Shorter periods symptoms and conditions

I am 22 and was on ortho tri cyclen off and on for 5 years. I really had no issues with that, and only started taking yaz because my doctor gave me some free sample packs. I was interested in shorter periods. Now after taking yaz I am desperate to start taking my old pills again. My symptoms include:
weight gain
extreme mood swings (to my husband, I'm sorry)
extreme depression
feelings of worthlessness
extremely strange cravings (I will eat maple syrup right from the bottle or eat half a pizza)
tiredness
headaches
absolutely no sex drive

The good news is that my face is very clear. But personally clear skin is not worth being so mean to everyone in my life. I really do not forsee myself continuing use of yaz.

I am 20 years old and get my birth control through my university health center (it's only 15 bucks a month). Im not having sex now and have not in QUITE some time as my boyfriend and I broke up almost a year ago. I have been on birth control for three years now and NEVER had any problems. Since i get my meds through the school they give me what they can get in. I had been prescribed solia when i first started taking it and it was perfect. I had shorter periods, NO cramping, barely any weight gain if any at all and it even helped with mood swings during my period. This past month, the center got in Loestrin 24 and that's what they gave me. I am VERY pissed about it. I started taking it and within days could tell a difference. I would cry for no reason and the slightest things upset me. I was cramping all the time. I missed my birth control ONE day and made up for it the next day, BUT i also got my period. That was two weeks ago. I have not missed another pill and i STILL have my period! I am cramping irritable and just a downright bitch, and that is NOWHERE near my normal self. Im the type of person to let most things roll of my back in time and just go with the flow. Im glad I got on here and found out im not the only one having problems.

I have been taking Loestrin 24 for almost a year and a half now. At first the pill seemed like a godsend because it offered me shorter periods and more time in between period. However, I have recently become sexually active with my boyfriend and the pill seems to have turned on me completely. In May, I experienced an alarmingly light period with barely any bleeding and almost non-existent cramps. I attributed it to stress at first, but took a home pregnancy test just to be certain. Thankfully, the test came back negative so I put it out of my mine for awhile.

The following month I yet again experience a period that was barely the equivalent of spotting. Alarmed, I went to see my gyno. She told me that barely to no bleeding is completely normal with Loestrin 24, which is something that she failed to tell me of before I began it.

Tonight is my second night of iron pills in my pack and I have yet to bleed at all. On top of that, this entire month I have been experiencing night sweats, headaches, abnormal weight gain, and extreme irritability towards my loved ones. I can barely even stand to talk to my boyfriend on the phone regardless of the fact that I know I love him very much.

Should I stop taking them? Is there any suggestions for better pills?

Was on Prednisone for 11 days for an injury to my neck. I knew nothing about the drug except what my doctor told me that it would reduce inflammation in my neck and help with pain.

Well, it did nothing for the injury and pain in my neck. BUT.... I had HORRIBLE menstrual cramps and got my period 8 days early. I've had my period for 9 days now AND terrible pain in my upper left leg. I thought the pain was related to my leg and as the days went by I realized it was in my left hip! It's so bad I can't lift my leg without extreme pain. I KNOW IT'S FROM this awful drug.

I've been off of it for 4 days and the pain is still with me. I called my family dr. and was told Prednisone doesn't do that. BULL!! The paperwork I got with it from the pharmacy show "Changes in menstrual periods" "muscle/joint pain" "bone pain".

I wish I knew this BEFORE I ever took it.

Does anyone know if these symptoms and problems will go away after stopping it? I called the pharmacy and was told it will take 2-3 weeks for it to get out of my system!!

Has anyone had problems that eventually went away after stopping the drug?

Thanks and I hope everyone else is okay soon! This drug should be off the market. I received no help for my neck pain at all!!

I was on Yaz for almost 2 years. Lost weight, no problems with my skin, no change in sex drive. I felt like an absolutely normal person, but with shorter periods. Every other birth control pill I have taken has made me gain weight or become moody, but Yaz made me feel like I wasn't on a pill at all! My period only lasted about 3 days when I was on my last pill pack...I was part of a study on it so I was getting it for free...my only regret is that it's so expensive, because it's so much better than anything I've ever taken, and now that I'm not in the study I can't afford it anymore!

I have been on other birth controls, and more recently have been off for 8 months. Not trying to get pregnant, just sick of the side effects of my other pills (generics). Doc gave me yaz, I didn't take it until now, 5 months after prescribed. I have been taking it for 7 days, and I feel like crap. I thought my back pain was from sleeping wrong and sitting at a computer, but you guys have it too. I didn't have a BM for the first 5 days, and when I did it was painful and smelled like someone died (completely unlike me). I feel like I don't want to do anything fun. I have gone to bed by 9 every night and have no interest in doing anything else. Even thinking about my Sunday plans, which are normally fun and exciting, all I want to do is lay in bed.

This pill is whack, and I'm going off it immediately. I would rather get pregnant or be stuck using icky condoms again than deal with this crap. Thank you everyone else for sharing. I hope someone else eyes get opened like mine just were.

i started taking yaz in June because ive tried almost every other birth control pill, and patch and my mood and depression seemed to be only when i was on one of these. I wanted to go on that mirana IUD however my doctor told me i shouldn't because i have not had kids, im not married and im only 19 however it seemed anything i tried gave me the same side effects. So they put me on YAZ instead, at first it was great shorter periods, little to no cramps, but now 5 months and i hate it. I live with my boyfriend now and when before my sex drive was high I have ABSOLUTELY NO SEX DRIVE LEFT AND IM ONLY 19, WHAT HAPPENED TO IT. And whats worse my moodiness has come back for example at the store today i lost it and started crying when they didn't have the coat i wanted to buy. I couldn't control myself i completely lost it. i don't know what to do with myself anymore. My emotions are worse then ever before i want them to put me on something that has no hormones my body cant take it. can anyone give me any suggestions.

I took a generic ortho tri cyclen for 3 years, and recently my doctor switched me to Yaz. I haven't had any problems with headaches, insomnia, cloudy eyes, but what I have experienced is: on the first pack, about a week of spotting; 2nd pack, about a week of spotting; 3rd pack, a 2 week period that is still going. YIKES!! I asked for shorter periods. Even without bc I never had a period that exceeded 4 days. I'm going to give YAZ the benefit of the doubt and try month 4, but if no change, I will be switching!

I have been on this for a few years now and I am thinking about switching to something else or going off completely. I'm 34 and I have been the pill for 15 years. At first, Loestrin 24 was great - 3 day light period. But overtime, my period went to 4, to 5, to 6 days. Now it's 7 days of heavy bleeding as if I'm not taking anything at akk. I've gained weight, like 20 lbs, that I can't seem to lose. My fiance and I dance so I'm usually in shape. But over the last year, even dancing as much as we do isn't keeping the weight off. I'm emotional all of the time. I have a heart murmur, which my OBGYN admits is probably caused by the pill. One thing I can say is my acne is under control, which basically is the only reason (besides shorter periods) I am on it since my fiance has had a vasectomy. It's hard to know what to do when the doctor's really don't know either. It's all trial and error since every patients hormones are different. But, this 7 days of heavy bleeding is for the birds. I might as well not be on anything! We Are All Just Ginniepigs.
Indecisive in Indiana,

I am 35 years old and LOVE my Mirena. I have NEVER felt better. All these "side effects" sound so crazy to me. I know 10 women who use this product and not one of the complain about anything. They all love it. Its their word of mouth that inspired me to look into it. I have had mine since March 06. I fear for all of you who are having "side effects" that you might be blaming this product, and ignoring that there can be some thing other than the IUD causing your problems. All of these comments are hell bent on blaming Mirena. I'm not saying that its not causing any of these side effects with some of you, but for some, I am wondering if your too busy blaming it, then finding out if there is really something else wrong. I didn't think it hurt that bad at the insertion, a little crampy, but nothing we as women couldn't handle. After I saw this site, I literally contacted the women that I know use it and they all were shocked that people were having such a hard time with it. You would think 1 out of us 10 would have something to say if there was a problem. The only thing in common that we all have is that we went to the same Dr. So maybe that could be an issue with some of you. I didnt bleed for weeks or months. And the pill NEVER could regulate me . Within 3-6 months I had a 90% decrease in my periods ( just like this product states it would do) i had used the vaginal ring before this and that caused some moodiness and was a bit odd during sex, But Mirena has made me feel free, not moody, no pain, no period, I have a strong sex drive ( mainly because I no longer have the worries such as did I remember my pill? Is the ring still in place or did it fall out?) My boyfriend never feels it or the strings ( and I have a short cervical neck!) Nor have I heard such things from my friends and family who do use it. I think if I was having some problems and stumbled across this website I would panic and blame Mirena as well. But in my opinion all these symptoms are things we as women will have happen due to stress, age or routine ob/gyn issues. i actually read in one of these comments someone asking about a lawsuit.... Are you kidding me??? If I were all you with these problems I would seriously check with your doctors and make sure there is nothing else causing your issues...Don't just blame a product with out making sure you know everything thats going on within your own body. I wouldn't take that chance but I am not the one with any problems. I'm sure this method isn't for everyone but my point is that I hope you don't overlook a more serious or undetected problem. good luck to all.

Yaz blows. I started taking it on Day 1 of my period. That was 2 weeks ago today and guess what? The pill that is supposed to give you shorter periods still has me bleeding...two weeks of constant bleeding!

I was happy at first because my period was WAY lighter than normal. I was expecting it to go away after 4 days. It did not. I was expecting it to go away by at the very most, day 7 (my periods are normally 7 days). It did not. I expected 'breakthrough' bleeding that would occur at random times in my cycle. What I have gotten, however, is two straight weeks of bleeding. Enough for panty liners changed out a few times a day, not enough for a tampon (this bothers me, I'm a tampon kinda girl!)

Also...about 2-4 hours after ingesting the pill, I get severe nausea for the next 8-10 hours. I'm talking like, the kind of nausea you get when you are pregnant.

My mood has been TERRIBLE. I get VERY angry at the drop of a hat, without provocation. I do not like the rage I have experienced since starting this drug.

I've also developed insomnia since starting Yaz.

I will not be refilling my prescription next month. At $45 a month for a drug that doesn't come in generic, the price, as well as the consequences, is too much. I started Yaz to get rid of my periods, not to have a constant one all month long.

I have been on FEMCON FE for almost a year and have had no problems.
It has given me shorter periods. (3 days- very light) and even though it cost a pretty penny each month, it is worth it. This was my first time ever on BC Pills and not once did i ever get sick, nor did i gain weight.No headaches or mood swings.Only when I took two pills in one day did i get a little nausea but it passed. You need to just give it time.

I HAD A BABY EXACTLY 8 WEEKS AGO TODAY. MY PERIOD RETURNED ON SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2008, THEN I BEGAN MY 1ST PACK. I BLED FOR 3 DAYS AND IT WAS VERY LIGHT, WITH NO CRAMPS. ON WED. MAY 21,2008 I BEGAN TO BLEED AGAIN. TODAY IS MONDAY MAY 26, 2008 AND I AM STILL BLEEDING. I HAVE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HEADACHES. I AM WONDERING IF THINGS WILL CHANGE BY THE TIME I BEGIN MY 3RD PACK. IF THE BREAKTHROUGH BLEEDING PERSISTS BY THEN I WILL JUST HAVE TO DO MORE RESEARCH AND FIND A BETTER B.C. METHOD.

I've been taking this for 9 months now and I'm about to throw it out the window. The first couple of packs were tough to adjust to but I listened to my doctor and gave them a chance. For the past 4 months I have had breakthrough bleeding for 2 weeks before my period is supposed to start and then I have a 3 day period. I started taking this because I wanted some relief from my periods and wanted a shorter one. Breakthrough bleeding tho is not something I"m able to deal with much longer. Since they are right before my periods, I feel like instead of having shorter periods, I am having periods that are lasting 2-1/2 weeks. I'm not supposed to start my period for another week and a half, but I'm having some spotting and cramping like my period is going to start at any time. I hate this pill and I'm going to call my dr first thing Monday and see about a change.

I started YAZ about 6 months ago. At the begining I felt really great, I loved the shorter periods. YAZ did everything it had promised. However, I also started having strange anxiety, I didn't make the connection. So I went to the doctor and got on zoloft and xanax. Going to the store, out to dinner and even working brought on attacks. I would have to run to the bathroom.
I had diahreah all the sudden. I tried taking things to help and nothing worked. I couldnt go shopping because I spent most the time in the bathroom. Just yesterday at work I had a anxiety attack and had to come home. I started thinking I was going crazy, I was just about to call the doctor and up my zoloft. After reading this site and doing the math I realize it isnt me, its the YAZ. The problems started when I started the YAZ. I am going to stop the pill for a few months and see what happens. Thank you all for posting. I am glad I am not going crazy!

I cannot thank you people enough for writing about yaz. At first I was on yasmine. I was completely fine, I probably gained 5 pounds but that was it. I was on that pill for almost 2 years. I switched to Yaz because I wanted shorter periods. I immediately gained almost 15 pounds. I became extremely depressed for no reason. I started having sensitivity to light and pain behind and in my eyes. I was on it for about 3 months, now I have stopped taking birth control altogether. It has only been a week or so but I'm starting to think this birth control really messed me up. I have had panic attacks before, but I know what triggers them and probably had them once a year. It was something I could deal with. Now I have been off the pill for a week and have already had 3 severe and a couple less severe panic attacks. I literally cannot leave my house without triggering some sort of anxiety or fear. For right now, I can't live the life I want to. I am 19 years old, I've been trying to get a job and I go to school. The fear and panic in me is so severe, I do not know if I can even drive right now. On Monday, I'm going to my doctor to tell her what this did to me. Good luck to all of you out there.

My 17 year old daughter started taking Yaz, and before she finished the first pack she was going crazy. Severe anxiety, overwhelming feelings, depression, aggression, and finally crying jags, the last of which lasted 2 hours with anxiety, when we finally put 2 and 2 together! What a nightmare week, as things escalated. She also was not thinking rationally, I think because of the anxiety. Of course NONE of this is mentioned on any Yaz list of side effects or any WebMD type pages on the internet!! Damn Big Pharma. They can say anything in the TV adds, the FDA does not regulate them. Luckily, it wore off in 24 hours.

It kind of feels good to read these posts because now i know it's not just me. i started birth control when i was 18 years old. i started out taking lutera. i don't really remember having many side effects. after maybe a year of being on lutera my doctor switched me to loestrin 24 to give me lighter and shorter periods. well, the pill really took it's toll on me. my mood swings have been so bad my boyfriend and i fight constantly, i have been so emotional crying over every little thing. and my sex drive? it is GONE! like non existent. when my boyfriend wants to have se i just can't really get in the mood, and I'm really dry down there. it just hasn't been fun. it's really taken a toll on my body and my love life. i finally just went back to my doctor and told him to switch me back to lutera. i was on loestrin for a full year! so for me it wasn't just the first couple months your body goes crazy because of new hormones, it just wasn't worth it to me. there were so many months that went by and i didn't get my period. i was constantly going out buying pregnancy tests to make sure i wasn't pregnant. I'm 21 now, i don't need to freak out every month thinking I'm pregnant. and then there were months when i had my period for a week sometimes two! and i had spotting like you wouldn't believe. i had to throw out a lot of underwear because of those little surprise visits in the middle of the month. i know birth control effects everyone differently but i just wouldn't recommend this to anyone.

I'm 25 years old and have been using Loestrin for a year now. At first I really enjoyed the shorter periods, but a couple months came and I never got my period which put me into panic mode. Not pregnant thank god, but i miss the reassurance of getting my period. On Loestrin I've noticed severe headaches, nausea and thinning hair. Over the past year I've also gained 10lbs.....never had a weight problem, work out 3-4 times a week, eat healthy....Can't wait to switch birth controls....this one is causing more stress than good! I never thought I'd say this, but I miss my period!

I have been taking Loestrin24Fe for about a year and 2 months. Everything was going fine, no adverse side effects, just lighter shorter periods, until about the 8th month...when I skipped my period. I freaked out, however, was not pregnant, and continued to have either normal or real light periods after that. Now, about 14 months into taking the pill, I skipped my period again (2 negative pregnancy tests), and have been feeling anxious, and moody to the point where it's scaring me, I don't know why I have been acting the way I have...depressed...moody...anxious. I'm going to the gyn tomorrow -while I'm there I'm gonna ask if i should stay on it or what is going on? I'm afraid to switch to another pill..they all have their horror stories it seems. but I'm afraid to stay on this also.
does anyone know why a doctor may say its "normal?"
thanks!

After reading many of your experiences, I feel the urge to tell my story. I got my Mirena put in back in June 2007. My doctor had been encouraging me to try Mirena because I was having such problems with my periods while on the pill and I had tried different types and brands and nothing seemed to be helping me. So, finally after about 2 years of her telling me to try it, I did. Since I have not had children, she said I needed to have it put in while on my period so that my cervix was more open. I called her on the first day of my next period and got it put in. It was very painful to be inserted, and the horrible cramps lasted about 48 hours, but then went away. My period also got worse during that time, but then completely stopped two days later. I didn't get my period again until two weeks ago, which stunned to me. My doctor had said that I may have spotting the first couple months, but then that would stop and I would no longer get my period. Since it has been 6 months since I've had it, I thought it was very odd for me to suddenly be getting my period again. Along with the actual menstruation, I got the cramps, headache, bloating and everything else wonderful that comes along with a full blown period. I only had menstruation for 3 days (the shortest period of my life) but the cramps have continued constantly for the last 2 weeks. I decided I should look up the side effects of Mirena to make sure it wasn't abnormal. I got the same information from their website as I did from the pamphlet I'm sure we all got from our doctor - saying that only a very small percent of woman have any side effects at all. So, I thought I was making things up. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized all the things that have changed for me since I got it put in. That's when I stumbled across this site and found I'm not the only one and I'm not imagining all these things! I gained 30 lbs in the first 3 months - I blamed it on stress because we had just put our house on the market, however I had never in my life gained THAT much weight in such a short period of time. I am now over 200 lbs and I'm only 5'3". I have been desperately trying to take the weight off, but it won't budge and I'm only continuing to gain more. It is getting to the point where my weight is starting to cause other health concerns. Also, I have not had a single good night of sleep since I've had Mirena. I again blamed it on stress (but to be honest, I've lived through much more stressful times in my life without the tremendous weight gain and insomnia). After several weeks of trying OTC sleep aids, I went to my doctor and she gave me a 10 day supply of Ambien. The first 2-3 nights it helped, but then that also stopped working and I was back to sleepless nights. I found there is an herbal supplement that helps me sleep, but it only works for a few hours at a time, which obviously is better than nothing. I have also had cramps on and off throughout the last 6 months, sometimes they are very sharp stabbing pains that make me buckle over in two. I have also realized that I may be having depression - I don't feel suicidal, but I get very down very easily and stay that way for much longer than I ever have. I have actually had such horrible down days that I've called my husband at work crying and begged him to come home. I have never in my life done that until Mirena. I'm sure that I have more symptoms, but I have been able to persuade myself that they are "normal" or explained them away otherwise. I think that Mirena and the OBGYNs must be in cahoots. I was not warned about any of these problems - I was only given the small pamphlet and told it was so wonderful. I think there are a lot of other women out there experiencing all these side effects but their doctors are telling them it's normal or blaming it on something else. And they aren't realizing it is Mirena that is causing all these problems! I have an appointment for next Tuesday to get mine taken out and I cannot wait! I am finally going to be able to sleep again!

I have had bad skin since my teens (I am 30 now) and started taking Yaz (a lighter form of Yasmine) in February. I noticed I had gained a small amount of weight (5 pounds) but Yaz didn't do a whole lot for my acne. I got onto Yasmine in June and there are both pros and cons to this bcp. Pros: clear skin that makes me feel attractive and confident, regulated moods, lighter & shorter periods. Cons: I gained 10 pounds that I cannot lose, severe bloating, water retention, gas, night sweats & I cannot sleep through the night anymore. The worst is the weight gain. I work out 5 days a week & do an hour of cardio each time & it does nothing. In this case, though I love my clear skin, the cons outweigh the pros and I have discontinued my use of Yasmine. My sister is on Yasmine, has very very few side effects and loves it. Just goes to show that every woman's body, even in the same family, is different.

I have been on Yaz for almost 3 months, and have had reverse side effects. They said that it will help with PMS, Acne, and shorter periods. NONE of these things are true. PMS: I have been crying on the drop of a dime. I am barely ever in a good mood anymore, and people are starting to say things to me at work. I am MISERABLE. I am irritated easily, VERY paranoid, with no reason to be, and am picking fights with everyone, again, with no reason. It is driving my boyfriend crazy. ACNE: I had pimples here and there before I started this birth control, but now it has gotten VERY bad. It is all over my face and I feel helpless. Shorter Periods? Yeah right! Before I started Yaz, I had periods lasting for at most 4 days. My periods since Yaz have been up to 7 days! AND they start early...I have 2 pills left and I just got my period today. I am getting off this pill IMMEDIATELY, I am going to try Lo-Estrin next, hopefully it'll work better than Yaz!

I took this BC for only a month...after just my first month I decided that this pill was NOT for me!!! I got my period like clockwork in my last week of the packet. This month I haven't gotten my period yet I STILL am experiencing the cramps...has anyone experienced a missed period after having stopped Loestrin?!?!?

I'm into my 8th pack of Loestrin 24 Fe and I'm ready to get off of them. Major issue is no sex drive and spotting right before period is supposed to start. So its like I have a really long period anyways. I've been on these pills for more than half of a year and there has been no change in my periods (no shorter periods or lighter periods) :-( And the website says "shorter periods less than 3 days by cycle 6". So its like I'm paying $50 for a "regular pill"anyways. Oh and my boobs hurt like all the time!!! I'm thru with it!!! Does anyone have a recommendation of a pill I can ask my doctor about next month??