Nikki for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder User Reviews

• Finally
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2021

"I am 38 years old. Got the Mirena IUD after my last child who is now 13. The Mirena completely ruined my life. I kept BV the whole 5 years I had the Mirena as well as recurrent yeast infections and persistent drenching night sweats. I’m also convinced it ruined my thyroid as I am now 2 years post partial thyroidectomy due to large unexplained thyroid nodule. I went 10 years after having Mirena removed before trying any kind of birth control. Due to PMDD and persistent night sweats, I then tried LoLo Estrin and then Balcoltra, but both caused extreme swelling in my legs. I took Yasmin as a teenager with no problems, and I have now completed my first month as a 38 year old with no issues other than slight nausea. No PMDD, no leg swelling, no night sweats. Oh, and I’ve lost 8 pounds of pure water weight this month. Do not believe the negative reviews!! This has literally saved my life, my job, and marriage!!!!"

• Suze
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2020

"I'm 3 months in on Nikki after switching from an IUD. Acne is about the same but that's never really been a huge issue. I still have spots here and there but nothing crazy. I didn't spot and my periods (which I didn't have on IUD) are light, regular, and only last 3-4 days. What I really wanted was to clear up my mood swings. Once a month I broke up with my poor boyfriend. I literally went crazy and couldn't think straight. But since I've started this pill, I've had no issues."

• holz
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 27, 2020

"I started taking Nikki mainly for my PMDD. I used to get it SO bad the 2 weeks leading up to my period- extreme anxiety about everything, panic attacks, zero energy or motivation, suicidal ideation and even attempts. I was seriously considering dropping out of university and getting my uterus removed before finally getting prescribed Nikki! It took around 4 months to really notice any difference, but I’ve been on it for about a year now and my mental health has never been better!! I feel like a normal person now. Also, I used to have cystic acne (even accutane didn’t clear it up) but Nikki has made my skin AMAZING. I haven’t noticed much weight gain or hair loss either. I also skip the placebo pills so I don’t get my period and it works perfectly for that."

• LJano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 23, 2018

"I had previously been taking Gianvi primarily for PMDD, but also for birth control. I decided to make a switch from (my beloved) Gianvi to Nikki due to price reasons. I was a little leery at first because of the seemingly mostly negative bad rap it was getting on this site. But, I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did because it was a completely seamless transition! No changes in mood, weight, headaches, etc. I'm very happy with this medication, and I'm glad I decided to give it a try. My wallet is happy too. Remember that people are more likely to complain than compliment, so there are probably many women satisfied with Nikki who haven't written reviews. I was pleasantly surprised. Remember that nothing is permanent and you can always switch if you are dissatisfied."

• Hapa
• January 14, 2020

"So far it has been good for me. Please understand that everyone will respond differently to any type of birth control. I had severe PMDD. I'm talking about suicidal thoughts and actions during the week of my period. When my period ended my PMDD symptoms would just disappear (this is different for any woman with PMDD). While on Nikki I have no PMDD symptoms I just had regular PMS. Be aware that this state can change from month to month because PMDD is very complex. There was no EXTREME amount of emotional instability for me. This is one of the reasons why I'm ranking it so high. My last birth control gave me acne and Nikki cleared that up for me within a month. My sex drive is perfectly fine as well. The only thing that I see as a draw back is that I've been having a few migraines with it. But I have chronic migraines and when I switch this typically happens for a few months but then it slows down. Side note: Nikki is generic for Yaz. They're the same birth control."

• Hannah
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 12, 2019

"Nikki was the first form of birth control I have ever taken to make my period symptoms better and I can say I absolutely recommend this medication. My acne has got so much better, I get compliments on how clear my skin is all the time now. Also, I have no symptoms from my period now where before Nikki I was throwing up and passing out. Strongly recommend this for anyone who experiences the same symptoms!"

• Erin
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 1, 2018

"I really loved this pill. It seems to get poor reviews online, but it worked wonders for me. It's effect on PMDD helped me manage my appetite surges, cramps, mood swings, migraines, and muscle aches around my menstrual cycle, which were specifically the reasons I started taking this pill. I did not experience side effects, except breast tenderness in the early months."

• Ellie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2019

"1st time using birth control and I’m taking it for PMDD & heavy/painful periods. About to finish my 1st pack. I was scared when I first started the pill - lack of emotions, no focus, irritability, a bit of stomach upset. Mood was the worst- I was swinging high and low & felt like I was on a roller coaster. I already struggle with depression/anxiety, so the birth control was worsening my mental health. HOWEVER- I think my body has adjusted to it now & I’m feeling a lot better. My mood is stable & I feel like my focus is back. Been spotting brown & it’s beginning to turn into blood now, but pretty light. I’ve had minor cramping but it’s nothing compared to before. It’s crazy to have my period so light & not painful. Giving the 3 month trial period a chance to make sure this is a good med for me. All I can recommend for other people is to give it a chance. You can always get off it if you need to...don’t judge the pill based on negative symptoms you have in the first few weeks."

• Vada
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 10, 2018

"I suffered with SEVERE menstrual cramps and symptoms that’s it put me in the hospital 3x now. I started Nikki to see if it would help. I have no problems with this birth control at all, and I’ve been on it for over a year now! I was switched to Loryna for a time because my pharmacy stopped carrying Nikki and it was nothing but awfulness those couple of months before I was switched back. I have no side effects, the energy I need, and motivation to get up and about. I’ve read lots of bad reviews about this medication, but I’ve had nothing but excellent experiences with this medication! I do wish they would stop slowing removing it from my pharmacies. I’ve had to switch between 4 different pharmacies to find it..."

• Erin
• June 18, 2020

"I'm affected by PMDD & really wanted Nikki to work. The first couple of weeks were okay, minor side effects like breast tenderness, but I was okay. Then gradually, little things started bothering me more to the point I was seething from them. I'd suddenly start crying out of nowhere. Then I'd be sad or triggered by something else. I lost interest in activities that brought me happiness & I just sat around in a miserable heap. I couldn't focus on things & sometimes I'd forget about something I had just done. I also had anxiety over the increased risk of blood clots, like there was an invisible guillotine just hanging over my head that could drop any second, & I'd be maimed or dead from it. I really wanted to get to three months hoping side effects would subside & everything would suddenly be okay, but I only made it into my seventh week before I got so depressed it scared not only me but my husband as well. When something makes PMDD sound tolerable, you know it's bad."

• Abcde...
• September 19, 2020

"I decided to take birth control to help with my PMDD; my anxiety & OCD would get much worse, and my depression would flare up, starting about 11 days before my period. I dreaded whenever I had a special event or work deadline due around that time of the month. So I decided to try birth control recently. My anxiety increased for a couple weeks upon taking it, but this anxiety has leveled off and now I don’t notice it affecting my mood in a negative way at all. I have noticed no hair loss, weight gain, or acne thankfully. I have been taking Nikki (generic), for about two months now, and I’m amazed by how I don’t have PMS anymore! (I decided, upon doctors recommendation, to take pill continuously-skipping placebo pills- so I don’t have periods anymore; so this may be why I don’t have the PMS). Only negative side effect: breakthrough bleeding about 10 days during the first month, but it’s been much lighter and less time this month."

• Ggano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2019

"I am so very thankful I decided to google the reviews for this horrible pill. Like many others, I was on Loryna and getting my rx from cvs until they stopped carrying loryna and made the switch to Nikki. For the last few months, I have been moody, overly anxious, and my skin has been awful. It finally occurred to me that there was a correlation to me feeling this way and when I started Nikki. After reading these reviews and switching my prescription to another pharmacy to be back on loryna, I have noticed a huge difference. I already feel better and back to myself. I truly believe that Nikki was to blame and I’m proud of myself for taking my well being into my own hands and switching pharmacies. Suffice it to say, if you feel like you’re going crazy, you’re not! It is this pill and the manufacturer needs to reassess its effects on women. It did nothing for my PMDD."

• squee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 10, 2018

"Switched from lo-ovral to Nikki about 2 weeks ago without placebo pills in between. The only side effects I've been experiencing is being a lot more thirsty due to the diuretic effect of this pill. The first few days I had minor headaches. I've had mild acne my whole life, but I haven't had a breakout all week. My anxiety/depression symptoms are basically gone and I haven't had a breakdown yet. When I was on lo-ovral I had about one a month."

• Lanna
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 10, 2021

"So I am ended my 3rd month of Nikki, and unfortunately I have gained about 10 pounds in the last 2 months. I’m very sensitive to hormone shifts having PMDD for years, but really since taking Nikki, I don’t feel any better. I know it can take months for the body to adjust but I don’t know if I can stick this out any longer. The first 2 months I was nauseous almost every day, now my bloating is out of control, my stomach is always distended and worse right before my period starts. For the past two days I’ve had 2 people ask me if I was pregnant :(( I’m really over it. The only positive is my period went from 6-7 days to 3/4 with moderate bleeding. I still cramp 1-2 weeks before my period starts. It could work for you, but it just isn’t worth it for me at this point. I’m sad about it."

• cristy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 9, 2022

"This birth control at first decreased my appetite by a large comparison to previously used Junel 1/20. I tried this brand for the acne part, since I've seen dermatologists since I was 15 and nothing worked. Now almost 3 months into this brand, nothing has been done to clear my face, I sleep for entire days and am overcome with extreme tiredness. I get severe nausea and throw up at least 3 times a week, and I don't eat as much as I used to. I lost near 10 pounds in 2 months. A good thing was it stopped my painful period cramps and I haven't got a since period since taking the pill. A very slight increase in boob size, but still very tender breasts."

• dpaige
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2020

"I took ONE Nikki PILL and my life went to shambles in three days. I went absolutely crazy emotionally. My anger, depression, and anxiety went through the roof. I usually take .125 of Klonopin as needed for my anxiety - I took 1 mg and it didn't even help. My PMDD is pretty severe, but this almost ruined me. We'll see how long until I feel normal again or if I cause more emotional wreckage - it's only 3 days later."

• DAng
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2019

"This Nikki contraceptive pill is horrible! I had been taking Gianvi or Loryna for years and suddenly my pharmacy gave me this stuff instead. I have been tired, moody, cramping and bleeding since I started this stuff 2 WEEKS AGO!! Unfortunately, my insurance will only authorize refills from their online pharmacy and this is all they claim they have right now. Stay away from this stuff if at all possible."

• Sunsh...
• September 20, 2018

"I had been taking Loryna for about 2 years to help with my hair growth and pmdd. One day the pharmacist explained that Loryna was not available & prescribed Nikki. I get my birth control 3 months at a time, so I was hesitant to be stuck with it for at least 3 months. During the first month I experienced inflammation and dryer skin on my face, chest and neck, and scaly scalp. I also can mention that regular crying sessions two to three times a week is not normal for me. Initially, I thought it was my body adjusting to a synthetic medication. 3 months later, I'm calling to beg my pharmacist to change it back. My hormones are off the wall, my skin has no improvement, & I felt like a lunatic. I felt so normal on Loryna, and could not understand what in the world was going on with me. I even considered seeing a psychologist. After reading several reviews I realised I was not alone. It might work for some women, but definitely didn't work for me. I really hope to feel like myself again soon."

• CJano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2018

"I'd been taking Gianvi for 4 years and I loved it. But I was forced to switch to Nikki last year since all of the pharmacies where I live stopped carrying Gianvi & I'm not happy. It does fine at regulating my cycle but does not help with my cramps (I have endometriosis though, so take that into consideration.) It also does a pretty good job keeping my pmdd under control but I'm also taking an antidepressant, so that works against my depressive mood swings as well. It's not great with preventing acne, I've been getting a lot of hormonal cystic acne. However, my big complaint is that I have been getting frequent intense headaches & menstrual migraines since I started Nikki. I can live with cramps, mood swings and acne, but these headaches put me out of commission & it's interrupting my life. However, because of my pmdd I have to be in this specific pill and I can't afford name brand. My advice is to avoid this pill if you can, especially if you're switching from another bc."

• chuck...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2018

"I had originally been prescribed Loryna to help with PMDD and it was amazing. I had to take a few months off bc of insurance reasons so when I finally got that taken care of I requested to go back on Loryna, but ended up receiving Nikki. I didn’t think it was a big deal at first but just during this first month I have noticed a HUGE (negative) difference! My physical PMS symptoms are worse - severe bloating, breast tenderness, extreme fatigue, and hungry horrors from the pits of hell- some of which I had never experienced before. I’ve already gained like 5lbs since starting this medication my last cycle. I’m discontinuing this BC and either going back on Loryna or back to the IUD."

• Rmb
• November 11, 2019

"Just started my second month of Nikki. So far I feel like my PMS symptoms have gotten worse. My breast were sore for the first month now they are fine. My hot flashes and mood swings before and during my period also seemed a lot worse . My depression has seemed to be more severe as well. But it is also the start of fall and I have more season depression . So with this being said . I don’t know if it’s the pill making it worse or just my normal season depression. I’m hoping My body just needs to adjust to the pill. I will give it the three months and update again. Hopefully positive ! "

• Sarah
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2018

"Was prescribed Yaz, insurance gave Nikki. Always try to be educated with what I'm taking. Reviews were a little intimidating and despite more negative than positive decided to try for myself. By the second day started breaking out with cystic acne and extremely emotional. Crying, agitated to the depressive thoughts by day 7. (Didn't have acne prior.) Talked to prescribing doctor and stopped after day 8. Despite reading possible side effects nothing could prepare me for how quick and hard they hit. Not a good fit for me personally. Feel like Nikki should give a better warning how extreme things can be beforehand."

• Mommyof
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2019

"I started taking Nikki birth control for my PMDD. Long story short - it helped my PMDD symptoms greatly but caused other problems. I started to have facial discomfort and then chest pains. I was admitted to cardiac ICU due to SVT (super ventricular tachycardia) my heart went from 85 to 210 bpm - the ER gave me adenosine twice with no result (which means if you seriously don’t have heart issues like I don’t then adenosine won’t work). So they took me off Nikki and found that my blood clot level was high. Since taking me off it has gone down. I’m on a beta blocker for two weeks and heart monitor. The internal medicine doctor and two cardiologist all believe it is due to Nikki. Nikki’s active ingredients may causes stroke, heart arrhythmia, and other vascular issues. A little pain or get dizzy and nauseous like I do just try Dramine during your luteal PMS phase and fight it. Drink chamomile tea. I’m 27!! Read your medication information! Research them. It’s your due diligence to your life!"

• Pitts...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2019

"Nikki affects you immediately, my complexion went downhill within days, I’m having pain from my ovarian cysts, my breasts are sore and swollen, and I’ve put on almost 5-6 lbs. I echo all of the reviews. "

• CJano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2018

"I was taking Gianvi for seven years and had zero complaints, but I, like many others, was forcibly switched to Nikki. And I hate it. I took it for 6 months. During that time, I developed intense chronic headaches (at least half of each cycle was spent with a debilitating headache). It didn't do much to help with cramps or acne. It was actually okay with treating my PMDD, but I literally couldn't function because the headaches were so bad. Finally stopped taking it because I couldn't live like that anymore. It's worth it to deal with my PMDD and endometriosis without that pill, which is saying a lot."