Aviane and sex drive

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 am seventeen years old and i have been on Aviane for almost three months. I have never been on any pill, this is my first time on the pill. I read all the side effects and i have had different side effects from the ones i have read. My sex drive has gone up and i have irregular periods. This month i have had my period again for the third time. this has never happened to me before. So i searched online and found this website which is a great relief. I have also been very tired, taking naps and having having heart burns without even eating. I have not been eating well either, i eat 1-2 meals a day or go on without eating at all. I've been having headaches two to three times a week. Some days i experience cramping without being on or near the time of my period.

I was on Alesse for years and did fine with it, then took a pill break. When I decided to go back on the pill for my PCOS, I wanted Alesse but was told they don't make it anymore so I am forced to take Aviane. Since I started taking Aviane 4 months ago, I have gained 5-10 pounds, feel bloated and heavy, have no sex drive, and just feel kind of "blank" a lot of the time emotionally. I wish I could get Alesse back!

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 have been taking Aviane for several months. My sex drive has diminished quite a bit and I am having trouble losing weight. In the past I've lost weight pretty easily by eating less and exercising, but since I've been taking the Aviane, it's been a struggle. I was on Yaz for awhile, but switched to Aviane because it's a $10 co-pay vs. $50, but I'm not sure it's worth it. Tomorrow I am going to call my doctor to see if I can switch back to the Yaz...

I have only been on Aviane for a week and a half. Within the first couple days, I noticed some bloating, which annoyed me, but which I thought would eventually go away. It didn't. In fact, it keeps getting worse. My routine is the same; yoga each morning for an hour, plenty of walking, a healthy diet. But I have gained at least 10 or 12 pounds in this short period of time, and each day seem to balloon. On top of it, I am nauseated every day, as soon as I sit still for a moment. I've also had a noticeably reduced sex drive, anxiety, and have been easily provoked into feelings of anger and depression, so much that I've often taken myself out of the situation mentally, noticed my ridiculousness, and felt out of control in preventing my responses! I think it's not only affecting my relationship, but absolutely affecting my sense of self-control and self-esteem. I can't deal with this, and after reading most of these posts and learning that I'm not alone, I realize it doesn't necessarily get better, and often gets worse. Everyone is different, of course, but I think this brand, and maybe even method, is having a very negative impact on my life. Thank you all for sharing your experiences. It's been a huge help. I'm going to look into other methods and am looking forward to feeling like myself again!

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.

I didn't have a very good experience with Aviane. I took it for two months and within the first week of taking it I felt angry all the time, enough so that I was snapping at people for no reason!
During the second month of this pill I lost the ability to sleep through the night, I was up two or three times a night and had no reason to be. On top of that when I did sleep I had incredibly vivid dreams usually I would wake up and not feel rested. My breasts were very sore as well and swollen, my bras actually no longer fit! Unfortunately my sex drive took a dive too, I rarely had the desire and usually that isn't the case. During this month I also gained weight, which is ridiculous seeing as though nothing about my lifestyle was changing. I was really upset!
I'm glad that by chance I found this website, now I realized it was indeed Aviane. I did get off of it and I am trying a new pill next month.

I'm on my second pack of Aviane right now & I really prefer it to most other birth controls I've tried. I haven't had a single zit on my face at ALL since I started taking it-- not even the week before my period, which usually causes me to break out like crazy. It also makes my cramps much less painful, and it has definitely increased my sex drive.

I switched to Aviane from Balziva because it caused me to lose hair, and Ortho-Tri-Cycli-lo because it made me a CRAZY bitch to my poor boyfriend, and cry almost every single day.

I still PMS the week before my period, but my mood swings definitely aren't as crazy at all.

Oh. And I lost 5lbs.

No huge downsides I've noticed yet. Tad bit of dizziness, but I'm not sure if that's cuz of the BC or what. Oh, I'm 21, 5'6 and about 115 pounds. If that helps anything.

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

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!

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

AHHHH! I'm so mad right now that I decided to google this stupid bc and here I am =] I'm so sick of being bloated! Grrr I am always soso bloated it's insane! Sometimes I have to lay on my back on the floor to keep from exploding! It's even causing back pain. I have never felt so fat in my life. I have gained like ten pounds in the first month and I work out like a crazy person?? This is horrible! However, I haven't had the decrease in sex drive like everyone is saying? So that's good I guess. Im quitting this stuff! I'm tired of midol malox cocktails and always feeling fat! Oh! And my boobs went up a cup size and they ALWAYS hurt! I really can't deal with fluctuating ten pounds....IN MY BRA!

Reading these posts has given me a HUGE sigh of relief. I am desperate to find something else and get the hell off of Aviane. I think I've been on it since at least 2002 or 2003. Like many of you...I'm irritable, angry, cry, hungry, moody...an emotional basket case!! I start PMS 2 weeks before my period begins. I can flucuate at least 3-5 lbs a month. This month has been the absolute worst. I forgot to take a pill (totally normal for me to forget). I have had cramps, bloating, 5 lb weight gain ( I am training for a 25k, there's no way it's fat!), and actually have had my period for 1 entire week! I can not take it any more and I have a doctors appointment at 10:45 tomorrow morning! I will not leave there until I have a new prescription and an explanation.
SEX DRIVE- I am writing this in caps to get your attention. I'm 27 years old, married 2 years to my husband who I have been with for 7 years. I am completely and madly in love with him but have no desire for sex. We fight about it every day, without fail. For so long I felt that I was a bad person. I have no explanation for not wanting to have sex. I don't want to get used to feeling this way. Our sex life sucks. I wish it was better but part of me doesn't care because I don't crave it. BUT- i did before, so I know there's something wrong. I won't settle for this feeling and I don't want my husband to feel this way anymore! I want to show him that I love him. I can't wait to get off Aviane!
Did I mention that i'm always tired? I'm constantly finding ways to increase my energy. From coffee to red bull, hydroxycut, spark, you name it. My energy levels are pretty high while I'm busy or working out...but the minute I stop, forget it...I'm OUT! It's gotten to the point where I've fought with my friends and family. Did anyone else fall asleep at 10:30 on New Years Eve??- I'm 27, I have no kids....problem? I think so..
The only constant in my life is AVIANE! Gee....ironic? I don't think so. Thank you to all the women that have posted their experience with Aviane. I have read so many of them. I also read a lot of them to my husband to reassure him that it has to be my birth control that is making me "asexual" and crazy! I look forward to visiting with my doctor, forcing her to change my birth control and finally, looking forward to starting a new life...I HOPE! I will be happy to respond to this forum to share my new experience....tbd!
Thanks again to all you other bloated, irritable, crazy, emotional basketcases that aren't having sex more than twice a week! Gotta love being a woman!

I've been on Aviane for much longer than most people in this thread, about 7 years. I hadn't had problems, but lately have problems with spotting before my period, weight gain, excessive appetite, and very little sex drive. I seem to be more interested in sex while I have my period (the week I'm not taking the pill), but this is less than ideal! Think it's time I stop and let my body get back to normal!

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 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 on Aviane for about 2 years. During this time, I had very severe cramps during my period. This included majoe hot flashes, to a point where I would sweat! Just about every time I ate, I would have to go to the restroom with severe diarreha. All I wanted to do was to lay in bed, curled up in a ball, so nauseated from the pain! I was so miserable!! Not to mention my horrible mood. I was mean to everybody and I was so depressed that I would just cry for no reason. It almost caused my boyfriend and I to break up a few times because he couldn't take me anymore! Once my period ended, the mood swings ended, but I had no sex drive what so ever! It kept getting worse every month, and I am only 25 years old! So, I recently switched to Yaz. It costs a lot more, but so far is worth it. My sex drive is back, no PMS or mood swings! Cramps are very light and I haven't felt depressed at all. I am in such a better mood all of the time every day. Something else I noticed is that my sudden feelings of anxiety have disappeared! I thought it was just me, but now I believe that it was caused by Aviane. Also, It has made by breasts grow a whole cup size
with no weight gain! One more thing is that I used to have so much hair loss in the shower, and I thought it was from straightning my curly hair! Since I switched, it has dramatically lessened! Ooh! And one more thing...I have smoked for about 8 years...not a lot, just a few a day. Since I have been on this I have not had any cravings cir a cigarette.... maybe occasionally while having a drink or coffee. So maybe it is from Yaz as well! I am so glad I found this forum, and wish I found it sooner! Good luck everyone :)

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 started aviane because of horrible cramping, i would miss class because i would be constantly crying, not sleeping, and uncomfortable bloating. also the protection of pregnancy benefits. ive never been on a pill before.
i am in the middle of my 3rd week of aviane, alesse's generic. i only see my boyfriend during the weekends bc of distance, and -before- i started i had great sex drive, and never had a problem getting in the mood.
since beginning aviane, i have had cramping, like during a period for the majority of being on it. i have no sex drive whatsoever and cant even get wet after hours of foreplay, and that's never been a problem.
i take my pill at 8:15, and ive only been about an hour off twice.
im also a lot more easily angered and stressed, crying over stress and crying when getting yelled at which i usually don't do so easily, not being able to stop crying
i cant exactly call my gyn. because im not planning on going back to her, we didn't get along, and i don't know what to do..
i also think im beginning to get a yeast infection, and i haven't had sex at all since beginning the pill so i do not think it could be anything else.

This is my first time ever using birth control and my doctor gave me Aviane. To me its done nothing 'good' or done anything special besides keeping me from getting pregnant. Since i've been on the pill i've only had many emotional spills (ex. i colored a picture and bawled my eyes out because it was ugly), many anger problems, irritation, yeast infections, MAJOR stomach problems (bloating, cramping, heavy feeling), weird periods, depression, anxiety, loss of my sex drive, pain behind the eyes, and pretty much everything else that you can possibly get. Dont take this drug, its horrible.

I was switched from Alesse to Aviane in February due to my drug plan's preference for generic drugs. I have experienced serious bowel problems specifically inflammation and extreme pain. It is interesting to note the issues that others have had with sex drive as I have suspected for some time that Alesse (and I continue with Aviane) that it was affecting mine. I have also noticed a that I am much quicker to irritation and anger in recent months.

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 had major mood swings and sex drive lose, i had even worse cramping which i didn't think was possible before the pill.i get major headaches,my flow isn't any different.i had weight loss which isn't good since i'm 5'2 and 100 pounds.i was on for 3 months and refuse to take it ever again in my life.

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"m one week away from the 28th pill. I've had nothing but problems with this pill. Yes it is suppose to stop you from becoming pregnant but It stops me from even wanting to have sex. My boyfriend told me to tell you "I"m pissed off". I don't have a sex drive anymore, I can't have an orgasm!!!! it's horrible!!! I get headaches every other day, and pain behind my eyes as well. I've been on my period all month. Do not take this pill if you have one that is working for you. I will continue to use it until the third month, I"ve been told thats when your body will be use to it. I will give you an update and let you know how it goes.

I am 21 yrs old and I have been on Aviane for 1yr. now. This would be my third different BC. I was on the patch before taken Aviane I was having these side effects on the patch :dizziness, blurred vision and many more just to name a few. Since being on Aviane I have had a lot to side effect: depression moody, anger, (very bad) hair loss, slurred speech, loss train of thought, weight gain (about 15 lbs), decreased sex drive, headaches, severe cramping and other side effects. I wouldn't recommend this BC to anyone.

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 was on aviane for 2 months and then switched to the generic brand lutera. While on both I experienced severe anger problems, and I am definitely a very chill/laid back person. I became very snappy and the smallest thing would annoy the hell out of me, I felt like I had anger management issues, but I definitely know that it's from this pill because I never had any issues like this before. Also, my sex drive/libido is almost totally gone. I get dry during sex really easily, and this has also never been a problem before.

I have been on Aviane for 5 months now and love it. The first 2 months I had breast tenderness and intermittent bleeding. Once the 3rd month passed, I felt completely normal. It did reduce my sex drive though. I had no weight gain and it helped alleviate my mild depression.

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.

hello, im 18 years old i just started avaine maybe a month ago, and im starting to get side effects and its the 2nd month. ive been on birthcontrol. im starting to bleed alot, and im not suposed to be on my period until a month from now, its confusing and its not very nice at all, i think this pill is making me more sexualy active and having alot of mood swings, and im pretty sure its making me feel sick in the mornings and before bed. its my first time taking this pill and its very unconfortable.

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 was taking Alesse for like 4-5 months and was fine now my pharmacist gave me Aviane and said it was the same thing i only did one month and i developed serious side effects . I'm only 18 i have No sex drive at all . I'm always sad cry for absolutely nothing and loss weight, no appetite I've stopped it its almost been a week and i sleep better feel more like my self but i still have no appetite and no sex drive how long does it take to come back ??

okay so I am new the B.C and I was taking Alesse for about 3-4 months and once i started on the fourth month I started to get terrible nightmares and they never seemed to go away, first I thought it was because I was stress but the thing was I wasn't stressed I just started going out with my boyfriend and my family life is not bad, so I didn't understand it till I told one of my girlfriends in class and sje told me that there was some bad stuff about Alesse, so I was going to switch. But yesterday my pharmacist dropped off my pills and it wasn't Alesse it was Aviane and I was like what ... but I took it anyways because I have really bad cramps that come with my period and such so I took it for the first time this morning with out knowing what it was about. My doctor didn't even tell me about it. so I decided to go look on the internet to see what it was about... and now I don't know I mean I have a bad enough time with my normal period let along it getting worse because of this pill. I really don't want that to happen to me, like I am only 16 so i don't worry about the sex drive stuff but mood swings I don't want that to screw up my new relationship with a great guy.
So if any one can tell me the straight facts and help me out because I don't know if I want to go to my doctor and ask her to switch me before i even get to the end of the pack.... so please any help would be great.

areas that help would be awesome in is
what pill to go to if I do switch
what are the main side effects
what is the best thing to do if I do get these side effects

I've used 3 different kinds of birth control, and my advice is--STICK WITH IT! :) Any hormonal birth control is going to give you some side effects, and they're going to be different for everyone. That's why there are so many different kinds we can try. But you have to give it time! Never switch types of hormonal birth control if you've been on it less than 3 or 4 months, unless of course you've got the dangerous side effects that are really rare (like heart attack, blood clots, severe depression, etc.). Hormones are really complicated, and it TAKES TIME for your body to get used to them.

Have you been on Aviane less than 3 months and you've got: breast tenderness, increase in acne, weight gain, decrease in sex drive, headaches, nausea, mild depression, mood swings, irritability, breakthrough bleeding, cramps, increased appetite, problems with your contacts, etc.? Welcome to the club. :) I PROMISE that most (if not all) of these will go away by the time you're on your third or fourth period, and you get so used to the ones that are left that they don't really even impact your life anymore. If after 3-4 months you've still got side effects that are really impacting your lifestyle, that's when you need to go to your doctor and talk about other options. It really is a trial and error kind of thing, but you have to be patient! Birth control isn't like popping a pill when you've got a headache--it's a commitment, something you have to really stick with if you want the benefits (like no babies!). Pay attention to what your body needs, of course, but if you're going to take hormonal birth control, you kind of have to pay a price for a few months first.

But hey, birth control really is great. It's so much easier than trying to worry about condoms or diaphragms or other kinds of barrier birth control (can you say "kills the moment?"). And there are good side effects, too--shorter, lighter, less painful periods (over time), etc.

Good luck! Stick with it!

I have been on Aviane for about two years. When I was 18 I was first prescribed Seasonale, but it gave me terrible breakthrough bleeding and massive headaches. My doctor switched me to Aviane and I did completely fine for one year. I gained some weight (about 15 pounds). I switched to the NuvaRing because I wanted a BC that was easier to maintain, not because I was unhappy with Aviane. I completely loss my ENTIRE sex drive on the NuvaRing and briefly switched to the patch which was also terrible.

I am back on Aviane now, and have been for five months. My sex drive has come back, though usually only when I am on my period and taking the inactive pills. My periods come about four-five days after I stop the active pills and last for about five days. They are not overly heavy, probably normal. I considered switching to Yaz or Loestrin24 when I see my doctor tomorrow, but after reading everything on here, I think I will stick with Aviane. I highly recommend it to anyone because I have had the least side effects than any other BC out there and I have been on many.

I am 21 now and have been on BC since I was 18.

I am on my third month of Aviane and I must say that I find it okay. It is the first oral contraceptive that I have ever taken. The first month I was on it was terrible at some points due to the break through bleeding (spotting a week before my period and my period lasted a week after that and was rather heavy), including cramps, occasional headaches, etc. However, I stuck with it and gave my body time to adjust to the medication. By the end of my second month on it most of my symptoms dissipated. I HAVE NOT experienced any unusual weight gain, however, I do find that I tend to be more moody and/or emotional sometimes. My skin has cleared up since I went on the pill, which is a plus, (except for the occasional pimple during my time of the month.) Also, I've gone up a cup size, but my breasts are also a bit tender. I haven't found that it 'dries' me out down there, and my sex drive is somewhat still the same.

To people who are new to the medicine and reading all these other people's symptoms and experiences, I advise them to stick with the pill for the recommended 3 months before changing brands, and also to consider how long most of these people writing have been on Aviane. Your body needs time to adjust to any type of hormonal medication and also, everyone's body chemistry is unique.

Well i have been on Aviane for almost a week now and i have noticed a change in my sex drive it has decreased and even when i try "she" is completely dry. Also I noticed that I have a "I don't really care attitude". I was on Levora first and i had no problems like the ones above but I switched because I would get a yeast-infection every time i stop taking them to get my cycle! Now i am just confused and don't know which way to go. I have tried the Depo shot (bleed for three months), and the ring (bleed on and off for two months). Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I was prescribed Anesse (or something to that effect?) but Aviane was the generic brand, and since my insurance doesn't cover it right away (I have to send receipts in), it's much smarter for me to buy the more expensive pill.

I do agree with the anger issues. I didn't really tie it to the BC until I read some other symptoms that you all were having- but since I've been on Aviane I have been very impatient and moody. I still have a sex drive, and I still love being with my boyfriend but I get REALLY upset with him VERY easily, which isn't really "me".

I have also been SO tired since I've been on it. Before I started on Aviane I could stay out until 3 in the morning and be fine. Now it's nearly impossible for me to stay awake past 11, and waking up in the morning is even more of a chore.

My skin hasn't necessarily cleared up a lot. I do break out less (generally just around my period, which is expected), but when I do break out it's almost impossible to get rid of.

A good thing is that it definitely does it's job, and I haven't gained any weight. In fact, it's easier for me to lose weight now. :)

i'm on my 3rd week of aviane and i have never been so miserable! i was previously on yaz, which was working wonderfully with the only side effect being mild nausea. unfortunately, the yaz was becoming rather expensive, so my doctor switched me over to aviane. last week (my second week) i spotted on and off for 2 days. my sex drive has just crashed, and i feel like i can never make up my mind on how i feel. one moment i want to be held and cuddled and loved and then the next i want to hit anyone who tries to touch me. i feel so bad for my poor boyfriend! on top of all that, i'm a nightmare to my coworkers too. i get so angry over the stupidest things! i'm almost tempted to take the $40 difference out of our food money and apply it towards going back on the yaz! aviane may work for some people, but i'm slowly realizing, this is NOT the bc for me!

I am 18 years old and finishing up my 3rd pack of Aviane this week. I have tried other brands of birth control and had to stop after only a month of taking them because I had severe depression. My mood swings were horrible the first month but now they are less frequent. I just started college and there is a change in my diet so all weight gain I know is from my pattern of eating and not the pill. Since I've been on this pill I have never gotten my period during the 7 "reminder" pills, I get it 7-14 days earlier and experience pms symptoms for about 5-7 days before that time. On top of that, my periods are lasting 7-10 days on this pill. I feel like I only have about a week where I am not pmsing or on my period. I have noticed a lot of hair loss as well, to the point it's starting to embarrass me. I also get randomly angry for no reason.

Despite these major down points, I am doing better on this pill than other pills. I am less depressed than on other brands, I have no problems with my sex drive, and my mood swings are less often compared to other brands. I can at least tolerate these side effects. But in all honesty, I'm frustrated. This is the third brand of pills I've tried and I don't know if I should switch because I feel like I'm always pmsing or on my period. I feel like I have to choose between emotional side effects or physical side effects with birth control. I do not know if I should consider trying another brand or just accept that this is the best experience I can possibly get while on the pill.

I have been on Aviane for about six months and I too have experienced weight gain (after working very hard to get rid of it prior to going on Aviane...), mood swings, which are horrible just before and continue the first few days of my period, mild depression (probably a result of the weight gain), and similar pregnancy-type symptoms (swollen breasts, going to the bathroom more often, and cravings). This is the first month that I've put two and two together to recognize that the symptoms/side effects are probaby related to the birth control. I've been on so many different types of birth control, I really don't know what to switch to next. I know that I need a lo-dose of estrogen, because I frequently experience a lessened sex-drive on BC pills.

Honestly, i have nothing to complain about.
I'm 19 years old, and i started using birth control at 18. My first birth control pills were Ovcon-35. They left me feeling terrible. Depressed. My whole body ached, i couldnt move. My sex drive was non existant.. my period was off. i was getting it every 3rd week and it would stay for 14 days. Then i began getting yeast infections every 3rd week. i went to the doctor and was prescribed Aviane. These pills have made verything improve. I am able to become self-lubricated. my orgasms are more intense, i have no more depression. i want sex constantly.. my breasts are tender before my period, but for me, that is how it has always been.
I think that everyone is different. If Aviane is your first birth control pill, it may just be that. Ovcon-35 was my first, and i hate it with a passion.

As with everything, people react differently to different hormones, and chemicals. I think doctors need to look deeper into their patients backgrounds. it's a shame things like this are over looked.

-Michelle

Lessened sex drive, modd swings, headache. What I really dislike is the fact that every other month I have pregnancy symptoms- Really tender breasts, cramps, severe increased appetite. I drive my poor husband nuts every other month!!!

While on Aviane for a year I gained about 30 pounds. I decided to stop using it to see if it was really the pill since now it is being said that the pill no longer causes weight gain. After one week of non-use I have lost 3 pounds. I guess it just depends on the person. I also experienced frequent headaches and mood swings and my sex drive decreased. I believe that all of these were side effects from the pill.