Yaz and weight gain

I have been taking Yaz for over 1 year and I don't have a lot of side effects except the weight gain. I just want to get off Yaz but I am just not sure what the side effects would be. Anybody knows the side effects of getting off the pills?

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

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

I have been on YAZ for about four months. It has been a horrible experience with me. I use to be a happy person. Now I am the totally opposite where it is effecting my relationship with my family as well as my boyfriend. To the point it is driving them crazy. The slightest things will make me snap or I would take things the wrong way. It started the second month taking it and I thought if I keep taking it my body would get use to the hormones. I was VERY wrong. It has been worse. Also my periods are still not regular as well or if I do have any at all, they are light which is the only PLUS for YAZ. I am also experiencing MAJOR weight gain, I have gain 20 pounds more than I was before I was on it and my eating habits and exercising habits have no change. After this last month of depression, moody, and just being tired all the time I have decided to make another doctors appointment to get switch off a YAZ. YAZ may work for some women but not all, so be aware to what it does to you as well the people around you.

I am 22, on my 3rd month of Yaz and have 3 days left in my packet. I will NOT continue to take this bc. I have never felt worse. I don't feel like myself, I constantly am angry or sad to point of tears nearly every day for no reason. I have not been spending time with my roommates like I used to, I feel like I have no motivation and do not want to ever do anything. I thought I was going crazy with all my yo-yo mood swings which seemed to take me down more often than up. I would not recommend this pill. I just moved to California, am living with 5 other awesome people as a volunteer in a house with a new teaching job. I should not be depressed whatsoever, but I just feel down ALL the time. Headaches, bloating, weight gain, nightmares, and poor sleep have all accompanied the severe mood swings. I think because this pill is specifically for ppl with PMDD and I do not have PMDD it is wise that I get off it as it seems to have the opposite effect for those who do not have PMDD. But after reading everyone else's side effects I feel so much better (and not like a lunatic like I've been feeling!) and positive about this decision to stop taking Yaz.

I was on Yaz for two years, and gained a total of 17 pounds from the day I went on it, to the day I went off of it. I'm sure some of the weight gain can be attributed to other factors, but I didn't really change my diet or exercise regime at all and the piles still packed on. I also always looked really swollen, almost pregnant, like you could see the water retention in my tissues. I had issues with my hair falling out, too. The plus was that my moods did feel more leveled out, but then the weight gain and hair loss caused other emotional issues so it was a no win situation.

I went off of it about a year ago, I've lost 15 pounds of the weight and my hair loss has pretty much subsided. But now I have very short periods, lasting three days tops. I worry that Yaz did something to my body that may affect my ability to get pregnant long term, as it seems my hormone levels have seriously depleted...

First 3 months of my 6 month stint with this pill were great. Like some of you, I bragged about the pill. I'm 29 with a 4yr old and have had my cycle since I was 10. Have been on every imaginable pill since age 14. Never and I repeat never have I ever felt hopeless, depressed, pathetic. I have picked fights with my hubby over anything and apologize seconds later. I have lost patience with my child which is the worst. I don't want to do anything. I lose track of thoughts and motivation is non existent. This pills kicks in slowly around month 4 and then will gradually pull you further down. This was to help with water weight gain and to help with migraines, and to help cramping. I have gained 27.5 lbs in the 6 months I was on this crap. my blood pressure is low which is not common for people who have recently gained excessive weight.My migraines are worse and a daily occurrence. Periods are even harder, longer and painful. Acne has never been an issue, my periods are even more horrendous from day 1 thru 5 which is 2 days longer than I have ever gone. I am now into month 3 of being off ALL bc and the weight is almost harder to get off. I work out everyday and have cut calories down to 1200.. and have amazing water weight to boot. My obgyn who prescribed this has canceled my last 3 appts. She believes I have no side effects and that cramping can be eased by midol and exercise. My childhood family doctor has put me on lasix and potassium and is awaiting my arsenal of blood tests results he ordered Friday. I suggest any other option besides this pill. I am not on anything as I stated before and my sex drive is still quite non existent as well.

I'm 37 and have been taking Yaz for 3 weeks now and all I want to do is sleep and eat. This is the first time I have changed my birth control in 5 years. My doctor put me on Yaz because my PMS is so bad and my boyfriend is over the monthly break up. I feel just like you do....I always worked out at lest 5 days a week and I haven't gained weight since high school. Now I have been eating cookies every night and I'm not working out at all. I was telling my boyfriend that I just don't feel right. I don't even want to finish the pack of Yaz pills I have.... but I'm scared if I start taking my old pills for the rest of the month it's going to mess me up. I'm so happy that I'm not the only girl that feels this way. My boyfriend wants me to give it a chance because my PMS is sooooo bad. All I know is that Weight gain is one of the side effect and I'm not going to put weight on for any reason. If he think I'm a bitch for one week out of the month he doesn't want to see me gaining weight and miserable...TOTAL BITCH !!!
Thanks for your feed back it helped.
J.

I came to the conclusion myself, luckily, that Yaz was causing my weight gain. After having back surgery in April and gaining not a pound while not working out, I have been on Yaz for four months and I literally have gained 10 pounds in the past three weeks, my boobs hurt like when I was pregnant and I have even been lactating a little! Ugh! Sex drive...gone. Headaches, lack of motivation, could sleep ALL day. I took Yasmin for years and years with no problem at all. I recommend against this method of BC if you aren't taking it for a specific condition. It's just not worth the hassle OR a new wardrobe! I'm almost 40 years old, have been working out since I was in my teens and have not weighed this much since I was pregnant. I know that the trainers in my gym think i'm some kind of closet eater or something! I'm working and working and getting fatter!
The symptoms all are things I experienced while pregnant with my son - 18 years ago! If I wanted to feel preggers, I'd get preggers! My new husband probably thinks I'm letting myself go now that I'm married. Luckily he's very sweet and understanding. It was his idea to change my BC back. Call you doctor. Now!

I can't believe that I finally found the solution to my problem! I didn't know what was happening to me its like I am a whole different person.
My side effects:
mood swings
weight gain
decreased sex drive dramatically
depression
not caring about anyone
feeling like i am the biggest loser in the world
i cry at everything
I take the pill at night and it seems like night time is the worst time. I cry to my boyfriend about how I want more attention from him when he gives me the most attention ever lately. I cry about the stupidest things and he even said somethings wrong with you emotionally.
It's effecting our relationship because I been on Yaz for years and up until the last 2 months i been a complete nut case. I am a freaking psycho and hate everyone. I am so glad I found out what it was and I am stopping this and changing my birth control or just stopping it completely for a little while because I want my life back before I ruin it all.

I am a 25 year old female who at 24 had never had any experience with birth control other than a quick prescription to a generic hormone to take care of a long period at 16 (due to stress.) Only a few pills were taken and I was fine. Now, at 25 I have been on YAZ for a year. I began taking it because I became sexually active at 24. Why? Well, I was mature both mentally and physically. I have had friends who became sexually active at a young age and who started birth control young. The side effects were pretty dramatic. I had seen a slim friend gain a whole lot of water weight. She even said it was the patch and later monthly injection causing the problem but the side effect was well worth the pregnancy prevention. I was against the use of birth control due to my preconceived notion of horrible side effects. However, once the monogamous sexual activity began I knew that I needed to take something. I had heard about YAZ and knew that it was something new and different. A different hormone used for prevention. I researched the pill and looked into any side effects. The posts I found seemed a little too ridiculous. I decided to find actual accounts and spoke to a co-worker who had been using YAZ for awhile. In fact, the majority of females I know use the product with no problem. Thus, after my yearly checkup I requested YAZ. My gyno welcomed the suggestion and even gave me several packs for free. It’s been a year without a problem. However, this morning I was hounded by my mother because there is a warning and lawsuit against YAZ and YASMIN (seen by a commercial-lawsuit.) This is due to severe side effects and death associated with blood-clots (when presented with heart disease, diabetes, etc.) I am a healthy 25 year old that frequents the gym weekly. I do not smoke. I drink every now and then. NO SIDE EFFECTS. My period starts after the 3rd pill is taken. It is quick and simple. I enjoy being able to plan things around my period. Cramps are light compared to what I use to go through. I can take one Ibuprofen the day of the third non-active pill and not feel a thing. I use to have horrible leg cramps and now I have no problem. My pre-menstrual mood has improved and I think it is because my period is no longer a strong factor in my life. I use to dread it and now I welcome it. I do not have any skin issues, no bloating, and no weight gain. Heartburn occurrence which is slim to none is similar to what I would have had before YAZ. I was appalled to find this site and to discover that people are having problems. I do not understand why people are so quick to blame this pill on everything. It seems like a lot of users who are posting on this site are extremely young. The body is still growing and maturing at 18 and even into the early 20’s. In my late teens, I was extremely moody and stressed due to college, etc. Any hormonal regulation then would have probably put me overboard! I am going for my yearly check up next month and will discuss this lawsuit with my gyno. I am concerned about this lawsuit. More importantly, I am concerned that this pill will be taken off the market. Call me a statistic but I like YAZ and would recommend it.

i was on the depo shot, and LOVED it! for the first few months i spotted All throughout the month which got really annoying, but after a few months my periods stopped completely!! it was AMAZING!!!! i didn't gain any weight on the shot, but i was Always hungry and Never felt full. after going off of the shot i still didn't have a period at all for like 3 or 4 months! :D .... but then.... i started bleeding ALL the time. off one week, on for a whole week, off one week, on for a whole week...etc. this happened for 2 to 3 months. finally i went a gyn and she recommended that i go on yaz to regulate my period. ... it worked for a little while, but for the passed 3 or 4 months i bleed at least twice a month! both for about a week at a time. this sucks!! and sadly any hormone makes me a little moody :/ i was at a really steady weight of 111 and sky rocketed to 120 when i went on the pill. i go to the gym at least 2 to 3 times a week (as i did before i started the pill)... and im down to 115. but it seems to want to stay at 115 :/ so still a little weight gain involved. sometimes my sex drive is super amazing to where i almost climax at the snap of a finger. but lately... a lot lately, its almost impossible to climax! :( which is super disappointing and frustrating!. (any advice for the climaxing part? :( lol seriously. ) ... i don't want to go off of birth control, because sadly i Hate rubbers! my mom wanted me to try microgestin cause i bleed a lot on yaz, but those pills don't look or sound appealing to me. any suggestions?? lol... overall i would recommend either yaz or the depo shot. both have ups and downs. :)

I just had a baby five months ago. Started taking Yaz at my six week check-up. I am 28 yrs old. My side effects include: mood swings, MAJOR LOSS OF SEX DRIVE, weight gain, headaches, nausea at night before bed, Inability to pay attention, Restlessness, backaches, An aversion to touch, sometimes I feel as if I don't have any emotions at all. depressed for no reason. and so vary tired all time. I had taken Yaz before and experienced some side effects but was only on for a month my effects were headaches, and break through bleeding. Had a baby and tried it again and now I am just wondering what is wrong with me. My wonderful husband has been so understanding and wants his wife back lol. After reading other postings I am not going to finish this months pack and stop this craziness once and for all.

Hello,
I have been on Yaz for a little over a year. I have experience a few side a affects, which has me on the path to changing my birth control. Since I was 18 I was on Othro Novum, last year I decided to try Yaz to help me with my mood swings during my period. I have notice I have gained about 8 pounds this year. I have been working out for the last month and my weight has not moved. I went on that website for yas and weight gain. Thinking okay limit my calorie in take and workout. That has not work. Recently, I have been having BAD migraine headaches. I had a migraine headaches the entire week before my period and during the week of my period. I went to a neurologist earlier this week and he prescribed me migraine medicine and told me to get off the YAZ. Oh yea and decrease sex drive. Sex is thing from my mind. So, now the question is what do I go on now. I am 26 and I didn't have this many problems on my previous birth control. I thought about Yasmin but I hear you can have a decrease in sex drive with that too. So what do you go on then?????? lol

I have taken YAZ for over a year now and have recently stopped after running out. I have recently started gaining weight, becoming moody, but I have noticed that I have a lot more energy where as before I was sluggish and had a very hard time getting out of bed. I would get up late and take a nap in the afternoon. It got bad enough that I was running late to work, and was not able to get up to attend class on time. Lately I have been up early and have stayed up all day. I wish the weight gain would go away being that I've gained about 20lbs in 3 months and I feel hungry all the time.
My big problem is that my period has been about a day in length or non-existent (I know lucky me) but I have never had this problem. My period has been regular since it started 12 years ago. I take pregnancy tests every month being that it makes me nervous that I could be pregnant and they come out negative. The doctor doesn't seem concerned and says it'll start again. Im curious if anyone else has experienced this problem in stopping bc because this is the first time I have ever stopped taking pills. It makes me nervous as to whether I should be seeking different health care being that I am still young and have not had children yet.

Now I am on week 2 of Yaz...
Still no weight gain & my mood swings have actually stopped. I think the only reason I had them was because I was on my period during the first week I took Yaz. I've never had acne, just a few pimples here & there & I have already noticed that the few I did have started to disappear a few days ago.
However, after having a lighter period for the normal 7 days, I continued to bleed lightly (spotting) for about 4-5 days after my period, which was extremely annoying. AND I noticed a decreased sex drive. My boyfriend and I used to have sex 2-3 times a day, & over the past week we have only had sex twice =[
I will keep you posted as more time goes on, right now I feel so-so about this pill- I don't love it, but don't hate it either. Definitely has its ups and downs.

I've been on Yaz for approximately 3 months changing from Yasmin based on lower-level of hormones in Yaz. I had no negatives on Yasmin, in fact, it worked very well with my body. Although, I faced getting off birth control altogether (suggested by my gyne) or changing to a lower dose - I decided on the latter. Since on Yaz I've gained approx. 10-15 lbs. I workout 4X/wk so claims suggesting that working out regularly should squash weight gain are simply untrue. I can't seem to shake the layer of fat around my lower abdominal, hips, arms and chest. I thought perhaps I was going crazy but then my chiropractor and I figured out what had changed in my diet outside of taking vitamin supplements (i.e. Vitamin D, Omega 3 and a mutli-vitamin). Although there are claims vitamin supplements can cause weight gain as well, the extra weight coincided w/ the time frame in which I started Yaz not the supplements which began long before it.

I've decided to get off hormones altogether (originally suggested by my gyne) and take nothing. I'm hoping in conjunction w/ regular exercise and a healthy diet the 15 lbs. will come off.

In hindsight, I guess the birth control worked in one sense, w/ the extra weight I most certainly didn't get attention from male suitors!

I am sitting here reading these posts shaking my head in disbelief! I have been taking yaz for 8 months & have the following side effects: don't care about ANYTHING, snappy & extremely irritable all the time, absolutely HATE sex & I have never ever had that problem, weight gain my stomach has never been this big before, my boobs are HUGE they have increased a bra size at least, all I do is eat, hot flashes for no reason, & just don't like anybody anymore. My memory is gone, & I can't pay attention at all nor do I care enough about anything to pay attention. I took my last yaz yesterday I am all done with this horrible pill & I pray I get back to normal soon!

I've taken Yaz for the past 18 months. It was fine the first few months, then I started to get severely depressed - suddenly and for no reason. I had a hard time wanting to live, despite the fact that I have the "perfect" life as a stay-at-home mom, 2 kids and a wonderful husband. I also would feel like crying quite often for no reason. Everything else was fine: regular periods, good skin, no weight gain.

I recently quit yaz, about 6-8 weeks ago because of the mood swings. This is how I feel nearly every day since: shaky, crazy in the head, headaches (which I never got before), full of anger and outbursts at my children & husband, jittery and sleepy in the afternoon (like I have low blood sugar or something). I really feel like I'm going crazy. I'm going to go see my doctor this week to see what's up. I was considering hypoglycemia, diabetes, or thyroid problems, so I'm glad I found this site and considered yaz as the culprit.

OMG! Thought it was due to my age. Thought I was going crazy! Everyone of these issues I have.
Headaches, fatigue, fuzzy head, incredible appetite, quick weight gain. I also have lost a lot of hair and have hair damage (very dry and breaking off).
My doctor actually suggested this product to help with my PMDD. Did not help me just created another set of issues. I do not need birth control I need the hormones but not that bad.

Has anyone else had problems with their hair?

Ive been using YAZ for almost a year now and before reading all these side effects from other women I thought i was falling apart at the age of 24.

Since ive been on YAZ these symptoms have occurred:

Some weight gain, Eyesight from great to HORRIBLY nearsighted, discharge, periods sometimes are twice a month and is a brown gross color, migraines, terrible skin problems: like blisters on my face & neck that crust over and last for weeks, GI problems right before my period, Severe Fatigue, pussy blisters under my armpits, numbing in my fingers and toes, very itchy skin, random sex drives (for months there will be no sex drive then one month ill have a very high sex drive), very mild mood swings (but noticeable), and ive become allergic to deodorant & sulfa drugs.

Before using this BCP : i had great skin, perfect eyesight, athletic & energetic, normal periods, and was never allergic to anything.

Ive had so many doctors visits to try to figure out what was wrong.... i got allergy injections, antibiotics, surgery options...........but no doctor could really tell me what was causing it and its very frustrating to have so many things go wrong and no one can tell know why or how to fix it!. Anyways, im going to call my OB/GYN TOMORROW......

I had a horrible experience as well, but I found a wonderful site to help me recover. I encourage you to check it out. http://www.createforum.com/yasminsideeffec/viewforum.php?f=1&mforum=yasminsideeffec

Before I had my son I had been on Orth-TriCyclen off and on for about 4 years. My periods were always normal and when I went off the Pill it was so easy to become pregnant. After my son was born in Dec. 2007, my doctor recommended Yaz. I've had all the symptoms everybody here has talked about: anxiety, depression, weight gain, very high blood pressure, no sex drive, and just overall not feeling like myself. I just attributed it to post-partum and my body trying to readjust to not being pregnant. But the biggest fear, but secret relief, was the fact that I NEVER HAD A PERIOD!!! not once!!! I think I spotted twice in the course of a year. I would like to get pregnant again in June so I went off Yaz in January. It is March and still don't have a period - don't get me wrong it is kind of nice, but I am also very worried. My doc says its normal, and to just give it time, but I still feel worried that Yaz may have messed up my fertility and I may have a hard time getting pregnant again if I don't get my period back. I haven't received any good info about this - maybe someone else is in this situation -

I started Yaz November 2007 since my periods were heavy and I had really bad cramps. I am a medical student and I was starting my surgery rotation so I thought I couldn't deal with the cramps during surgery, so that is why I started. It seemed great at first I had no appetite, my weight has been stable. I read a lot of different books saying hormones shouldn't be taken since it isn't natural and it will cause weight gain etc. One thing for sure is that the distribution of my fat has changed, now I have more belly weight (like the other person who mentioned the yaz roll), more weight in my arms and a little more in my breasts and less in my legs. I have been contemplating for a long time if I should stop taking it also because I am someone with A LOT of scalp hair and I noticed that I lost A LOT of it while on Yaz (but could it also be from the stress of medical school?). My life has been crazy, my father died in September. I cant differentiate if I am crazy/sad/moody bc of my life circumstances or bc of the pill because sometimes I do feel like I am over reacting. I wonder too if I stop the pill if my fat will redistribute again. I am so unsure what to do. I have also noticed that I cannot wear contacts for a long time, sometimes I get debilitating headaches where I cant even lift my head.

I'm on my third month of Yaz. I got on Yaz to clear my moderate acne and so my cramps weren't as severe. I have noticed a slight weight gain and increase in appetite. My sex drive has almost completely diminished. For about two weeks of the month I find that I'm spotting and get severe menstrual cramps (which I have to treat with ibuprofen several times per day). I get extremely moody out of nowhere and I find myself getting tired more than I ever used to. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this product unless you are specifically treating moderate acne. My complexion hasn't been so clear in years.

Today is my LAST Yaz pill ever.... I may not even take the one today. I have been on Yaz for 3 years now because of my PMDD and horrible ovulation pains. Since I have been on this pill I have experieinced.....

1. NO SEX DRIVE
2. I am as dry as a desert...... nothing makes me wet
3. Constipation
4. Weight Gain
5. Horrible mood swings
6. Constant feeling of aches and pains
7. Too many to list :(

Please do not take this drug..... It has changed my health and sex life.... I never think about sex.... It does help PMDD but the side effects do not make it worth anything!

I'm 14, and was prescribed Yaz for my moderate acne.
I was on it for almost three whole months. In those three months i gained about 12 pounds. I constantly felt crappy and down, like their was a cloud over me. I think this may have contributed to the weight gain as sometimes i can be an emotional eater. The day before i threw away my yaz was when i realized how much weight i had gained. Yaz was a complete waste of time and my body weight! Screw that crap

Let me just say THANK GOD for this website...i began taking yaz last may because i saw so many commercials for it and thought it would be great... all summer long i LOVED it and raved about it to anyone who would listen, probably because of the rapid breast growth it caused ( i went from a small b to a double d in a period of six months), but ive been feeling extremely melancholy and moody as of late, and i have ZERO patience; ill snap at the smallest thing. but what inspired me to finally get off of yaz is the weight gain; i used to have a wonderfully toned body, very nice abs and muscular slender legs; since taking yaz, i have gained 17 POUNDS and working out incessantly and watching my diet is doing absolutely NOTHING to help this weight gain...it didn't cause acne, but ive never had acne so im not sure if that side effect really applies to me...but im constantly tired, bitchy, and craving junk food, even when im not hungry. all i want to do is nap all day long and im just extremely depressed all the time. im throwing my pack out as we speak and i suggest anyone who is having similar side effects do the same because they always get worse.

Has anyone been on Yasmin, if so what are the side effects you have faced? I recently started it and i've had a headache of and on it's not bad but i'm a little worried. My appetite has increased but that's the most i've seen so far, yur answers will be deeply appreciated.

YAZ BELLY!! anyone else got it? I have been on this pill for 9 months now & about to switch back to ortho novum product. Within the first mth of Yaz I developed a very round (almost menopausal or pregnant shape) lower belly. It has increased over the past 8 months to a ridiculous size that no pants fit but go figure....no weight gain for 7 months. How does ones shape change that much with no weight gain?? I actually am diligent on diet & workout 3 - 6 days a week. Have looked the same for 2 years til Yaz. Now I have to size up due to the belly & rollover. Also past 3 months I started to experience ovary pain that has become significantly worse. Ob/gyn brushed off my issues at first & passed me on to GI. I have had every stomach test & all good! Remarkable they say! So back to GI to switch this week. The only plus of this pill has been a much improved complexion & actually unlike the rest of you...increased sex drive. All I want to know is I am the only one with Yaz shape belly??

i was taking yaz for about 1-2 years. it was great - my moodiness subsided, lighter periods, no cramps, and it made my acne go away. i noticed that the longer i was on yaz, the more frequent my migraines became (4-5 per month). i didn't realize it at first because i have always gotten migraines (3 per month) since i was a child and i would always attribute the migraines to either stress or stormy weather. with the increase in migraines, i started trying various migraine medications, including zomig and maxalt combined with an alleve. however, i recently switched to nuvaring because my doctor said my blood pressure increased and i was placed on a low dosage of a beta blocker. nuvaring has a lower dosage of hormones and was recommended to me. i used nuvaring for 2 months and then stopped because i had problems with it slipping out. tired of trying differed birth control methods, i simply asked to go back on the yaz. this is when it dawned on me. the entire time i was using the nuvaring, i barely had any migraines (maybe 1 or 2 over 2 months compared to the usual 3-4 per month). i've been back on the yaz for 2 months now and i am having a migraine EVERY week and they last about 2-3 days long. i'm seeing my doc ASAP and getting of this pill immediately. i'm tired of the migraines interrupting my life. they completely immobilize me. i also noticed it completely got rid of any sex drive i have.

Yaz was not what I'd hoped for...Instead, of relieving pre-menstrual symptoms, it only extended and exaggerated them. I had feelings of extreme apathy, exhaustion (i could sleep at any time), severe mood swings, headaches, weight gain, bloating, increased appetite, blood pressure increase from 90/60 to 120/75, cramping(both intestinal and uterine w/spotting), and dyspenea. I felt like my whole life and body were sliding down a hill. .. BAD feeling ....depression! This was only after taking it10 days. Immediately, I knew it was the Yaz. The first pill I took for almost 2 years 20 years ago...I was miserable. Since then, I've tried different pills all with the same results. Ironically, I had to take pergonal to ovulate and get pregnant. (My quadruplets are 12yrs.old and wonderful!) After a year of convincing, my long-time Dr., a female close to my age, thought Yaz would be great for me. I was supposed to take it for 3 mts. The symptoms were like a train. I'd be insane, dead or both in three months. I stopped and it was like stopping a train...severe headache, and more of the same symptoms, but each day is better. I can and you can read your body and listen to it. Do not let self -doubt slide in...Medical professionals want to help you and they should listen; if they don't, they are missing half of the picture, your picture. This time, quite honestly and even b/f I read this board, it made me wonder how many lives are affected
by such...I mean depression, clots, blood pressure, headaches, weight issues and many others...even the divorce rate. We have to have birth control. For me I'll just stick to a little bit of acne, and predictable PMSuntil I go into menopause. I know that others need something very different, and I encourage you to keep searching and communicating.

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

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

I have been on Yaz for three months, first two were okay, not I totally feel prego, morning sickness, sore breasts, moodiness, weight gain, odd bowels. I tried to talk to my OB Tuesday and she got a page in the middle of my appt. Babies don't wait. She said to keep taking it she'd see me in month. AHHHH I can't do this, I totally broke down to my hubby last night and he said to stop it now. I have two beautiful girls, am 26, and am crazy!
Yaz has made me feel like my gestational diabetes is back, my head hurts often, I am cramping, lower back pain, irritably, want to sleep all the time, am short tempered with my kids....this is nuts!!!! Trying to get ahold of my doctor again, might just go back to my childhood family doctor. Good luck, I was on depo before my second child and had a horrible reaction to it too, even miscarried after I had been off of it for a year and still hadn't had a period. Birthcontrol stinks, I feel like I am poisoning my body, and why, so I don't have another baby. So I am experiancing, nausea, headache, stomach cramps, depression, crazy feelings, irritability, fatigue, sore breasts, decreased sex drive, morning sickness.
Good luck with your decisions.

i am 17 years old and i have been on birth control for over 2 years,,
for the first 6 months i was on Yasmin && then my doctor wanted me to have a less hormonal birth control and switched me to yaz the only side affect was little weight gain...
i have depression but i never considered that it would be a cause of my birth control.
sometimes it gets bad... but my doctor said it was just an imbalance of serotonin in my body
my mom is extremely scared b.c she doesn't want me to have the dangerous side affects that she has recently been hearing about Yasmin... but are yaz and Yasmin the same?
i have been becoming increasingly worried about the birth control im on now.. i want to have children when i grow up. but after hearing that death could be a result of the birth control im on... im only 17 im just a kid...
im extremely scared now... although i haven't had any of the side affect i have read here.. im still extremely nervous especially since i have been on the drug for so long...

just found out
that the birth control im on could cause

* Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
* Pulmonary embolism (PE)
* Stroke
* Heart attack
* Death
* High blood pressure
* Heart disease
* High cholesterol
* Overweight
* Liver cancer
* Gallbladder problems
* Diabetes

is this true? could i really die?... im terrified right now

I've been on Yaz for about 2+ years now. I'm a healthy 23 year old. Recently I started breaking out in hives and itching all over constantly. After listing every possible allergy it could be, something brought my attention to the one everyday constant thing- Yaz. I went to read about allergic reactions to this medicine and noticed I have at least TEN side effects! Headaches daily as if on a schedule, intolerance to wearing contact lenses (of which I wore well before starting Yaz just fine), weight gain (I eat moderately but crave junk food even when i'm not hungry!), moodiness (yikes.. this one is really horrible.. I owe my friends and fiance a huge apology!) and irritability unlike anything I've ever known. I break at the smallest thing. I've been looking at changing methods for a few weeks now, but now I know it's making me go crazy, I'm stopping immediately! My fiance and I have discussed this and we both think it has to be done. I'm ready to get back to my old, sane self!!!!! Reading other users posts and the Yaz website has really confirmed my decision. I am sensitive to medicines and don't know why it's just now affecting my body. I'm ready to find something else, even it if means longer periods! Do your research before taking this drug!!

I started taking yaz last summer about 3 months before i got married. sex drive went down the toilet. absolutely none whatsoever. it also caused depression. and even caused me to get a syndrome that is terrible and marriage threatening! my periods were shorter which was nice. but i got more acne than before. weight gain was probably 5-10lbs in the 4 mos i took it. i would not recommend for anyone to take this pill!
it was absolutely terrible.

Almost everyone is affected differently by different types of birth control pills. They are not all the same, please talk with your doctor about what is best for you. Sometimes is DOES take a few tries with different pills to find the best one for YOU.
This is my personal experience with Yaz... I have been on it for 1 year and 1 month exactly. I am 22. I was on Ortho-Cyclen (not tri-cyclen mind you) for a full year previous to Yaz. My periods without birth control were usually very heavy and lasted a week plus a day or two without birth control. My doctor suggested birth control to help with those problem. Ortho-Cyclen helped somewhat shortening my periods to about 5-6 days and made them a "normal-like" flow. After taking it for a year, she suggested Yaz to me help make them even shorter and lighter. Well I switched immediately after the last pill of my Ortho-Cyclen and things proceeded very nicely since I had already been using a method to regulate my cycle.
Yaz has helped me tremendously, my periods are only 3-4 days now and much lighter. I start them after 2 days of placebo and usually have a little bleeding into the first 2 active pills of my next pack.
The only side effects I have noticed are;
1) Weight gain: (I have gained about 8 lbs on this pill) and I even get more exercise than I used to when I was on Ortho-Cyclen. I eat healthy as well.
2) Breast tenderness: I have more noticeable breast tenderness while taking this pill. (But it is not every single day)
3) Cramps: I get cramps now on the first day of bleeding, but they are well taken care of with an aspirin or ibuprofen.
4) Slight depression: I cannot directly link this to Yaz as I am not a professional. However, I do find that a week to a few days before my pill period, there may be a day or two when I find myself crying over some nonsensical thing. (I never noticed this with Ortho-Cyclen.)

Another thing I have noticed though, and it's pretty nice, while I have gained a little weight on this pill, I do not get bloating before/during my period as I used to before I started using birth control pills. And yes, I used to get bloated using Ortho-Cyclen. So I can say that I have to thank Yaz for this "desired effect."
Also, I never suffered from any bad acne problems before using birth control, just the occasional breakout before getting my period, and Yaz actually did away with even that little issue.

I know birth control pills affect everyone differently, this is what happened to me. I started taking Yaz in January after being on Yasmin for 6 years (I had severe abdominal pain on Ortho Tricyclin and Yasmin gave me immediate relief. I had PMDD the last 6 months I took Yasmin and asked to switch to Yaz after seeing commercials on it, other than that I had no problems being on Yasmin for 5 1/2 years). The second month of Yaz, my PMDD went away, I felt normal and loved being on Yaz. I haven't had any weight gain, have mild cramping about a week before my period starts and my period is about 4-5 days and I hardly get bloated but I get a severe headache the day my period starts. The last 3-4 months, I've noticed I've had no energy but still try to exercise, I feel so tired no matter how much sleep I get, at times I don't feel very alert and have to focus hard when driving, have bouts with feeling depressed, and occasional constipation. I didn't have any vaginal dryness but often felt like I didn't have the energy to have sex. I had a blood screening last month which came back normal, this month I noticed my hair seems thinner. I suspected Yaz was the problem then I knew for sure after I found this website. My OB/GYN called in a new prescription for Yasmin today, I'm hoping that will help again - at least until I see him in a couple months, and that the PMDD symptoms do not return.

I've been taking Yaz for the past 5, almost 6 months. I was struggling with PMDD symptoms. There were times when, for a week or more, I would become incredibly depressed, full of rage and anger, I craved anything within chomping distance, and felt like the ugliest human being in the world. My periods were so painful, and I would bleed so much, that all of this just began to control my life. I was literally planning my life around this time during each month. The YAZ has really made a difference in helping solve a lot of these problems, but now I've new problems.

My husband and I have always been very sexually active. We try to make time for sex during the week if we can squeeze it in (we work different shifts), but whether we do or not, we always make up for it a lot on the weekends. However, now, I find myself with no interest. I even encourage him to just skip the foreplay and get down to the deed so I can get it over with. I dry up halfway through, become frustrated if he loses his erection (usually due to my personal lack of interest. I can't imagine that's very arousing. lol) because that just means we will have to work harder to get through this ordeal, and I don't want him kissing on me or doing much of anything to me while we are in the act. It's really damaging our relationship. We are 30 and 31 years old...way too young for this nonsense. I dare say I've even thought a time or two, "Why can't he just have an affair like every other husband and leave me alone?" Yeah, I don't mean that at all, but it's crossed my mind.

That's my biggest issue with it, well, that and the monthly cost. The other side affects I had were dry mouth, dry hair (?? - not sure if this is directly related), lower abdominal pain, mild weight gain, and a rash that broke out on my lower legs and left forearm. These are the CONS so far. I'll list my pro's, too, just to be fair.

PROS" Periods, while still very painful, last about 2 to 2.5 days. The painful part only the first day. The food cravings usually only a couple of days instead of a week or more. Mood swings, if any, are not as severe and are shorter in duration. I feel like a normal woman just having normal PMS mood swings now instead of mood swings you see in those crazy women on those Lifetime for Women movies or something. lol I also suffer from migraines, and these pills don't seem to have affected them one way or another. This is actually good enough for me because usually BCPs have caused them to worsen over time.

So there you have it. It's my own long, personal experience with YAZ.

Thank God for this Site!!!

Just wanted to add a recent post. I have all the same symptoms... fatigue, emotional roller coaster, dizziness, headaches, as well as feeling incredibly insecure. I want NOTHING to do with sex. TMI warning... My boyfriend and I used to have sex AT LEAST on a daily basis, now I cant stand to think about it. I am 25 and have played sports all my life. I even coach for a high school team. This BC is aweful. On top of not having enough energy to do ANYTHING, when I pushed myself to workout, there were absolutely NO results. This is a debilitating drug that has been branded with an incredible amount of false advertising. It seems the pro's that the company braggs about the most, couldn't be further from the truth.
So once again, if you don not want:
Dizziness
Eye sensitivity and pain
Extreme mood swings ( from throwing things to crying over commercials)
Severe cramping (even when not on your period)
Insecurity
Weight gain and inability to loose weight
Food craving
Migraines
Oily hair
acne
Fatigue
DO NOT TAKE YAZ!!!!!

Im 18, been on YAZ going on three months now. I was actually looking forward to a little weight gain, but haven't seen any. I got on the pill one for BC, which as far as my periods go is fine. But I also wanted to reduce the mood swings and lately it seems they haven't gotten much better. All of a sudden ill be in a great mood like I want to be, then the next ill be in a crabby mood for no reason. I also got in a car accident a few weeks ago (my fault) and have noticed that since I started the pills I haven't been as alert while driving. I always get side tracked and find myself slamming on the breaks and cutting people off, which was not the case before the pills. Does this have any relation to taking Yaz?

i have been on yaz for about 1 month now. i am a little scared to start my next pack. i have been feeling a little depressed and not much like myself. i figure i'm just in a rut right now. could it be from the pill? i feel tired and sad a lot. i go to the gym everyday and normally i'm pretty active. i just don't feel like me. i have tried the ring, loestrein, and the patch in the past and all of them gave me nausea and weight gain. so far i don't think i've gained any weight and i don't feel sick but the depression has got me curious. if anyone has experienced this please let me know. i don't know if i should stop the pill or not.

After reading some of you stories, it makes me realize the things I've been experiencing lately has to do with Yaz. The doctor in the beginning said this is the best bc pill ever! no weight gain nothing! RIGHT! I've been eating the same my whole life and I have put on at least 8 lbs. Worst of all, I think it has something to do with my sudden hair loss in the front of my hair! I've been on Yaz for almost 4 months now and am noticing these things. Has anyone else experienced these things mainly the hair problem???

I have been on Yaz for one month now and I had a heavier period than normal for the first month. I was on Loestrin 24 Fe for 2 or 3 years and I wonder if that has anything to do with it. I switched because Loestrin gave me extreme headaches, stomachaches, weight gain. Other than the heavier period everything on Yaz has been wonderful. Did anyone else have this problem and will it even out.

I have only been taking Yaz for about 2 weeks half and already decided that the side effects are not worth it. I've had significant weight gain, horrible migraines, severe bloating, mood swings, depression and my appetite has been very erratic - at times I'll be craving everything possible, and at other times I will feel nausea and can't eat. The only positive effect is that my breasts have grown significantly (which may just be due to the weight gain). It's been 2 days since I stopped taking Yaz but I'm still very bloated...hoping it won't take too long to leave my system! I know it's not good to start the pill and then stop taking it without giving it more time...but like I said before, I've decided that the the negative effects are just too much to deal with.

I was on YAZ for only 7 days before I felt suddenly and completely crazy! On the Yasmin site there are several women complaining about YAZ side effects and asking if anyone is interested in starting a lawsuit. I feel there is enough severity and consistency in the complaints to start one. I don't believe a medication should be on the market that causes so many so much distress. If I could just save one women and her family from what we've gone through I would be willing to put quite a bit effort into it. Please respond to me or one of the women on the Yasmin site if you too think your suffering was enough that no one else should have to go through it. I read the side effects very carefully as I always do but I don't remember any that warned you may lose emotional stability. I had no history of such severe, or unmanageable anxiety, depression... . Please help us take this drug off the market, Imagine how many other women are suffering but either not looking on this site or stopping to share their stories.

This is by far the worst pill I have ever taken. Before Yaz I was on Nordette, Ortho Tri cyclen and Alesse. I saw the commercials and got sucked into trying this pill. All I can say is proceed with caution. I ended up taking this pill for the unhappiness 8 months of my entire life. I had problems with other pills causing weight gain (Nordette, Ortho Tri cyclen) or acne (Alesse). However, those symptoms are mild compared to what Yaz inflicted on me.

I have always been described as happy go lucky and Yaz gave me extreme moodiness, panic attacks about my future and life, and major depression. I did have the best skin of my life and lost about 5 lbs but I was an emotional MESS! I would cry at the drop of a hat and find fault in everyone and everything. This symptom didn't start right away but each month I was on Yaz got worse. My friends coined my "alter ego" "she devil." I almost felt possessed at times on this pill. I finally realized it was the pill and not life causing these problems when 3 of my girlfriends had the same problems and got off and the problems went away.

Prior to having this experience I thought people tried to blame too much on the pill but my experience showed me just how much these can mess with your body. I switched back to Alesse 5 days ago and it's like I am a different person--even my skeptical boyfriend noticed the change. As for the acne, I am going to go to a dermatologist to address that. I will be happy to have a few zits as opposed to being a crazy woman.

Proceed with caution on this pill and watch your moods carefully. Just because you've been on it for a few months doesn't mean you're safe. The majority of my emotional disorder started about 5 months in. I do have some girlfriends that like this but most have found it to bring out "she devil".

I've been taking Yaz since about October or November. I rarely ever had even a headache before taking Yaz, and I noticed that I began having migranes almost every day if not every day after beginning to take Yaz. I never even would have imagined that it could have been my BCP but after reading all of these reviews and having almost all of the side effects that these other women are having, I've decided that I need to talk with my obgyn about changing contraceptives.

Since starting Yaz I've had the following:

-Migranes every day or every other day

-Violent Mood Swings

- Feelings of being overwhelmed

- Fellings of extreme anger and rage

-Joint pain in my knees and hips

- Decrease in Sex Drive

-Emotional spells ( crying for no reason, or being sad for no reason)

-Blurred Vision

-Weight Gain

-Increase in cup size

-Painful Acne

I'm 21 years old. There should be no decrease in my sex drive. Now don't get me wrong. Yaz has it's good points as well, but for the most part, my experience with it has been negative. The good part about it is that my periods are regular, whereas before they were all over the place.
I've started fights with my boyfriend, when no fight or argument should have happened, and I've become filled with rage and anger at family gatherings.
It works for some people but for myself and many others, I see, it's not been very pleasant to take.

I have been taking YAZ for about 4 months. I hate it. I am 23 and started taking yasmine when i was 17. Before that I had 2 week periods with very severe cramping. It would cause vomiting and diahreah. I stayed on yasmine for 4 years and I was extremely happy with it. When I was 21 I had a lyproscopy and was diagnosed with endometriosis. It is the cause for my severe cramping and heavy periods. I then was on a shot called lupron for 6 months then started lo estrin. Hated that, switched to YAZ. My symptoms include weight gain, acne (which i have never had) on my face and chest, severe breast tenderness (felt like my nipples were being pinched with clothes pins or something), extreme mood swings (i spend hours crying and being angry), so tired, depression, intermitent nausea, dehydration, fatigue etc. I also have not had a regular period since beginning. My last official period was in November, I then had some spotting and then I had no period for about 10 weeks. I tested over and over for pregnancy but I was not. I finally had a period and it was like i was 17 again. I am just miserable. The ONLY positive is that I gained a cup size!! I was a 34A now I'm a B! I asked my doctor for yasmine but she said she wanted me to try yaz because it has a lower estrogen dose which is favored for endo. I don't care, i would honestly take longer REGULAR periods instead of feeling crazy. I am going back to yasmine. I like my doctor but I will find a new one if she won't help me. YAZ and Lo estrin 24 were both horrible!

moody/depression, stomach pains, lack of energy, some weight gain, but lighter regular periods

Yaz has been driving me crazy. I keep having these mental break downs and before my period I hate myself and everyone around me and just walk around and cry to myself and stressing out. I've had times of extreme fatigue as well, but that may or may not be due to the pill. I lost weight first, then put some on and my chest grew, then gained again, but lost in my chest. There are other side effects that I also have a hard time to blame on Yaz, but even doctors have very little way of explaining them. It's a horrible roller coaster for me since I switched from Orthotricylen Lo in AUG2007. I am jealous of those who have had a successful experience with Yaz, however, I believe I am NOT one of them.