin, I've just finished up my first pack. Some of my friends told me to read the blogs on it cause it's not all that it's cracked up to be. I was originally put on it due to PMDD. I get hellacious PMS and i was told that this pill can help. I also take antidepressants to treat mild depression, so the low/single dose hormone is essential for me. Throughout the past month I've had two migraine headaches which is unusual. I do get headaches but not like these. I can't even open my eyes, eat, or have any noise or light around. It's really awful. I do have the dizzy spells and some gnarly pain in my lower abdomen and in between my shoulder blades. It feels like cramps but I'm not having a period yet. I'm hoping these side effects will go away as my body adjusts but frankly, from these blogs I'm really leery to keep taking this pill. Any recommendations for a girl who needs a monophasic pill and need extra help staying sane during PMS? Any news helps. Thanks and best of luck to us all.
-- By tmcconne | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
April 8th
2009
7:20 PM
i hope you can help me. my daughter is almost 17 and started on yaz for severe cramps, heavy bleeding, and pmdd. within 2 weeks, the boyfriend that she hated to be apart from, annoyed her. he was all she thought about before.
about a week later, she said that everyone was bothering her and she needed a break from everyone. she stayed in her room in the evenings-not like her. she even broke up with her boyfriend. she said she wasn't upset with him, just not interested. she got back with him 2 days later. her gyn switched her to loestrin. after 2 days, she seemed to be doing better, but only for 3 days. i don't know if it's the hormones or if she's going through something. she is normally an upbeat, optimistic person. i don't know what to do. she was very serious and happy with this boy 3 weeks ago. i don't know if she could be depressed because she doesn't feel the same about him or she doesn't feel the same about him because of the pills. any opinions or suggestions?
April 7th
2009
12:46 PM
I am 44 have been on yaz for two years at first it was great all my symptoms went away acne, mood swing and lost 10 pounds in two months great, then last year i started different tired and gaining weight i had my blood work done and my thyroid was off the chart and my triglycerides were 267 my doctors said to eat better i have always worked out and ate right then about 5 months ago i started getting belly fat, and a month ago i got my blood work done again and my triglycerides were 300 and my thyroid is still high i went off the yaz after reading all the comments i figured it has to be the yaz i have been off of it for a week i feel really funny light headed jittery.
-- By nicole11500 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
March 26th
2009
6:25 PM
I was prescribed Yaz for my PMDD. I have been on it 10 days now and have bled for the full 10 days.
I have had no energy, feel paranoid, and have very strong urges to commit suicide.
I am shaking, sweating, can't sleep and terrible nightmares.
I am crying for no reason.
I am so glad I found this site. I really thought I was losing my mind.
I'm going to the doctor in a little bit for a full explanation as to why I was not informed of these side effects?
He made it out to be the cure to so many years of PMDD.
I was excited to have finally found Yaz now I wish I had never started it.
March 17th
2009
10:34 AM
I started Yaz in December 2008 to combat what seemed to be PMDD and perimenopausal symptoms. The cure is worse than the ailment. I've been plagued by feelings of extreme apathy and disinterest in everyone and everything in my life. There's the old joke, "Sex or a sandwich?" I can't even be bothered for either one. I've been short tempered, extremely fatigued - even after sleeping 10-12 hours at a time. I fought with my BF on Saturday and hurt him beyond anything I've ever done or said to him. And he is the kindest man I know. I've had piercing back pain, intermittent chest pain, difficulty breathing, migraine headaches, nausea and intermittent heartburn & GI upset, dizziness, blurred vision, vaginal dryness. The depression is what was the corker for me. I have such a high tolerance for physical pain and it takes extreme circumstances for me to see the doctor. Now that I think about it, I didn't even get to see my doctor...I called in November to make an appointment, explained my peri symptoms to the nurse, then received a prescription for the Yaz....Well, enough is enough. I simply can't live like this. I called them yesterday and was directed to stop IMMEDIATELY. I've since made an appointment with an acupuncture doctor and will discuss finding a GYN who focused on midlife women and uses natural remedies. To all you beautiful women who posted here, you saved my life yesterday. I am forever grateful for your honesty, because I thought I was going crazy and the solution was kick everyone and everything in my life to the curb.
-- By cmart89432 | Reply | Private Message me
March 3th
2009
9:25 PM
I have something that Yaz does..its kinda embarrassing but I know it has to be the Yaz. In November I noticed this funny discharge. It didn't smell. but I was wondering if it was a yeast but then I figured it might be the Yaz so I quit taking it and it went away. Well this month I decided to start taking the yaz again and sure enough my discharge is back. What is that? also I have chest pains, leg cramps, overwhelming nausea, brain fog, and breast tenderness. But unlike most the others it did help my sex drive which was very little, helped my PMDD, and periods became lighter. I also don't think I gained weight on that but I don't know. I have been craving a lot of sweets and am afraid to check my weight..lol.
-- By applespice4 | Reply | Private Message me
March 2th
2009
12:09 PM
Today is my LAST Yaz pill ever.... I may not even take the one today. I have been on Yaz for 3 years now because of my PMDD and horrible ovulation pains. Since I have been on this pill I have experieinced.....
1. NO SEX DRIVE
2. I am as dry as a desert...... nothing makes me wet
3. Constipation
4. Weight Gain
5. Horrible mood swings
6. Constant feeling of aches and pains
7. Too many to list :(
Please do not take this drug..... It has changed my health and sex life.... I never think about sex.... It does help PMDD but the side effects do not make it worth anything!
-- By travelgoddess | Reply | Private Message me
March 2th
2009
12:11 AM
I am so glad I read these. I am so happy to not be the only one! And actually this is the first time I've felt really happy in 10 days since I started taking Yasmin. I am 24 and when I was 21 I had taken Ortho-lo, but decided to try Yasmin now because my doctor recommended it for mild PMDD (because I do get a bit panicky/depressed around my period, but not extremely) and cramping. Since I started taking Yasmin, I have felt depressed, fatigued, short of breath, had moments of mania, helplessness, panic etc. I will not be taking this anymore. I am infinitely thankful to all of you for sharing your experiences so I know I am not alone. Good luck to all. : )
-- By jwhbca85 | Reply | Private Message me
March 1th
2009
10:13 AM
I decided to try Yasmin because my sister recommended it for both skin and PMDD. For the past two nights (I've been on in for three days) I've woken up at least 10-15 times with anxiety and nervousness. It has been horrible. I can't sleep and I'm so tired. Needless to say I'm stopping the Yasmin. I am so grateful I looked up insomnia online because it wasn't listed as a common side-effect. It is the worst kind too because I wake up panicky with a racing heart. After reading all these posts I'm 99% sure it is the Yasmin but I'll post again if the symptoms don't disappear in the next few days.
-- By racheleden27 | Reply | Private Message me
Yasmin (61) Yaz (25) Mirena (8) Loestrin 24 Fe (4) Dyazide (4) Xanax (1) Femcon FE (1) Geodon (1) Fluoxetine Hydrochloride (1) Paxil (1) NuvaRing (1)
November 12th
2009
12:35 PM
bleeding,
I chose Mirena to help with my severe PMDD and heavy periods, as well as Birth Control pills give me migraines. Depo shots made me gain weight and lose sex drive.
Had Mirena put in this past July. I bled solid for 2 months. Stopped for a few days, started again. I now bleed 3 out of 4 weeks of the month, and my PMDD still comes as usual, though not nearly as badly, same as my periods. This is the only positive thing I've had. My periods had been so heavy they interrupted my life.
My sex drive, previously higher than my husbands, is now dead, and I hate it.
I've gained 20 pounds and CANNOT get it back off.
I'm always tired, wasn't before.
I have constant stabbing pains in my abdomen. After orgasms, it hurts horribly.
I will leave my Mirena in merely because even though I bleed all the time, it is preferable to the heavy bleeding I'd have before I had the Mirena inserted. I'm also willing to put up with the weight gain and sex drive loss, because to me, the lighter bleeding and lack of cramping outweighs the weight gain and sex drive loss issues.
-- By jericooper | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me