Yaz and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Val...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 15, 2014

For Birth Control "It is the most amazing medicine for birth control I ever used. I actually didn't use anything else except Yaz, never switched to another birth control pill. The only side effect is that I gained weight, but that's nothing compared to how amazingly it works. I also got all the acne gone, and I have regular periods."

• Loa...
• April 21, 2019

For Birth Control "Started Yaz about 6 months ago for endometriosis pain control. Right away, I became emotional, anxious, and depressed with super dark thoughts. My doctor told me that it takes about 3 months to level out your hormones. Two weeks ago, I started having side effects that I didn't even realize were because of the birth control until I started reading other reviews. I'm 29 years old, work out 5 days a week, skinny, etc. I've become constipated, bloated, gaining weight, hungry all the time, extremely exhausted, mood swings, angry at everyone and everything, depressed, anxious, obsessive bad thoughts, hot flashes and sweating, breakthrough bleeding, etc. I have my period every 3 months on this, but my first period after the 3 months is the heaviest period I've ever had in my life. Not to be graphic, but it was flowing out of me like an endless waterfall. Soaked through super tampons in 15-20 minutes. I'm miserable and would rather risk my endometriosis pain coming back than dealing with this. Not taking another day of this pill."

• Lan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 15, 2020

For Birth Control "I live in Korea, and had to switch from my Ortho Tri-Cyclen in the US to Yaz here in Korea. I went to a doctor to talk about it, and she suggested Yaz as it was fairly close to what I had been taking in the States. I got it for 6 months, and now that I'm nearing the end, I am thinking more seriously about finding something else. The biggest side effect for me is the decrease in my libido. I went from desiring intimacy with my fiancé almost every day to never, within a month of starting Yaz. It was an extreme loss of sexual desire that I am 100% sure was due to Yaz. I also gained a few pounds and have not been able to lose it. I did start to notice more extreme mood shifts towards the end of each cycle as well. Feeling depressed, fatigue, and anxiety every 4 weeks is tough on me. I am nervous about switching to something else because I have only ever taken Ortho Tri-Cyclen pills, but Yaz is just not for me in the long run."

• Anonymous
• September 12, 2009

For Polycystic Ovary Syndrome "I was placed on Yaz in May and taken off of Sprintec because of extreme joint swelling. At first, Yaz was great. I had no complaints the first month, then the weight gain started. I have been 120 lbs my whole adult life and went to 130 lbs within days into the second pack. By August (just months), I slipped into a depression with extreme hopelessness and could not stop crying. I also noticed that my skin was getting oily. I called my doctor, and they placed me back on my old pills. Within a week, my mood has improved, I'm not crying uncontrollably, and my skin is normal again. The pharmacist stated that women either love Yaz or they hate it. Too bad it didn't work for me, I am very glad to be off of it."

• fli...
• August 20, 2009

For Birth Control "I have been taking Yaz for around 5 months and am absolutely miserable. I felt fine over the first two months, and eventually, the side effects reared their ugly head. I have never weighed this much in my life, I gained about 20 pounds. I cry every night and am extremely irritable, especially to my poor boyfriend, who does not deserve any of it. I was on Loestrin 24 Fe for around 2 years, worked as a birth control pill, didn't gain any weight, was able to lose weight, wasn't moody, only had slight acne... which is why my gynecologist put me on Yaz. I'd rather have terrible acne than feel the way I do on this pill."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2021

For Acne "I’m 23 and been on Yaz for 4 months. I went on it for acne, and my face is clearing up, but I am also on other acne medication. Other birth controls have caused me weight gain, depression, and mood swings. I have lost weight on Yaz, and my mood seems stable, which is good. My boobs have grown a ton, even with the weight loss, they’ve grown at least a cup size. (Disclaimer: I dieted and exercised to lose the weight, the medicine didn’t make me lose it.) The only negative side effect is that once I started my period, I have been bleeding/spotting for almost two months now. Hopefully, that will regulate with time. So far, it’s the best BC I’ve ever taken."

• J25...
• July 16, 2009

For Birth Control "I have had horrible mood swings and have gained weight. I never know when or if I'm going to get my period, and my poor husband has had to deal with my mood swings. I was on Ortho-Tri-Cyclen-Lo for 2 years before this and never had a problem. I'm changing back."

• Anonymous
• April 28, 2010

For Birth Control "I've tried just about every birth control in the book. Depo was by far the worst with over 15 lbs weight gain in a year, horrible acne, and leg cramps. Loestrin24 wasn't far behind with chronic exhaustion, zero sex drive, and depression. Ortho wasn't bad, but I did experience weight gain (about 5 lbs in a year). Yaz is by far my favorite, and I can say that both before having my first child and after. Yaz stabilized my pre-menstrual mood swings. I think it actually increased my sex drive post-pregnancy. I've had no weight issues and no acne problems. I think all the commercials about Yaz's side effects are bogus - every birth control is going to show correlations with some disease or another. I'd recommend Yaz in a heartbeat."

• NWa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2020

For Acne "I think it was really good for my acne, but the breast swelling and water weight gain made me dislike myself. I don’t know what to do, I stopped taking it a week ago, and I started breaking out again :("

• Lay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 10, 2017

For Birth Control "I hated being on Yaz. It caused me to gain a lot of weight, so much so and so quickly it actually scared me. I was incredibly depressed and sad all the time, finding myself crying nearly every day, whereas I am normally a person who almost never cries or gets overly emotional. I had difficulty breathing and felt like my chest was weighed down. Anxiety and panic attacks became my daily norm. Another strange thing was it gave me little red bumps all over my face that weren't acne but just texture. I have been off Yaz for a year now, and I still have the red bumpy texture all over my face."

• Kat...
• February 7, 2017

For Birth Control "I've had nothing but positive experiences since I started taking Yaz in 2009. Clear skin, light or no periods, and of course, no babies. I haven't had any negative side effects like weight gain or mood swings."

• Anonymous
• August 20, 2019

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "So I was put on this pill about 4 months ago because I had lost my period for over 9-10 months due to rapid weight loss, and I had done everything to try and get it back, so the gynecologist put me on Yaz to force me to get my period. I think the pill is great, I don’t really experience a lot of the side effects except for a little weight gain, which I don’t know is from not going to the gym consistently like I used to or from water retention. But I have noticed that my boobs have grown like 2 sizes bigger. I also get headaches once in a while, but that’s not a big deal."

• Anonymous
• December 18, 2011

For Menstrual Disorders "For years, I never had a regular period. Sometimes they would even be 6 months apart. With a busy lifestyle, it is extremely hard to prepare for periods when it is unpredictable when they will be. With Yaz, I have an idea of when I get them, usually exactly a month apart. It also helps my acne, and I have not gained any weight. For anyone with irregular periods, use this product, it helps so much, and you won't regret it."

• Arr...
• March 3, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm currently still on Yaz because my mother won't let me off of it. I'm 18 and not using Yaz for contraception but for depression and anxiety, which I find horrendous that my doctor has kinda just gone, 'you're a female, it must be your period!' Idiot. However, Yaz was kind of working at the start, everything has gone downhill, and now in my fourth month of using it, I'm thinking of stopping taking them against my doctor and mother because my periods are irregular. I drink a lot of water, but I'm constipated daily. I have funny discharge, I've put on weight, I have headaches and feel dizzy. Closer to my period, I get sick and feel like vomiting, and I'm not happy. These pills don't help me how they're supposed to, they just hurt me."

• PMD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2023

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I have tried every single birth control out there, the depo shot, mini pill, ring, patch, sponge, you name it, I’ve tried it. They have all made me feel like I was losing my mind or would affect my moods severely. I gained weight on the depo, which didn’t help with my mental health issues. I finally saw a doctor and told them all of my concerns. They told me I was suffering from PMDD, and everything made sense. A couple of weeks before my period, I would turn into Wolverine. It wasn’t good for me or my family, especially my partner, because I would pick fights, literally for no reason. I have been on YAZ for one month now, and I was hesitant because of some of the negative reviews. But I took the risk and am so glad I did. I did not get my period, my acne is disappearing (I have severe bacne), I can speak calmly to my kids if they’re acting out, and I haven’t argued with my partner. I can sleep again! You just need to try everything until you find the perfect BC. It’s YAZ for me."

• Slp...
• January 20, 2016

For Acne "I've been on Yaz for about 4 months now. I tried the generic Gianvi, but it was seriously like taking rage pills, so now I'm using the brand name even though insurance doesn't cover it. I started taking Yaz to help with my skin because I was breaking out really bad. I noticed a significant difference in my skin within the first month, and now my skin is completely clear with the exception of the occasional bump or two around my period. I get the typical mood swings around my period, but nothing too crazy. I have noticed I feel a little more anxious since I've started taking it, but it isn't extreme. My boobs are much more full now, which I like, but I have gained a little weight (about 3-5 pounds), which has proven hard to get rid of."

• Kay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 19, 2018

For Acne "Before going on this BC, I was suffering from depression, major hair loss, painful and irregular periods. Within that year, I was diagnosed with PCOS and a hormone imbalance (increased testosterone). The doctor put me on Yaz to increase my estrogen. As soon as I went on Yaz, I felt a major change in my mood and energy levels. I was underweight due to the depression, and I gained 5 lbs. My breast size also increased (from a 32B to 32DD). I just felt so much better and balanced. I haven’t had any negative side effects unless weight gain is negative for you. Highly recommend to get your hormones tested before going on this pill. I don’t think you should take it if your estrogen levels are already high. Good luck!"

• Mad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 8, 2016

For Birth Control "Heavy bleeding and intense cramping were my primary concerns for starting birth control, and since I still bled heavily on my first pill, I was switched to Yaz. The good is that the mild acne I did have is now non-existent, no more cramps, and my cycle is the lightest it's ever been. I can actually *want* to do more than stay in bed during my cycle. The bad is the random spotting. Theoretically, it's caused by not taking the pill at the same time every day, but I keep a pretty tight schedule, so it sucks. The mood swings are also discouraging. I feel myself getting mad or either sad about literally anything more often now. I've also picked up about 10 lbs despite the same eating habits and activity level."

• Ano...
• August 8, 2019

For Acne "I am 20 now and started taking Yaz when I was 15. I had terrible acne, not just painful cystic acne, but also tiny bumps all over my face. After about 3 months of me taking it, my acne cleared completely. I still had occasional cystic pimples on my chin, but nothing like it used to be. I used to have bird legs, and after taking it for about a year, my thighs and butt blew up. I also gained weight in my stomach (not a terrible amount, but still noticeable) and would be bloated all the time. I feel like I was more emotional on the pill. About 3 months ago, I decided to stop taking it. A lot of my acne has come back, and my hair has been shedding like crazy. I’ve read a couple of things online about the hair thinning being normal after taking yourself off the pill. The hair thinning and acne has gotten pretty bad within the last month that I’m really considering going back on the pill."

• Ksu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I started taking Yaz almost 3 months ago. I was put on Yaz for hormonal acne (chin and jawline). I've had terrible experiences with birth control, weight gain, acne, mood swings, etc. I was nervous to start Yaz. Within a week, my acne was completely gone! I did not experience any mood swings or weight gain! No 'hungry all the time feeling.' I was beyond excited. I started my 2nd pack, and my face lit up like never before. Probably the worst breakouts I've ever had. I just finished my 2nd pack, and my face is finally clearing up. I'm just dealing with the aftermath from the breakouts (purple blue spots). I'm guessing my body was just getting used to the hormones. I'll check back in after month 3! Hopefully, it will continue to clear up!"

• foo...
• September 2, 2009

For Birth Control "I have been using Yaz for almost 3 years now. I have no mood swings, and my acne cleared completely. I get one or two zits before I get my regular period once a month. I gained a few pounds, but it can be fixed. I am 20 years old, and I have no mood swings. Sex drive is the same, and I love this pill. I used to be on the NuvaRing for a year, but it made me moody. So Yaz is the best thing ever invented to reduce human overpopulation!"

• 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."

• 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."

• 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!"

• Peg...
• April 9, 2021

For Acne "PRO: very clear skin, didn't experience any hair loss or anything. CON: weight gain and lack of energy/enthusiasm. I was 18 when my skin suddenly flared up (after having pretty good skin all of high school). It was awful. I was up late at night on YouTube and Google looking for advice. I was first on Merina birth control pill for about a year. It cleared my skin fairly well, but I gained so much weight. And I was shocked because my whole life my friends have envied how I can eat whatever rubbish I like and not put on a stitch of weight. That was me. Twig with no breasts. I switched to YAZ hoping to lose weight. The transition was smooth, but I continued to gain weight. 20 kg. I'm 24 now, and I'm too scared to switch pills because of all the reviews I read. I went off the pill for 9 months, and my skin hit me hard again. My energy was back, though I felt so alive and so enthusiastic. The pill makes me a zombie. And I lost 6 kg with no lifestyle change! But my skin... So I went back to YAZ."