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

• Neg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2019

For Acne "I never post drug reviews because I am in the medical field, but man, I sure wish I would have read up on this drug before taking it. Within the first two weeks of being on this Nikki birth control, I developed back-to-back headaches and minor mood swings. Now, three weeks in, my face has gone ballistic, and I have cystic acne everywhere. This drug has started interfering with my career since I get self-conscious talking to doctors with a face full of zits. I now have to get back on Accutane to combat the side effects of this horrible drug!"

• Cla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2018

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I suffered PMT in my youth, and after years of being free, at the age of 42, the condition came back with even more severity. I was prescribed Yasmin by my gynecologist, and the first month was fantastic. I am now in my second month, and my symptoms are worse than ever. I have constant headaches, severe bloating, cramps, breakthrough bleeding, and chronic fatigue. I am hoping the third month will regulate my cycle and settle the symptoms."

• Lov...
• February 1, 2021

For Acne "I’m 25 years old, and I’ve been on Ocella for 6 months. I would take my pill every single night at 9 pm to reduce any side effects. I’ve been on birth control as a teen for acne and thought I’d try it again for acne and pregnancy prevention. CONS: This birth control has caused my acne to worsen, headaches, sensitivity emotionally (I don’t cry easily, by the way, but with this birth control, I would cry easily), and lowered my sex drive. I gave it the benefit of the doubt to stick it out to see if my acne would clear up. In my case, the acne cleared up on my forehead but moved from my forehead to my cheeks. The acne Ocella has caused are red pimples that are painful but not cystic because they have a white head. I wouldn’t ever break out on my cheeks but mainly on my forehead and jawline. PROS: works well for skipping periods, no breakthrough bleeding. No nausea. No weight gain. Fuller breasts. Prevents pregnancy for my husband and me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 17, 2012

For Acne "I began using this birth control in January 2012 to treat cystic acne and to prep for beginning Accutane. My periods before this pill were bad, I had heavy bleeding with painful cramps. Once I began the birth control, they got lighter, and now I have absolutely no cramps! My face looks fantastic now, I only have the occasional zit. I can handle that since I used to have 20 at one time. I would say I started to notice side effects around May of 2012. I began having pretty bad headaches, usually every day when I wake up. I had a little bit of weight gain. The worst was how moody I began to be. I would really only like spending time alone. I also lost my sex drive completely."

• Que...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2021

For Acne "I have had acne since my teenage years, and I am now 38 years old. Yes, I can't believe I will be having this problem 'til I'm almost 40! I have tried everything from topical treatment, diamond peel, and Accutane. Accutane was the best, but my acne came back after 2 years, as my new dermatologist said my previous derm did not give me the right dosage. I don't want to go back to the medication, as I know the side effects of this in the long run. That's why I decided to just go with the 'contraceptive pill' route. I'm on my first pack of Yaz. Side effect: mild headaches during the afternoon, and it cleared my face in week 1, then it's worse now in week 2 going into week 3. Same as with others in here, I'm gonna hold on to it and believe in it that it will take 3 months of taking it before you see 100% results. Fingers crossed. I'll write a review again after I finish my 3 months. Good luck, everyone!"

• Joe...
• April 28, 2015

For Birth Control "Switched from Microgynon to Yasmin due to suffering with headaches, fatigue, and loss of libido. However, Yasmin did not really help, to be honest! My periods were heavier and more painful on Yasmin, I was moody, had painful breasts, but one bonus was they were bigger! Still got headaches too, oh, and I gained 5 lb during 6 months of using this pill."

• and...
• January 9, 2015

For Acne "I wish this was around back when I was in high school! I have struggled with acne for my whole teen/adult life. I have taken Yaz on and off for 8 years now, and my skin never looks better than when I'm on Yaz. The doc took me off last year because I was getting headaches, and she was concerned the estrogen in the pill was causing it, but after a year on the mini pill with the same frequency of headaches and the added terribleness of deep cystic acne, I am happily back on Yaz and already seeing an improvement in my skin. Only complaint (mainly from my husband) is a slightly lowered sex drive."

• She...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 24, 2021

For Birth Control "I’m not sure whether Yasmin has caused the negative feelings I’ve experienced, but from reading other reviews, it does make me wonder. I’ll start with the positives - it does its main job of preventing pregnancy and has definitely helped my skin clear up. I’ve suffered badly with acne all my life, and this has been the only thing I’ve tried that gives me nice skin. My boobs are a little bigger too. Now onto the bad stuff. Every month when I come on, I get really bad headaches. I also get really moody and upset over not very much at all. It feels like you have to pick whether to have nice skin or be a nice person! It really has made me feel the lowest I’ve ever felt on some days."

• Mil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been on this pill a year now. Cleared all my skin, and I don’t have bad cramps or mood swings when on my period! It’s worked MAGIC! I feel much happier and capable of doing things on my period as it’s not heavy. My mood swings aren’t bad anymore, and my depression has gotten better. I still suffer from anxiety, but the pill has not made it worse. One downside is headaches, which may or may not be caused by the pill. But overall, I do recommend this pill!"

• Anonymous
• October 7, 2009

For Acne "I started using Yaz 3 months ago. Yes, it has helped my horrific acne, but along with that come other side effects. My breasts have gotten larger, and I have lost weight (gained from quitting smoking). But I'm extremely tired in the morning, nauseated, feel like vomiting, headaches that turn into migraines, and lack of sex drive. I'm waiting till the end of this cycle to decide which side of the fence I want to be."

• Anonymous
• March 25, 2012

For Birth Control "I started out on Yaz and Yasmin. I have been losing my hair ever since. Suddenly, I was switched to Ocella with no warning. I experienced the most beautiful skin and 2-day periods, but the hair loss did not stop. I was tested for PCOS, but that's negative. I have not experienced nausea, headaches, and definitely no decrease in sex drive. My PMS has always been terrible, and that hasn't changed either way. I asked my doctor about the hair loss and was told that it could not be the birth control. Unfortunately, I lost my job and my insurance. I was without birth control for 4 months. During that time, my hair started to grow back. I am now back on Ocella, and my hair is still growing back. I am 30 years old, I have been taking Ocella since it came out. I'm a fan."

• Cor...
• March 2, 2021

For Birth Control "I used Yasmin for 4 months when I decided to stop due to the side effects. I had terrible mood swings, headaches, and I was always bloated. I gained some weight as well, but most importantly, it ruined my skin completely. I had huge and painful pimples on my chin and jaw area that were never healing. I noticed that during the 7 days break, I would not get new breakouts, so eventually, I decided to quit the pill. A few weeks after stopping the pill, I felt a huge difference. My weight is back to normal, no headaches, no mood swings. My skin cleared in just one month, and I have no breakouts now, but the damage to my skin was so big that I'm still struggling to heal the scars left. I felt from the beginning that something was not right and went back to the doctor to ask for advice, but they told me to wait a few more months for the pill to work. I waited 2 more months. However, I just felt it was getting worse and worse and decided to listen to my body and quit... And I'm very happy I did so."

• mid...
• December 2, 2012

For Birth Control "Hard to tell I'm even on birth control! After several pills in the past made me an acne-covered, fat crazy maniac, I swore off pills for 7 yrs. Gianvi is my first and only one! Only on the 2nd pack, but my horribly painful, heavy period is already so much better! Hardly any cramps, no bloating, and much lighter flow. No acne, no emotional issues, I actually seem calmer! Breasts have gotten a little bigger, but no tenderness since the first week. Side effects I experienced the first week or so were headaches, breast tenderness, and very tired. I almost stopped taking it, and I'm so glad I didn't because it passed, and now I have no complaints! You just don't know until you try!"

• Anonymous
• February 16, 2021

For Birth Control "I started taking it to regulate my period a year ago, and it has been a rollercoaster of a year. About 5 months after taking it, my mood swings started to get really bad, I always had headaches, my cramps were bad, and I started to have symptoms of anxiety and depression. I used to be so full of energy and always happy, now my mood swings are 24/7 and I have 0 energy whatsoever. Definitely going to switch birth control pills. I don't recommend Yaz."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 20, 2022

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I did have stubborn acne and hair loss for years, and I was diagnosed with PCOS, but never considered OCP as my period was 'regular.' When it became irregular for 2 months, I considered Yaz, and this is a lifesaver for me. It improved my skin, reduced my hair loss, my period became lighter, and that severe chronic pain is gone (which, to my doctor seemed to be endometriosis, as the pill improved my chronic abdominal pain). I didn't know that I have PMDD, but after reading, I knew it. I will get severely depressed and suicidal in a cyclical way and have zero energy, but now I am much better. I know it has risks, but what I was going through was disabling. For side effects: I had spotting for a whole month, then it improved to a few light spots, I had headache, nausea, and breast pain for a month, then all improved, so you have to wait and see how your body reacts to it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2018

For Birth Control "I’ve been taking Loryna for approximately 4 months. Within the first week, I had horrible mood swings, almost like there was a monkey on my back at all times. I have also been dealing with headaches almost daily since I started these pills, so Excedrin is always nearby. I thought I would give my body time to adjust to the new hormones, but to no avail. I have absolutely no energy and want to sleep all day and have no issues sleeping at night. I have been on birth control for roughly 19 years and have never experienced this with any other birth control before. So now, on to figure out what avenue to go down next."

• Fat...
• August 1, 2018

For Birth Control "I have been on Nikki for a year now. This is my first experience with birth control, and unfortunately, I did not know enough to recognize that this pill is the cause of my symptoms. The worst being that I have been incredibly fatigued and exhausted, no matter how easy I take things or how much sleep I get. I have had difficulty focusing, excessive teeth grinding, mood swings, irritation, very low sex drive, constant headaches, emotional distress, crying, and mild depression. I have been to two doctors who can't find anything wrong with me, and I have had multiple blood draws, with no conclusion. This morning, it occurred to me to research my birth control. I can't believe that I have gone an entire year with these symptoms and not figured it out. I am an incredibly healthy woman. I have a great relationship with my body, and I know when something is off. I feel so terrible that I have put my body through this for so long. I will be discontinuing this BC immediately."

• Mag...
• June 25, 2013

For Birth Control "I had headaches for a few months, but my body got pretty used to it. Periods were like clockwork - 2 days sometimes only lasted even 1, but last year I started getting random spotting. I told my doc I wanted to try something new as there are so many options, and the random spotting wasn't making my husband happy. So she prescribed me Lo Loestrin. WORST MISTAKE EVER. First month on Lo Loestrin, I didn't get my period (thought I was pregnant). Second month got it twice, third month got it 3x. Was dizzy, sick to my stomach, constantly tired, started breaking out all over! Long story short - stayed on Lo Loestrin for 5 months. Now I'm back on Gianvi and happier than EVER!"

• Anonymous
• July 8, 2011

For Acne "I have been taking Yasmin for the past month due to my dermatologist's recommendation for my mild to severe acne condition. I had never taken any form of birth control before, so I had been warned about nausea, headaches, etc. However, to this day, I have yet to feel any of those symptoms. I began on the Sunday method, and so far, I haven't forgotten a day. However, since the first week, my acne condition has totally accelerated for the worst. Where I used to be clear, I now break out daily. I continue to wash and treat with my doctor's recommendation daily or twice daily, and yet no results. It's aggravating, but I am hopeful that this will only be a phase and soon everything will improve."

• Bc ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2013

For Birth Control "I started taking Zarah 2 months ago. Before that, I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen (which made me very nauseous, so I switched). When I started Zarah, I was nauseous all the time. My sense of smell was heightened tenfold to the point where I couldn't even be around my dog or the trash can without feeling sick. I couldn't and still can't eat meat, salad, or any of the healthy foods I loved eating. I feel weak and lazy all the time and like I am carrying bricks on my shoulders. I originally got on Zarah and off the IUD because my doctor said it would help my acne, but it didn't. The IUD was amazing besides not helping or even causing my acne. I also have constant headaches and eat junk food constantly and have gained 5 lbs."

• xKa...
• May 14, 2014

For Birth Control "I've been taking Gianvi for about 4 months now, and at first, I really enjoyed it. Now I'm feeling nauseous, my breasts are swollen and painful, and I've had a headache every other day for a month. I've also noticed a slight weight gain, and I'm moody as hell, not to mention my sex drive is gone. I'm so frustrated, I want off this pill and back on my old one, Ocella. I'm calling my doctor and demanding to switch back so I can stop being a monster and enjoy my sex life with my fiancé again."

• Zan...
• September 18, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on Loryna for years, and I fell in love with how well I adjusted with no side effects. THEN CVS switches me to Nikki and promised it was the same exact medicine (yeah right), and that I should have no issues. But what they don't tell you is that the inactive ingredients can fluctuate from brand to brand and have horrid interactions with your body, and let me tell you, Nikki is the pits! The first week I couldn't stop crying, three months in, I'm STILL CRYING! I have broken out in hives, struggle with severe headaches, and constantly endure tender, painful breasts. The straw that broke the camel's back for me was the recent two weeks of nonstop bleeding I experienced while not even being scheduled to start my cycle. This was it! I was done. I switched my pharmacy to Walgreens, and I am back on Loryna, and within four hours of taking the first Loryna pill, my bleeding stopped. I wouldn't give this BC (Nikki) to my worst enemy."

• Lea...
• February 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on Yaz for 6 months and have mixed feelings. It does its job by not getting me pregnant, and my periods are finally regular. However, I have never been more tired in my life. I can barely stay awake past 8:30 pm. I get some pretty intense headaches as well. My weight tends to fluctuate too. I was lucky to not have acne, so I can't speak on that, but hopefully I can figure out how to get rid of the headaches and weird emotional attacks where I cry for no reason."

• zar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2017

For Birth Control "I am rating Zarah a 5/10 because I did like some aspects of this med. I did not have any unnecessary bleeding during the month, which was great, my acne cleared up significantly, and my periods were very regular and not that heavy. I did gain some weight on this med, but nothing too serious, and I did have a headache when I first started this medication and on my periods. BUT I have recently stopped this med. I was EXTREMELY anxious during the time I was on this medication. I cried at least 4-5 times a week and would usually have at least one breakdown a day. Crying, chest pain, trouble breathing, couldn't focus. Just writing this so those feeling this way know they are not alone. I am feeling much better and hope I continue to get better."

• SCh...
• October 13, 2017

For Birth Control "I’m almost done with my second month of Yaz, and it has been really tough. I was put on birth control for PCOS as a way to regulate my hormones and period. Both months, about three weeks into the pack, I get headaches, nausea, upper stomach cramps, exhaustion, throwing up, extremely sensitive breasts, horrible uterine cramps, sporadic facial hair growth (I have facial hair due to PCOS, and I was hoping Yaz would reduce it, but it seems to make it grow faster during certain times of the month), and a terrible liquid yellow diarrhea (TMI, I know). I’m trying to stick it out, but honestly, I don’t even know if this pill is helping with my hormones, but we’ll see."