Yaz and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 5)

• AST...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 11, 2021

For Birth Control "I suffered with painful periods and extreme bloating and gastro issues a week before and after periods. I take Yaz (Eloine in the UK) as advised with a 4-day break, I have no period at all, which is great. Also, all my problems with 'endo belly' are gone. My mood is stable on Eloine/Yaz. I was very worried about putting on weight, but I feel there is not much I can blame on the pill (I hope!). I have put a bit on, but I could blame not exercising and not so great diet at times. No bloating anymore. Breasts increased quite a lot, I think my body shape changed a bit too. My skin and hair are good. I'm 33. I’ve been on it over 2 years now. I tried once to have a break from this pill, the first month was okay, the second I had all my symptoms from the past and heavy period, so I came back to this pill after 2 months. Stopping it and starting made my mental health really bad. I was depressed, panicky, anxious, and had extreme anger at times, however, it settled with taking the pill, and I’m very stable."

• Lou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2021

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "After 4 days, I'm giving this a miss. Prescribed for PMDD and perimenopause symptoms. Terrible nausea and anxiety. I'm not looking to make things worse than they are. One day off it and feel better already. I'll just have to keep enduring these terrible periods until I am blessed with menopause."

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been using Yaz since July. First box, I have tons of side effects. I had nausea, I was feeling very weak, I was fatigued and super sleepy all the time. After two weeks, nausea was gone. I had irregular bleeding, which was gone in the third box. I gained 2 kg, but I am not sure it's really related to Yaz. However, since the first day, I am definitely in a depression. I tend to cry without a reason a lot. I am super anxious about very little things. I definitely overreact emotionally. I am feeling hopeless and so on. After I am sure this depression, which came with Yaz, is not going away, my doctor gave me another one, which I will start soon."

• lil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 27, 2021

For Acne "I switched to Yaz from Ortho-Cyclen and have been on it for almost two years. After six months, I noticed that I had significantly less acne. It has also kept me from getting pregnant. I haven't gained any weight and had fewer cramps during my period. For mild side effects, I did get worse headaches during my period and spotting. I have a lowered libido too. But the worst side effect for me is anxiety and depression. I started having panic attacks and bouts of depression only months after starting the pill. I also became very paranoid and jealous in my relationship, which was likely unfounded. I've realized that my sanity is more important than the positives this pill has brought. If you have underlying or undiagnosed anxiety or depression, it's possible that the Yaz pill can exacerbate this. I will be stopping Yaz next month and exploring other options to take care of my mental health."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2021

For Birth Control "For anyone considering Yaz, I just need to stress the importance of exercise while on this pill. I am currently on my 2nd packet of Yaz, and so far it has been extremely up and down. The first month was great, my period was light, less cramps, no mood swings, weight loss. However, the middle of the second month, anxiety and depression hit me so hard. I kept having horrible self-deprecating thoughts, would often cry myself to sleep, and find it difficult to have a fun time, and I got kicked out of my friend group. Even my relationship with my boyfriend went really bad, however, he was very understanding through it all. Yaz has calmed down a little, however, I still get irritated very easily and usually overthink more than normal. Not as much depression though, it's more just anger and irritation. However, I found exercising regularly with high-intensity cardio (running, biking, etc.) really improved those nasty thoughts and moods."

• Neg...
• September 5, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been taking the pill for a month and a week, and it’s been the worst experience of my life. I am easily irritated, mean, and severely depressed. I have negative thoughts and am full of mean thoughts and comments. I’ve got horrible anxiety about things that normally wouldn’t have bothered me, and I’m a whole different person… and not a nice one either. I'm 24 years old, and today I decided to stop taking the pill altogether. Hopefully, my mental health improves."

• Nop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2021

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "Never felt this way on a BC. It was only my 4th day on the generic version of Yaz. I got a terrible headache and then couldn't sleep at all until 3 a.m. I stopped taking the pill, and the day after, I still had a headache. My mood went down really bad and anxiety came back. I only had mild anxiety on NuvaRing and heard Yaz helped with PMDD. My PMDD was way better without taking these pills. I am also taking venlafaxine for my anxiety, and maybe the combination of the drospirenone and my dose was too much. I started getting cystic acne that I never got before. My face was pretty clear with a tiny pimple or two. On this for only 4 days, and I woke up with acne marks that hurt so bad. I scar easily, so I couldn't continue this BC. I'm happy it worked for everyone else."

• GJa...
• January 30, 2019

For Birth Control "I'm 39, a full-time working mom of 3 young kids. My husband and I feel that our family is complete, but after trying for 10 years with multiple fertility attempts, we just couldn't go through the process of making it 'final,' so I chose to go on birth control. After trying a few other horrible brands, I was prescribed Yaz. I read the horrible reviews but still decided to try it. At first, it was great! No acne, leveled my moods-kinda-but after a year, all hell broke loose. I have horrible anxiety, depression, anger towards everyone-even my children, tired ALL the time, wanting to be alone. My relationship with my husband is hurting due to me not wanting to be by anyone, which means absolutely no sex drive. I might have a tinge of a period during my placebo pills, but all the other symptoms of bloating and mood swings. Then after a year, I got my period and bled through the month. I am starting a new pill next week. Hopefully, I can get my family and my life back..."

• Iha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 21, 2021

For Birth Control "I first started Yaz a year ago, and loved it. It helped my acne and I didn’t have any issues. I ran out and was unable to get more for a few months. I started it again a month ago, and the depression and anxiety have been so bad. I did not experience this the first time, and I’m going to be looking for another form of birth control. The panic attacks and intrusive thoughts are not worth it."

• zoe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2012

For Birth Control "I started Yaz and immediately noticed my anxiety levels go through the roof, particularly within the first two hours of taking it. I was jittery, had mild heart palpitations, fogginess, indecisiveness, restless sleep, and was extremely depressive and teary. My skin also erupted with acne. Upside: I lost a ton of water weight and grew breasts! I gave up after 10 days, too many contraindications in too short a time."

• zoe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2012

For Birth Control "I started Yaz and immediately noticed my anxiety levels go through the roof, particularly within the first two hours of taking it. I was jittery, had mild heart palpitations, fogginess, indecisiveness, restless sleep, and was extremely depressive and teary. My skin also erupted with acne. Upside: I lost a ton of water weight and grew breasts! I gave up after 10 days, too many contraindications in too short a time."

• Anonymous
• May 5, 2010

"I was on Yaz for about 2 years. I started it after I had my son. It was wonderful for a while, but recently I started getting anxiety attacks. It was horrible. My doctor put me on Paxil for the anxiety. I realized that while I was taking both medicines, I felt extremely depressed. I wasn't sure if it was the Paxil or the Yaz, but I was late starting my new pack this last month, and I noticed I felt amazing. So I decided that it was the Yaz interacting with the Paxil. I made the decision to stop Yaz and continue with Paxil because, as anyone with anxiety attacks knows, they are unbearable. I would still recommend Yaz, as long as you aren't taking anything else that would affect your mood/hormones."

• BC1...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 25, 2021

For Birth Control "I decided to switch from Dianette to Yaz after doing research and heard Yaz was good for acne, and Dianette was making me extremely depressed and having random bursts of sadness and crying for no reason. I have been taking Yaz for 10 months, and although it did help to clear my acne, for the last 3 months, I have not been myself, feel lower than I ever have before, and my anxiety is crippling. It makes me not even want to get out of bed most days and has made me so unmotivated. My cramps are worse than ever before and have a constant headache throughout my 'period.' I am coming off this pill for a while and will then try the minipill (progestin only)."

• Dan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 26, 2019

For Birth Control "I used it for 3 years. I was such an emotional wreck and also got really anxious and depressed. My hormones never seemed to balance out. I got breast lumps bigger than golf balls and a lot of discoloration in my skin. I'm switching to Qlaira now."

• Jes...
• December 24, 2018

For Acne "Age: 22. Weight: 145 pounds. Height: 5'8”. Yaz for 3 months. Severe acne. Yaz gave me mood swings, which for me is very unusual. I remember being so sad and not knowing why I was sad. I would randomly start crying my eyes out at least twice a day while using this drug. Then I started getting migraines that never went away. I was not even able to fall asleep at night because I was having extreme anxiety (I've never suffered with anxiety before either). Also, I was losing so much hair, chunks were falling out. I was having trouble doing any physical activity because I would feel lightheaded and I almost passed out. Along with these symptoms, I never had an appetite. And I lost my sex drive. I have never had these experiences prior to using Yaz. Plus side: after using Yaz for three months, my severe acne cleared up fully. I have been off Yaz for a month now, and I no longer experience these crazy side effects."

• Anonymous
• July 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm 18 years old. I am on month 4 of this pill and will be discontinuing its use once this pack is done. It cleared up my acne completely by month 3, which is why I am on it, but the mood swings are not worth clear skin. I'm prone to anxiety, but my depression and anxiety have skyrocketed. I feel completely hopeless and have panic attacks every day. My heart is always racing, and I also feel nauseated so easily. This pill makes me feel like I'm going insane. Feeling this bad is not worth clear skin, but I give it a 3 only because it did clear up my acne amazingly. Would not recommend."

• AO2...
• November 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I switched off my old birth control because insurance didn't cover it, and $80/month just became too much to handle. My doctor recommended Yaz despite the fact my old birth control was completely different hormonally. While I didn't gain any weight on Yaz, I did feel bloated and retained water for the whole week before my period and then the week of my period as well. I was anxious and short-tempered, I even became violent towards my husband for absolutely no reason. It wasn't until this began that I knew I had to change something. I couldn't live like this, this is not me at all. I couldn't believe how moody I felt and how it felt like my insides were fighting every time anything would happen. I haven't given my new birth control enough time, but we'll see."

• goc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 26, 2016

For Birth Control "After dealing with bad acne, my doctor recommended Yaz. Since I started, I was spotting for days at a time randomly in the middle of my cycle. I read the packaging, and it said this was normal for the first 1-3 months. However, 6 months later, I am still experiencing spotting, extreme depression and anxiety, lack of motivation, acne, breast tenderness for 3 weeks of the month, and chest pain and shortness of breath. My periods would last so long and be extremely painful when they used to be light and easy to deal with. I'm about to finish my last pack of this drug and switch to another birth control pill I had no problems with in the past and be done with Yaz for good."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2018

For Acne "I urge you not to take this pill. I took it to help alleviate my acne. Immediately, I started having side effects, including insomnia, frequent crying, and breakthrough bleeding. About 3 weeks in, I started having panic attacks and severe anxiety. I went off the pill after only 3 weeks. Now, it has been a month, and I am still experiencing the heightened anxiety and panic attacks that I did before. I’m hoping that I will eventually be the person I was before this pill. I would never, ever go on this pill again, and I wish I could stop myself from ever taking it."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2018

For Acne "I urge you not to take this pill. I took it to help alleviate my acne. Immediately, I started having side effects, including insomnia, frequent crying, and breakthrough bleeding. About 3 weeks in, I started having panic attacks and severe anxiety. I went off the pill after only 3 weeks. Now, it has been a month, and I am still experiencing the heightened anxiety and panic attacks that I did before. I’m hoping that I will eventually be the person I was before this pill. I would never, ever go on this pill again, and I wish I could stop myself from ever taking it."

• pms...
• June 19, 2015

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "Well, this was a last resort for my PMDD, which is pretty much destroying my life. I was VERY nervous about taking it - not interested in hair loss, weight gain, etc. But I gave it a chance. Three days in, developed a cluster of hives on my left hand, and one on my right hand. Extremely itchy. Absolutely no other changes in my products/lifestyle/food/etc. So I know it's Yaz. Also, all over burning/itchiness. Sun and showers make it worse. On day four, I realized I felt less... calm... more anxious. Also finding it difficult to sleep. Doc claimed 'unlikely Yaz is causing this.' Yeah, right. Told me to take Zyrtec for symptoms. Nope. This isn't working for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2016

For Birth Control "I switched to this from Junel Fe because I was hoping to help my acne and weight gain (gained 10 pounds on Junel). I only took the pill for five days but had to leave work early two days and went straight to bed by 6 pm every night due to a severe headache and overall feeling of lethargy and dizziness. I felt short of breath by day two and it remained until I quit taking the pill. I also had extreme anxiety. I got severe allergy-type symptoms by day two and felt feverish. I stopped taking Yaz yesterday and already feel better. No headache today, no feverish feeling, no anxiety. Still congested but no feeling short of breath anymore. I also noticed that I gained 2 pounds in the week I was on Yaz. Yikes! I have not changed my diet at all."

• ale...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 23, 2022

For Birth Control "I never, ever write user experiences, but I HAD to with this one. I had a baby in March 2020 and went on the pill in July 2021 (writing this in March 2022) - I went on the pill and loved that it basically got rid of my period, I hardly ever bled. But I was SEVERELY anxious, borderline depressed. I went to see a psychologist and a psychiatrist for the first time in my life (I am 28), and I was basically diagnosed with delayed postpartum depression. I never went on the antidepressants because my gut told me not to. I am now off the pill for a mere 8 days, and I feel better than I have felt over the past 9 months. I cannot believe the impact Yaz had on my mental health!!!"

• KLa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2019

For Birth Control "I started using this pill when I was 17, and it completely cleared up my skin with little side effects. However, my OB put me on different pills throughout the years. I recently switched back to this a few months ago for my skin (I’m 28) and have been experiencing very bad mood swings, anxiety, and depression, and feel numb to everything. After reading other similar reviews online, I realized it was the pill, and my doctor switched me to one with low progesterone instead (which doesn’t lower serotonin and affect mood). Looking forward to trying this one to see if it helps!"

• CDa...
• August 1, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been on this for 1 month, within days, I felt so sick, like I was pregnant. After 2 weeks, I felt extreme dread, anxiety, paranoia. I was sad to think this pill wasn’t working for my moods. 5 days before my period, I felt extreme stress, paranoia, and nearly fainted. Each day became worse, and the day before my sugar tablet, I was severely depressed, crying non-stop, panic attacks, feeling like I wanted to end my life. I’m going to see my doctor today to get their opinion because I feel like this is the pill. I am scared to stop it also, as the past few days have already felt like I am coming down off drugs (sugar tablets). I feel so helpless and that I will never get better."