Yaz and Depression: What Users Say (Page 4)

• AFS...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 19, 2019

For Birth Control "Yaz was horrible, within 3 months of starting it, I began to experience bouts of depression during my period and migraines as well. I was on Yaz for 11 months. By the time I got off it, I was experiencing severe panic attacks and serious depression. I had never before in my life experienced these mental and emotional problems. I was 41 years old. I thought I was going nuts and never suspected that it was Yaz causing the problems. These symptoms came on gradually and progressively got worse and more pervasive. After I stopped Yaz and went back to my previous BC pill, it took about 18 months for the symptoms to fully resolve themselves. But there was some immediate improvement at the initial discontinuation. I can’t believe, after all the negative things known about this pill and all the big lawsuits, that it’s still on the market in the US. Be very careful with the use of this pill...."

• Sab...
• March 11, 2021

For Birth Control "I have been on Yaz for five months now, about to start my 6th pack. I used to be on Blisolvi-Fe, which made me extremely depressed. I got off the pill for a little less than two years and started Yaz as I got into a serious relationship. At first, Yaz was great; it cleared my acne and shortened my periods. The downsides of it are that my periods never come on the placebo days, which gives me anxiety about being pregnant. Yaz has also suppressed my sex drive a lot. This has caused many arguments in my relationship. My mood has been affected, but not as much as it was on Blisolvi-Fe. I have been tired a lot, which I’m not sure is caused by the pill, but it could be. I also feel like it has suppressed my personality and made me a little bland, if that makes sense. I want to switch pills to get my sex drive back and to lessen my anxiety and mood swings, but I do not want to gain weight, get acne, or get on a pill that will cause worse depression and mood swings."

• RAC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 27, 2016

For Birth Control "The only reason why I am giving it 2 stars is because it did clear my acne better than any product I have ever used. I got on it after my Mirena was removed 4 months ago, and it's the only pill form of birth control I have ever taken. However, as soon as I am done with my red pills, I will not be taking it anymore. It has made me a lunatic. I am so bipolar/emotionally unstable/depressed it's not even funny!! I am destroying my relationship with my mood swings/instability. I'll be okay for a day or two, and then I start feeling crazy again. I cry constantly for no reason. I'm even having nightmares almost every night. Hopefully, switching to a different pill will help."

• Tay...
• April 18, 2018

For Birth Control "I was prescribed Yaz 2.5 years ago to help treat my PMDD and help clear my acne. For the first year, I found Yaz great. I no longer got PMS symptoms, my periods were lighter, and my skin was the clearest it's ever been in my life. I didn't experience any weight gain either. However, these past 12 months, I have noticed a drastic change in my mood. I became depressed, suffering extreme anxiety, and lost complete motivation and passion for life. I cry easily, I feel helpless, I have less self-esteem, I feel more nervous around people, I'm constantly tired and lacking energy. I used to go to the gym 7 days a week, but now I can't even force myself to leave the house. I'm completely opposite to the person I was when I wasn't taking the pill. I experience constant yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. I decided to stop taking Yaz and am hoping I will go back to being the person I was before I used this pill. Please, please do your research before taking this pill!"

• Tay...
• April 18, 2018

For Birth Control "I was prescribed Yaz 2.5 years ago to help treat my PMDD and help clear my acne. For the first year, I found Yaz great. I no longer got PMS symptoms, my periods were lighter, and my skin was the clearest it's ever been in my life. I didn't experience any weight gain either. However, these past 12 months, I have noticed a drastic change in my mood. I became depressed, suffering extreme anxiety, and lost complete motivation and passion for life. I cry easily, I feel helpless, I have less self-esteem, I feel more nervous around people, I'm constantly tired and lacking energy. I used to go to the gym 7 days a week, but now I can't even force myself to leave the house. I'm completely opposite to the person I was when I wasn't taking the pill. I experience constant yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. I decided to stop taking Yaz and am hoping I will go back to being the person I was before I used this pill. Please, please do your research before taking this pill!"

• 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 :/"

• Swe...
• August 21, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm on week 3 of Yaz, and I can't impress enough how it has exacerbated my depression. I am crying constantly, I'm getting cramps like there's no tomorrow, and feeling nauseous randomly. I don't think regulating my period is worth the feeling of hopelessness, the lack of motivation, and the general low feeling I am immersed in after only 3 weeks!"

• Rav...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 17, 2022

For Birth Control "OMG, if you're considering this medication, DON’T, I repeat, DON’T. I started this pill because my Ortho Tri-Cyclen stopped clearing my face up. I started this, and right away, it worked for acne. But may I tell you what it did to me is exactly what it did to other people. It alters your entire personality. Not only did it make me depressed and crying all the time, it made my stress levels out the roof. And when I say it CHANGED me…it CHANGED ME. I didn’t know who I was anymore. It made me get angry at the smallest of things. Even someone standing next to me made me break out into fights. And the fights would last daysssss. Like no joke, DAYS over little stupid things. I was almost bipolar, which I read is a side effect! You will be happy one minute, then all of a sudden MAD! And not to mention the suicidal thoughts it gave me when I am not a suicidal person, which is very scary! It alters your brain and what you think. It is a freakin’ scary drug! Very scary. DO NOT TAKE THIS!!!"

• Fat...
• June 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on Yaz for 3 months. The heavy bleeding, agony, and cramps have all stopped, plus the cravings. Although I feel very low and depressed. I seem to be overly sensitive and raw all the time. It's becoming harder to contain myself around loved ones as I am so emotional and seem to snap at everything and everyone. I would seriously recommend whether this is the right option if you suffer from mental health issues or you are prone to it. I generally do feel anxious without the pill, although I have been feeling depressed recently, and it's dreadful."

• Che...
• December 24, 2016

For Birth Control "Worst mistake of my life. I was on Yaz for 3 months, my acne is worse than ever. I gained a lot of weight, my mental health has never been so bad - anxiety, depression. My self-esteem is so low it's terrifying. I would not recommend this medication to anyone - but I understand everyone is different, and some have had great experiences with Yaz. Unfortunately, I was not one of them."

• Che...
• December 24, 2016

For Birth Control "Worst mistake of my life. I was on Yaz for 3 months, my acne is worse than ever. I gained a lot of weight, my mental health has never been so bad - anxiety, depression. My self-esteem is so low it's terrifying. I would not recommend this medication to anyone - but I understand everyone is different, and some have had great experiences with Yaz. Unfortunately, I was not one of them."

• pin...
• November 21, 2015

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "After having some issues with what could be classified as PMDD, I went on a search for ways to help alleviate the mood swings I got every month around the time of Aunt Flow's visit. After Googling around, Yaz was the number one remedy that I found, so I went to Planned Parenthood, got a prescription, and tried it out for a month. Let's just say my PMDD went away... but I was in crying fits and had really bad anxiety for about 80% of the month. Nothing new has come up for me that would cause those issues, and it is very abnormal for me to cry that much and have uncontrollable anxiety. In short, this drug made me crazier and depressed. It sucked! I've been off of it for two days, and I'm finally feeling better. Nope! Not for me."

• Yuc...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 18, 2018

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I went on Yaz for 4 years starting from the age of 14, then switched off because of mid-cycle bleeding. I went on Tri Cyclen Lo for a couple of years, took a break from the pill for a couple of years, then went back on Yaz this February. I now understand why I was chronically depressed and suicidal during my teenage years, and why it coincidentally 'went away' when I switched pills. I gradually got worse and worse this time around, and I turned into a nightmare for my workplace, school, and my family. Uncontrollable crying spells all day, considering actually following through with suicide, and utter exhaustion/sleeping all day. I went off two weeks ago, and everyone noticed the difference. I'm happy again without the slightest hint of depression. This drug is frightening, even some celebrities have pinned their suicidal/depressive episodes on Yaz. Oh, and FYI, it doesn't even clear up your skin the way they market it as. My skin cleared up beautifully once I was off it."

• Dis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2018

For Birth Control "Last year, I had to start the pill due to an irregular menstrual cycle. My gynecologist recommended I take this brand for 6 months. I was always the happiest and brightest person. I would be the one to cheer people up and make their day. This pill gave me depression. It took away my identity. I was on it for 4 months, and I would have extreme mood swings every single day. I had to stop taking it due to severe spotting for the last 2 months of it. I would bleed every day and a heavy amount too. I gained so much weight (10-15 pounds) and was very bloated. My appetite was amplified to the max. There wasn’t a single moment when I didn’t have food in my mouth. I tried to stay on Yaz, but it was an absolute disaster. I didn’t realize why these awful changes were happening to me. After I got off of it due to heavy spotting, I realized my mood improved. This pill ruined my life. I still have depression, and I resent this brand for giving it to me."

• Dwa...
• January 13, 2017

For Acne "I have been taking Yaz for 2 weeks now. I get breakouts, but they go away quickly and come back. I was still willing to give it a chance. I am stopping because I have become depressed, exhausted, negative, and I overanalyze things, which means I overreact, and I'm very emotional. This is affecting my relationship and my work. I feel overwhelmed."

• Jan...
• March 27, 2017

For Birth Control "It was horrible for me! It sank me into a VERY deep depression after being on it for a few months. I stayed in bed crying all night for no reason. I stopped taking it, and the depression was gone. I would NEVER take Yaz ever again!"

• CAL...
• January 3, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on YAZ since I was 16 (now 26). I used to be happy all the time, excited about life, enjoy sex, and just fine. Since I've been taking YAZ, I have gone from mild to severe depression, anxiety attacks, uncontrolled bouts of crying, panic attacks, and now I may have the first signs of glaucoma. I now take high doses of antidepressants. My mental health shows no signs of improving. It has gotten worse as I have gotten older. I went to a psychiatrist a few years back, and she put me on Prozac, but the symptoms have gotten worse. Now I'm on triple doses of antidepressants. After reading these articles and the side effects of other users, I'm confident it is the result of YAZ. I attend medical school, so I shall have tests done next week."

• 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."

• 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."

• lex...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2021

For Acne "I’m in the middle of my fourth Yaz pack right now, and I wish I was seeing the acne-clearing effects more. Most sources say by 2-3 months you should start seeing your skin improve, and by month 6 you should really see them, so I’m not gonna quit it yet. I still wanna see if it will help my acne. The first month I had my period for a month straight, it was light, but I still had cramps and stuff, so that wasn’t fun. My boobs got bigger, biggest during the 2nd-3rd month, and then they’ve gone down slightly so far through the 4th month. Other than that, no weight gain. I have been more depressed and emotional lately, so that’s kinda a bummer, but my skin's been slightly better. Some redness has gone away, and I definitely get fewer pimples, but I still get some. Hopefully, it will be better by month 6 and on. So far it’s just not good, not bad, just eh."

• Zen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2019

For Birth Control "In June, I was diagnosed with PCOS, and my doctor put me on Yaz to help regulate my periods and get rid of my excess facial hair growth. I started taking it at the beginning of July, and it was easily the worst month of my life. I’m 18, and I had never used birth control before. I was expecting the basic side effects, but it was so much worse than that. I have had bad anxiety and depression in the past, but it was always something I felt I could handle. But as soon as I started taking Yaz, everything went downhill quickly. I had anxiety attacks every day, I had no motivation to get off the couch and clean up. It was horrible. I cried every day and even started to feel suicidal. To make it worse, it gave me horrible nausea to the point where I stopped eating for days, and I could barely swallow the pill. My sister said she had a similar experience taking Yaz. I wouldn’t recommend."

• Gab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2019

For Birth Control "I just finished my first month on the Yaz birth control. My OBGYN put me on it because I tend to have excess anxiety and depression prior to my period for about 2 weeks. This has been a bad month, I have to say. I have been constantly bloated and gained weight in my stomach area despite 5-6 days of workouts per week and a good diet. And the worst part is my anxiety and depression have been through the roof. I have been anxious about the weight gain as well, and it’s borderline paranoia and being so uncomfortable in my own body. Birth control works differently on everyone, I understand, but after doing more research on Yaz and drug company distribution, I feel it’s a very sketchy drug company due to recalls in the past and unexplained product ingredients as well. Yaz probably works for many people, but this is my experience as well, and I am sharing mostly to let those who haven’t had good experiences know they’re not alone!"

• Jen...
• June 3, 2017

For Birth Control "Yaz gave me horrible mood swings, depression, headache, sickness, leg cramps, hair loss, slow foggy brain, etc. I lost 1/4 of my hair. I'd feel so much headache to the point my brain became foggy when I tried to work. I couldn't read and think as fast as I could before I took the pill. It hurt my work performance and gave me horrible headaches and body cramps. My leg hurt really badly, possibly due to a blood clot. I quit it but got 5 big endometrial polyps while using Yaz although something else might have caused them. I had surgery to remove them a few months ago, and I have been sick and weak ever since, became anemic, and couldn't work for months. I get super dizzy from anemia at work now. My body isn't like it used to be."

• Anonymous
• October 13, 2009

For Birth Control "While effective as birth control, I had some bad side effects. I took Yaz for three years and had an increasing number of issues. All the issues I contributed to something other than Yaz until reading some forums where people were having similar problems. Some side effects I experienced were weight gain, severe depression, nightmares, severe migraines, and heartburn. Today my doctor switched me to Aviane. I will take my first pill in about fifteen minutes, so I hope that it works for me. I think everyone needs to remember that each person's body chemistry is different, so each type of medication will affect everyone differently. I think it's pretty much trial and error to find the perfect pill for your body."