Aviane and acne

I have been taking Aviane for almost two years now and I have been doing alright. I am now taking it in a constant regiment so I don't have a period. It hasn't changed much about me besides I have mood swings every now and then. I feel depressed or not ambitious at times. I am not sure if it's from the pill or just me being lazy. My acne that I had before taking Aviane has gone away besides a pimple here and there. Other than the mood swings this pill hasn't had much of an effect on me personally.

I've been taking Alesse since I was 15 (I'm 24 now), and my pharmacy switched me to Aviane as the generic last year. Since I was switched, I put on at least 30 pounds, look and feel bloated no matter what I do, and my face has suddenly sprouted bad T-zone acne. I had NO PROBLEMS when I was on Alesse, but thanks to the generic, I look like a fat, bloated, walking pimple! I went off of it for a month thinking I wasn't going to be sexually active -- lost a good ten pounds and looked/felt GREAT -- and now that I have a new partner went back on it... in just a week, I've gained seven pounds, my face looks really bloated, the acne is back, and I'm EXHAUSTED from doing nothing. My appetite is like a grizzly bear too. This is the WORST pill on the market, girls. Try something else. I'm going to Planned Parenthood and asking for a prescription for Yaz... don't have insurance at the moment, so it might be expensive (compared to the $25/generic Aviane), but at this point I couldn't care less if I start looking and feeling better! Girls, I advise you to STAY AWAY FROM THIS PILL.

I was on Alesse for 3 years with no troubles except the occasional acne breakout. I got switched to Aviane a year ago and I hate it. I just went back to Alesse for several reasons.

1: My blood pressure rose from 110/70 to 160/80 in the year I was on Aviane. I'm only 24 and although I am overweight, my blood pressure has always been on the low side of normal. In the week I went off Aviane, my blood pressure dropped to 145/70. It's still high but it had gone down in just a week. My doctor's handling of this prompted me to switch doctors, too- instead of recommending I lose a bit of weight, he just prescribed a blood pressure medication which can't be taken with birth control pills.

2: Mood swings. Big time. I used to work in fast-food and having 20-30 customers lined up wouldn't bother me on the Alesse, but on Aviane I was really short with my coworkers and if we got a busy rush, I'd get cranky in about 3 orders. Not to mention, I'm a veterinary nurse and sometimes you just can't save an animal no matter how hard you try. Normally I have a very thick skin and I could leave work issues at work. I noticed, and so did my boss, that I would be very depressed and near the point of tears if we had to give bad news, whereas before I would be professional but sympathetic, as opposed to nearly breaking down in front of clients now.

3: Decreased sex drive. I'm glad I'm not the only person with this problem but it caused a LOT of trouble between myself and my ex. I used to have a high libido and now...I might be aroused once or twice per month.

4: Migraines. I'd usually get them once or twice a year, depending on how stressful work was, but now I get them if I spend more than 2-3 hours at any activity. It sucks to get a migraine when you're fishing!

5: Sleeplessness/insomnia & restlessness. I put those two together because when I DO get to sleep, I toss and turn and I'm fidgety all day. I might get to sleep at 3 AM and I have to be up by 6 AM. On my days off, I might get to sleep by 5 AM and not get out of bed until 11 or 12. I've got no energy at all and it takes me a long time to be really aware of what's going on around me.

I think the only reason I've lost weight on this pill is because I've stepped up my workout routine to get some energy. Otherwise, I'm sure I'd have gained weight. I'm relieved to find that I'm not the only woman having troubles with Aviane.

Holy hell. I don't think I'll ever find a birth control i like. After being on Aviane for a few months i have developed bad acne in my T-zone. Ive never had perfect skin - a zit here and there every once in a while, but recently its been quite bad. Also i have been quite irritable. Is Aviane to blame? Im gonna keep researching.

I have been using this for 3 months. My problem with it is- Acne. All of a sudden I have weird breakouts all on my forehead and on my cheeks where i've never broken out before. The reason I switched to this from Microgestin was because of my lack of sex drive. With Aviane- it was great! I actually had a sex drive, I was no longer dry down there even when I was in the mood if I ever was. Im sad that I have to give this up since I haven't had many problems with this but acne. However that being said- having acne on my face made me pretty self conscious, feeling like Shriek and not in the mood to get physical. So kind of a libido killer. However- my best friend is on Allesse the generic form- and she has a great libido but acne too! I figured it would subside after a few months but she's been on it for a year- and nothing! Although she did increase a cup size. Not my case though ; ( I will be trying Yasmin in a couple weeks. Hope that turns out okay.

hi my daughter is almost 17 and just started Aviane for her painful periods and acne. The doctor told her he was putting her on alese but the pharmacist told us Aviane was the same only cheaper. Well the day after she started taking it she missed school, her muscles were so sore she could hardly move, she had a good fever ( was cold even though we were experiencing record high temps of 35 deg, on may 31) that night she was vomiting and she looked so awful I kept her home again thinking it was a virus. She went to school the last 2 days but has so much joint pain she can hardly move or bend over. This is a very healthy athletic teen who is hard to stop, and has a high pain threshold. Any ideas? anyone have the same symptoms? I know they say to give it some time but this is ridiculous. She has a prom date tomorrow and she won't even be able to dance! Not sure after reading these comments if I should leave her on it one more day.

I have had the exact same side effects that most of you have reported. Hair loss/thinning at the temples, weight gain and more acne than I have EVER had in my life. I just threw the rest of the pills away today thank god I researched this and saw all of these wonderful, helpful comments. Now, I will need to see a doctor to see if my hair will come back.

I feel like such an idiot. I'm usually so careful about new things. When I was prescribed Alesse 3 years ago I researched all the side effects, but I never had a problem. About a year ago, my pharmacy offered me Aviane, and since the pharmacist told me it was exactly the same as Alesse I figured I might as well save a few bucks. I trusted the pharmacist, and never thought to research the side effects since I believed it was the same. Now I know I was so wrong. I never connected the side effects until recently. I have noticed thinning hair around my temples for about 6 months, and it wasn't until I googled that expecting to find that its a normal part of aging (even though I'm only 25) that I came across so much about Aviane. Then reading everyone else's experiences, I realized I hadn't connected all the other side effects to this generic brand. I had rapid weight gain the first 3 months and have been unable to lose it no matter what I do. The depression, low sex drive, acne, and practically constant yeast infections I think now are all connected to Aviane. After reading this yesterday, I went straight to my pharmacy and switched back to Alesse. Even though it cost me $25 with my health plan (2 years ago it only cost $6 so I wonder if my plan pays less because of the cheaper alternative) I don't care, I just want to be healthy and sane again. Thanks for sharing your stories, they made me realize there was a problem and I can't wait to start my new pack tomorrow and see what happens.

*JENN*

I've been taking Aviane for a month now and I must say it has been the BEST birth control that I have ever taken! When I was a senior in high school I started taking birth control, Apri (I think that's how you spell it idk), for my mind-numbing cramps and horrible PMS. While it did fix that my mood swings were out of wack, I got horrible acne, and I was hungry 24/7. My body was constantly hungry and I ate SSOO much and ended up gaining 35lb.
Then after a year and a half of that I went to Yaz. Yaz helped my acne and my periods, but made me moody, still hungry, and it KILLED my sex drive. The decreased sex drive was definitely the worst part of the Yaz. I was so dry 'down there' that sex was painful and I was never turned on.
Now that I'm on Aviane my sex drive is INCREDIBLE. I love having this feelings again for sex and my boyfriend definitely loves it lol. Also, it has decreased my appetite and I've already lost 10lb. from being on it. I will admit that when I started taking it I was a little moody, but now I feel fantastic.
Different birth controls have different effects on everyone, but I'm more than happy that I found one that works for me :)

Let me start by saying WOW ... I've been on AVIANE now for roughly 6 months or more yet have been on Try cyclin and Alesse in the past. I went in expecting to get Alesse, came home to notice it was Aviane (Pharmacist must have switched without saying anything), didn't think anything of it and just started taking the pills (thinking it doesn't hurt to try a new brand, to not let your body get too immune to a certain kind). However I have had nothing but problems and have finally decided to research it more.

For the first few months, if I were to miss a pill i'd spot for the rest of the month (nothing like having your period for 30 days) ... I've gained at least 15 pounds which is ridiculous as I play for 3 indoor soccer teams, bounce on my trampoline daily and can not seem to shed any pounds (only gain).

I'm waking up frequently throughout the night, have had heart palpitations, my hair is thinning, have had more yeast infections in the past 6 months than I've had in my life, etc... Luckily my sex drive hasn't decreased (thank god) but I have noticed its more painful during sex (vaginal dryness) and now reading all these posts things are starting to make A LOT more sense.

Luckily as well i'm able to control the irritability and depression however it does come quite frequently.

OH also not to mention the acne, I wash my face twice daily and seem to be getting acne quite often.

Other symptoms i'm experiencing are:
Dry mouth, no motivation (even to play sports and that's a passion of mine), lack of confidence, bloating, increased hunger, heart palpitations, memory loss, etc...

I'm going to look at switching IMMEDIATELY!!
Thanks girls for all your posts ... helped me figure out what my symptoms were caused from :) Good luck to all you!

Hey all! Just want to say it's really important to remember that every woman reacts differently to any given birth control pill, and it's best to just try it yourself... BUT!

After two years on Yasmin, I went off BC due to losing my health insurance and being unemployed (yay, recession!). Finally my parents agreed to pitch in and help with BC since I used it for PMDD, acne, regulation, etc... the doctor prescribed me Avianne. Of course I read about it online and heard all the horror stories, but I tried it anyway.

Within that one month that I used it, I gained TEN pounds. Granted, this could be my body adjusting and water weight and bla bla bla, but I was not okay with it. My face broke out like it did in junior high. I was angry all the time. I felt like I was permanently PMSing for the whole month. When I began bleeding, it was THE heaviest period to date. I spent the day at the E.R. because of all the clotting and nastiness (sorry about the TMI, but really!) I told my doc about all these side effects and she gave me Ocella, the generic for Yasmin. While watching my diet, I have lost eleven pounds this month, the acne is clearing back up, my stomach doesn't stick out like it's pregnant anymore, and overall I'm feeling a lot better. (But, I have also read some bad things about Ocella, even though it is the same chemical make up as Yasmin, but it is what it is...)

Then again, Avianne might work for some people! It just all depends, and there's no way of knowing until you try. Just remember that you can always switch. Nothing is permanent. I think we have a great outlet online to talk about these pills. Hang in there, everyone! You'll find a pill for you... maaaaybe not this one, though. :)

Reading the posts it looks like different people react differently to Aviane. Ethnicity and genes may play a major role in how different women react.I was on some kind of birth control in 2005, not Aviane though. I developed acne, extreme hunger, a full cup size and 20lbs!!! I just started my second week of Aviane and I am really tired (but I am also anemic), my breast are getting larger(which my boyfriend loves), and I've been really hungry....that's it. I work out everyday and watch what I eat, so weight gain is not a problem. As far as my sex drive goes..its way better! I'm 20 so my drive was already high,but its definitely increasing(which my boyfriend loves) Overall I give it a 8/10, I would suggest another woman to try it.

~E. B. Detroit,MI

I'm terrified to start my Aviane now, after reading this. I start mine next month and am having second thoughts ! I don't want to lose my sex drive, I don't want to lose my hair, I don't want severe acne and I don't want to be miserable, depressed or tired. Help me! Any suggestions instead? Or should I get switched to a different pill?

I haven't had ANY problems taking Aviane. I've been on it for almost 4 months now. I don't know why everyone else is having so many problems with it? Aviane has actually decreased my appetite of sweets, which has made me lose about 10lbs. My Period only last about 3 days, and it's way lighter than what it was w/o BC. Also, Aviane helped my face acne A LOT! I was on a different BC before this and it made me EXTREMELY crabby/mood swings and it didn't help with the bleeding..it made it worse. I'm satisfied with Aviane and recommend it to anyone.

I started taking Aviane when I was 16 for horrible cramps. When I started having crazy mood swings, acne, and the likes I assumed it was all teenage hormonal crap because my doctor assured me that I wouldn't have abnormal reactions due to the low hormone dosage. Just about two years later when I finally decide to get to the bottom of what could be causing these horrible headaches (which have caused me to think I might have a tumor) I typed up my symptoms and find this. Thank you lovely doctors that gave me this crap! You made me think I was going to die! I'm glad to know that I'm not the only person out there who feels like she's being a bitch for no good reason and can't figure out why. I can't believe all of the confusion I could have saved myself if I had asked for something non-generic.

Do yourself a favor and avoid this crap at all costs. It seriously causes more problems than it solves.

I have been on Aviane for a month now. I switched form Ortho Tricyclen Lo, which was pretty good, except i got really bad headaches and stomach aches. Acne was under control, cramps were gone, lost some weight, and period was regular.

On avianne, only in this one month, ive experienced many of the side effects noted above. I haven't had acne in the past year, and it suddenly came back. Ive gained weight, and I eat a lot more. I get back pains, which ive never had. Cramps, depression, mean attitude, fatigue, ive been getting night mares, and i wake up a lot in the middle of the night. I plan to go through with it for another month, but if the symptoms don't lighten up, I think ill switch.

I began taking birth control pills at 16 to help control excruciating cramps that have now been diagnosed as endometriosis. Every pill I have taken has regulated my period but seems to have some other side effect. Aviane however, is most definitely the worst I have tried. I was taking Allesse, but had to switch to Aviane because of mild anxiety problems. It turns out, since taking Aviane (approx. 5 months) my anxiety has gotten worse, I suffer from nightmares, as well as extreme irritability. I become furious over the smallest things and I am typically a laid back person. I spend 3 days in bed during my period vomiting and with severe cramps, but this is due more to the endometriosis than anything. PMS starts about 2 weeks before I get my period, and I am extremely irritable for about a week after, this has not happened on any other pill. I go through periods of extreme depression, hopelessness, and am extremely tired. Also, since switching to Aviane I have battled with severe acne which I have never experienced before. I have gained a huge amount of weight. I am just waiting to see my doctor to get me off this horrible pill.

Sorry to repeat this post, but I wanted to make sure people know about it. I replied to a 19 yo who sounded perfectly ok with being on this pill, and it made me shudder. Here's what I told her:

I was looking for information about class action suits against the makers of Aviane, and I ran across this web page. When I saw your post, I just had to respond. Who knows, it might save your life.

My 17 year old daughter was on Alesse, then Aviane ( the latter for over a year) for a total of about 2 1/2 years, for acne. On Nov. 19, 2007, she was alone at home, and did jump roping for exercise. After jumping for about 5 minutes, she collapsed. Over 2 hours later, her brother came home, found her barely responsive outside, and called 911. She had had a stroke. She was in the hospital for 1 month, in rehab for a month, and then came home. It's been a horrendous nightmare. She couldn't say more than 1 or 2 words for a few weeks, and spent about 3 weeks in a wheelchair. Gradually, she learned to walk again. Now she walks pretty well, but she still has almost no use of her right hand. She can't move her fingers at all except for a weak grip. For you medical folks, it was a left MCA stroke. Her cognitive function was massively affected. She is relearning speech,math skills, writing, etc. All of her friends left her, except for one who was very negative, and an alcoholic. Finally, we encouraged her to let that one go, and make room in her life for some quality friends.

There's much more to the terrifying journey that this has been. We feel fortunate that she continues to recover. I wish someone had warned me about the pill. I thought only fat, old, chain-smoking people got strokes. Now I know better.

If any of you find out about a class action suit against this company, please let me know.

Thanks,

WH
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I have been on Aviane since January. I started taking it for extremely painful cramps that induced vomiting and dizziness. I wasn't taking it for birth control, acne control, or anything else. It worked wonders for my cramps. I had a regular period, no spotting, and no excruciating pain. That being said, the rest of my life was awful. I break out like crazy, put on a little bit of wait (nothing to really complain over), and worst of all, I have been in a hazy slump since I started taking it. I wouldn't say its been depression, but it is definitely a fatigue that I can't shake. I don't care about my friends or boyfriend or family until something or someone makes me aware of my blatant rudeness and apathy and then I burst into tears and cry for a whole day. Its awful, and I plan to not start the new pack on Sunday. I'm cutting birth control entirely and hoping it will change things. Has anyone else done this? I'm kind of scared of the side effects of stopping...

I only just started taking it (Avaine) yesterday, and everything is fine so far; nothing out of the ordinary is going on. I'm 19 years old, healthy, have mild acne around my period and usually terrible cramps and mood swings, I don't know if this will benefit me in those areas or not yet. We'll see though, from what I've been reading this might not turn out so well but I think I will keep an update going on here when any side effects or benefits arise.

I have been on Aviane for a little less than a year. It was prescribed to me by a clinician, she said it was cheaper than the one I had been on. SInce I started this pill Ive gained thirty pounds, my acne is worse than it was when I was 14 (i am 21), I have had numerous yeast infections as well as a yeast infection and a bacterial infection at the same time. Both of the Doctors ive seen about that said it was almost impossible. I never had any issues with yeast infections until i went on this pill and I continue to get them about every two months. Once this script is out I and def off this pill! I have been on four different kinds of birth control, some with unpleasant side effects but never like this. I can relate to everyone on this page at some point or another.

i have been on aviane now for two months almost, i am experiencing acne breakouts again..... i have always had acne and been taking medication to help control acne.. i also was on alesse acne not to bad had been on it for almost 2 yrs... then pharmacy switched me to aviane and my skin is always blemished with pimples never clear, i don't like this bc pill at all.... anyone experiencing frequent breakouts since making the switch to aviane? also not to mention that my legs feel heavy most days the calf prt anyone ?

Iv been on it for not even 2 weeks now...i got my period again...a week after i just had it...iv had severe abdomen pains after sex, my sex drive has gone to like zero. my boyfriend feels like he almost has to force me to have sex...im getting freaking fat! i have uncontrollable acne and my skin is peeling, my back aches constantly? am i crazy or is this medication just plain crap?

It all makes sense now. I have been taking Aviane for over 2 months now. I have weird bouts of severe depression even though my life is good now. Got a great job, fantastic bf, great friends, etc. But I went totally crazy, esp. on my bf for no reason.
In addition, I have migraines. And my back has broken out like crazy (I have no have back acne, ever). I was so stupid to buy a whole years worth. This is the worst bc pill I have ever taken (though sprin-tec comes in a close second). I have anxiety attacks . Also, I would wake up in middle of night and not be able to fall asleep (never had that problem before). I think I may be losing more hair then usual too.
I use to be so easy going. WHAT HAPPENED TO ME? AVIANE. That's what. Avoid at all cost. I wish I had.

I have been on Aviane 28 Day BC for a month. I did not notice any changes right away, however, my boyfriend keeps complaining about my attitude and I was beginning to believe that I was turning into a monster.
However, after reading many of your comments, I believe that my mood swings can be correlated to this BC.

Also, I always had UNCONTROLLABLE acne, but now my skin is nearly FLAWLESS so that is GREAT news for me! My breasts have also gotten larger, which is a plus in my case.

Additionally, I'm on Week 4 (the sugar pills) and my period is almost nonexistent even though I know it is here. I'm bleeding very lightly (which means I could use a panty shield). Before I started taking this BC I had TERRIBLE periods and EXCRUTIATING cramps. I used at least 40 pads or more every month! I have 4 packs of pads in anticipation of my period, but it seems like I won't be using them for right now. However, I am a little concern that my period is barely here, but I will be a good patient and continue to use the pill for the next two months as prescribed.

Finally, I have also noticed that I now feel very agitated and extremely anxious which is not a pleasant feeling at all!

Overall, the pill seems to be working for what it was prescribed for (i.e. assist with menstrual cramps and reduce the flow). I wish everyone the best with this medication or in finding one that is efficient for you.

ive been on aviane for 3 weeks and im about to enter the placebo pills i have had acne but i cant tell if that is just my normal life stress or im just getting them, i think im also going to wait a few more months and if nothing clears up im going to go on Yaz since i have heard a lot about that hopefully it works and all helps with everyone.

I went on aviane back in December and i mainly just got mood swings and depression, but i wanted to go on it to clear up the pimples i was getting. I went off it a month or two later because of rapid weight gain that i noticed and now in may ive been on it for about a week and im already experiencing horrible mood swings, horrible cysts of pimples that happen to be very painful, and im just never happy. I also experience really bad stomach pains and I am not sure if this is all because of the pill? I don't know if i should keep through with the pack hoping that it will get better? I have prom in a few weeks and i don't want my face to look horrible. I was thinking about going on YAZ because of the commercials saying that it clears acne, controls mood swings, etc....what do you think?

I have been on aviane for 4 months and i hate it! I have all the side effects: headaches, nightmares, acne, fatigue, mood swings, depression, anger, long periods, weight gain, rage, etc.... I could list alot more! I am so glad I went on this page because now I know its the pill and I'm not going crazy. I have had such a horrible experience with this pill that I am stopping it today mid-cycle just to feel "normal" again. I cry for any reason, I'm mean to those I love and I feel like I should be going to therapy. I've never had acne before and now I get a pimple and its there for weeks! I have gained weight even though I work out 5 days a week and I am so lathargic that its a battle to stay up past 9pm. I think this pill should be taken off the market. I was on yaz before and stopped because I experience break through bleeding, but I want to get back on it. A liitle spotting every now and then is much better than feeling insane!

I've been on Aviane as my first BC for 3 months and haven't noticed any significant side effects. There's been no weight gain and I've been able to actually start and maintain a fitness program required for a summer job/career (we'll see where it leads!). My period was a bit off the first couple of times with spotting but I read in the pamphlet it should be expected and for about a month, I've been completely 'normal'. The only thing MAY have been the lower sex drive but it was good for mine to shift down a gear so that can't be classified as a problem, and that can probably be attributed to other events in my life. I suggest everyone here take a step back and see if weight gain, acne, sex drives, etc. may be a consequence of other life subjects that shouldn't be blamed on BC. We all go through these events for different reasons and it would be a shame to denounce a valid and proven pharmaceutical product on account of needing a scapecoat.

I have been on Aviane for almost 3 months now. I have already experienced depression and severe anger problems. I get mad over the littlest things now and I feel like breaking things... I feel enraged often and feel like hitting the people who make me angry. Also, I have never had any problems with my periods other than cramps. Before Aviane, my periods were only about 3-5 days long. After taking Aviane, I have experienced 2 periods of unreasonable lengths. The first one was a week and a half, the other a FULL TWO WEEK LONG PERIOD! This is insane! I am just starting my third week of my third month and am experiencing spotting which, like before with the other 2 months of Aviane, will turn into another period 1 1/2-2 weeks long! My cramps in addition became worse than before and I developed bad acne. I was previously on Trinessa and the only problem I had with that pill was acute depression causing me to not sleep as well. I told my doctor and he switched me over to Aviane. And in addition to everything, I have experienced significant weight gain and a URINARY TRACT INFECTION! I am a very clean person; I have never had a urinary tract infection before, and it does not run in my family. I believe Aviane is the reason why I have developed a UTI. I seriously advise everyone not to take this Birth Control. I have been on 3 different birth controls and I NEVER had problems with any of the others not nearly as severe as I have with Aviane. Under my personal experience with it, Aviane is the WORST BIRTH CONTROL EVER! I am getting off of it ASAP!

i find these anger and acne comments very interesting. i have been on Aviane for almost a year now. i find myself uncontrollably furious to the point of gritting my teeth, which i never experienced before this pill. also, after never having had acne as a teenager, i am a 34 year-old in a non-stop battle with my face. i have an appointment with my GYN next month and i will certainly be asking to get off this pill and try another.

I've been on Aviane for 8 months now, and I have no problems except for lots of pimples and breakouts that don't go away. They have started when I started taking the pill, and I have never had any serious problems with acne before. I'm thinking of switching to a different pill, but I'm afraid of more severe side effects. What should I do? And I know that usually pill make breakouts disappear? So I don't know.

I started taking Aviane last week. Before that, I'd been on nothing for six months, and before that I was on NuvaRing for six months. I was prescribed birth control because I have really bad hormonal acne that nothing else fixes. I stopped taking the NuvaRing because it make me feel slightly brain dead lethargic?) and very depressed (but my skin looked great!). Anyway, Aviane. I feel really, really good. Normally, I'm sort of depressed and I have a lot of mood swings throughout the month, but all this week I have felt startlingly sane. I can think clearly, my emotions are totally under control. My husband has even noticed! I really hope this isn't just an early side effect! On the down side, I have constant mild nausea, some trouble sleeping, and it makes me feel kind of sleepy. I'm going to try taking it before bed and see if that helps. Also, I may be having trouble sleeping because I've been drinking more coffee than usual during the day. I have not experienced any weight gain yet, also a good sign, since I usually blow up within the first week or two.

I've only been on Aviane for about a packet and a half, and I'm already not liking it. Hence why I am on this sight looking up info. I have experienced the anger out of no where, never feeling happy, and just feeling like i don't care. It's starting to affect the relationship with my finance. It's also decreasing my sex drive. I no longer want to be intimate or "huggy-kissy". Granted I am waiting till marriage, I'm on the pill to get used to it before I get married and to help my PMS. It does help the PMS symptoms (heavy bleeding, cramps, etc), but last time it was like 2 weeks early and I think it's about to be another week early. My boobs are ALWAYS sore...even when I'm off my period. And I sleep on my stomach which makes things hard sometimes. My face has cleared up though. No severe weight gain yet...just a little maybe. I may wait to see if the affects get better as I go through the next packet, but from the reactions of some of the others it wont. SO i'm probably switching Monday

It seems like everytime I get back on a birth control after getting off it, i react differently. I started on ortho, I felt pregnant, bloated, depressed, acne. Switched to aviane 28 after 2 months, at first, weight loss, clear skin, than cystic pimples in the last week. I stopped early that week, then decided it would be better to finish the pack. So i skipped two of the days and finished the pack. TERRIBLE idea. I've never looked or felt more disgusting in my life and I didn't get a period. I went back on ortho to re regulate myself. Acne, but felt wonderful! unfortunately i stopped b/c the price went up. Felt terrible after stopping dramatic weight loss that i didn't need. Went back on ortho lo, felt weird, very manly. like muscular, and weird puffy face and dark spots on the sides of my face. I lost a pack and decided not to pay $50 again, i;m a college student and bought aviane 28. My skin has never been so clear! I got really tired after taking them so I think next month i'll switch to taking them at night. I don't feel physically healthy yet after a dramatic weight loss after getting off ortho (even though I'm at a healthy weight), but I think i'll continue with them, but take them at night intstead. My advice is don't play around with these hormones. I'm afraid what i'll be like getting off them. I feel safer taking the lower dose though. My sister has been taking this for years, and claims to have no side effects and thinks i'm crazy when I start complaining about birth control.

Im 29 y.o., i started taking aviane 28 about 4 months go, mainly to get rid of my pimples. although my skin improved - i have experienced some side effects that drive me crazy- weight gain, mood swings, feeling sick, headaches....I want to stop taking it but I'm affraid that if i do- my pimples will come back. Also -I'm not sure if i can just stop it anytime or have to wait until the end of the pack. Does anyone know?

The first week, severe mood swings, I have gained 7 # in the first month of use, My acne has gotten severe( I went on it to help my acne), have also had breakthrough bleeding the whole 1st month.