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

• 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."

• 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."

• kgi...
• March 6, 2011

"Gianvi is the only birth control I've ever used, and granted I've only been on it for two weeks, but so far I LOVE IT. Not only am I less irritable, judgmental, and teary, but for the first time in months, I am able to fall asleep without using melatonin or any other sleep aid. Also, my sex drive has way increased. I haven't felt bloated, but my breasts are a little larger. I have noticed that if I don't take the pill within the same hour range, I am a little 'off' emotionally. But if I keep it regular, I feel better than I have in years."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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
• 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."

• 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!"

• 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!"

• Ash...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 8, 2023

"This drug gave me my life back. I suffered from very severe PMDD. Once a month, I'd attempt to quit my job, practically kicking and screaming, fighting with everyone around me, becoming so miserable that I could barely get out of bed, experiencing nausea, cramps that got worse with age (just turned 28), vomiting, and not to mention the excruciating pain of swollen breasts. Yaz turned my life around when I started taking it in 2021. I stopped taking it after a while to attempt to manage the PMDD "naturally," but my life turned upside down again. I have been back on it for 3 days now, and I am looking forward to having my life back. I am also in a new relationship, and I feel that my boyfriend doesn't deserve to put up with the monster that I become 2-3 weeks out of the month. Yaz is a miracle drug for any woman who has to live with PMDD. Please take the leap of faith and give it a try. It saved me."

• 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."

• 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.)"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 19, 2023

"Probably the worst decision I have ever made was to go on this pill. I decided to wait a few months in order for my mood to improve since I am aware it takes a few months for your body to regulate the hormones. I had just switched from Alesse because my doctor recommended me to try Yaz to see if I would like it more as the periods are shorter. My irritability, anxiety, and depression were at an all-time high during the 7 months I was taking this pill. I was convinced I had BPD because of how insane I felt. It ruined a lot of my relationships, and I was very suicidal. As soon as I got off of it, back on Alesse, my fav, I felt amazing again and normal. I also felt super nauseous, and my heart rate was always irregular. My friends have all had similar experiences with Yaz, and I really would not recommend it if you are a young girl in her late teens (I’m 19). Hope this saves someone's time, I really recommend Alesse if you can take it!"

• 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."

• 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
• August 15, 2008

"I took Yaz for 6 months with good results, but not complete relief of my PMDD. Due to an insurance goof-up, I was unable to get my medication for 2 months (it is more than I can afford out of pocket). During those 2 months, I realized how much it had been helping me. My periods were much lighter, and the bloating and tenderness were much worse when I was off of them. I'm back on Yaz now, and my doctor has combined it with Zoloft, so hopefully, I will be back to 'normal' soon."

• 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."

• 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."

• Aly...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 3, 2024

"I've been taking Nikki for about 10 months now. When I started to take it, I was completely terrified from reading all the reviews, scared of depression, scared of blood clots/stroke, nervous about weight gain. This has been amazing for me though. My depression hasn't gotten worse, if anything, it's helped because I had pretty severe PMDD where I would only have one good week a month and then I'd be depressed/a bit suicidal, and would get very physically sick from hormones. I take it continuously, although I've had to take a break every 3 months or so and skip through the placebo pills or I start spotting and cramping. But even so, PMDD is gone, I don't get sick from PMS hormones anymore, and I haven't had any bad side effects or issues. Very worth it and I highly recommend."