Drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol and Cramps: What Users Say (Page 3)

• san...
• February 2, 2021

"I'll share my experience. I have been on this pill for 3 months now, on my 3rd day of the 3rd pack. It definitely cleared up my skin in the very first month, and it's consistent to this day. Also, it has wiped the painful cramps. My boobs got a full cup bigger, and I did notice that my hips widened a bit, but no biggie. As a birth control, it's effective. On my 2nd pack, I bled for 5 days. However, on my 3rd pack now, I only experienced 2 days of bleeding. My 1st pack's on a Sunday, which is also the 1st day of my period, and on the 3rd pack, I started on the same day, and the bleeding came on the last placebo pill. I am alarmed as to why I only bled for 2 days. It has never happened to me. I'm consistent in taking the active pills at the same time each night. I never missed an active pill nor took one very late. I want to know if there's anyone who experienced the same thing? Does anyone here bleed for 2 or 3 days while on Yaz? I would really appreciate the feedback. Thank you!"

• Gig...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 6, 2012

For Menstrual Disorders "I have polycystic ovarian syndrome and absolutely love Gianvi. This is my first birth control, and I've been on it for almost a year. I was diagnosed with PCOS, and my gyno put me on the medication. For me, I was getting periods every 9 months, which to some people is a dream. But not for me. Now that I've been on the pill, I do get it monthly, and it lasts me about 4-5 days. And it's done wonders for me. I've lost weight, my blood pressure has decreased. Used to be in the 160s, and my breasts have gotten larger. I don't suffer from mood swings, but I do get terrible cramps, but they're easily taken care of. And for acne, my skin has always been somewhat dry, so I haven't noticed a difference. I would recommend this for people."

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2019

For Birth Control "At first on Yasmin, I didn’t notice anything different with my moods, as I had been on a different pill before Yasmin for 4 months. But then I started to become more aware that I was having no energy to do anything. Anytime I got my period, I would get extreme cramps, which I never did before. I was just feeling so sad because of this pill. I’ve cried an abnormal amount of times, definitely not usual for me. My mood swings are atrocious as well, and since I’ve a boyfriend at the moment, I’m crying and getting annoyed over the smallest things. Long story short, AVOID this pill. The only good it did was not make me put on weight and make my skin clear."

• Bam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 12, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve only been taking Yaz for 2 months, and at first, I felt great, but then I started to get really tired all the time and struggled to do anything that I would normally have plenty of energy to do. The first time I got my period, I had severe cramps, and I have never had menstrual cramps in my life, and my period lasted 11 days when it would usually last 3 and be very light. I started taking it because of my acne, but my acne hasn’t really cleared up at all. I don’t feel myself, I feel so off and negative. I’m going to stop taking it today!"

• Sma...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 28, 2020

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "This medication is awful! First three months I broke out terribly in my chest and had severe headaches. Figured I needed time to adjust. Then last month, I started getting bad pain in my ovaries-Yaz had caused a huge cyst-never had it before. Required surgical intervention. Not to mention, my periods came whenever, wasn't even a period though, just bloody discharge and horrible cramps that sent me to the ER once because they made me vomit for four days straight. OBGYN pulled me off of it ASAP!"

• Sma...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 28, 2020

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "This medication is awful! First three months I broke out terribly in my chest and had severe headaches. Figured I needed time to adjust. Then last month, I started getting bad pain in my ovaries-Yaz had caused a huge cyst-never had it before. Required surgical intervention. Not to mention, my periods came whenever, wasn't even a period though, just bloody discharge and horrible cramps that sent me to the ER once because they made me vomit for four days straight. OBGYN pulled me off of it ASAP!"

• Pie...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 19, 2023

For Birth Control "I took Nikki for 2 years between 2017-2019. I bled randomly during sex all the time, and I was always on the verge of crying, but Nikki helped me lose weight and made my periods less heavy (I used to have to wear an adult diaper during my periods because it was so heavy). I stopped using it at the beginning of 2020, and my psoriasis came back with a fury, and my periods were so random (sometimes heavy, sometimes light, sometimes only lasted one day). I started taking generic Yaz, which was okay, but my psoriasis wasn’t going away. Now I have been taking Nikki again (it’s April 2023) for a little over a month, and my acne is going away, my psoriasis has subsided, and no weight loss or weight gain has occurred. However, I have random cramping all the time, and again, every little thing makes me cry. I take the bad with the good with this medication. It might work for you, it might not. DO NOT TAKE THIS WITH WELLBUTRIN. I went crazy when I took both."

• May...
• January 14, 2018

For Menstrual Disorders "I have been on this pill for over a year now. I have not had any negative side effects. No cramping or spotting or any weight gain. My bra size went from a 32B to a 32D, can't complain about that. I have endometriosis, and my periods without this pill were a painful nightmare. I was fainting due to the severity of my cramps, I was also vomiting due to the pain. I became anemic due to it too, but since going on this pill, it is a breeze. I usually skip the inactive pills and just not have a period, but when I do, it is about 3-4 days long with moderate cramping. Not as bad as before. I have no complaints or problems."

• Hex...
• January 16, 2021

For Birth Control "This is month 2 of Yaz. One year ago, I was on Yaz for roughly 9 months, and I had experienced heavy breakthrough bleeding, very painful cramps, and at one point, it got so bad I felt I had miscarried. I hadn't, but the blood was pouring out of me in gushes, far worse than my regular heavy period. After a while, it leveled out, and I stopped getting my period even on my 'off' days. My blood tests were normal, and so was my ultrasound. After a while, I went off them to try and get pregnant, but I never did. Periods came back the same as before, and I decided to try Yaz again. So back to month 2 now of Yaz, and I'm still on my period. It has not stopped since before I went on Yaz. (Total 4 months on period) Painful cramping has started again. I'm exhausted all the time, moody, in pain, and I'm going to talk to my doctor about switching BC. Cannot keep living like this, especially since my bleeding won't stop. Horrible pain makes me want to cry and sleep all day. 1/10, stay away from Yaz."

• Hex...
• January 16, 2021

For Birth Control "This is month 2 of Yaz. One year ago, I was on Yaz for roughly 9 months, and I had experienced heavy breakthrough bleeding, very painful cramps, and at one point, it got so bad I felt I had miscarried. I hadn't, but the blood was pouring out of me in gushes, far worse than my regular heavy period. After a while, it leveled out, and I stopped getting my period even on my 'off' days. My blood tests were normal, and so was my ultrasound. After a while, I went off them to try and get pregnant, but I never did. Periods came back the same as before, and I decided to try Yaz again. So back to month 2 now of Yaz, and I'm still on my period. It has not stopped since before I went on Yaz. (Total 4 months on period) Painful cramping has started again. I'm exhausted all the time, moody, in pain, and I'm going to talk to my doctor about switching BC. Cannot keep living like this, especially since my bleeding won't stop. Horrible pain makes me want to cry and sleep all day. 1/10, stay away from Yaz."

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

For Birth Control "I've been taking Yaz for about a year now, and so far it's done its job pretty well! I started taking it to help reduce cramping and acne. My acne is almost completely gone (could be attributed to another pill I started taking at the same time as Yaz), and due to skipping periods, my cramping isn't that bad either. I haven't noticed any weight gain or unusual mood swings (I have diagnosed anxiety) that can't be attributed to other situations (second year of university is stressful). The only super negative thing I've noticed is that I've started getting really tender and lumpy breasts. I got my doctor to check the first one I was really worried about (my family has a history of breast cancer) and ended up having an ultrasound, but it only turned out to be tough tissue. I also started having more regular heart palpitations, but I think that's because of my anxiety, as I had them before I went on Yaz. TL;DR I would recommend Yaz, but closely monitor your mental and physical symptoms."

• Hap...
• July 14, 2013

For Birth Control "Regardless of all the negative reviews, I tried this birth control, and I do like it a lot. After about 3-4 packs, it cleared up my acne (I'm on the inert pills of my 5th pack now), it has relieved my menstrual cramps, helped to regulate my hormones, and is very effective as a birth control. I like pills that force me to bleed if I miss too many days, which helps to ward off sexual activity that could grant me an unwanted pregnancy. This does just that. After about two missed pills, you receive your period, and during the inert pills, you actually get a period and don't just spot. My insurance usually covers it, and it was $36 for three months, but recently it has become free of charge after my insurance coverage switched and covered contraception."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 8, 2016

For Birth Control "Heavy bleeding and intense cramping were my primary concerns for starting birth control, and since I still bled heavily on my first pill, I was switched to Yaz. The good is that the mild acne I did have is now non-existent, no more cramps, and my cycle is the lightest it's ever been. I can actually *want* to do more than stay in bed during my cycle. The bad is the random spotting. Theoretically, it's caused by not taking the pill at the same time every day, but I keep a pretty tight schedule, so it sucks. The mood swings are also discouraging. I feel myself getting mad or either sad about literally anything more often now. I've also picked up about 10 lbs despite the same eating habits and activity level."

• Anonymous
• July 6, 2010

For Menstrual Disorders "Yaz completely changed my life for good. I've suffered from PMDD for many years; to the point that I felt I had no life because of mood swings, cramps, migraines, bloating, and terrible anxiety. I've been taking Yaz for a month now, and I just experienced my first period on it, 3 light days vs. 7 days (2 extremely heavy days). I have mild cramps still. I really love Yaz; it also has improved my sex drive!"

• Anonymous
• July 6, 2010

For Menstrual Disorders "Yaz completely changed my life for good. I've suffered from PMDD for many years; to the point that I felt I had no life because of mood swings, cramps, migraines, bloating, and terrible anxiety. I've been taking Yaz for a month now, and I just experienced my first period on it, 3 light days vs. 7 days (2 extremely heavy days). I have mild cramps still. I really love Yaz; it also has improved my sex drive!"

• Str...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2019

For Birth Control "I was scared to use birth control pills because my period has never been regular, but decided to give it a try. I haven't had any bad experience with it yet. I did have a difference in my cramps, but it was only one day of intense cramps rather than my usual few days of cramping for a few hours each day."

• Ano...
• November 27, 2016

For Menstrual Disorders "This birth control made my life a living hell. First, my emotions went out of control. I was always moody, terribly anxious, and started to become depressed. Following this came the real reason why I am writing this review. I went on this birth control to help with my irregular and heavy periods. When the day came, I never experienced cramps so painful in my life. The only thing that I can compare it to is when I had to have an emergency appendectomy because it was about to explode. With this, my period was the heaviest it has ever been and has been going on for 2 weeks now. This pill did much more harm than good for me and I would never suggest it to someone."

• Swe...
• August 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm on week 3 of Yaz, and I can't impress enough how it has exacerbated my depression. I am crying constantly, I'm getting cramps like there's no tomorrow, and feeling nauseous randomly. I don't think regulating my period is worth the feeling of hopelessness, the lack of motivation, and the general low feeling I am immersed in after only 3 weeks!"

• Xyr...
• July 28, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm 17 years old. This is the end of my first month taking Ocella (to regulate my periods). I've been having occasional random cramps throughout this month, which were manageable, but now that I'm in the middle of the sugar pill week, my pain is terrible. These are the worst cramps of my life. But the positive is my breasts got a little bigger, I lost a little weight, and less acne. I also have fewer cravings. But the pain is more than I can stand. I'm considering going to the hospital. I can't stand without getting pale and lightheaded, and I've already vomited twice. (This is day 1 of my period.)"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 13, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on Gianvi for 8 months now. At first, I was an emotional wreck, like almost all the reviews on here, but after your body gets used to the added hormone, it does go away. It took about 3 months for the acne to go away also. After about the 3-month mark, Gianvi was perfect for me. I have no bloating when my period starts, my period is perfectly on schedule, less cramping and bleeding than before, no more migraines, and no mood swings. It's almost like I'm not even on my period anymore. But, as someone said before, you have to try it to know if it'll work for you."

• Anonymous
• December 1, 2009

For Birth Control "I've been using Yaz for about 6 months now. Here's what I have experienced. I do have headaches. My sex drive has increased, believe it or not. My skin is clear. Also, before taking Yaz, I wouldn't have my period for 3 months. Then, when I did have it, it was unbearable. Now, my monthly cycles are very light, but the cramping is still the same. I believe Yaz has helped me tremendously."

• Fat...
• June 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Yaz for 3 months. The heavy bleeding, agony, and cramps have all stopped, plus the cravings. Although I feel very low and depressed. I seem to be overly sensitive and raw all the time. It's becoming harder to contain myself around loved ones as I am so emotional and seem to snap at everything and everyone. I would seriously recommend whether this is the right option if you suffer from mental health issues or you are prone to it. I generally do feel anxious without the pill, although I have been feeling depressed recently, and it's dreadful."

• Chr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 16, 2022

For Birth Control "I have been bleeding for 103 days straight. Not just spotting. Bleeding. I have zero desire, so my relationship has suffered. I was prescribed this medication to no longer have periods and to help with cramps. This has helped with nothing."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2020

For Birth Control "Generally, I do not complain about birth control until I’ve taken it for at least 3 months. This time, I couldn’t do it. I only lasted a month. Syeda made me heavily bleed and cramp the entire month. I also had huge cysts around my jawline. I’m someone that usually researches before agreeing to take a medication. I wish I had. Syeda has been ineffective for some people, resulting in pregnancy. Although it only happened to that same person twice while taking Syeda, it’s enough to scare me away, especially for making me virtually useless for an entire month. I just advise some caution."

• lex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2021

For Acne "I’m in the middle of my fourth Yaz pack right now, and I wish I was seeing the acne-clearing effects more. Most sources say by 2-3 months you should start seeing your skin improve, and by month 6 you should really see them, so I’m not gonna quit it yet. I still wanna see if it will help my acne. The first month I had my period for a month straight, it was light, but I still had cramps and stuff, so that wasn’t fun. My boobs got bigger, biggest during the 2nd-3rd month, and then they’ve gone down slightly so far through the 4th month. Other than that, no weight gain. I have been more depressed and emotional lately, so that’s kinda a bummer, but my skin's been slightly better. Some redness has gone away, and I definitely get fewer pimples, but I still get some. Hopefully, it will be better by month 6 and on. So far it’s just not good, not bad, just eh."