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

• btl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2017

For Birth Control "This is my third and final update - good news! - just make it through the first pack and a half! My body completely acclimated after that, and I feel totally normal again. After getting back into a regular workout routine again, the pills' emotional and physical effects gradually lessened. I do still have some breast sensitivity, light bloating, and, as of recently, a lower sex drive, but I'm not the raging, depressed, lethargic mess I was a month ago, lol. My advice - the first month and some is going to suck; I felt physically and emotionally so out of whack, I wanted to give up 3-5 times a week, but GIVE IT TIME. Give your body a solid month and a half to adjust and then make the decision to stick with it or move on."

• 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."

• Kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2019

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "Yasmin was prescribed by my gynecologist to balance my hormones. I have struggled with depressive episodes before but have been well for the last 1.5 years. I have been on Yasmin for the last 2 weeks, and they have been my darkest days, darker than my previous depressive episodes. I couldn't recognize myself, my sex drive has been zero, I had no desire to live, and I had no interest in my work. I'm only a day off Yasmin, and I feel much better mentally. I regret not taking seriously the huge list of side effects indicated in the large pamphlet. If you have struggled with depression, Yasmin is not for you."

• 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."

• 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."

• hnm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 13, 2012

For Birth Control "Pros: Periods were lighter, cramps hardly existed, not pregnant. I got on the pill for these reasons. So, yes, it worked for that. In addition, I lost about 27 pounds. However, CONS: I was SUPER depressed, and that depression hit hard. I've always been a happy, outgoing person, but Ocella made me upset at random times, and now that I'm off it, my period is heavier than before and the cramps are worse. I've also gained weight since going off the pill. I'm 18, 5'7", 189 lbs. I would not recommend it. Of course, there was the noticeable decline in sex drive, but that didn't bother me much."

• pea...
• June 25, 2019

For Acne "Been on Nikki-generic of Yaz for about 9 months. I used to have periodic breakouts before starting to take birth control and then fewer breakouts with other pills. With Nikki, I have a rare pimple pop up every month but clear skin otherwise. My periods used to be heavy and painful, the flow has decreased, and I only get light cramping on Nikki. The only downside is the decreased or very low libido. Overall, a good pill with little side effects."

• 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."

• oof...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 6, 2018

For Birth Control "Yaz did what birth control is supposed to do in the sense that it regulated my periods and lessened my severe cramps while preventing pregnancy, but the downsides were enough to get me to go off of it. My breasts grew very quickly, almost 2 cup sizes, and were very painful. Previously, they were so small they didn’t even fit in a 32A. After Yaz, I was looking at a B or even a C cup, and it was very uncomfortable because I have a very, very petite frame. Unfortunately, that was not the worst of it. My libido decreased, my anxiety and depression worsened to the point of missing college and work for days or even weeks at a time, and I was extremely depressed and irritable."

• Zar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2020

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I started Yaz a month and a half ago, and the first month was great. I almost thought this would be it, but suddenly my head started to fog, and I would be unfocused and tired every day for no reason. Other than that, the constant cramps, back pain, and decrease in my libido made me realize this was not good for me. I had high expectations that weren't fulfilled. I wish for new users to find this helpful."

• AMb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 16, 2016

For Birth Control "I used Yaz for years with no problems, but Gianvi made me moody, depressed, and seriously suicidal. Once I made the connection that my depression and suicidal thoughts were from the pill, I stopped immediately. Sure enough, two days later, I felt cheerful and fine. I also noticed this pill gave me zero sex drive-so maybe it is really effective birth control."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2018

For Acne "I am almost done with my first month of Gianvi. I have tried just about everything for my moderate cystic acne and am sad to say it has so far gotten worse on this medication. I have a history of minor depression/anxiety but have been happy and unmedicated until starting this pill. Since starting this pill, my anxiety has skyrocketed and my sex drive has decreased big time. I am 2 days away from the sugar pill and debating whether or not to stop taking it."

• 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."

• NoS...
• September 5, 2010

For Acne "I started taking this for acne, which Ocella cleared up really well (except for the period week, during which I'll get minor acne breakouts), but I must add that now I've been experiencing a huge decrease in my sex drive. I'm starting to wonder if I should get off of it just to feel like a normal sexual adult. This is just getting weird."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 15, 2013

For Birth Control "Gianvi gave me lighter and shorter periods, clear face, no cramps, no weight gain, and no spotting. The only bad things I have to say are that I was dry during sex sometimes (not sure if the pill was to blame), and I had very slight increased irritability (not severe enough to affect my life). I switched to Junel FE a week ago because I needed the extra iron, but if that doesn't work too well with my body, I will definitely switch back to Gianvi. Overall, it was a good pill for me."

• Anonymous
• January 17, 2012

For Birth Control "I switched to Gianvi from Aviane in hopes of clearing up my acne. I was VERY excited because Yaz is supposed to be a miracle. My experience was far from a miracle. My skin did not clear up AT ALL and got worse. I'm a freaking irrational hothead all month. I'm usually very good at shrugging off the small stuff, but it's like I have absolutely no control over my emotions anymore. I've become very lethargic; I could sleep all day if you'd let me. My once raging sex drive is now hardly existent. On the bright side, it did work strictly as birth control (hence the 4 rating). I've already made an appointment to switch."

• Mag...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2015

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I was diagnosed with PMDD after talking to my new OB-GYN. I told her about how large, swollen, and painful my breasts have become in my late 20s. My bras would not fit for 2 weeks a month. The mood swings were there, but it was mostly out of how self-conscious and uncomfortable I was with my large breasts and body water weight for 2 weeks every month. It was awful PMS. This birth control definitely helped! My breast size has since decreased, and they don't swell like they used to! I will say my sex drive has decreased... I don't feel up for it like I did before I went on BC. But it's not terrible!"

• Anonymous
• November 21, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been taking Gianvi for about a year now. The first three months I felt fine, once in a blue moon, I would experience nausea. But after the first three months, my body was completely used to it. It was the first birth control I've ever taken. My gyno recommended it to me because she herself had been taking it for 12 years. So I trusted her opinion completely, and I'm glad I did. While taking Gianvi, I gained 6 pounds. I needed it though, and it all went to my breasts and bottom. I have grown a full cup size, and my bottom looks good. Nothing went to my waist or face. My sex drive has severely gone down though, and I cry at the drop of a dime. Both developed after taking this, but I'm willing to work on these things for myself."

• Pba...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 4, 2014

For Acne "Prescribed Ocella for PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), which can cause severe cystic acne that I had. Have been on it for 10 years. It was a miracle, acne is gone. To prevent the mood swings and acne flare-ups during the inert week each month, I had my OBGYN write a prescription for 3 months straight. Now I only have my period and mood swings 4 times per year instead of 12. Other pills caused anxiety attacks, I have felt most normal on this pill. The downside is I have no libido, but I am 40, so I guess I should expect some decrease at my age anyway."

• Anonymous
• March 14, 2010

For Birth Control "I've been on Ocella for over a year, and I don't mind it. It does its job. Negatives: It kills your sex drive, horrible cramps, acne around your period time; but that's with anyone. Positives: Emotions have been under control, and periods only last about 4 days. Overall, I would recommend this birth control. I don't have spotting, emotional breakdowns, or any of that."

• Nan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I've been using Yaz for the last 4 or 5 years, it has helped a lot in terms of unwanted pregnancy, acne, and regular periods. However, I have experienced occasional spotting, which does last for some time (1-2 weeks). It also reduces my sex drive dramatically and causes vaginal dryness. Otherwise, I don't think it is good to use for an extensive period of time, but I would recommend it."

• Try...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 7, 2020

For Birth Control "I’m just trying to inform girls that may be looking to take this birth control. Pros: did help me with my acne, did help with period pains, didn’t gain any weight, was cheap. HOWEVER, there were many bad things about this BCP. My periods weren’t very regulated, my libido was almost 0, the side effects just went on and on. The worst was erratic and depressed moods, which I knew was an issue when I wouldn’t even get up out of bed. My coworker even told me she immediately had to get off it for the same reason. I thought maybe it was just me, but after she told me I knew it wasn't a coincidence. I was reluctant to get off of it because there are some good things about it, but it became too much. Yes, it is different for everyone, but if I could go back and find a better one, I would."

• Meg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 10, 2022

For Acne "I've had a great experience with Loryna, it's cleared up my acne, and I don't get a period at all on this pill. No cramps or moodiness. As a person with anxiety/depression and mood swings, Loryna has kept me feeling pretty balanced. The week before and during my period would always make my mental health take a dip, but not since I started Loryna. The only side effects I've had are lower sex drive (I've always had a low sex drive anyway) and tender breasts. Overall, big positives! I hope this helps someone out there."

• spa...
• November 7, 2019

For Acne "I have suffered from acne since the age of 13 years old (I am now 32), and nothing helped it. I have been on every antibiotic under the sun and even on Accutane (which did work for a while, but the side effects were horrible, and it came back after about a year). The worst part of my acne was huge, painful cysts on my chin. I didn't want to take the contraceptive pill as I had been on it in my late teens, and it didn't help my spots and really affected my mood. But about a year ago, I felt so helpless with my skin that I started taking Yasmin, and honestly, I cannot believe how amazing it has been for my skin. The only side effects I've had were headaches and feeling a little nauseous the first month and maybe a reduction in my sex drive. Obviously, this isn't ideal, but my acne was bringing me down so much that I am okay with this. I think everyone is different, so you just have to give things a try, but for me, it's been amazing. My only concern is having to ever stop taking it and my spots coming back!"

• Sam...
• November 30, 2019

For Birth Control "I took Yaz from age 16 to 27, 11 years. It made me gain a little weight. For the past couple of years, I experienced brain fog and memory loss, and my sex drive was nonexistent. But other than that, Yaz worked fine for me; no cramps, no acne, super regular period, no PMS, no migraines. However, after 11 years of pumping pretty high doses of estrogen and progesterone (in this case, drospirenone) into my body, I started to ask myself if it is dangerous in the long run... especially because of the memory issues, the brain fog, etc. So I switched to a hormonal IUD recently (containing progesterone only and no estrogen), and so far I like it... I don't have to remember to take the pill, and the dose of hormones is 100 times lower on my IUD than with Yaz. I think it is fine for a limited time span, but you should definitely look into other contraceptive methods; there are more than you think :) also, Yaz is expensive (10€/month)."