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

• emm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2021

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "It’s been 2 to 3 years since I have had PMDD. I had terrible anxiety, crying spells, I felt rejected, and I had insomnia every month and never really realized it was PMDD. About 6 months ago, I talked to my mom about it, and she told me it was probably PMDD because she had the same thing. Yaz was the solution for her. So, I tried it with hope it would work for me. Unfortunately, it didn’t help me. I believe it even made it worse, I had anxiety panics during the night, which I rarely had before. Also, it really affected my libido, and I never wanted to have sex with my boyfriend. I was really feeling desperate and feeling that nothing would work for me until I tried the antidepressant Citalopram. For me, it was life-changing, I take 10 mg every day, and I have almost no more symptoms of PMDD. It has worked really great for me. So, I would say try Yaz first, because it worked for my mom and it worked for a lot of women, and if it doesn’t work, try Citalopram! It is really life-changing for me :)"

• Boo...
• May 9, 2012

For Birth Control "I was on Yasmin for some 9 years and just moved onto Yaz 4 months ago. I loved Yaz for the first month, however, I am now finding that I have TERRIBLE mood swings... VERY emotional... cry for no apparent reason and get very angry! I've also found that I have zero sex drive. The only time I have one is when I am on the sugar pills... for the rest of the month I just feel numb! Hasn't anyone else had a similar experience? I'm thinking of trying the Merina Coil... any ideas? Thanks :)"

• Mag...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 24, 2013

For Birth Control "I was on Yaz for a long time, about five years. It helped with my horrible mood swings. After a while, I got no period while on Yaz, not even spotting or cramping, which was a huge plus. The only negative for me was my sex drive became non-existent. My poor husband thought there was something wrong with him, so I just switched to the patch."

• ani...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 1, 2016

For Birth Control "Worse birth control ever! I had breast tenderness, vaginal dryness, 0 to none sex drive, mood swings, and weight gain. I was on this pill for 1 year before I thought it was ruining my relationship with my husband because I had no libido whatsoever and vaginal dryness. I experienced dry skin as well. My periods were long, 7-8 days / regular. I am now on a new pill, Lo Lolestrin Fe, I think it's called, and noticed a significant improvement. No breast swelling, no long periods, happier moods, not as angry or tired, and have regained my libido...I think even more than before I started taking birth control. It's amazing! Just in case someone has the same side effects as me on Zarah."

• Anonymous
• December 2, 2011

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I have been taking Yaz for roughly around 7 years, it was a miracle pill for my PMDD when I first started taking it. Over the past 3-4 years, I have not been feeling up to par. Severe allergies, fatigue, mouth ulcers, no interest in sex, moodiness, and stomach pain are just a few of the things I had been experiencing. After a bout of moodiness and having to be talked to twice at work (this never happens, I pride myself on my work ethic), I finally decided to check into the background and rare side effects of Yaz. I have been experiencing all of them! I'm not suggesting this will happen to everyone, but if you start to not quite feel yourself, it never hurts to check into your medication's background. I will stop taking Yaz!"

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2018

For Acne "I’m 32 and I started taking Yaz 3 months ago for birth control and also for helping with pimples and PMS. I have just thrown the packet in the bin as these last three months have been the worst. Headaches, no help with pimples, it has actually made it 10 times worse. I went from a few pimples here and there to full acne around my chin and cheeks. I have felt a very dark cloud above me, and it was just getting worse. I had no passion for life, everything was a struggle. I hated who I was, and as a whole, I was broken and very lost! My periods were regular, though my vagina was so dry all the time, and I had no libido. My husband saw massive changes in me and became extremely concerned for my well-being. I was not motivated and wanted to sleep all the time. I’m only 2 days off it currently and just want to feel like me again. Please, if you are considering this pill, it’s just not worth trying it because if it doesn’t suit you, then you will be going through the worst few months of your life. Not a good idea."

• raw...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 8, 2019

For Acne "GREAT for acne! Acne cleared up within a month of using the pill. I have been on Gianvi for about 6-7 months and overall had a good experience with it. No mood swings, hair loss, or weight gain. Periods are extremely light and no cramps. The only bad thing about this pill, and also the reason why I will be switching to an IUD, is because I have NO SEX DRIVE. Having sex is painful, and I am disinterested in having sex. My boyfriend and I have sex less frequently, and it usually ends shortly because I am in pain. Vaginal dryness and also chronic yeast infections! I have had about 4 yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis after getting on this pill, and I am sure that it is not just a coincidence. Very sad because besides this problem, I really liked the benefits of the pill."

• raw...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 8, 2019

For Acne "GREAT for acne! Acne cleared up within a month of using the pill. I have been on Gianvi for about 6-7 months and overall had a good experience with it. No mood swings, hair loss, or weight gain. Periods are extremely light and no cramps. The only bad thing about this pill, and also the reason why I will be switching to an IUD, is because I have NO SEX DRIVE. Having sex is painful, and I am disinterested in having sex. My boyfriend and I have sex less frequently, and it usually ends shortly because I am in pain. Vaginal dryness and also chronic yeast infections! I have had about 4 yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis after getting on this pill, and I am sure that it is not just a coincidence. Very sad because besides this problem, I really liked the benefits of the pill."

• Sda...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 5, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been taking Yaz now for a little over a year, and I have noticed a few effects of it. Some good and some bad. It cleared up my acne a lot, made my periods WAY lighter and less painful. The bad side effects are that I almost completely have lost my sex drive, also it makes my eyes super sensitive, I always have to wear sunglasses and can barely wear contacts for about 3 hours. When I first started taking it, I got really bad nausea, but now I don't."

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2019

For Birth Control "I am on month 5 of Yaz, and it has been pretty awful. My periods have been super irregular and unpredictable when I used to have a period every 4 weeks for 4 days like clockwork. My first period on the pill lasted 3 weeks, the next two came early and lasted 2 weeks, the next month I didn't have one, and this month I have had two. My sex drive has diminished to almost zero, and I have had crazy mood swings. I have never struggled with depression or anxiety until I started Yaz. Positives: my skin cleared up within weeks of starting Yaz, and I have had minimal breakouts. My period symptoms have lightened up, my cramps aren't as bad, and insomnia has gone away. Also, not pregnant. I am looking into switching, but I don't know what to switch to :/"

• Ano...
• June 4, 2015

For Birth Control "I switched from Microgynon to Yazmin due to suffering from almost all terrible side effects, including fatigue, loss of libido, and mood swings. I have had 4 packs of Yazmin so far. In the first three months, I felt a lot better. I was happier and even had better libido. However, starting from the 4 packs, I started to have some side effects. I am slowly losing my libido and becoming moody. Yet, my breasts seem to be bigger, I had shorter and lighter periods, and I haven't had breast pain and fatigue at all."

• Gog...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 9, 2013

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "First off, I'd like to state that before I got on birth control, I had HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE cramps! I mean completely miserable! But after I got on Gianvi, my miserable, horrible cramps are gone. Yeah, I may have some minor pains here and there, but at least I can still function and make it to my classes! Also, I've noticed that my weight hasn't changed at all. I'm just happy that I don't become sad and miserable when my period comes. One negative would be that my sex drive has decreased. But hey, it is called 'birth control.'"

• Bro...
• August 25, 2016

For Birth Control "I was on Yaz from the time I was 16 to 22. I never really had any acne except the occasional pimple before my period. I had no breakthrough bleeding even if I skipped my period and took my pills back to back. I had no depression or mood swings outside the normal period mood swings. I did notice a decreased libido, and this wasn't until after I went off the pill for a month. I didn't realize how much better I felt coming off the pill (until about the third week of coming off of it). This was the first and only birth control I tried, and it worked for me. I decided to switch because I had been on it so long and thought maybe that was the reason for the decreased sex drive. That is really the only negative thing I have to say about Yaz."

• Meh...
• April 10, 2014

For Menstrual Disorders "I started taking birth control to treat painful periods, and this did get rid of the super painful cramps, and I did not get pregnant while taking it, so it was effective. However, while on this, my anxiety became worse than it had ever been before, and my sex drive completely vanished. I noticed my sex drive return about one month after I discontinued Gianvi."

• Anonymous
• January 6, 2010

For Birth Control "All my life, I have had severe acne. I've probably tried any and every cream, drug, wash, etc., that is out there, and nothing has ever worked. So, when I got engaged two summers ago, I decided to go ahead and start birth control about 6 months before the wedding to see if THAT would work because I'd heard it did. Well, Ocella has DEFINITELY eliminated my acne, that part has been wonderful. But I've experienced a huge decrease in my sex drive, and more bothersome than that, I have been getting migraines at least three times a week regularly since I started taking it. Also, I have learned now that it is geared more toward treating PMDD, which I don't have, and therefore is a higher dose of hormones, which I don't need."

• kat...
• October 24, 2018

For Acne "I went on this pill to help alleviate severe cramps, lighten periods, and improve acne. I originally was on Aviane, but found that its progestin hormone caused acne, so I switched to Nikki. While on this pill, my periods were worse than when I was on Aviane. They were heavier, and my cramps were worse-they barely responded to Advil. My acne, however, was totally fine. Honestly, this pill is great for skin, and I've noticed a huge positive change; however, I've decided to switch pills due to the other side effects. I've become severely depressed on this pill, irritable all the time, horrible mood swings, and EXTREME fatigue, not to mention loss of sex drive (I NEVER want to have sex anymore-my libido is at 0%). I didn't experience any weight gain or breakthrough bleeding, though. I would honestly say it just depends on the person. I thought the side effects would disappear, but I've tried this pill for 8 months, and there is no sign of them going away."

• Kat...
• February 25, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on Ocella for a year now. I used to take Yaz, which is in the family, and loved it. I have definitely gained weight and am having a hard time losing it. My moods are fine, I don't feel sick at all. I actually feel very normal. The downs I found, besides the weight, are that I have zero sex drive, and I do get chest pains."

• xoy...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 2, 2017

For Birth Control "I take this medicine for endometriosis and to prevent ovarian cysts. Since taking it, I have had far less pain and no cysts. As a bonus, it cleared up my bad skin. I experienced fewer side effects than other pills I have taken. The main side effect I have experienced is decreased sex drive, which is unfortunate, but it beats the pain from endometriosis or cysts."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2020

For Birth Control "I took this birth control for about 4 months at first. I have a history of anxiety and depression, and I don’t remember having it be exacerbated when I first started, but after a couple of months on this pill, I started having extreme mood swings, irritability, crying spells, and a lower libido. I went off of it for almost 2 months and felt stable and not depressed. I recently tried to go on it again because I totally had amnesia about how horrible I felt on it towards the end, but I have felt horrible, irritable, anxious, and depressed since I started 3 weeks ago. I stopped taking it a week ago, and I feel like my body and hormones are going haywire, so I am hoping that I feel better soon. I have tried multiple oral contraception pills, and I will probably not be trying another one."

• Cla...
• February 11, 2021

For Birth Control "I started Yaz for my PMDD. First, it was pretty normal: nausea, headache, and sore boobs. Then the second week hit, and I completely lost my appetite, lost all sex drive, and felt awful mentally and emotionally. I would feel depressed and anxious right when I woke up and would have breakdowns every day in the middle of the day. Once nighttime came, I felt numb and lazy. My PMDD wasn’t good before getting on Yaz, but it was at least manageable. I felt like my reality changed, I didn’t feel normal. I didn’t get my period while on it. I called my doctor to see if these symptoms would persist, and she suggested I wait a couple of months because my symptoms were normal...but later that day, I had a panic attack and decided to get off ASAP. It’s been 3 days since I stopped (was on it for exactly two weeks), and I feel slight relief knowing it was the Yaz that made me feel so awful, but I still have the bad thoughts and anxiety, and my appetite isn’t back. Hoping I feel normal again soon."

• Anonymous
• December 28, 2009

For Birth Control "I used Yaz on and off for several years, and the first month was always the hardest: fatigue and extreme irritability. Your energy reserves should not be spent trying to keep rage in check. Nevertheless, after that adjustment period, I leveled out somewhat and experienced some pros: clearer skin, fuller breasts, no noticeable weight gain (though I diet like a jockey), and of course, no babies. The period was mercifully light (2-3 days), and PMS was slightly minimized (but still acknowledged by my boyfriend). My libido slowly started to ebb. By the 2nd or 3rd month, moderate depression. By the 4th, severe. By the time I started having suicidal thoughts, I decided to switch to a less psychologically harmful method of birth control: abstinence."

• wyl...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 1, 2018

For Birth Control "Every woman's body is different, so every person has different side effects. The worst side effects I ever had were from Nexplanon (severe depression, weight loss, anxiety, horrible acne, no sex drive), so I decided to switch back to the pill, and Ocella was free under my insurance. This is the best birth control method for my body! No depression, no heightened anxiety, cleared up my skin 100%, I gained my much-needed weight back, and I got my sex drive back! Unfortunately, you won't know how a birth control will affect you personally until you try it out, but this is my favorite one!"

• Syd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been using Nikki for 3 months now. It was working great in the first month. A little period when you take the active white pills. My skin was getting so great and clear, thanks to this pill. The only reason that makes me want to switch to another brand is that this pill decreases my sex drive. I get dry quickly during sex, and it's unusual, it never happened before to me. I'm looking for another brand right now, and hopefully, it doesn't do the same thing."

• Akj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2019

For Birth Control "I have endometriosis and PCOS, and my doc gave me Yasmin. All my life, I've maintained a normal weight. Ever since I started taking Yasmin, I've been gaining weight. I started in April 2019, and my weight was 53 kg. By mid-July, my weight went up to 59.3 kg. I'm stopping it. I feel bloated all the time, no sex drive, and a disturbed sleep pattern."

• Sin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2021

For Acne "So I posted a previous review sometime in December. I’ve now been on this birth control for a little over 2 months (I’m on my 3rd pack). And I am very happy to say my skin is doing 10x better. My acne cleared up like crazy and I don’t get zits nearly as much. The ones I do get are small and go away quickly. When I was first on this pill, the first month was pretty much a nightmare. My skin broke out terribly, bad side effects, etc. But that’s all balanced out now. I’m very happy with this pill. I highly recommend it if you deal with hormonal acne. However, here are some side effects I’m dealing with still: - drier/more irritated skin - low sex drive - itchy genitals - have to pee more."