Drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol and Bleeding: What Users Say

• Yaz...
• February 13, 2020

For Acne "I started Yasmin after suffering from mild acne. I have been on Yasmin for 6 months and my skin has mostly cleared up. First 4 months of Yasmin, my skin was SO much worse, from mild acne to cystic acne, with a breakout every few days. Now I am almost at 6 months, I stopped breaking out in cystic acne, and my skin has cleared up. I think Yasmin takes 6-9 months to see the full effect. The side effects that I noticed in the beginning - breakthrough bleeding, increased hair shedding, went away after the first few months. I feel that I stopped some of the side effects with vitamins and supplements. It is so important you supplement with certain vitamins as the pill depletes these - zinc, B vitamins, iron, vitamin E, D3, etc. I also take MSM (sulfur) which stopped my hair shedding and regrew my hair thicker. It is important to supplement as the pill depletes vitamins from your body. If you are experiencing side effects such as hair loss, etc., please look into taking the above vitamins as well as MSM!"

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 24, 2020

For Birth Control "My contraceptive pill has been switched four times in the last two and a half years, and I can honestly say the last three months on this pill have been the worst of my life. Wouldn’t normally write a review on this sort of thing, but I just want to say if you’re experiencing higher than normal levels of anxiety, depression, paranoia, anger, etc., please get off this Yasmin pill as soon as possible. It turned me into a different person - look into other birth control/acne control options. My periods normally average two to three days, I have been heavily bleeding for a week now. This has not happened on any of my other pills. It’s honestly not worth the clear skin, many other pills do the same job with skin without making you depressed. I thought I was going crazy, but after reading all the reviews on this, my story is exactly the same. Do not take this pill!!!!"

• Ell...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 20, 2020

For Birth Control "I'm on Yasmin for 3 years. 3 very long years. I started on Yaz and had it for a year and had breakthrough bleeding, so I was told to go onto Yasmin. Well, I've gained two stone. Skin is spotty around the time of the month, which never used to happen. I cry if I'm tired or angry. I cry if something happens that wasn't supposed to. I'm very emotional. I've had enough of it now and am changing the pill after my break. My sex drive? Nonexistent. My mood swings? Dangerous. My body? Fat and tired."

• Bec...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 17, 2020

For Acne "Writing this review after a year of struggle with acne that went on for about 10 months. I was 27 years old and had never struggled with acne at all in the past, I was always blessed with beautiful skin. Then, out of the blue, I started getting spots on my chest and face, quite badly. They were relentless and beginning to scar. I went to see a dermatologist and used antibiotics - lymecycline and tretinoin gel. This helped a lot... I was scared that if I came off them, then I would be back to square one. I also had the coil as a contraceptive and had read this may be a contributor to the problem. I got the coil taken out and asked for Yasmin. I came off the lymecycline and tretinoin, and the acne has not returned! My skin has just gotten better and better. You would never know I had a problem. My cycle is also better controlled, I used to get a lot of breakthrough bleeding on the coil. I am writing this review in hope it may help others!"

• Haf...
• July 20, 2016

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I've been on Yaz for 7 months now, and I am extremely happy with it. I was always a ravenous, aching, emotional mess before my period. It was hard for me to function when I was in uni since I could skip classes and lie in bed and cry. I couldn't do that when I started working, though. Yaz now makes me a functional human being every day of the month, and even gave me clear skin and an increase in appetite as add-on rewards! The adjustment period was shitty for me because I breakthrough bled my way through my first three months on Yaz, had really bad mood swings that came without notice, and then had a two-week long period. After that period, though, my body has accepted Yaz as its own, and my life is stellar!"

• Two...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 12, 2020

For Birth Control "I am going on my fifth year taking this medication. I LOVE this pill. I was prescribed Lorena by a new doctor about three years ago, and I tried that for a short time only to have the worst bleeding, abdominal pain, and headaches of my life. I went back to my doctor, got them to prescribe me Nikki again, and I’ve never looked back. This medicine has helped me so much. It has fixed my irregular cycle and completely cured my acne. When I first started it, I do remember feeling nauseous and having headaches. But I continued on it and those symptoms went away very quickly. Like I said, it’s going to be my fifth year on this pill, and I will never take anything else."

• Anonymous
• June 15, 2009

For Birth Control "I'm 32 and never took any birth control pills. I was on the fence about taking Yaz due to negative responses. I love this birth control and I'm glad I took it. I only experienced light bleeding during the 1st month of taking the pill. When I finished the 1st pack, the bleeding stopped. I noticed I was emotional when I took the first placebo pill, but when I took the 2nd, I was back to normal. My doctor put me on the pill due to irregular periods, and when they came on, they would be extremely heavy. I missed work some days due to this. Well, when I got my period while taking Yaz, it came on when taking the placebo pills and was light, NO CRAMPS, very short. My skin looks great, I wake up happy as can be, no emotional issues, sex drive up."

• Nin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on many birth controls trying to find the right one for me. I was on Apri a couple of years ago, which gave me very bad anxiety, so after that I switched to Tri-Sprintec. This pill didn't cause any anxiety, but my skin broke out so terribly on it! My third and final switch was to 'Yaz', at the pharmacy, I was handed the generic Gianvi. I spent hours reading reviews and was a little nervous to start taking these pills, but they have been great. My skin has completely cleared up, I never break out at all anymore. I had no mood changes or anxiety, nor weight gain. This pill is sensitive with regards to breakthrough bleeding, if just one pill is missed, you can expect spotting the next day. Otherwise, an AWESOME pill! Highly recommend!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2018

For Birth Control "I hate writing bad reviews, but please do not use this birth control! I have been on it over a month and bleeding nonstop, having anxiety attacks all day long while at work, intrusive awful thoughts, vision feels different and blurry, feeling depressed and moody one minute, the next I'm fine. Will not be taking any more pills on this brand. I was on Loryna (which they say is comparable), and it is not. I felt perfectly fine on Loryna and figured it would be the same on Gianvi. It’s not, I don’t want this to happen to anyone else, so please girls watch out."

• lan...
• November 14, 2019

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I've been struggling to find a pill that works for me for ages. I get anxiety about getting side effects like weight gain and depression, as I have experienced them before on Levlin and Yasmin. The doc suggested Yaz due to its lower dose. I have had minimal side effects so far and feel pretty great on it, except that I have been bleeding for the past 2 months. Sometimes it's really light (spotting) and others not so much. I'm hoping that if I wait it out, my periods will become more regular. After hearing so many negative comments about Yaz, I asked my doc about the blood clots, and she said that all pills increase the risk of blood clots and that it's just because Yaz is a newer pill, it's getting more attention. Also, you are at a much, much higher risk of getting a blood clot if you are pregnant. Everyone's hormones are different, so if this pill works for you, then great, if not, then try another one."

• Mer...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 7, 2018

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I've been taking Yaz for almost a year now, and I am very, very happy with it. I have pre-existing mental health diagnoses that were extremely exacerbated by PMDD. About 10 days before my period, I would become absolutely dead exhausted, severely depressed, with constant muscle and joint soreness, and terrible cramps and heavy bleeding during menstruation. All these symptoms are almost eliminated after taking Yaz. As an added 'plus,' most months I don't get my period AT ALL, which is a real blessing. The only thing I wish would work for me is the acne reduction... I still struggle with the cystic, hormonal acne, and Yaz doesn't seem to have helped that. STILL, if you struggle with PMDD, Yaz is definitely worth a try!"

• Anonymous
• January 10, 2010

For Acne "I have been taking Yaz for 8 months now and am very pleased with the results. I have not gained any weight, my acne cleared up completely, and my periods are shorter and lighter. The first three months, I did experience side effects: migraines, tiredness, breakthrough bleeding just the first month; but other than that, it was fine. I attribute those first three months to my body getting used to the hormones. At first, I was hesitant to try this birth control because of the horror stories I have read online, but I decided to try it anyway, and I am so happy that I did because it has been wonderful for me. I suggest anyone debating trying it out not be discouraged by the reviews because everybody's body is different."

• Fli...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 14, 2019

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I thought it would be useful to share my experience of Yaz for PMDD. I found Yaz so helpful for my moods. Emotionally, it really did balance me out a lot. I felt in control of my life again. No more panic attacks, heavy bleeding, bloating, and no more week-long depression. It was great. For my acne, however, it really flared things up. I persisted through till nine months of taking it. But I decided the skin just wasn't improving, so I gave up hope that it would. Since stopping, my skin has cleared up beautifully. If you are similar to me, persevere for at least six months. But it may not work for you either. Keep looking for something that works for you."

• I...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 7, 2020

"It’s been almost 2 years on the pill (Yaz). I started taking Yaz because of my period and acne. I would bleed so heavily I could never control it, horrible back pain and cramps. I also had acne so bad I hated going anywhere. After about 6 months to a year being on the pill, my acne cleared up, and I just was getting small pimples every once in a while. I gained weight in my butt, sides, and thighs. Now, being on the pill for 2 years, I have realized how much it has affected me emotionally. Every month at the end of my pack, I get very depressed and cry for reasons I can’t explain. The depression and crazy mood swings affected me, my parents, and my boyfriend. I’m not myself, and I’m not sure what to do. I feel like if I talk to my doctor about it, I’m gonna have to be taken off the pill, and what if my acne comes back and my period gets bad? At this point, I don’t care. I’m tired of not being me and feeling depressed. Any help?"

• Ema...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2020

For Birth Control "I was nervous starting Yaz for my endometriosis because of reviews I had read and my bad experiences with birth control when I was a teenager. During the first couple of weeks, I was very emotional - cried every day. After that, my emotions were more regular. I had very little appetite, I lost over 10 pounds in a month. My skin didn't change much. I would have stayed on Yaz because I didn't have any of the pain or symptoms that usually come with my period, but I started spotting about a month in, and I have been bleeding ever since. I start Yasmin this week, and I am very nervous for the transition."

• Nat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2013

For Acne "Having been on Estelle-35 for nearly a year (which gave me the worst acne of my life, 10 times worse than it already was), I decided to change to Yaz. I'm in my third month of taking it, and I think I've broken out (4-6 spots at the same time) twice, whereas before I was getting 4-6 new spots per day. No initial breakouts. Only had one cyst in nearly three months. The only side effect was my fault - I didn't wait until my period to start taking them and had breakthrough bleeding for around three weeks. I haven't experienced any weight gain, headaches, etc. If you're deciding whether to try the pill for your acne, just do it. Seriously. It's done wonders for my confidence and anxiety, and I can actually look people in the eye now!"

• Kat...
• August 14, 2013

For Birth Control "I got on this birth control when it first came in 2006 when I was 16. I was on it up until I was 22. Switching was the biggest mistake ever. I LOVED this birth control. I never had any problems with it. Lighter and shorter periods, cleared up my skin, and no bloating or weight gain. The only downfall was I did get very emotional, but that was it, and maybe occasional breakthrough bleeding. Best of all, it worked for me. I am switching back to this birth control and can't wait."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2021

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I am a 39-year-old woman. I started taking Vestura five weeks ago to help with extreme mood swings during PMS. It's been 10 years since I last used birth control pills. I skipped the placebo pills and went into the next pack of active pills as advised by my doctor, but a week into the new pack I experienced medium-to-heavy breakthrough bleeding, cramps, nausea, and emotional distress, including crying spells and passive suicidal thoughts. I do have a history of anxiety and depression, but I'm concerned about continuing to take this pill if there's a possibility it's bringing on these intense emotions. I've decided to stop taking it rather than 'wait it out' another few months."

• Asa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2021

For Birth Control "This was the worst BC ever! My doctor prescribed me the name brand Yazmin, and somehow my pharmacy gave me Syeda for months. I have bled almost every day, even when taking it, cramps like no other, knee pain, rash on my chest, anxiety as well. This is generic birth control that does not work! If I could rate a 0, I would."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2018

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I took Yaz in college and never had any issues with anxiety, depression, and anger. Well, now I realize why.....I was on Yaz. Now in my thirties, I have struggled with PMDD for over five years. Finally decided to go back to Yaz to relieve my symptoms, and it's effective. My first month was easy, I felt a difference immediately. Now, on my second month, I have some bleeding and noticed my hormones are up and down towards the end of the pack. Looking forward to my third month, hopefully the light bleeding will stop."

• Ema...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 21, 2018

For Acne "I never thought I’d see the day where I could leave the house without any makeup on and feel confident and beautiful! I started my third pack this morning and noticed a transformation to my skin by the end of the first pack. I was definitely a bit nervous to start this medication because of the many negative reviews, but everybody is different. My periods have always been on the lighter side, and I’ve never experienced any side effects from other birth controls in the past (Kariva/Azurette, Ortho Tri-Cyclen) besides some breakthrough bleeding, which could be why I am doing well on this one too. But anyone suffering from acne should 100% try this out. It’s also seemed to help control oil production. I’ve never had skin like this, and it feels amazing to be able to look someone in the eyes because I’m no longer terrified they’re staring at my acne. For reference, I’m 21 years old and have been dealing with grade 2 acne/oily skin since 4th grade."

• Ann...
• October 6, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been on Yaz since I was 23, and I'm 28 now. In the first month or so, I had mild side effects - felt a bit dizzy and had some breakthrough bleeding, but they subsided after a month or two. I have PMDD, and Yaz has been a Godsend in regulating my moods - instead of being out of control for 3 weeks, I only have PMDD for a little less than a week. It's definitely helped me, and I'd be a hot mess without it!"

• Kat...
• December 7, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been taking Gianvi for 9 months now. This is the first birth control I tried and was highly recommended by my gynecologist. After the first few months of taking it, I didn't seem to have any problems, my period always came on the third day of the placebo pills and lasted about five days. One thing I will say is I have only missed one pill, and if you miss one, you will break through bleed for a little bit. Last month, I did get random spotting before my period, then my period started and stopped for a day, then came back very light. I think this is just my periods lessening, I know some on this medication don't receive a period at all. I would greatly recommend this birth control, I LOVE IT! And it has prevented pregnancy!"

• Boa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2020

For Acne "I am 20 years old. I have taken this pill because of my acne. I stopped with Accutane (I didn’t have any acne at that moment) and immediately I started with the YAZ pill. The first month I had no breakouts or any pimples on my face. Starting in my second month, I did get a large breakout (like a lot of tiny whiteheads) only on my forehead and chin. Also, my period started. The acne was coming back in the second month, and starting in my third month, the breakout is still the same and a little bit worse than the second month. I am on my 2.5 month now taking YAZ, and I’m at my period now for 3 weeks non-stop. I don’t know when the bleeding stops and if anyone else had experience with the YAZ and having a 3-week-long period? I am praying my acne/breakouts will calm down when I start my fourth month. Thank you very much for responding to my review!"

• Bel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2019

For Acne "Aside from preventing pregnancy, my goal on this pill was to eliminate my horrible adult acne. Months 1-3 I noticed no improvement in my skin. Then, at the end of month 3, I was bleeding for weeks on end. By month 4, my skin dramatically changed. The heavy bleeding stopped, and my skin was flawless. I like to think my body was ‘purging’ with the heavy bleeding, and my body was adjusted to the pill. My skin remains clear, and my period always comes around the 3rd or 4th pill."