Drospirenone / ethinyl estradiol and Mood Swings: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2013

For Birth Control "After trying practically every birth control on the market and having horrible side effects, I've finally found Zarah! The first month of taking it, I had a couple of side effects, which were bad mood swings and constipation. But I waited it out and sure enough, once I started the second pack, all those side effects were gone. I now have 3-day cramp-free periods and the clearest skin I have ever had in my life. I highly recommend this birth control, but remember: give it at least a month!"

• Cja...
• April 9, 2021

For Acne "I’ve been on Nikki for 6 1/2 months now. Don’t get discouraged if you read about someone having bad side effects after being on the pill for a week, give the pill time to adjust to your body first. I’ve always been acne-prone, but in Fall of 2020, I started getting severe cystic acne along my neck, jawline, and cheeks. The cysts on my neck were new, so I knew something was wrong internally and did some research and tried Nikki. I didn’t experience any nausea, mood swings, or weight gain :) The first 2 months, I saw no change in my skin. By the end of month 3, I started seeing improvements, and the cysts on my neck were gone. The amount I was breaking out was less, but I was nowhere near clear in month 3 like a lot of people reported. Now I’m 1 week into month 7 and I don’t have 1 bump on my face! I still don’t feel I can say I have CLEAR skin yet because I have a lot of work that needs to be done with scarring and hyperpigmentation, however, I feel healthier, and my face is smooth!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 7, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on Yaz for 18 months. Since starting Yaz, I've noticed no major weight changes (maybe lost a few pounds, but I attribute that to stress) and some minor acne breakouts. The biggest three changes were mood swings, change in menstrual flow, and a huge decrease in libido. My husband noticed my mood swings and said I seem to be overall less enthusiastic about life. My flow changed to some very strange bleeding (heavy in the morning, nonexistent at night, sometimes lasting 10 days). Overall, my period flow was lighter, I just couldn't seem to get a normal flow. The lack of libido has been a huge deal in my marriage. I went from wanting sex a few times a week to not wanting it at all."

• ZFa...
• November 12, 2010

For Birth Control "I was on Yaz since I was 16 (now I'm 25). I got switched to Gianvi 3 months ago. The first month was okay, I didn't notice much change, but the last 2 months were horrible. My mood swings are horrible, I go from extra happy to sad in a second. I have no energy whatsoever. I used to not be able to sit in one place for 10 minutes, now I can't drag myself from the couch. I'm extra sleepy and tired, my appetite is off the chart. I feel like I haven't eaten in days after eating a meal. I started having horrible migraines, it gets to the point that I feel like if I open my eyes, my head will explode. I snap at every little thing. The things that never bugged me before drive me up the wall now."

• em0...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 16, 2014

For Birth Control "This was the first birth control pill I went on because I was having heavy periods and cramps, but also because I started having sex. Never really had too many problems, still had pretty heavy days for the first 2 out of 6, but at least they would come like clockwork. I did get super emotional for about 3 days a month, where almost anything would make me cry and where I would get the occasional extreme cramp. Overall, it worked pretty well for me, never got pregnant even though I had a ton of sex near the end (usually also had condoms) and managed to rarely miss a pill."

• Eli...
• March 8, 2020

For Birth Control "I started Yaz about 5 to 6 years ago, when I was 18. It worked really well for me, my breasts grew at least a cup and a half, my skin got a lot clearer, but my sex drive dropped. I don't think I even realized how much. Then for the last four months or so, I started spotting in between periods-a lot. Until one day I got my period, and it just didn't go away. I had it for one whole month. That's when I went to a doctor, and he told me this was relatively normal after having taken it for so many years. He told me to stop for one to two months and then start again. Well, I'm now three weeks into Yaz for the second time in my life, my skin is clearing up again, my boobs are growing again, but I'm super depressed and emotional for no reason. My first period was over ten days, and I'm spotting every day since then. I'm wondering if this is just the beginning of the pill and that it's normal-I will see a doctor this week and decide what to do about it."

• hab...
• May 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been having these pills for two months now as a treatment for my PCOS. I am 18, and since I started having this pill, my skin went bad, and I have had acne all over my face. I have completely lost my sex drive, and I don't feel anything during sex. My mood has been funny, and I have been sleepy and tired. I wouldn't recommend this pill, it totally destroyed my sex life and my face."

• kab...
• June 8, 2009

For Birth Control "I've taken Yasmin for probably the last 3 years, but I've been using other birth control pills for 12 years, and the pill I was using made me gain about 7-8 lbs of water weight. That's when my doctor put me on Yasmin. In a few days, I lost the water weight, I don't get cramps, no mood swings, my periods last for 3-4 very light days, and I only have them every 3 months. So if your doctor says you can take Yasmin, I highly recommend it."

• fau...
• January 4, 2010

For Birth Control "This pill is exactly as the commercial explains, specifically for PMDD and birth control. After reading a lot of the other reviews, I had to chime in. For those of us who are unfortunate enough to be a mess for 3 out of 4 weeks a month, this pill is a miracle. Insurance decided they weren't going to cover much of it (I ended up paying $20, then $40 per pack, per month), and then once I lost my insurance, I loved the effects so much and how I felt on it that I forked over $64 a month for a few months until it was just way too steep. This pill is NOT for the casual 'I just don't need a baby right now' birth control user! It is for women with serious emotional and physical side effects related to PMS!!!"

• nrn...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 17, 2019

For Birth Control "It's been more than two years with the Yaz pill, and there was nothing wrong in the first place, no extra pounds, no extra cellulite, no absurd food issues, and no extra baby. But then my migraine started getting bad. I had loss of vision, severe headaches, and very, very harsh mood changes. No, not change, more like some permanent anger. So I quit Yaz. I don't use anything else right now because I don't trust pills. It has been just a week, but even now I feel better."

• Ken...
• March 9, 2015

For Acne "I was prescribed Yaz, but my doc told me to ask for the 'generic brand,' and so I did as directed. However, I had only looked up reviews for Yaz, but not for Vestura, the generic brand. I settled, and after getting home, I did my research on Vestura. Now I realize birth controls will affect people differently, and there are going to be great reviews and terrible ones, but Vestura only had terrible reviews. I took Vestura anyway, and wow, biggest mistake ever!!! DO NOT TAKE VESTURA! SPEND THE MONEY ON YAZ! Vestura made me have the worst mood swings, crying for hours about nothing, and then hyper the next minute. For the 3 weeks I have been on Yaz, I have been 100% myself, even lost 6 pounds and skin clearing! Love it!!!"

• Miz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2020

For Acne "Ok, so I want to start off by saying I was prescribed Ocella, but was given by my pharmacy a generic version of it. I was a little uneasy and nervous to take it because my previous experience with another birth control (Tri Lo Sprintec) was horrible! I broke out so bad all over one side of my face and chin and experienced the worst mood swings in my life. However, with Ocella, it has been smooth sailing. I’m barely starting my third pack, and my face has gotten so much better. I did gain about 5 pounds since being on this BC, however, that could definitely be from a lifestyle change. I would suggest a healthy diet/exercise as a good solution. I realized the pounds aren’t hard to lose if you eat right and run. For BC use, I wanna say it’s working because I haven’t gotten pregnant, but I don’t wanna jinx it. So, with that being said, good luck, ladies, I wish you the very best. May the odds be ever in your favor."

• pin...
• February 2, 2017

For Birth Control "I LOVE this pill! I was on Jolessa for 4 years and always had constant spotting and bad acne, Sprintec for 4 months and had spotting and awful mood swings and periods, but Ocella is absolutely perfect. I've been on it for 3 months now, and it's cleared up most of my acne. I've had no spotting and no periods, and I've lost 8 pounds! No mood swings, either. I would definitely recommend that anyone who is considering this pill give it a try. Plus, mine is only $9 a month! For the work it does, it is awesome. I cannot speak on effectiveness for pregnancy prevention as I use it to skip periods and am not sexually active."

• Anonymous
• November 6, 2009

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I started taking this - before, I was very moody - caused a lot of fights with my boyfriend from mood swings. I suffer from depression, PKD, POD, etc. I took the medication, and within the first month, I noticed I wasn't as moody. I'm also very overweight - lost 30 pounds the first 2 months (granted, I ate healthy and exercised, but what a boost - POD is a heavy cause for weight gain). My hair also didn't grow as fast, so I didn't have to shave as often, and I was a lot happier in the end. I've been told to switch to another one, and I'm very, very hesitant to do so - only due to this not being recommended for kidney disease."

• Sat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 23, 2021

For Birth Control "I was taking the generic version of Yasmin off and on for 3 years. I would take month-long breaks because of the side effects I was experiencing. Recently, I stopped the pill because of severe heart palpitations, the last episode lasted 20 minutes, and I considered calling an ambulance. I would have left-sided chest pain weekly. I was light-headed when standing up. I had blurry, fuzzy vision constantly. When I was not running every day, I would instantly get sore, stiff calves. My hair is super thin at the crown, when I lift the crown hair up, I can see the scalp two inches in. My mood is horrible, irritable, and depressive. I did have very dark thoughts and cried a lot. I cried even over happy things, which is not how I usually am. I will never take this pill again. I recommend everyone to do their own research about Yasmin and the lawsuits others have filed. The side effects are real and life-threatening."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 14, 2013

For Birth Control "At first, I really loved Yaz. There was little to no weight gain, it didn't make me have any mood swings. I've been taking it for 7 months, and for the last 4 months, I've noticed a decrease in sex drive, very, very little lubrication, and I haven't gotten my period for the last 3 months... which is a scary thing. On top of that, I started bleeding during intercourse. Each month, I went to the gyno to see what was wrong, I took a pregnancy test there each month, and every test came out negative. I got looked at and got other tests done, and everything came out negative and normal. I've now been very tired and irritable lately, and the doctors still don't seem to know exactly what's wrong, which is very stressful. I'm now switching to NuvaRing."

• Pix...
• April 13, 2017

For Birth Control "Best hormonal contraception I've tried. Originally used the cheap Levlen brand, which made me emotional and gain weight. Also tried Implanon, the arm implant, but continually spotted for a year before having it removed. Nurse prescribed Yaz for me after an unwanted pregnancy. It made my periods lighter and shorter, and not as painful; I have no side effects or mood swings; my skin is clearer, and I haven't added any weight because of it. I like that it has 24 active pills and I often skip periods. The only downside is the price - it's quite expensive in Australia."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 12, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on Ocella for about 4 months now, after being on Microgestin for 4 years. I don't have too many complaints with either, although I will say that my skin is far clearer on Ocella than it ever was on Microgestin. My periods on Ocella are quite light and last only 4-5 days; cramps are usually mild. No headaches, nausea, mood swings, or noticeable change in sex drive, which seem to be a problem for a lot of other women. Also, I actually dropped a couple of pounds after starting Ocella with no lifestyle or diet change. My only concern is that I do have a history of ovarian cysts, which Microgestin effectively quashed; only time will tell whether or not Ocella causes any change. I'm 23 years old, otherwise healthy."

• Jol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 5, 2021

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Syeda for almost 2 going on years. I’ve never really had a major issue with it. I do find when I’m on my “break week” that I’m very emotional, and I get upset by the slightest inconvenience. Other than that, I’m on track from Sun-Sat, and when I’m on the break week, my period doesn’t usually start till the Wednesday, and I have a full 5-7 day period. Everyone’s body is different, find what works for you!"

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2009

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I've been using Yaz since June of 2007. I love how it's made my life so much better. I was on a generic pill prior to Yaz, and my cramps were worse than they ever had been, my mood was all over the place, and my periods were still irregular and lasted anywhere from 7 to 12 days. I told my doctor that I had spent a good two hours crying over a lost sock one month. She told me I probably had PMDD and to try Yaz. The first few months were full of crazy mood swings, probably while my body adjusted to it, but since then I've not had any problems with this pill. I'm very light and regular, and they only last 3 to 5 days. My mood doesn't change, and neither has my appetite. Everyone is different, but that's been my experience."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2021

For Acne "Nikki birth control has been the only thing that has actually cleared my acne, and I have gone through so much to try to cure my acne. It is the only birth control that has worked for me as well, since years ago my favorite was discontinued. It makes my periods shorter, I only spot when I skip my period by taking the next pack, and like I said, it immediately cleared up my skin. It makes me so happy, I feel so good about myself. I have no mood swings and, get this, it actually increased my sex drive! Every other pill I have been on has made me dry, this one literally does the opposite. I am 21, and I am finally comfortable with my birth control!"

• meg...
• May 5, 2015

For Acne "I am 20 and have had terrible skin since I was about 15. After taking the Yasmin pill as well as Duac cream from my doctor, my skin is so clear and smooth! Everyone keeps saying to me, 'OMG, your skin is amazing!' I would definitely recommend it, it's been brilliant. Only side effect may be mood swings, but even at that, I'm still not sure..."

• Jca...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 13, 2019

For Acne "I’ve been on this pill now for a total of 5 years (took a year's break after the initial 2). This pill was suggested for cystic acne I came out in after having my daughter. The acne destroyed my confidence, and as someone who always had perfect skin previously, it really affected my mental health at the time. After trying a few different pills, which left me on anti-depressants, I tried Yasmin. Within about 6 months, my acne had completely gone! No mood swings like previous pills either. It did come back during my break (wanted to be extra hormone-free and natural for a bit) so I went back on it after I was sure that it wasn’t just a rebound breakout. I’ve had maybe one spot since, and it went after a week - rather than the months my cystic acne hung around for causing serious pain."

• bou...
• September 14, 2016

For Acne "I started taking Yaz as my birth control in high school (I'm 25 now) to prevent getting pregnant and as treatment for my moderate acne. It is my holy grail. I used to get consistent breakouts on my forehead and chin, and since using Yaz, my acne has completely cleared up. My skin is literally beautiful to the point that my friends will comment on how good my skin is. Last year, I decided to give the non-hormonal IUD ParaGard a try because I didn't want the hassle of taking a pill every day. During that time (about 5 months) that I wasn't taking Yaz, my skin broke out terribly. I thought it would calm down after a couple of months once my body had adjusted, but it never did. I also started having much more dramatic mood swings during that time."

• Anonymous
• November 17, 2009

For Birth Control "The first couple of months I took this, I had some mood swings and felt rather emotional, but that went away. After about 3 months, the acne I had been dealing with my entire life was 100% gone and has not returned for over a year. If there have been any weight changes, it's been lost weight. And it made my boobs bigger. Love it."