Drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• November 7, 2009

"I highly recommend Yaz for anyone experiencing awful PMS/PMDD. I was on a generic pill, Lutera, for around 6 months, and each month my symptoms got worse and worse. The last week that I was on it was one of the worst weeks of my life: mood swings, roller coaster emotions, suicidal thoughts, and I begged my doctor to put in an IUD. She had me try Yaz, and I'm glad she did. For the first month, I cramped more than usual and my breasts were tender, but the change in my emotional level is amazing. I can actually function! This drug was life-changing for me."

• Kez...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2018

"I have had severe depression and anxiety since my early teens. I’m now 29, and last year I went off Effexor (antidepressant) as it stopped working. I went on a number of antidepressants after that. The last one was Prozac, which gave me the worst acne of my life, even 6 months after I came off it. I’ve been on Yasmin for just a month, and finally, my acne has calmed down. My skin is almost entirely clear, my moods have stabilized (still get a bit depressed and anxious but recover quickly), and my boobs have gone up TWO CUP SIZES! I have always been really flat-chested, and suddenly I have boobs, it’s great. They are painful, hopefully, that subsides. Even if they go back to normal, I am so thankful to Yasmin. I feel sane again!"

• Lan...
• November 3, 2019

"I started taking Yaz as my PMDD symptoms were getting unmanageable. For 1 week before my period, I would become depressed, irritable, fatigued (to the point of needing to nap during the day), and very emotional. I also had cystic acne and would get severe period pain. The first month on Yaz, I felt great. I had no emotional symptoms the week before my period, and my skin started to clear, and my period only lasted 4 days and caused me no problems. Almost immediately after starting my second month, I started to become depressed, irritable, and incredibly fatigued, as well as getting headaches daily. It took me a couple of weeks to realize that it was likely the pill, so I stopped taking it, and within 48 hours, I felt completely normal again. I know it works for some people, but it really didn't work for me."

• Anonymous
• June 25, 2008

"Yaz is great. I have been taking it for about 6 months, and my period is only about three days long and very light. Before starting Yaz, I had PMS for about a week, and I would cry every day. Now, I have no signs of PMS. I love Yaz."

• Mat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2022

"I'm on day 5 of Loryna, and I am so suicidal I considered going to the hospital. I was trying it for PMDD, I did have success before on Lo Loestrin FE, but I was having side effects of melasma and low libido, so I wanted to try something else. This is awful. I've also had nightmares and nausea since starting it."

• Hig...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2013

"I have been on Yaz for 8 months now. The first 2 were a little rough with breakthrough bleeding or missed periods (which is so stressful), but I gave it a chance anyway. I had mild to severe acne that is very much clear now, other than a few scars. I have not gained weight, but my breasts are a full cup size bigger. My only issue with Yaz is that I never used to get PMS symptoms, now I feel angry, and the next second I want to cry for absolutely no reason. This only lasts a day or two, so I can deal with it."

• Vic...
• June 17, 2021

"I started Yasmin as I read that it helped with severe PMS and didn’t cause weight gain. In short, I thought I was dying when taking this. A list of the symptoms I was experiencing, which have gone since I stopped taking it: Extreme fatigue (big into my fitness and I couldn’t do a 10-minute walk at times), extreme emotions (crying, depression) whilst feeling numb and disconnected, joint pain, knees especially, muscle pain and shooting pains in arms and legs. DOMS would last 5 days instead of 1 day. Weight gain - over a stone, constant nausea, night sweats, anxiety and chest pains, regular heart palpitations, declining kidney function, painful, swollen feet, bleeding under the skin, bad headaches, sore eyes and blurred vision, hair loss and brittle, broken nails. Please reconsider taking this pill, I think it’s awful. Now on the copper IUD and I’ll take the very painful periods any day over how I felt on Yasmin."

• emi...
• February 4, 2008

"I took this for a few months and decided to stop. Several mornings, I woke up to a severely swollen face that lasted for several hours. I also experienced headaches and swollen hands. It also did not improve my PMS symptoms."

• Anonymous
• April 17, 2010

"I was given Yaz because of my PMDD and misplaced ovaries that made ovulation exceptionally painful. My friend and her mother were instantly concerned because of my friend's bad experience with Yaz. She had migraines, anxiety, and gained a lot of weight on it. I fared much better than my friend. My acne didn't go away, but it's not as bad. My ovaries aren't hurting nearly as much, I don't have any more cramps, my mood swings are much more manageable, and my periods aren't all over the map anymore (the doctor actually laughed when I showed him the calendar I used to track it!). I have gained weight on Yaz. I'm going to guess I've gained about 1/2 a pound, and that is in my boobs. I am finally out of an A cup, and I am thrilled about it!"

• HAa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 26, 2021

"I'm a forty-year-old, single queer woman. I take Yaz for PDD, not for actual birth control. The first month on Yaz was completely horrible, my face broke out and flushed red and hot every night before bed. I had constant breast tenderness for a month, along with spotting and cramping. My PMS felt out of control. But once I passed the 1.5-month mark, everything evened out, and my terrible PDD and heavy, painful periods disappeared. I wish I had given it a try earlier."

• Anonymous
• August 31, 2008

"I've been on Yaz for almost two years now, and I wouldn't change it for anything. It was my first birth control, and I love it. I take it at night at a set time, and it doesn't cause any side effects, such as nausea. I recommend Yaz to everyone. It really does work!"

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2009

"I've been using Yaz since June of 2007. I love how it's made my life so much better. I was on a generic pill prior to Yaz, and my cramps were worse than they ever had been, my mood was all over the place, and my periods were still irregular and lasted anywhere from 7 to 12 days. I told my doctor that I had spent a good two hours crying over a lost sock one month. She told me I probably had PMDD and to try Yaz. The first few months were full of crazy mood swings, probably while my body adjusted to it, but since then I've not had any problems with this pill. I'm very light and regular, and they only last 3 to 5 days. My mood doesn't change, and neither has my appetite. Everyone is different, but that's been my experience."

• aja...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2020

"I took this medication, Yasmin, in order to regularize my periods and avoid PMS symptoms of mood swings. However, this pill worsened my situation. I have been suffering from immense depression and anxiety ever since. Anxiety with fast heartbeats. I've been possessive, and anything around me would trigger emotional outbursts of crying and anger. I have cried every single day I took this pill. If you've got pre-existing anxiety or depression, I would advise you don't take this pill. It will literally ruin your life. I have got 4 days left for the pill. Never taking it again after that."

• Ell...
• 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."

• Loz...
• January 27, 2020

"Loryna has helped my PMDD somewhat. I also have cut meat mostly and am very active and limit drinking. My issues with this are breast pain, constant bloat. I thought I had a sensitive gut before, but have issues where my pants sometimes don’t fit by the evening. I drink tons of water and limit inflammatory foods, but it still doesn’t help. I bleed randomly. Right now, I have 5 pills left before the white pills and am bleeding. I spotted for a week before that. This happens without rhyme or reason. My skin looks good, but to be honest, I take good care of it. I am sure it’s contributing, but habits are too. The headaches I get on this medication are terrifying and sometimes last three days. I felt so validated finding this forum because I thought something was really wrong. My libido is significantly lower, and it’s difficult to achieve arousal. I never had an issue with that before. The worst: my blood pressure is now elevated. I just asked my doctor about an alternate treatment."

• Bia...
• December 28, 2016

"I was prescribed this pill to treat PMS, however, taking this medication was the worst experience of my life. It alleviated anxiety, but it made me severely depressed and paranoid. I am a fairly active person, and I would go running every day. As soon as I began to take the pill, I lost motivation to do the things I enjoyed, and it got to the point where I did not even want to leave the house. I also almost lost my job over it. I tried to quit three times in one week, and luckily my employer would not let me end my career and encouraged me to stay. Taking this medication also damaged my relationships with my friends and my partner and almost cost me my relationship. Please do not take this medication."

• Use...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 22, 2019

"I started taking this as a teen when my psychiatrist recommended that I ask an OBGYN about it for mood regulation. I came off of it for a few years wanting to take a more natural approach but ultimately decided that being on this was in the best interest of my mental health. I am aware of the risks, but to put it into perspective, my doctor says that you’re taking more of a risk with your life every time you get in a car than you do taking this pill."

• lif...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2017

"I tried to take Beyaz again, which was the only birth control I liked ever. My insurance refuses to cover it, so I figured a Yaz generic would be similar enough. I firmly believe what's in this generic is not at all the same as the original. How could the same exact medicine affect me so negatively? I took this for two weeks and felt like I was physically having a panic attack all the time. I got this to help me during my hardest time of the period (right before I get it) and spent these past two weeks losing my mind. I do not even believe the positive reviews on this site are legitimate. I was tired, hungry, nauseous, and unable to do my daily tasks. No sex drive. I tried taking it at night to combat these negative things. No escape. Don't take it."

• AMA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2022

"I don’t ever write reviews, but I need to help some girl who is potentially going through the same situation as I was 4 months ago! I was very on and off about whether or not I wanted to try Yaz, as I had heard good reviews but then very horrific ones about blood clots that scared me so bad. I went to the doctor's twice in one week as I was having the worst panic attacks due to me thinking I would get a clot. However, I tried again, and the first 2 months I was quite short-tempered and very tired, and my skin also got worse. However, I persisted, and the only negatives now, 4 months in, are that I do tend to get tired more often and sensitive to sad things, along with a lower libido. But the pill has completely gotten rid of my PMS, and I feel so much more level-headed and calm. I also don’t get severe sugar cravings like I used to and have actually lost some weight. My skin is clear, and my periods are pretty much gone in 3 days! (Also no pregnancy.)"

• Anonymous
• May 14, 2008

"Taking Yaz was great. However, I did not know this until I stopped taking it only a month after being on it. My doctor recommended Yaz to help regulate my periods and premenstrual tension syndrome (PMS). It worked with the PMS, but my periods continued to be very light for an entire week and heavy for several days following. This is the reason I stopped taking them. Now I wonder if I made a mistake. The irritability and stress are back, I'm tired, eating uncontrollably, and overall I don't feel well."

• Anonymous
• July 21, 2009

"So far, I really like Yasmin. I had a mild problem with acne and serious mood swings. I was also having a significant amount of dark, coarse facial hair due to low amounts of estrogen. I've seen improvements in all three areas. I started taking Yasmin on the second day of my period, and by the third day, my period was gone. The only downer is that it makes me really tired. I'm always a little cranky because I'm sleepy. It seems as though Yasmin is good for a lot of other problems young women have, and it's just a plus that it prevents pregnancy."

• Kik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 5, 2021

"I thought it would be useful to update you about my life on Yaz (see September 25). I decided to quit Yaz after my mood being greatly affected. I've always been an anxious person, but I believe this medication made me paranoid and extremely emotional. I would literally cry watching my toaster do its thing. My libido dropped off completely as well. This, for me, was a shame, since once the 3-month mark had arrived, I felt like everything had fallen into place: no acne, no mood swings, stability, weight was going down, etc. However, after month 5, everything shifted, and my body just seemed to not like it anymore. I was SO paranoid. I was even sure someone had installed cameras in my apartment, lol. Anyway, it’s a shame I couldn't continue in it because it did help a lot with the acne and the hair, but those really are minor when you compare it to not being able to leave your place."

• Gre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2021

"I've had a very positive experience with Yaz (Eloine in the UK), which has completely cleared up my previously debilitating PMDD. All of my symptoms have gone: the fatigue, nausea, difficulty concentrating, depression, anxiety, foggy-headedness, bloating, water retention, cravings, muscle aches, and insomnia. I've been taking it continuously for four months, and although for the first few weeks I noticed some of the side effects mentioned on the leaflet, such as tearfulness and breast swelling (also, I was hornier than usual!), these went and left me feeling really good. I don't notice a single side effect now, and I have more consistent energy and happiness. Also, no weight gain to speak of: I just had some fluctuations in water retention during the first month, and my shape has slightly changed (a little less fat on my stomach/more on my hips), but it's not extreme, and I feel good. I definitely recommend trying Yaz for PMDD, and I hope your experience is as good as mine!"

• val...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2023

"I have tried many different birth control pills. I already have depression, anxiety, and PMDD. I got off NuvaRing for infection reasons and asked to be put on this to help my PMDD. The first day after taking the pill, I was violently angry. It was so bad, and I also felt suicidal. I had to stop taking it immediately. This is a bad birth control pill for me. I don't know about other people, maybe it will be okay for some people?"

• kay...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 7, 2023

"Yaz literally saved my life. I'd been suffering from PMDD for several years without knowing, and after a lot of digging later, I discovered I might have it. I genuinely could not live the way I was anymore and was about to end my life. I was desperate for anything to make it so I could breathe again (I was so incredibly depressed and anxious I'd have panic attacks for hours every day, multiple times a day, and couldn't get out of bed to go to the bathroom. I couldn't stand in the shower without sobbing, etc., for 3 weeks straight each month. It was impossible to function. I tried this. It took about 2 months for me to start feeling alive. I have to be very rigid about taking this at the same time every day, if I am an hour or two off for 2 days in a row, all my symptoms come back in full swing and usually stay for at least a month straight, and there is nonstop bleeding/spotting. The only side effect I have experienced so far (it has been about 13 months) are minor headaches every once in a while. It saved me."