Drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol and Depression: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Meg...
• January 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I started Yaz about 7 months ago because I had found out that I had developed ovarian cysts. I had been on Yaz for two years as a teenager and had side effects, but I didn’t notice them as much as this time. Over the time I had taken Yaz, I had developed low mood, temperament, and a bad attitude towards everything. The change was so slow that it wasn’t obvious that it wasn’t me and not the pill. On my last month, I took this pill, I had just started a new job and had to quit after one day because of extreme nausea and anxiety I was experiencing. Other side effects I experienced on Yaz were depression, suicidal thoughts, withdrawn, violent (kicking in a wall), angry, argumentative, irritable, extreme nausea, dizziness, hypoglycemia (if I don’t eat every 3 hours I would get nauseous), and no motivation to do anything, random pain in the legs, jealous of others, tired all the time, foggy head, crying all the time, and distrust of people. Please be aware."

• Meg...
• January 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I started Yaz about 7 months ago because I had found out that I had developed ovarian cysts. I had been on Yaz for two years as a teenager and had side effects, but I didn’t notice them as much as this time. Over the time I had taken Yaz, I had developed low mood, temperament, and a bad attitude towards everything. The change was so slow that it wasn’t obvious that it wasn’t me and not the pill. On my last month, I took this pill, I had just started a new job and had to quit after one day because of extreme nausea and anxiety I was experiencing. Other side effects I experienced on Yaz were depression, suicidal thoughts, withdrawn, violent (kicking in a wall), angry, argumentative, irritable, extreme nausea, dizziness, hypoglycemia (if I don’t eat every 3 hours I would get nauseous), and no motivation to do anything, random pain in the legs, jealous of others, tired all the time, foggy head, crying all the time, and distrust of people. Please be aware."

• Meg...
• January 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I started Yaz about 7 months ago because I had found out that I had developed ovarian cysts. I had been on Yaz for two years as a teenager and had side effects, but I didn’t notice them as much as this time. Over the time I had taken Yaz, I had developed low mood, temperament, and a bad attitude towards everything. The change was so slow that it wasn’t obvious that it wasn’t me and not the pill. On my last month, I took this pill, I had just started a new job and had to quit after one day because of extreme nausea and anxiety I was experiencing. Other side effects I experienced on Yaz were depression, suicidal thoughts, withdrawn, violent (kicking in a wall), angry, argumentative, irritable, extreme nausea, dizziness, hypoglycemia (if I don’t eat every 3 hours I would get nauseous), and no motivation to do anything, random pain in the legs, jealous of others, tired all the time, foggy head, crying all the time, and distrust of people. Please be aware."

• She...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking this for probably 8 months from NuRx, and I’m finally making the much-needed switch. I had my daughter about 2 years ago and thought my increasingly crippling depression and no sex drive were just because of stress. Then I talked to my doctor, who said that’s very common with this birth control, and she doesn’t even like to prescribe it because of this! I will say my periods have never been so regular, but it is really frustrating. If I don’t take it at the same exact time every day, I’ll end up having another week-long period. But based on other reviews, I’m glad I finally decided to do some research. Everybody is different, so maybe this will work great for someone else, but definitely not me!"

• Mor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2020

For Birth Control "I have my tubes tied, and I suffer from PPMD and PTLS. I went back on birth control after not taking any for 4 years because I wanted not only extra protection from pregnancy but to get my period symptoms under control. I told my doctor that I used to take Yazmin, so she recommended Nikki this time around. About 3 days in, I started breaking out in pimples in places I normally don’t get them, like on my forehead and around my nose... (I only get acne on my jawline right before starting my period). I am now 3 weeks in and am suffering from HORRIBLE depression, so much that I am suicidal at this point. My sex drive has been nonexistent, and for the life of me, I can’t get wet. This BC has caused a huge strain on my mental health and relationship. I’m only 3 weeks into taking Nikki, but I am going to stop taking it right now, not another pill down the hatch. Terrible and wouldn’t recommend."

• she...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I started this birth control right when I started becoming sexually active at 16. Now, I'm almost 20 and just got off of it a couple of months ago. I didn't know how much this negatively affected my body until now. I had intense migraines 3-4 days out of the month that the pill caused. I developed depression and anxiety, and had got prescribed 2 different meds, but they didn't work because they gave me anxiety attacks. I had dry vaginal issues. All of this changed when I stopped this pill. It had super high estrogen, way too much for me. Some positives are how amazing it made my skin look, and it cutting my hunger in half (didn't gain weight on this one). I didn't have much cramping, but I did have back pain. It took me almost 4 years to realize, but I’d rather just use condoms than alter my body like this again."

• Anonymous
• January 15, 2020

For Acne "Was on Nikki, which was great, but getting my prescription through Nurx, which seems to send any extra inventory of whatever birth control they happen to have on hand. Have been on Loryna (the generic Nikki) for 3 weeks and have had cystic, horrible acne all over my chin for the last 2 weeks, and it is also on my chest to the point where I can't wear any shirt that shows an ounce of chest skin. Luckily, it's winter. I've had breakthrough bleeding but started my full-blown super tampon period yesterday. Mid pill pack? Have also been depressed, moody, and angry. I've had bad skin the majority of my life and been through the whole rigmarole, including over-the-counter meds, every prescription topical, all the antibiotics, being on antibiotics for years at a time, birth control, spironolactone, Accutane, laser treatments, red and blue light therapy, no dairy, no sugar, no food at all, etc., etc., etc. Accutane is the only thing that calmed my skin some. But now on Loryna, I feel like my skin has reverted back to being like before I did all my acne treatments."

• Bia...
• December 28, 2016

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "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."

• JMa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2018

For Birth Control "HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. Took it two times and was overcome by horrible irritability, depression, and ridiculous thoughts. I am a positive person, and this was AWFUL. As soon as I stopped taking it, my mood went back to normal. I felt as if Dementors (from the Harry Potter series) were sucking my soul. AVOID!"

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2021

For Acne "I’m 23 and been on Yaz for 4 months. I went on it for acne, and my face is clearing up, but I am also on other acne medication. Other birth controls have caused me weight gain, depression, and mood swings. I have lost weight on Yaz, and my mood seems stable, which is good. My boobs have grown a ton, even with the weight loss, they’ve grown at least a cup size. (Disclaimer: I dieted and exercised to lose the weight, the medicine didn’t make me lose it.) The only negative side effect is that once I started my period, I have been bleeding/spotting for almost two months now. Hopefully, that will regulate with time. So far, it’s the best BC I’ve ever taken."

• ale...
• October 21, 2019

For Birth Control "Yasmin birth control seriously made me so depressed. I had no motivation to do anything. The few months that I took this were my absolute darkest days, and when I stopped taking it, it was the best decision I’ve ever made."

• bcp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2017

For Birth Control "So I started Yasmin on December 29, 2016, and began taking it regularly at 7:30 PM to avoid unwanted nausea that's often reported by women who take it early in the morning. The first week was fine, the second week made me awfully depressed, but I noticed clearer skin, and the third week brought along frequent urination, which frightened me because that's a symptom of pregnancy. But then with some online research, I found out that Yasmin definitely has a diuretic side effect that causes frequent urination. Instead of retaining the water (which causes bloating), frequent urination assisted in preventing bloating. In the third week, I had withdrawal bleeding 3 days into the inactive pills, which lasts about 5 days."

• Kri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2022

For Birth Control "It’s rare that I will go out of my way to write a review, but had I done more research, I would never have started this brand of birth control. I’m sure there are people who have had a positive experience with it, but my own was horrible. I was on Yasmin with no problems at all for a month, but due to the cost at the time, I decided it was best to switch to Syeda, believing I would have a similar experience. Almost immediately after starting, I noticed my mental health had plummeted. My anxiety was the highest it’s been in years, and I went through a depressive episode that was so intense I could barely function. As soon as I saw the reviews and realized that I was certainly not the only person who experienced something similar, I stopped taking it. I immediately noticed improvements after stopping. For me personally, it is worth paying the extra money for the name brand to avoid this ever happening again."

• Wic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I was switched from Gianvi birth control to Nikki (generics of each other, same hormones, same dose) by my prescription plan. I wish I had done research prior to taking it. Nikki was the worst birth control experience I've ever had. Only two weeks in, I experienced severe IBS and stomach pain. My anxiety went through the roof, and I became extremely depressed with no appetite, fatigue, poor focus, and no motivation. My breaking point was when the medication began inducing panic attacks, which I had never experienced before. Ultimately, I made the decision to stop taking this birth control, and after a week, I'm beginning to feel like my old self. I would not recommend this birth control to anyone. Please be cautious when switching to generic medications. Just because it has the same active ingredients does not mean the formula will work the same for everybody."

• Wic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I was switched from Gianvi birth control to Nikki (generics of each other, same hormones, same dose) by my prescription plan. I wish I had done research prior to taking it. Nikki was the worst birth control experience I've ever had. Only two weeks in, I experienced severe IBS and stomach pain. My anxiety went through the roof, and I became extremely depressed with no appetite, fatigue, poor focus, and no motivation. My breaking point was when the medication began inducing panic attacks, which I had never experienced before. Ultimately, I made the decision to stop taking this birth control, and after a week, I'm beginning to feel like my old self. I would not recommend this birth control to anyone. Please be cautious when switching to generic medications. Just because it has the same active ingredients does not mean the formula will work the same for everybody."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2023

For Birth Control "*Disclaimer* this may not be the pill causing me to feel like this, however, it’s very convenient timing. I started the Yasmin pill 2 weeks ago, and I have already had to stop it. About a week in, I started experiencing insanely low mood. I was angry, depressed, and questioning everything about myself. I do already suffer with anxiety, however, it seemed to worsen significantly. I would wake up every two hours at night. I just all around felt awful. I could not stop overthinking, and I felt as though I was going crazy. Seeing the negative reviews on here is both scary and relieving, as a lot of people seem to have felt the same. I would not recommend, from my point of view, however, everyone is different. I have only had two days off, so I have not yet given myself enough time to see if my mood improves."

• Ano...
• December 10, 2019

For Birth Control "Went on Yaz twice for short term to skip period for travel. However, both times had side effects of headaches and difficulty breathing every day, severe anxiety (social anxiety + became paranoid of blood clots), extreme exhaustion (to the point where I had to sit down every few steps) and low motivation. Consulted doctor while overseas and he mentioned my pulse was very slow. We shook it off as me being inactive on holidays, but after some research I found that Yaz increases blood potassium, decreasing heart rate which increases chances of clots forming. Also had frequent urination and extended bleeding after period. Did not get nauseous per se but did feel that type of indigestion burning feeling in chest few hours after taking pill. The first time before I took Yaz, I was selectively reading the positive reviews but after this second round, I can't deny the side effects of Yaz and the possible dangers. I will be stopping Yaz tomorrow."

• Anonymous
• September 1, 2010

For Birth Control "In my third month of taking Gianvi, I have had major mood swings, depression, anxiety, and changes in appetite varying from nausea to overeating. I have not felt like this before with any other birth control. A little with Ortho-Tri-Cyclen, but I don't think it is as bad as this. I feel like I'm at constant war with myself to keep my emotions and my feelings in line. I'm not usually an emotional person, so all these feelings are very overwhelming and frustrating. I have an appointment in a week to go to Planned Parenthood and ask for a different kind of birth control. I've decided to stop taking it today. It does work, however, I have not gotten pregnant."

• Bre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 19, 2019

For Birth Control "Before taking Yaz, I did have the tendency to overthink, however, I would never consider myself depressed or anxious. Ever since being on this pill, my mental health has never been this low in my life. I think obsessively about mistakes I've made in the past, in a way where I feel worthless. I began suffering panic attacks and hot flashes. During my period, I became so depressed that I would spend my days crying and not wanting to get out of bed. I'd go to work late because I just stopped caring. I highly suggest staying away from this pill. It is NOT okay for your mental health, and it is NOT a risk worth taking."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2019

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "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."

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

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "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!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2022

For Birth Control "I am up at 3 AM writing this after having what has now become my nightly routine of crying and questioning the meaning of my life. The depression is so bad that I can’t function on a day-to-day basis. It wasn’t until I looked at my pill pack that I suddenly realized that this severe increase in depression coincided with when I started taking Nikki. I decided to see if other people were experiencing this, and lo and behold, yes."

• Gab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 4, 2023

For Birth Control "I wanted to use this for both birth control and acne. And it helped both. But this is a terrible and horrible pill that caused me to become a different person. Depression every day and sadness occurred from August 2022 till the midweek of February 2023. I became an angry person and always hurt my spouse with words that I didn't really mean to say. I didn't even recognize myself anymore. Plus, it caused my hair to shed a lot. I wish I had never taken this pill. I came off not too long ago in February, and my spouse was begging me to stop taking it way before, but I never listened. After a few days, I became myself again. Happy-go-lucky, always positive, and I am so happy I stopped. It really changed my life those past few months taking it, and I regret it so much, and I never want to be that angry or depressed person ever again. So please, take caution with this pill. It will change you mentally and emotionally."

• Gab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 4, 2023

For Birth Control "I wanted to use this for both birth control and acne. And it helped both. But this is a terrible and horrible pill that caused me to become a different person. Depression every day and sadness occurred from August 2022 till the midweek of February 2023. I became an angry person and always hurt my spouse with words that I didn't really mean to say. I didn't even recognize myself anymore. Plus, it caused my hair to shed a lot. I wish I had never taken this pill. I came off not too long ago in February, and my spouse was begging me to stop taking it way before, but I never listened. After a few days, I became myself again. Happy-go-lucky, always positive, and I am so happy I stopped. It really changed my life those past few months taking it, and I regret it so much, and I never want to be that angry or depressed person ever again. So please, take caution with this pill. It will change you mentally and emotionally."

• Cha...
• October 2, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on Yasmin for 11 and a half years. At first, I didn't have any problems. But over the last few years, I have noticed terrible things happening each month. First, it was spotting, breast tenderness, mood swings, sadness, headaches, irritability, you know, the small little things. But more severely, I have heart palpitations, dizziness, and now high blood pressure."