Aviane and birth control

Well, I'm 32 and have only been on Aviane for a month. I was on Yaz in the past, then stopped to have my 3 kids, and decided to go back onto birth control. On Yaz, I was always moody - crying over everything, and I just really didn't feel I had control over my own emotions. I had little to NO sexdrive with Yaz, so I decided to change to a different birth control. This month was fine - I felt no mood swings, I actually had a sex drive (so my husband was VERY happy about that), and aside from the huge Thanksgiving dinner I just scarfed down, I can't really attribute this pill to any weight gain. The only downside to this pill so far is the fact that I haven't gotten my period yet. I'm so used to getting my period the Monday or Tuesday of the placebo week, and it's now Friday, and no period. Took a prego test, and it's negative, but I'll tell you, my husband and I were definitely freaking out for a while there. Apparently, since each pill affects people differently, missing a period on Aviane isn't too uncommon, especially in the beginning. Guess I just have to let my body get used to it.

I've been on Aviane for a month and just got my period.
So far here are the good things: I haven't gained weight. My boobs haven't swollen up like crazy (they usually do right before my period), and my period isnt killing me! Yay! I used to have HORRIBLE week long periods. It was so bad I would throw up and stay in bed squirming in pain for hours and miss work and class because of it on my second day of my period. But after this first month of being on Aviane my period will be max five days long which makes me really happy and I'm only sleepy but there ARE NO CRAMPS. Also I'm always lubricated during sex and it doesn't hurt anymore. It used to.
It also helped my bladder. I have interstitial cystitis and now my bladder isn't as sensitive anymore.

Negatives: I AM VERY MOODY. I cried a lot this month and was really paranoid and jealous about whatever my boyfriend was doing. I am never like this.
I have a lack of appetite. I have lost weight (not that I'm complaining).
I'm always tired.
My clitoris isn't as sensitive and I have a hard time orgasming. Before I used to have multiple orgasms but want less sex. Now I am always aroused but can't orgasm! It's weird.

But it has been the best birth control I've been on. And I've tried EVERYTHING. So we'll see...

I started taking Aviane on Sunday, and i have been on it for 4 day now. just in the 4 days i have become a NUT CASE. i warn every girl not take this birth control. I was fun, loving. optimistic person and after I took it, I have been very irritable, borderline depressed, and very sensitive. There is no good outcome to this birth control. Hopefully I'm not pregnant, stupid birth control!

Ive been on birth control for a month everything was ok then i missed one week of birth control cause i didn't have time to get a new packet and i felt really moody and frustrated with everything to the point i wanted to scream. I am back on Aviane and my breasts feeling really tender and soar. I hope it doesn't feel like that 4ever.
-C.

i'm 17 and i've been on aviane for two months and it has not been good. the person i used to be has been totally wiped out because of this pill. I used to be optimistic, loving and caring, and now i'm negative, extremely irritable, always sad, aways angry, always nasty and mean to the ones i love, beyond my control. i even cried reading these reviews...that shouldn't be the case for anyone. i've also gained five pounds in the two months that i've been on it, and i'm also always bloated. i was told that it would take up to 3 months for things to feel normal again, but reading these reviews gives me no hope for this. it never occured to me until now that by changing my pill, i could become myself again. so there is hope! :) ..i have an appointment with my obgyn coming up and i'm definitely going to check into something else. i'd really like to stay on birth control due to the fact that my periods are CRAZY unpredictable, but this pill is definitely not for me.

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.

I've been on birth control since my early 20's and now I'm 39. My most current bc was Diane 35 which was not bad. I was scared about the risks of using birth control after the age of 35 so changed to a lower form of birth control-Aviane. Was suppose to have Alesse but was given the generic Aviane. I've gained weight so most likely due to my bad habits, old age due to a lower metabolism. I'm sure I'm at my max weight of 120. I've been feeling horrible in the dressing rooms when I'm trying on clothes and my stomach seems to be more "muffin top" than normal. Also, feel very bloated all the time...thus, a spa rep had asked me how many months I was(might have been the type of top I was wearing but...) I just went on the scale at a gymn I was trying out and to my shock I had gained 10 pounds? I haven't eaten that much different lately...is it Aviane? I think it's time for me to get off bc..

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've been on Aviane for the past couple of weeks. This is my first experience with birth control and I'm 23. So far the only side effects that I have experienced are: slight irritation that went away, sparse small pimples, light spotting, and slight loss of appetite. I'm not complaining about these symptoms in the least. Each woman's body will react differently to each pill she's on. So not every woman will have the same experience with this pill as another may have, as obviously stated by the previous comments. In saying that, I don't think people should read these blogs and either (a) not choose this pill because of somebody else bad experience, or (b) expect these things to NOT occur when you get on a pill because most of the symptoms people are describing are listed in the information pamphlet that comes with the pills and are outlined by your Doctor before you start taking them. If symptoms are that severe, talk to your Doctor. It's not that this pill is "bad" or "no good" it's just not suitable for everyone.

I cannot believe I happened to find this page today!! Thank GOD!!

I was looking up reasons for being exhausted and irritable (which I feel I am ALL the time lately) and thought- maybe it has to do with my birth control pill. After reading these posts it sounds to me that it does!

I have been taking Aviane for 10 months now- prescribed Alesse after the birth of my daughter but was given Aviane by the pharmacy because it is a generic that is supposed to be the same as Alesse. I have been depressed, irritable, unable to sleep, overly exhausted, spotting for 3 weeks, and am beginning to gain some weight. I brushed the depression off because I thought it was my hormone levels returning to normal after the pregnancy. Unless I have postpartum depression (which I don't feel I do) then my hormones should have stabilized by now!

As for the weight gain- I'm not eating any differently than usual- maybe less do to the stress of being in school part time, being a mom and wife, and working, so this gain is not typical for me. Generally, when I'm stressed I lose a few pounds.

My irritability is out of control! Since I've been on Aviane I have been angry and mean. My reactions feel out of control. I can't count the times I've told my husband that I don't know why I'm acting the way I am and that I feel my "freak outs" are beyond my control. I have destroyed some of my husband's personal property as well as my own during fits of rage. When I pull myself outside of these situations I say to myself- who the hell is that person because It's not me. I used to be very laid back, easy going, and rarely angry in the past.

Every night I wake up at least 3 times on my own. My daughter sleeps through the night so I can't attribute my lack of sleep and night waking to her. I can't seem to get through the day without a nap. Sometimes I take two because I feel so tired.

All of these behaviors are so uncharacteristic to me. Before I had my daughter I was a competitive soccer player and enjoyed running, hiking, and biking. I traveled the country working as an archaeology field tech where I would work 10-12 hours outside all day, sometimes walking 4 miles or more a day in the hot summer sun. I enjoyed life and was light hearted and funny. I would never raise my voice to the people I care and never considered myself someone with a temper. Sadly, for the last 4 months I have been walking through life wondering what is the matter with me and wondering why I couldn't get myself together. I never even thought to research the side effects of my pill!!

Thank You EVERYONE for posting your thoughts or problems because it has helped me to see that maybe this pill isn't for me!! I am going to stop and will post again in a few months to let people know if my life has changed for the positive since quitting this monster of a pill.

I've been on Aviane for almost 3 years now. I decided to look up the pill for the first time today because I was frustrated with my unexpected weight gain. Of course I have had other symptoms on this pill such as irritability and depression but I never really related it to the pill. Other than that I have loved this pill and thought I was walking in the clouds compared to my other friends and their bad experiences with birth control!
My question to all of you is: could my unexpected weight gain be due to the pill or something else entirely? Since I've been taking it for so long I'm not sure it's possible that it could be the pill. Here are a few facts:
I am 23 years old (so I started the pill when I was 20). I have gained about 15 pounds since I've been on it. I eat very healthy and exercise 3 days a week. I have never had any problems with weight gain in my mid section until now and so I am looking for answers!

I have been on Avaine for almost 2 years. I have been on almost every birth control since I was 16. From depo to the patch and four types of pills. I was diagnosed with PCOS have been on Avaine for almost 2 years. I have been on almost every birth control since I was 16. From depo to the patch and four types of pills. I was diagnosed with PCOS 2 years ago… they took me off my pill tri-sprintek (I think that how spell it) I loved that pill. Didn’t have any mood swings, and my periods would come on a Wednesday and stop Saturday. I was on Yasmin (YAZ) because of the PCOS… it helped with my hormone imbalance, but gave me chest pains. I had to switch to Avaine, I have to admit that my sex drive is lower then what it use to be. My period starts Friday or Saturday and ends Monday or Tuesday. My pimples are gone and I have lost a lot of weight. Not sure if it’s due to some of the other pills I take. It’s not such a bad birth control. But it’s not for everybody. So if doesn’t work for you change your pill. But it can take your body up to 3 months to get use to.

Hi i just started Aviane three weeks ago and I noticed every day light spotting or sometimes moderate spotting , is this going to be like this for three months or when will it even out? and i know im no where near having my period but why am i have 4 days of cramps ? let me know :) this is my first time being on a birth control pill and im 24 :).

I HAVE BEEN TAKING AVIANE FOR TWO MONTHS AND STARTED TO HAVE HORRIBLE PAINS IN MY RIGHT SIDE AND BACK.

THE PAIN STARTED UNDER MY RIB CAGE AND WRAPS AROUND TO MY BACK.... WHERE YOU LIVER AND GALL BLADDER ARE! i HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE IT, AND I DO BELIEVE IT IS CAUSED BY THE BIRTH CONTROL PILLS.

IT HAS COST ME A TON OF MONEY AND CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER, IM PI$$ED!!! NOT WHAT I WANTED!!!

SO BEWARE TAKING AVIANE!!!!!!!!!!!

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 :)

I agree with summrsweetie -- even though I didn't like Aviane, it isn't a bad idea to wait it out a FEW months to get your body adjusted. Things like this do take time.

As for the anxiety, when I first started birth control a few years ago, I had mild anxiety issues. But, it was unclear whether this was from the BC or from the antidepressants they were prescribing me. It seems as though it could be the antidepressants, which I've since stopped taking. But I wouldn't rule it out that it was the BC. Bodies react strangely when any new medication is started.

I've been on aviane for just three days, and I'm already breaking out. I felt dizzy and my vision kinda weird just reading this on the computer. I was on a different birth control before and felt anxiety and depression so I've been off for 8 months and just tried to start aviane thinking what I took before was just a certain stage in my life and I could start new this time. It's only been three days on aviane but I'm starting to feel like same. When I was on the pill before my doctor was confused and said he never heard of it relating to anxiety to birth control,and after reading this all these people have been getting anxiety too. Does it happen with all birth control pills? And it's only been three days on aviane but I'm starting to feel the symptoms described already, should I stop now?

ive been on aviane for about 8 months after switching from yaz because it made me SUPER emotional (crying everyday for no reason) and previously ortho tricyclin (made me feel flu-like symptoms the week before my period). the first month on aviane wasn't great, i was spotting and had cramps every time i took the pill. i decided to wait it out because it typically takes your body about 3 months to adjust to a new birth control. im glad i waited because i have no complaints now other than a loss of appetite. i lost close to 15 lbs (which is not necessarily good for me bc im 5'8 and now only weigh 110 lbs) and i went down a cup size (i miss my full C that yaz gave me hah). otherwise, my sex drive has increased drastically. before i barely even touched my boyfriend, poor him..but now i cant keep my hands off him. i don't really PMS too bad, so thats good too. i have some joint pains but i don't think it has anything to do with aviane.. all in all i say try it and just wait it out, the first few months may not go smoothly, but its not likely to with any new BC you try. give it a shot

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've been on Aviane for a month now. Positive things about it, it's cleared up my face a lot, and I've gone up a cup size and my period is shorter. Negative things about it, a week before my period I was PMSing really bad. I was fighting with my boyfriend constantly and I was being a complete bitch. I've never had worse PMS in my life. I got on birth control cause I had horrific cramps and my period lasted for 7 or 8 days. I still have cramps their bad but not as bad as they used to be and my period only lasts from 3-5 days.

I started taking Aviane maybe a week ago and i've never felt like this in my entire life. At work yesterday I just wanted to snap at everyone, and today i woke up with a horrible headache. I'm dizzy all the time, my vision is is weird, I'm getting pains and numbness in my right leg and arm, I feel very weak, I'm getting very bad pains in my chest and shortness of breath, i'm nauseated and I'm so grumpy and sad all the time. Today i've wanted to just cry for no reason. This was bothering me so i looked up the side effects on the package and i have most of the severe side effects. This scares me so much ! I stopped talking birth control almost a year ago because i was very forgetful, i was on alesse, so this time they gave me this pill because it was cheaper (even though i am fully covered) I was concerned and questionable about it but the assured me that it was the same as alesse just generic. well i'm going to stop talking it as of now and going back to my doctor.

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'm on my 2nd month on aviane, almost to the last week... and i've been spotting a lot. i just had my period 2 weeks ago and now i ahve it again. it lasts about 10 days too. i gained a little weight, but now i'm trying to lose it. the doctor said if i start my period early the next month, then she will up the dose. that was last month. i hope i get something different than aviane after reading all of these problems with it.

during the past 2 months i've also been very emotional. i'll start crying out of no where, me and my boyfriend were fighting constantly, only have sex like twice a week, which is rare for us, and i thought all of this was just ME, i really hope it is the aviane birth control, i've been starting to think i was crazy and was bipolar or something.

thanks for your posts ladies :)

I have been taking Yaz for 3 months (my first round of birth control in my life) and I thought it was great. It was originally intended to help my skin and regulate my period a little more. After not having any improvement skin-wise, my Dr. decided to switch me to Aviane last week. I've never heard of this b.c. before and being a naive person, just filled the prescription without looking at any side effects. I'm only on my second day, but I cannot believe how irritable and moody I am. Everyone told me I looked depressed or out of it all day. On top of this, I currently take meds for anxiety/depression but I noticed how anxious, shaky, and sad I felt today. I don't want to jump to conclusions and think it's the pill, but this all just seems to coincidental. I think I will be making a call to the doctor tomorrow.

I have been taking Aviane for a month now. I have noticed extreme fatigue and more irritability than normal. I am 22 and have not had the best luck with birth control in the past but it is suggested that I take it as I have already had one ovary removed due to ovarian torsion. BC can help prevent more cysts from forming. This pill was given to me in place of Alesse which is what my Dr. prescribed to me. I am so discouraged with how tired I am. I have lost all motivation to work out which is something I normally enjoy very much. Last night i picked up another pack of pills for this month, but after reading all of this I am very hesitant to even take them. After a week of Aviane I go my period unexpectedly in the middle of my pack of pills, which has never happened to me. I had planned to just skip the week of sugar pills since I had juts had my period for a week or so, but now I think I will just stop taking them which I know is not a good idea. I just can't stand to feel this exhausted all the time anymore. It is making my life so much more difficult than it needs to be, and not to mention that I feel sad and hopeless and can not understand why. Yesterday I woke up and just started crying! This is not normal...even if it is a new pill and my body is not used to it yet.

I am almost finished with my second week of starting Aviane, generic for Alesse which I was originally prescribed for. Before this I was on Yasmin for almost two years and never had a problem until this past December. I suddenly having some sort of anxiety attacks or something. I would get chest pressure, constricting throat as well as a lump and was feeling miserable as it would come at different times and unannounced. I had an EKG, chest x-ray and cat scan of my chest to make sure everything was fine and I didn't have clotting in my lungs- and everything came back perfectly normal. It's hard for me to say if my experiences are really anxiety or not, and if they were connected to the pill, as I didn't really give much of a break between Yasmin and Aviane. I don't feel so bad anymore, and occasionally I will have slight chest pressure or a strange feeling in my throat and that's all. However, with Aviane I've definitely noticed extreme bloating and I feel ten times as full after I've eaten a normal amount, and in the evenings I get an upset stomach and overall ill feeling, like mild nausea but no vomiting. I have appointments soon to have a thyroid ultrasound and to see an ear,nose and throat specialist. Other than that, I do plan on taking a break from birth control after I get my period just to see if my symptoms have simply been the pill all along.

I have been taking Aviane going on my 3rd month, and I really have not experienced any side affects. In my first 2 weeks I did feel the urge to snap at people, but I was able to control it. I had come across this site the night before I started taking Aviane and was pretty horrified, lucky I have not experienced anything awful. Other than my first 2 weeks with having mood swings, since Ive been taking Aviane it has made me loose weight to the point that you can see my sternum, Ive been able to control not loosing anymore by eating higher calorie foods. So if you have the same problem it's easily fixable to not look like a skeleton. I have also noticed that during my last week and a half before my 'period' pill, I have become bloated, that entire almost 2 weeks. Some days it is worse than others, but the bloating really hasn't effected me severely, and I can deal with the bloating for only 3 days of my actual period. Which has slowed down immensely. I was a very heavy bleeder during my past period history, and Aviane has almost subsided my period all together. Which is wonderful. Overall I have no complaints about Aviane unlike a lot of girls who have posted things. I was really scared after I read these posts before I started my b.c. but all you have to do is go for it. You'll know if a birth control is right for you within the first month. Every birth control affects everyone differently. (I took Yasmin before - It made me gain 40 POUNDS in the first month, no joke. It was horrible.)

I set out this morning to do some internet research on women's hair loss and I am SO glad that I ended up here. My hair has been thinning slowly but surely - most noticeably right at my hairline and I'm pretty distraught. I have no history of baldness on either side of my family and I know this isn't a genetic issue. Anyway, I ended up on the American Hair Loss Association website which lists birth control as a culprit (never considered this - I'm 28 and I've been on the pill for 12 years). This made me decide to look into the side effects of my birth control which just happens to be...AVIANE (I didn't even know the name - that's how aware I was.) This is starting to sound like beating a dead horse, but I was on Alesse for 10 years with NO problems whatsoever. From 2006-2008 I was put on a generic form because I was under military healthcare. They basically gave me whatever generic they had "in stock" that day so I didn't even stay on a consistent generic birth control, which is bad news. I just thought I was turning into a crazy, emotional bitch who hated life because I moved away from my home and family for my husband's military career. I actually learned to make peace and manage it...until the hair loss. Call it vanity but that's where I draw the line. This part is key: I didn't see the consistent hair loss until I got on a steady stream of AVIANE. Once my husband got out of the military, I went to a regular obgyn but opted for the generic form of Alesse (so the say) just to save money (at the time I still haven't put it together that it's the bc that's been making me unhappy.) I've been on just AVIANE since July 2008 and started noticing hair loss around September 2008, have seen no regrowth and I think it's getting worse. That search led me here and I am so glad it did - on top of the balding, the last few months I have been moodier than normal, have small fits of rage (that fade quickly, thank god), have been mildly depressed and unable to really enjoy life, I've gained about 5 pounds without a lifestyle/diet/exercise change, I've had more cystic acne (although daily exfoliation has helped this immensely) and lo and behold, 2 days into the placebo week and I feel GREAT. I have one more week on this month's pack - I'm making a doctor's appointment on Monday and I am DONE with AVIANE.

i have been on aviane/alesse for about a year. i have noticed any side effects really. i took it because i have endometriosis which is heavy irregular, painful and emotional periods. the pharmacy keeps switching me back and forth from aviane to alesse which is suppose to be the generic brand. but lately i have noticed that alesse makes my cramps come back and i lose weight, while aviane makes me gain weight but feel better. i have noticed with both i get angry, but briefly, and its a million times better than when i would faint cuz of the pain, and take so much Tylenol that i wud hallucinate. i recommend anyone sick of trying so many brands of birth control pills, and sick of finding different side effects with each try Chaste- Berry (tree). its natural and amazing, but WARNING..it does increase fertility. but it has really helped. the brand i use is VITEX by lorna handerhaeghe. but if you really want to keep with birth control stay with the same one for least six months if your side effects are not bad. they do go away once your body adjusts. also some side effects may be because you are missing some vitamins that you need. ask to get tested at your doctor or naturalist. you would be surprised. for those that live in dark and dreary winter climates, most of us miss some vitamin D. a lot of us miss calcium which makes it possible to absorb vitamins. you can get your medical insurance to pay for chaste berry if you get a letter from your doctor.i wish you all luck!

Wow, this site made me feel so much better. I was on ortho tri cyclen lo for 3 years with no problems. I had great skin, no cramps, no headaches, nothing.. but the price went up and my insurance changed and eventually I couldn't afford it. I went to my doctor and they put me on Aviane 28. I HATE THIS PILL. Tomorrow is my last pill and then I am done with this. I have been so INCREDIBLY TIRED that I can't even stand it. I've also been having awful headaches and minor problems with contacts and vision. I am so glad that I came to this site because I thought something was majorly wrong with me. I can't believe this pill is so bad! So many people have commented (not just on this site). I already went to my doctor and demanded to go back on Ortho, despite the cost (went to Planned Parenthood and got on one of their plans for people who have no income, aka a student like me so now my pills are free!). If you are thinking of trying this pill, I don't suggest it, it's really not worth it. Oh, and on top of it, I've had bad nausea too, something I can't seem to shake! Good luck everyone :)

I am sooo glad that I found this website!!! I have had so many of these symptoms, unfortunately for a lot longer than some of you other women. I've been on Aviane for about a year. The pharmacy automatically gave it to me instead of Alesse. I have a very stressful job as a 911 dispatcher so I though most of the side effects were from stress. I read an article in a magazine about how birth control effects your sex drive and started doing some research..... come to find out its not from stress!!!! I called and made an appointment with my doctor immediately!!! Although she told me that the symptoms that I had aren't normally caused by birth control, she switched me to Ortho Tricyclen Lo. It has already made such a difference!!! The mood swings are gone, Im not overly emotional or angry or erratic. I don't explode at the drop of a hat, I feel soooo much more mellow and in control. My sex drive has come back in full force!! My husband and I have had more sex in the last month since I've switched pills than we've had in the past like 6 months. He too has noticed a lot of changes and definitely agrees with me that it is worth it to pay the extra money each month to have a good pill and have me feeling better. I wish I would have thought about switching birth controls sooner. Aviane is terrible!!! It will make you into a craaazzy person!!

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.

I haven't been on Aviane long. I've used Depo (the needle) and I have also been on Alese. I was told Aviane and Alese were the same thing. I highly doubt that. My reaction to returning to birth control after my second child has been drastically different then any other time. I find my breasts are extremely tender, to the point that some days anything that is remotely binding is not an option. My moods are out of control. I feel anxious, depressed and angry more often then ever before and more intensely. I used to be a pretty easy going person. My sex drive has completely disappeared, to the extreme that I don't even want to be touched (cuddled/kissed etc.). This is not doing good things for my relationship with my husband. I'm glad I found this site. I though perhaps I was just going crazy. I'm going to stick with it for as close to three months as I can to see if the symptoms level out, but I have children, if it gets any worse I will be switching. Thank you so much for this forum.

Yeah I don't know why physicians just put us on this Aviane because its "cheaper" than Alysse. Mine told me it was basically the same thing but it's obviously not because I've been breaking out in zits like crazy ever since I went on it. I also got harsh mood swings, intense fits of anger (broken furniture can attest to this) and it comes completely randomly; one tiny thing can set me into a fit of rage. I had previously been using Alysse since I was 16 (I'm now 22) and it worked perfectly - didn't have harsh breakouts, my moods were normal, didn't gain weight. I've been taking Aviane for more than six months now and the zits (which are often huge and painful) haven't gone away :( I wash my face day and night, haven't changed my diet at all... So I can only assume it's because of hormonal changes - which only leaves Aviane.

I'm definitely switching back to Alysse - hell I'll pay the extra five dollars if it means a clear complexion and my/my boyfriend's sanity!!!

I was really happy that a little light went off in my head and I decided to research Aviane and Alesse. I have suffered from depression in the past and that is why my family physician had prescribed this low dose birth control. As I am approaching menopause years this was intended to level out hormones as I was beginning to experience increased troubling and symptomatic times of the month. I am only half way through my second packet and I have just experienced the worst week I have had in a long time. I didn't want to get out of bed, I am desperately sad, anxious about the future, crying uncontrollably, and have had an outbreak of pimples the likes of which I have never had in my life. Oh, did I mention hot flashes? I thought the tightening waistband was the depression and inertia, and I thought the depression was due to the regular suspects this time of year; lessening daylight hours, ANOTHER birthday on the way, dysfunctional Christmas to mention a few. This was no regular bout of seasonal depression I realized while crying last night for Will Farrell's hard luck in Taledega Nights.

I've just returned from the pharmacy and the pharmacist agrees with my decision to stop taking the pill immediately and contact my doctor first thing tomorrow. I hope there is an alternative pill, but after the week I just had I think I can put up with a day or two or bitchy rather than an entire month of being a fat, cranky, pimply, curled up ball of useless.

Thanks for having the information available, it seems like there are more stories than not about what I have experienced.

Thank you so much for your post. I as well, was switched to Aviane (as it's cheaper) and have noticed a HUGE lack of sex drive. I'm in my "sexual prime" and couldn't understand what was going on. My fiance actually thought I was cheating on him because I'm just never in the mood. I haven't noticed a bitchy side to myself but as well have been bloated and couldn't figure it out as I've been eating better. Just the other day I told my fiance that I'd go on the net to see what I could find out about Aviane and man am I shocked. I only wanted to see what the different ingredients were in Aviane as opposed to Alesse. I just got a 3 month refill but will no longer be taking these after this package is done. Thank you all and hopefully many more women will see our posts and realize that they aren't going crazy...it's their birth control pills that are changing their lives.

I have been on Aviane for about 6 months now, and hating it! I took Alesse for four years with not one problem. Same case as everyone else, I got switched to Aviane as it was "the same" and cheaper. I thought I was turning into a crazy person the last few months! I am very easily irritated, and snap at stupid things(never the case for me) I have TOTALLY lost my sex drive and have gained weight. My poor boyfriend has had no idea what to do with me and my irrational behavior and lack of desire. I am seeing my Dr. next week and asking to be put specifically back onto Alesse. Aviane is NOT the same as Alesse as is obvious by all these comments! Stick with what you know and don't let them switch you to generic versions of birth control!

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 have had lots of the side effects that most women described. The most severe for me was the dramatic hair loss that I suffered while taking, first Aviane in the beginning then being switched to Lutera really did'nt make much of a difference, however I have lost weight which was a plus, but the hair loss and restlessness made it a minus not to mention the depression and low sex drive. So I have decided to finish my last pack, then just completely go off of birth control pills and hope my cycle lightens up, otherwise I will try some Homeopathic remedy and see how that goes. Good luck to all, hope you find what works for you, sometimes you do have to experiment, before you reach that ultimate goal... Take care all...

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 taken Aviane for about 10 months. My mood seemed relatively normal for a while, but slowly worsened, and for the past five or six months I've been extremely emotional and depressed. I've lost a lot of the zest for life that I once had. I have occasional bouts of happiness where I feel like my old self (usually during the placebo pill week), but the second something goes wrong, I get a very negative attitude that it is impossible to snap me out of. I'm often sarcastic and irate, and the littlest thing will set me off. After reading so many reviews by people who've experienced the same thing, I'm hoping that my BC switch will help me feel like myself again. If not, I'm going off birth control altogether. Life's too short to be angry all the time, and the pill isn't worth it.

I just started my 3rd pack of Aviane. One of the reasons I started taking birth control was to lighten up my period due to anemia. Well, so far its only made my periods worse. The first pack i had breakthrough bleeding for almost 2 weeks. It was heavy, the cramps were worse, felt sick, and worse depression/anxiety. I went to the doctor and he said this was "normal" and that I should continue the pill. During the second pack I bled for over a week and it was heavier, bad cramps and a headache for a week. Not to mention my "period" never came during the placebo pills but I know it can take time to regulate. I just started my 3rd pack of pill and I'm not feeling well. Just nauseous, sick and depressed again. Just last week when I was on the placebo pill I felt just fine and now i've started Aviane again and i feel horrible. All I know is that if bleed irregular/heavy this month again, i'm either going to go off this horrible stuff or go to the doctor to find a new birth control that doesn't make me feel sick and depressed all the time!

I'm 24 years old and I've been on Aviane for about 2 years. My sex drive is GONE. I live with my boyfriend and we have a great relationship. He is my best friend. We have sex MAYBE once or twice a month and I still don't even want to do it then, but I feel bad for him so I do. I also snap at everything, and I always feel like I'm going to explode. I snap at him and my cat and my family at least once a day. I can hardly do my laundry or drive my car without feeling like I want to punch a wall. I've always been such a laid back person so I definitely think it's the birth control. I didn't gain any weight on this pill. I actually lost weight so I'm terrified to switch to anything else, but I think I'm going to have to because it's ruining my life.

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?

I have been on aviane for 3.5 years and have recently decided to turn to natural forms of birth control. I have experienced anxiety and anger, which is not my normal character response. I am mainly doing this to keep my body safe and my husband safe. I hope that my decision affects someone in a positive way.

Yeah, I started taking birth control for the first time in my life about a month and a half ago. My periods usually last less than a week with only a day of mild uncomfortablness, but since I've been on Aviane, I've been bleeding buckets everyday and having terrible cramps. Which means no sex with my awesome boyfriend. I thought the point of birth control was to have as much sex as I wanted and to have less periods. I stopped taking it two days ago and am waiting for my period to return to normal.

Did I mention the terrible mood swings?

I am almost done my first aviane pack (28). it is my first time taking birth control so i am not sure what is normal. i have been spotting since i ended my period...soo i have been constantly bleeding for almost a month now!
i have increased sex drive.. and this mild bleeding is really bugging me.. does anyone know when it will stop.. or if it will?

*PLEASE REPLY*

thanks in advance :)

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 am 26 and have been on several kinds of birth control. this is the best so far for my getting depressed although it makes me a total spaz....total spaz! i take a month or two break every now and then just to remember that i am a rational human being and feel great and happy and am a wonderful person and then i get back on the shit and two days into it i can feel the dark cloud of Aviane descend over me and i cant really describe it any better than that....the tiniest things irritate me and make me angry and become huge things. its annoying and makes me feel pretty frustrated but hey, its not a baby!...so thats got to count for something. it is true though....so true about it making you weird at least a little....it is a drug....and you are putting it in your body to alter the natural course of things.....notice how I'm trying to talk myself into it still....yuck.