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.
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.
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.
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.
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. :$
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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.
I've been taking Yaz since May of 2008. I'm on my fifth pack. It is my first birth control pill (we used condoms before this). I am in my late 20's. I got on it primarily for birth control, but also to control PMS. I am far worse after this pill. I am suffering from severe anxiety and panic attacks, and had to start an anti depressant because of it.
In August (about 3 weeks ago), I noticed a light tan birthmark looking spot on my upper thigh, near the crease. I am fairly certain it wasn't there before, and I don't think it grew, it just showed up one day. Has anyone else had any experience like this? I was concerned about melanoma, but this doesn't look anything like it. I thought it was ringworm, but it hasn't changed. I don't think it's a new "birthmark", so I was wondering if it could just be pigment change from too much estrogen.
In August (about 3 weeks ago), I noticed a light tan birthmark looking spot on my upper thigh, near the crease. I am fairly certain it wasn't there before, and I don't think it grew, it just showed up one day. Has anyone else had any experience like this? I was concerned about melanoma, but this doesn't look anything like it. I thought it was ringworm, but it hasn't changed. I don't think it's a new "birthmark", so I was wondering if it could just be pigment change from too much estrogen.
Well, here's my experience. The first two weeks of yaz were great. I think I felt less moody, less apethetic than normal. I forgot the pill on the last day of the second week and the first day of the third week. During those two days, I started feeling just generally crappy...kinda flu like. I decided to take one pill a day until sunday and then start a new pack on Sunday. I started bleeding (mostly light) during those two days and have been bleeding off and on ever since. That's about 6 days of bleeding when I only usually bleed for 3. Tomarrow is the end of my third week, I am so tired and lethargic that I don't want to move. I hurt all over. I have been crying for the last two days. When I'm not crying, I want to cry. I have nausea here and there. I have headaches here and there. Tylenol and ibuprofen don't help the headaches or general aches and pains at all.
I imagine that my biggest problem might be that I missed the two pills and that the first two weeks, I took it the same time everyday and this week, I keep forgetting it. I am taking it within a few hours of the same time but I don't think that's good enough to keep the hormones steady.
This all might subside if I could take it at the same time and not forget it but that's just not likely to happen. I think I am not going to take anymore because I don't know if I can live like this even another week. I don't know if I can function well enough to perform my job like this either. Good luck to everyone.
I imagine that my biggest problem might be that I missed the two pills and that the first two weeks, I took it the same time everyday and this week, I keep forgetting it. I am taking it within a few hours of the same time but I don't think that's good enough to keep the hormones steady.
This all might subside if I could take it at the same time and not forget it but that's just not likely to happen. I think I am not going to take anymore because I don't know if I can live like this even another week. I don't know if I can function well enough to perform my job like this either. Good luck to everyone.
I have been on Yaz for 4 months now, I am on my 2nd week of month 4 and everything was fine until about the last week of my last pack. Very tired, moody, and no period yet! Has anyone else who has been on this not got a period after getting it the first few months?? I took a hpt and it was negative. HELP!
I've been on Yaz for a year and a half now. I was on Yasmin before, but have always had terrible periods, so when Yaz came out my gyno thought the "shorter, lighter" periods would be good for me.
The first month I was on Yaz, I would get angry at everyone and everything for no reason. I was so moody. I thought it was because I had been on Yasmin for 3 years and my body was just adjusting, and didn't think about it again.
For a while, my periods were better, and so I didn't even think to attribute my crazy moodiness to Yaz. But one of my friends told me she was going off Yaz because it was making her crazy, and her gyno apparently said that she hears A LOT of similar complaints.
So I called my gyno. I said "My friend has been having some side effects that she thinks are from her birth control. I'm on the same pill and I think I'm having the same side effects", the nurse asked me what birth control. As soon as I said "Yaz," she said "Is it crazy moodiness?" Apparently some women have no problems and love Yaz, but a great number of women go psycho on it.
All of a sudden, my extreme moodiness and anger makes sense. It only started AFTER I switched to Yaz. And this extreme anger/craziness is not characteristic of me at all... I have been trying to figure out why I've been so crazy lately. I was just blaming it on other things in my life.
I am very disappointed I was not warned of these side effects by my gyno... this year and a half of insanity could have been avoided!
The first month I was on Yaz, I would get angry at everyone and everything for no reason. I was so moody. I thought it was because I had been on Yasmin for 3 years and my body was just adjusting, and didn't think about it again.
For a while, my periods were better, and so I didn't even think to attribute my crazy moodiness to Yaz. But one of my friends told me she was going off Yaz because it was making her crazy, and her gyno apparently said that she hears A LOT of similar complaints.
So I called my gyno. I said "My friend has been having some side effects that she thinks are from her birth control. I'm on the same pill and I think I'm having the same side effects", the nurse asked me what birth control. As soon as I said "Yaz," she said "Is it crazy moodiness?" Apparently some women have no problems and love Yaz, but a great number of women go psycho on it.
All of a sudden, my extreme moodiness and anger makes sense. It only started AFTER I switched to Yaz. And this extreme anger/craziness is not characteristic of me at all... I have been trying to figure out why I've been so crazy lately. I was just blaming it on other things in my life.
I am very disappointed I was not warned of these side effects by my gyno... this year and a half of insanity could have been avoided!
I have been off and on the pill for the last couple months trying to experiment with the pill and my mood swings. Ive notices that the pill causes me to give up on life. It makes me hate getting out of bed in the morning!!! It also makes me tired and very depressed. I hope you have done as I have and switched to a different pill. Ive been off Yaz for about a week and a half an ? d I'm back to normal. Hope you are ok.
I am in the middle of my third pack of yaz, and I have been going crazy. The side effects that I had were moodiness hard core!! At first I noticed I had a loss of appetite which I was fine with, but then all of a sudden I became irrational and emotional. I got mad at my boyfriend b/c he wasn't going to drive on the icey roads to come see me! I was out of control...it has caused so many fights and tension! I finally decided lastnight that I couldnt take it anymore and I have completely stopped.
For a long time I thought I was the only person experiencing these side effects but I am so happy I am not a lone.
When I called my doc in the middle of the 2nd month she told me to wait it out, and that my body would get adjusted to it. Well, I dont think I could wait it out any longer!
For a long time I thought I was the only person experiencing these side effects but I am so happy I am not a lone.
When I called my doc in the middle of the 2nd month she told me to wait it out, and that my body would get adjusted to it. Well, I dont think I could wait it out any longer!
I just completed one month of Yaz and it will be my last. I normally had a 23 day cycle, ovulating on the 13 day after a nine day period. I am still breastfeeding so wanted to prevent pregnancy again before ready without jeopardizing nursing. I thought this pill might help. I bled for 28 straight days and then on the day I "started my period" I cramped horribly and had full body cramps from the arches of my feet all the way up to my neck - I was so wracked with pain that I began vomiting and having diarrhea. I had to call my mother to care for me while my husband took care of our son. It was like the horrible periods of my youth but magnified 10 times. This lasted about 12 hours till my mom got the pain under control with acupressure and massage. I was finally able to keep down some baby ibuprofen, and once the pain was minimized all the other symptoms also stopped. I ran no fever etc. I was not sick with something else. This was strictly related to Yaz. I can't imagine why it has this effect on me, but it does.
I have been reading all of your posts about YAZ and I have a question. I am on my 4th pack now and no major problems. I get headaches but I was involved in a car accident last year, so that is still lingering. My major concern is that I had a basically non existent period last month. I only bled for about a day-normally my cycle is 4-5 days so this is just throwing me through a loop. Has this happened to anyone else? Please respond.
Thanks goodness I found these posts because I thought I was going crazy and it was just happening to me. I agree that younger women seem to do better on Yaz. It was my first birth control pill and I have been using it for the last 3 years (I'm 23). For the first few years it was great. Lately is has started to produce a number of side effects. I gained almost 10 pounds in a year when I began Yaz. I have finally stopped taking it and lost 4 pounds in a month without any dieting! When I asked my doctor about the weight gain she said I was crazy at first and I was "just getting older". My potassium levels also got low and I started experiencing migraines. Then the mood swings came and I started snipping at my poor boyfriend. Remember that doctors get kick backs from promoting certain drugs. Don't let anyone tell you how your feeling ever! You don't have to feel this way! >;)
I have been on Yaz for about a year and a half. The first side effect was that my breasts grew significantly (not necessarily bad). However, I have had some breast tenderness as of late. My periods have been like clockwork!
I really have no complaints about Yaz - people who read these threads need to realize that most people seek out and post in these forums to complain, not to compliment. Also remember that every medication will work on every person differently.
I really have no complaints about Yaz - people who read these threads need to realize that most people seek out and post in these forums to complain, not to compliment. Also remember that every medication will work on every person differently.