Side effects of YAZ birth control pills

gordon01 · Newbie Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 2

My long term girlfriend was on yaz for 4 months, she experienced some of the usual side effects. The worst side effect was that she has grown apart from the people she loves the most (even her pets) She is not Interested in everyday life. She keeps saying that she just wants to alone by herself. I had no idea about the way she was feeling since it is so unlike her normal self. I thought that it just might be our relationship, but she is doing this to her whole family and friends. She said that she just wants to be back the way she was.

She has stopped taking Yaz 13 days ago mid-pack and her feelings seem to have gotten worse. She is vey depressed with life currently. She was even looking to move far away by herself to be alone.

SO MY QUESTION IS: CAN ANYONE TELL ME IF THERE IS A TIME FRAME FOR THIS DRUG TO GET OUT OF ONES SYSTEM? WILL SHE COME BACK TO NORMAL? IT HAS BEEN 13 DAYS AND IAM VERY CONCERNED, PLEASE HELP

marilyn50 · Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 1

I have been on Yaz for two weeks. After going off of it 6 months ago, I had been on it for a year previous to stopping it. I forgot how bad it was in the first few months! So frustrating!

I am a very happy person. Have never had any depression issues, but in the last two weeks I have cried my eyes out every other day. I have mood swings that I recognize must be related to the medication, but can't control. I can't sleep. I toss and turn and fight nausea for no reason every few days (especially in the middle of the day). I'm lethargic, cranky, and get strange heart flutters every few days, which panic me. I know my skin will improve, as it did last time I took Yaz, but today I'm a pizza! I have no appetite, so of course, I'm losing weight, but this isn't worth a few pounds.

Its hard to remember how great Yaz can be after a few months. No cramps, almost no period, 2-3 days at worst in length. This is an awful way to feel for lighter, better periods.

Guest · Guest

i love yaz! i can honestly say i've never had any of the symptoms everyone else has had and i love it because i don't get moody any more around my period. it's also helped me loose weight and i would def. recommend it to any one. Smile

yaznewbie · Newbie Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

i just started yaz a couple weeks ago. prior to taking yaz i was already a little down on myself, just with things in my life but never to the point of crying all the time and having suicidal thoughts.

i've been telling myself that it's all me, maybe it's just my depression getting worse and not the pill at all. but i keep reading these forums and i read the same exact feelings and symptoms. back hten when i really was depressed i would actually want to think about going through with suicidal thoughts with no optimism in sight....but now it's like i see the optimism and i se all the good things in my life, but i choose not to ...or i "cant." it's like i just can't be happy.--but i know it's there.

today was the first time that i've been crying all day. the last few days i've been unable to sleep cause i think so much about negativity, cry for a bit, then stop. very moody. but tonight was just my breaking point. for the first time, i saw no "future" in my life and just saw a big wall that i was going to run into...soon. my mom is really worried and wants me to stop immediately, but i've been told that these symptoms need time to adjust and i need to take it 3 months to see the true effects? is this true?

im at a loss at what to do. i can't tell if it's just me or the pills.

Confused

yaznewbie · Newbie Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

i just started yaz a couple weeks ago. prior to taking yaz i was already a little down on myself, just with things in my life but never to the point of crying all the time and having suicidal thoughts.

i've been telling myself that it's all me, maybe it's just my depression getting worse and not the pill at all. but i keep reading these forums and i read the same exact feelings and symptoms. a few years back then when i really was depressed, i would actually want to think about going through with suicidal thoughts with no optimism in sight....but now it's different. it's like i see the optimism and i se all the good things in my life, but i choose not to ...or i "cant." it's like i just can't be happy.--but i know it's there. does that make sense?

today was the first time that i've been crying all day. the last few days i've been unable to sleep cause i think so much about negativity, cry for a bit, then stop. very moody. but tonight was just my breaking point. for the first time, i saw no "future" in my life and just saw a big wall that i was going to run into...soon. my mom is really worried and wants me to stop immediately, but i've been told that these symptoms need time to adjust and i need to take it 3 months to see the true effects? is this true?

im at a loss at what to do. i can't tell if it's just me or the pills.

Confused

bridglet · Newbie Joined: 16 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

I've read almost all of the posts about Yaz, and there are a few reoccuring themes that I'd like to address.

First: if you've only been on for less than 3 months, stick it out. Have patience, you have to understand that despite your doctor's experience and education they cannot see the future. Despite the advancement in science, medicine & technology that we're so fortunate to live with, it is still trial and error. You've already paid for it anyway so just finish it! It is completely normal to have hormonal side effects from birth control, because that's exactly what it is, hormones! Explain to your loved ones: "I'm trying a new birth control, bear with me. Help me get through this by keeping me active in our favorite passtimes, tell me if I'm not acting normal but don't get upset with me for it, be kind and patient and help me keep a journal." You will never achieve your desired effects from this or any pill, really any faction of life, if you do not hold your ground and stay determined. You can't win by quitting early.

Second: Most helpful thing I've learned is to keep a journal, I saw a couple of other posters use this invaluable tool and it will make all of the difference in the world. If you write down every day the date and how you're feeling or behaving, any side effects physical or emotional, AND BE OBJECTIVE, you'll find that you're not crazy you're going through a change which is to be expected, hence why we're all here today. Keep this journal for a month, don't give up, then schedule a follow-up appt with your doctor, bring the person closest to you to act as a reference to your external behavior, bring your journal and discuss the side effects from the medication. Ask your doctor to test your hormone levels. Your doctor will have all of the facts and objective truths about this reaction which is particular to you and be able to give you advice as to which way to proceed. Trust in your doctor, they have a lot more education than you.

I've been on Yaz for 2 1/2 weeks now and have felt the mood swings, irritibility, waking several times a night, non-existent libido, light headaches, tiredness, swelling, but I know from experience (this being the 5th bc I've tried) that this is my body adjusting and I need to ride it out for a couple more months. The first two months on such an important adjustment to the way your body operates will not be an accurate indicator to what it will be like forever. It's like changing jobs or schools or cities. What I would like to know from the ladies who've been on Yaz for more than a handful of months who felt the symptoms of lack of libido, does it ever come back? Do you know of anything that helps with the lack of libido?

Of course our health is of utmost importance to us, and the key in keeping our health ideal is to react with intelligence and diligence, not out of haste, and to make educated decisions based on weighing the pros and cons, being honest with ourselves and our loved ones, and honoring the things most highly regarded in our personal lives.

sbrown73 · Newbie Joined: 21 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

This is my third week on Yaz and ever since starting it I've been getting stomach cramps that rival those that I get before and during my period. It's HORRIBLE! I am in so much pain when I get them that I basically drop whatever I was doing and curl into the fetal position. Because this causes me such a problem I called my physician and decided to stop taking it. It could only be due to the Yaz since I have been getting them daily since starting this pill. The reason I started it was to help elevate the pain that my cramps caused me, not to get it every day.

There was only one other post that I saw where some one had cramps often. I take it that this side effect is not common.

I have also had a severe loss of libido, though this may be due to the cramps putting me in a very sour mood and spoiling my sex life. I also feel nauseous quite often and have times where I feel like I am going to overheat.

I recommend that if anyone has similar problems that they stop taking Yaz right away because the cramps may be linked to liver problems. If you also experience darkening of skin and jaundice (yellowing of eyes) you should stop talking it because of liver issues and they are very serious. You should contact your doctor.

chica97 · Newbie Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

I started this evil little pill about 6 months ago and had suffered from all of the same side effects. I would break out crying in my office for ridiculous reasons, moodiness to the extreme, and cramps liked I've never experienced before. I've been on OTC from years before this switch and my doctor just handed it to me without even really discussing it with me. I never realized the effects a BC could have on the body. Over the last three months I've had non stop problems with itching, and discharge that resembles a yeast infection, and sometimes even unpleasant odors. Embarassed

I've never had a yeast infection in my life until on this pill and I'm 29 years old! My doctor ran all types of tests and everything came back clean making me feel like I'm crazy but I know my body and know that it has not been normal. I finished my last pack a week ago and will not be going on another BC for a while. My body needs to reset itself after being on YAZ.

Guest · Guest

I've been on Yaz for about four months. I am on it for severe cramping, so bad I wouldn't be able to get out of bed, and it would last for 7 days. The first month included slight spotting and breast tenderness, but seeing as I've never been on BC before, that was expected.
Now, most of what I've felt is positive. Shorter periods are lovely and I've only had minor cramping, which is a blessing compared to the previous. My breasts are no longer tender, except during my period, and they grew a cup size. This could be bad for some, but for me, an A, it was very nice.
The only negative side effect is that I am more emotional during my period, but it is not a dramatic difference at all.
I may be wrong in saying this, but from what I've observed, It seems like yaz does better for younger women, and for those who haven't been on BC before. Any thoughts on that?

Guest · Guest

I found it very interesting when my and my roommates gyno switched us both on the same month to Yaz. I even explained to my gyno that I wasn't having problems with OTC, except for increased yeast infections. She still suggested that I try Yaz, saying that her daughter takes it and loves it. I wonder how much Yaz is paying these doctors to prescribe their pills, must be quite a premium.

So, I'm in the second month of Yaz and over the course of one month and one week I've become so depressed that I can't stand it. I cry very very often, I've become overly sensitive, find suicidal thoughts soothing. I feel like I'm an angst ridden teen again. I have contemplated killing myself at least three times a week and have cried practically every day. My boyfriend thinks I'm crazy, and I've been terrible to him through these mood swings.

I haven't had many physical manifestations. No weight gain, always had a problem with acne so no difference there. After reading these posts I realized that maybe I'm not crazy or terribly depressed, that it could be a side effect of the BC and am taking myself off of it until I can start OTC lo again.

On OTC lo, I was angry for the first two months and that evened out, I was wondering if the depression would let up once my body adjusts to Yaz, but I doubt it.

I hate how doctor's will push whatever product pays them the best in our face. Especially to young women without health insurance who rely on Planned Parenthood for responsible decision-making.

Side effects of YAZ birth control pills

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