Drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol and Cramps: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve taken this Yaz pill for about 2 months, and I’m going off of it now. The anxiety and depression that came with this were not worth it. Sometimes, it came at the end of the pack, but I had terrible emotional problems all month long. I would cry for no reason, have multiple panic attacks a day, and have way too many self-deprecating thoughts. I’ve never had problems with periods before (no mood swings, cramps, bloating), but after starting this, I’ve experienced all of those. It’s been difficult to find a birth control pill that doesn’t come with emotional problems warranting antidepressants. I don’t know if I’ll ever find one."

• Vic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2020

For Birth Control "I'm 25, haven't had an actual period in years (was on an IUD called Mirena). It was working fantastically for 7 years, then came the expiration date. My desire to search for a new method of birth control began. Considering how long I'd been on the IUD, I figured let's try something new. BIGGEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE, it has been HORRIBLE finding a birth control that would fit my body, and Yaz was NO exception. I have been taking the pill for two months. Side effects came gradually, things you'd assume: breast tenderness, cramping, bloating, lower back sensitivity. But there was something much more sinister bubbling up, so slowly I didn't even notice, until I became a completely different woman. I have never been more depressed. Low energy, irritability, general feeling of discomfort, hopelessness, EMOTIONAL, crying all the time. Do your research, but based on my experience, RUN."

• Lif...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 31, 2017

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I used Ortho Tri-Cyclen-Lo from 16-18 years old. My periods were easy without any side effects. By mid-18 years old, I was experiencing painful and heavy periods, with strong emotional swings. My emotions became unpredictable, extremely reactive, and at times I experienced deep depression and strong suicidal thoughts - completely contrary to my personality and traits. My parents requested I leave university, until that night we read about Yaz studies. Yaz was the only birth control with proven study results showing Yaz helps to control PMDD, which described exactly what I was experiencing. Yaz was immediately successful. Three and a half years later, I am still on Yaz and graduating with a Neuroscience degree. P.S. Generic Yaz experience was unsuccessful. 03/31/17"

• Mny...
• October 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I just came off this birth control, Yasmin, after suffering from the worst mood swings. I have never been so depressed and disoriented to the point where I felt like I was going crazy. I was having problems with everyone in my life. I cried day and night and would lash out at people. I didn't know if it was the pill or if something was wrong with me. I thought the heart palpitations I was feeling on a daily basis were just me having some sort of anxiety disorder, but they have now completely disappeared. I can't believe I am enjoying my life again after just a week of not taking these pills. Other symptoms I had were that it made my period pain 10 times worse, even though it's not supposed to be a real period? And migraines-don't get me started, they would last for days. I don't ever really write reviews, but I had to because if there are other girls that are feeling what I felt, please stay strong, don't feel alone, it gets so much better when you stop taking it."

• mta...
• November 4, 2019

For Acne "I went on Yaz to help with my hormonal acne. The first month on Yaz made my skin flare up horribly, it was the most painful thing ever. Dealing with it was very hard, it was painful and just horrible to look at. After 3 months, my skin started to clear up like crazy! It used to be crazy bumpy with many pimples, and now my skin is very smooth with less than 4 active pimples, and I no longer am in pain. ACNE WILL GET SO MUCH WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER. Please stick through it because I was one of those people who thought it wasn’t going to get better. Pros: skin eventually cleared up, weight stayed the same, my boobs grew a lot bigger (I went from a B to a C). I now have very light and short periods compared to before. I also barely get cramps anymore, and they aren’t very painful (they used to be horrible). It also is working as a contraceptive. Cons: my boobs were sore almost every day, but as the months went by, it now feels normal."

• adh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2023

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "Okay, so I’m here for all the people who are terrified and see all these bad reviews. Keep in mind, people are more likely to share bad experiences, so just remember there are good ones too! I used to take Gianvi, and then it sadly was discontinued. CVS started giving me Nikki. It was awful. So the pharmacist looked up other generics of Yaz, and he ordered me Loryna. I figured I’d give it a go. It helps me a lot, I used to have awful cramps, nausea, and migraines before my period. I also would have awful mood swings and would lash out at my husband. I haven’t had that at all with Loryna! I also skip the placebos because my periods are so rough, and that makes my life so much easier. If you’re scared and see all these reviews, just remember, everyone’s different! Give it a try, and if it doesn’t work, it’ll be okay! Just let your ob-gyn or pharmacist know."

• Vic...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 19, 2019

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "Best thing ever. Lifesaver. Game changer. I tried other BC but had the worst PMS (PMDD) - heavy, painful periods, depression, anxiety, and acne, which would lead to skin infections/inflamed skin for 2-3 weeks; I was miserable all month. Once I began taking Yaz, it felt like a veil lifted. Horrible PMS became a thing of the past. Physically, my boobs maybe went up a cup, and my skin cleared up. My periods weren’t as heavy or painful. I didn’t have as much of a sex drive, but for me, being sane was worth the trade-off. For me, the brand name worked best. Hands down."

• 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
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2022

For Birth Control "This is the absolute worst birth control! I was taking the name brand Yazmin for years, and I never had any issues with it. I moved, and the pharmacist gave me the generic brand Syeda. I didn’t have any issues with it until 2 months in. I started experiencing the WORST anxiety and panic attacks, spotting, and the worst cramps. I have never had any of these issues before, nor did I ever have anxiety or panic attacks until I started taking this. Do yourself a favor and steer clear of Syeda."

• Nat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2019

For Birth Control "At first, I was really scared to start with Nikki because I’m a first-time birth control user, and I saw so many bad reviews here. But I tried it anyway, and I’m so glad I did. I’ve been on it for a full month now, and I didn’t experience any spotting or extreme nausea or things like that. Three days after I first started taking the pill, I had a bit of cramping, but nothing intolerable. I just have a lot of discharge (which is probably caused by the pill), so I have to wear pantiliners frequently. However, the withdrawal period came just in time (three days after I took my last active pill). My skin was already clear before I took Nikki, and it still remains clear until now. No weight gain, no acne whatsoever. It also didn’t affect my sex drive at all, in fact, it gave me peace of mind. All I can say is that everyone has different reactions to this pill, and it’s worth trying!"

• 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?"

• Umb...
• October 6, 2014

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I've been on Yaz for over 3 years now. It's the only birth control I've been on, and it's been amazing. I suffer from severe PMDD, and I was placed on it. So far, my PMDD is not fully gone, but it has helped my life tremendously. My period used to be 8 days long and extremely heavy. Now it's around 5 days and very light. I used to get severe cramping, and now I rarely cramp. I also had mild acne, and it's virtually gone now, except for the few I get right before my period. For physical issues from my period, it has been really successful, but for the emotional issues, it has helped mildly. I still get the panic, anger, and depression up to a week before my period, but it has calmed down. Also, no pregnancy scares at all or weight gain."

• Jan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 4, 2019

For Birth Control "I can't believe there are so many negative comments about Yaz... I started taking it a year ago due to my very painful periods (I would throw up, couldn't eat, or go to school and work, and popping large doses of painkillers). These pills, Yaz, literally changed my life. I used to have awful PMS, and I would get really depressed a week before my period. Everything is gone now. The terrible moods, cramps, everything. I feel great, actually, I've never felt better. Only bad thing is I gained 6 kg since I started taking it, and I'm really afraid of those blood clots everyone's talking about. I don't ever want to stop taking this pill, but I'm afraid I'll have to due to its well-known side effects. But for now, I enjoy my life with Yaz"

• Anonymous
• August 3, 2009

For Birth Control "I have been taking Yaz for 1 month. My doctor asked me to try it for a couple more, so my body can get used to it, but I would rather just stop right now. I'm tired all the time, depressed, no sex drive. I had horrible cramps, worse than when I was in high school, and bad migraines the week prior to my period. I cry at the drop of a hat, and I'm really anxious. I do not like it, but I will give it one more month. We'll see."

• Sam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 4, 2020

For Birth Control "I’ve been on this birth control for about eight months, and I believe my acne is a lot clearer. It does make me quite emotional for no reason sometimes, and when I get my period, I get painful cramps, which I’ve never had before. I’ve also seemed to gain weight and dislike myself. But my boobs did go up a few sizes."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been on Ocella for 2 months now, my period is so light that I think it’s implantation bleeding! My cramps are very mild, and I have no acne. I've been sad about absolutely everything, but it hasn’t affected my life so much. This birth control is so much better than my other ones I have tried! I am 18 years old, I have never had a pregnancy scare. My periods last about 3-4 days."

• 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."

• Cel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2021

For Birth Control "I began Nikki after my Paragard IUD had to be removed because it shifted positions. I wasn't comfortable going back to an IUD after that. I also wanted something to help my moderate acne. Once I started Nikki, my acne cleared up within the first pack. I took the pill religiously at the same time, and my doctor thinks that this helped with the benefits. I noticed my body hair grew less thick. My periods last a day and a half with moderate bleeding at worst. I've also had minimal cramping. I did gain ~7 lbs around my butt and lower tummy, which hasn't gone away. I also noticed that my sex drive is decreased. The reason that I'm changing is because my IBS symptoms became severe. I looked into it, and research suggests that Drospirenone can cause/worsen IBS. I think overall Nikki was great but wasn't the perfect fit for me."

• Anonymous
• August 1, 2009

For Birth Control "I would rate this above 10 if I could. This is the best birth control I have ever taken. I suffer from PMDD, and my time of the month without Yaz, I feel like I could hurt people for no reason at all, just because I didn't like the way they looked at me or whatever. Anyways, Yaz has helped that out so much. My husband is so happy with the results. I have had no weight gain, no cramping, and only 3-day periods with very little bleeding, and the best part is no irritability or major mood swings."

• Amj...
• May 3, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been taking Zarah for almost 3 months. I have polycystic ovarian syndrome and am working on getting healthier to try and have a child. When I first took Zarah, I got these major headaches at first and tender breasts, but after three weeks the headaches went away. I haven't had my period in a little over a year because of my PCOS, so when I got my first one it was painful, but since then they have been easier. My skin looks great, and I haven't gained any weight. I still have tender breasts, but part is due to my PCOS. I'd recommend it if you can bear with the first two or three weeks. It has been better than others I've tried. Also, no mood swings either."

• Ama...
• January 16, 2019

For Birth Control "I’m 30 and have been on some form of birth control since I was 15. I started Yaz/Gianvi maybe 7 or 8 years ago and loved it! I was given Loryna 4/5 months ago. I must be an idiot because it took me up until yesterday to connect the dots. I’ve gotten my period every single month 10-3 days before finishing my active pills. I thought I was going absolutely crazy because I never missed any! I’ve had horrible cramps and bloating; my breasts have increased a full cup size and are extremely sore - the only time of the month I get any reprieve is when I stop the pill for my period, which is now 10 days long and super heavy and full of clots. I also have insomnia (fall asleep after 3 every night), cystic acne (this is new), depression, lack of energy, constant yeast infections/BV, and a feeling of constant PMS... Did I make myself clear that I am bloated and have cramps and breast tenderness EVERY DAY? DO NOT TAKE THIS PILL."

• all...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2019

For Acne "I was diagnosed with PCOS at 15 and was on Diane for about 6 years, it did absolutely nothing and made me an emotional wreck. I switched to Yasmin, and I’m now on my 3rd month of it. Already, my moods are so much better, I feel happier in myself and don’t have the mood swings I was experiencing before. I am yet to notice any change with my acne, but I’m hoping this will change as time goes on. I have not put on any weight with this pill and feel no nausea or cramps, except small period cramps which last around a day, which is nothing compared to my periods without the pill. I think for anyone who has PCOS and is looking for another pill, I’d definitely recommend this one, as even in this small time frame, I feel so much happier."

• Kat...
• April 2, 2008

For Acne "I am 15, and I had a terrible acne problem, I mean, it was bad! I tried Proactiv to Oxy and so much more. My mom was spending a lot of money on things that did not work. I went to the doctor. He prescribed face pads that didn't work, then he prescribed a gel to apply to my face twice a day. The gel worked a little, then we went back for the last time, and he put me on Yasmin. I noticed a difference about a month after I started taking it. It has also helped with cramps and PMS. Thanks, Yasmin."

• Anonymous
• November 7, 2009

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "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."