Zarah and Mood Swings: What Users Say

• Kir...
• September 12, 2011

For Birth Control "I have been on Zarah, a generic of Yasmin, for more than half a year now. I started taking it for birth control as well as some ovarian cysts. For the first month, I have to admit, the side effects of the pill were a bit stressful. Always tired, and my mood swings were really ridiculous. But I gave it a month, and lo and behold, I started having more energy, my initial mood swings before the pill stopped, my abnormally painful and heavy period is ridiculously easy, my face and back acne have disappeared completely, and my bust even plumped up half a cup size. Just beware of some forever-lasting water weight. Oh, and no babies."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2013

For Birth Control "After trying practically every birth control on the market and having horrible side effects, I've finally found Zarah! The first month of taking it, I had a couple of side effects, which were bad mood swings and constipation. But I waited it out and sure enough, once I started the second pack, all those side effects were gone. I now have 3-day cramp-free periods and the clearest skin I have ever had in my life. I highly recommend this birth control, but remember: give it at least a month!"

• Kai...
• April 12, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on this birth control since I was 16 years old (I'm now 27). I have never had any problems with it. When I first started taking it, my boobs grew by 2 cup sizes in a short period of time, but that could have been coincidence. I very rarely have acne, and I haven't experienced any mood swings or loss in libido. I do occasionally have breakthrough bleeding, but that's to be expected with any kind of hormonal birth control."

• 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."

• Lin...
• June 25, 2014

For Birth Control "My experience on Zarah was absolutely horrible. At first, things were good. I never carried water weight, and my periods lightened up. All of a sudden, in these last couple of months, my body has been going haywire on it. Everybody swears I could be pregnant, but I'm not. I have gained 20 lbs, even though I watch my diet and stay active. My acne has not cleared up, I spot 2-3 times a week, crave spicy foods a lot, sweets make me nauseous, and I stay with headaches and constant mood swings. My OB-GYN switched me back to Safyral because I was never bloated and, in fact, lost all my excess weight. The only side effect I had was that my periods were a bit heavy the first 2 days. So my OB-GYN tried me on Zarah. I would much rather deal with heavy periods."

• Cam...
• May 16, 2015

For Birth Control "I am 21, very fit and active. Although I've had two kids, I only weigh about 140, and I work out daily (4-5 days a week). I walk 3.5 miles a day and go to the gym. I began taking Zarah in hopes that it wouldn't cause weight gain, however, I have gained 5 lbs in the first week. Not to mention I cannot lose the weight no matter how hard I try! Keep in mind I also diet. I have retained so much fluid, and this medicine caused crazy mood swings and irritability. I also bled when I wasn't on my period. I stopped using Zarah about a week ago... I've lost those 5 lbs, no more mood swings, and I feel much better."

• Mad...
• December 1, 2016

For Birth Control "I'm not one to typically give reviews, but after my experience on Zarah, I decided I'd like to. The only nice thing about Zarah was yes, it may have helped prevent pregnancy. Yes, it may have made my breasts grow, BUT some of the negatives outweigh the positives. While on Zarah, I had uncontrollable mood swings and depression. I reached a point where I was the lowest of low. That's when I realized that the Zarah pill is what made me go 'psycho'. Just personally, I'd never recommend it to anyone."

• Lis...
• March 18, 2014

For Birth Control "The pharmacy made an error last month, accidentally giving me Zarah vs. my regular Vestura. I don't know what it is about this pill, but my body went haywire -- mood swings, swollen tender breasts, a few lbs. weight gain (even though I am on a strict 1500 diet that didn't change), fatigue, sensory changes (smell/taste). My partner and I were both convinced I was pregnant until my period finally came! On the plus side -- my skin looks amazing and no spotting like I get on Vestura... but these side effects are too much!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 27, 2018

For Birth Control "Was on this pill for 8 years, slowly began to notice my weight increasing. My diet was nearly perfect, and I was working out 5 times a week, not seeing any results. I didn’t know what the issue was, so I decided to stop taking the pill. Within weeks of stopping this pill, my weight decreased by 10 lbs, and I was way less emotional. Now trying to find an effective method of birth control without the terrible side effects."

• emi...
• August 30, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been taking Zarah for 7 months. It's the only birth control I've ever taken (I'm 17). Last fall, I broke out in some of the worst acne I've ever experienced. I had deep-rooted cystic acne all over my chin and jaw (area known for hormonal breakouts). I started taking it at the end of February, and by mid-April, my skin was clear, flawless for the first time in my life. That aside, the week before my period (peach pills), I become moody and emotional and cry extremely easily, which has never happened before and is very annoying. My cramps are more intense, and my period is heavier and lasts longer (went from ~4 days to ~7 days). I haven't noticed a weight difference, but my boobs have grown about a cup size. It's a mixed bag for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2015

For Birth Control "I never take time out of my day to write reviews on products, however, I felt it was necessary for this. Overall, I am extremely unhappy with Zarah. I am not sexually active, therefore, I took it more for my acne. Before Zarah, I was on Ocella, which I loved but had to switch due to location purposes. Ocella cleared my face up and did not give me any mood swings. However, once I started Zarah, I broke out so bad on my chin and forehead. It's been about three weeks since I stopped, and I am still suffering from acne. If you are taking this pill merely just for acne, do not do it. I also got awful mood swings. I do not advise."

• Jen...
• May 23, 2017

For Birth Control "Love this birth control. I was on Ocella before and had to switch due to the pharmacy not carrying Ocella. My skin is clear, with no crazy mood swings and no weight gain. My period is still 5 days, the first two days are horrible. The cramping is the same, but I don't get PMS. This birth control is great if you are battling acne and PMS. It's totally effective. I have only been on it for 4 months, and I love it."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2017

For Birth Control "I just started my 2nd month of Zarah. I switched to this one because my previous BC was causing spotting. This is by far the worst birth control I've ever taken. I've been having severe mood swings and crying spells, which never happened before. I cannot take it anymore."

• Ade...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2016

For Birth Control "Worst experience of an entire 4 weeks! This was the first time I took an oral contraceptive, and I regret it. I've had terrible mood swings. One minute I'm fine, then the next I'm arguing and angry with everyone and everything. I've also gained weight. Sex life hasn't been disrupted, however, being deeply depressed ruins it anyways. I'm usually happy and alert, however, on Zarah, I've been tired and sleepy. Can't wait to finally stop this and try another brand."

• zft...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 12, 2019

For Acne "I've been on this form of birth control for a couple of years now. It didn't completely clear up my acne but definitely helped - I haven't gotten another cystic acne spot since I started. The first week I started the pills, I got depressive thoughts and mood swings, but by the second week they were over, and I haven't had any further issues."

• Gia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2014

For Birth Control "Zarah has been okay. I first started on the pill about 5 months ago, and it helped a little with my cramps that were horrible before I started the pill. However, I noticed some weight gain and realized that I have horrible mood swings. My period isn't much lighter than before, and my period doesn't come until a few days after I start taking the sugar pills. It definitely decreased my sex drive a lot, and I started getting a lot of discharge every day."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2016

For Birth Control "This is the first birth control I've been on, I mostly used it for acne at first. For the first month, it was fine. Then, after that, I started getting nauseous a few hours after taking the pill. Then, the third month, I would get really nauseous that I would almost throw up, and this was happening a few days a week, and I missed too much school, so I finally stopped taking it. But besides being super nauseous all the time, I had mood swings, it did nothing for my acne, bad cramps, and anxiety. The only good thing was that it regulated my period."

• Fat...
• September 7, 2016

For Birth Control "I usually use Ocella (been using for 4 years) and switched to Zarah for my vacation because the pharmacy was out, but wow, it triggered huge mood swings and a deep depression the 2nd week in. By the 3rd week, I was crying every morning and feeling in a slump for hours on end. It was sporadic, like on and off, sometimes I'd feel fine, and then I'd feel horrible again in a few hours. Yikes."

• Viv...
• January 6, 2017

For Birth Control "Was originally on TriNessa and hated it; Tri made me extremely emotional, and I started breaking out in cysts. Been on Zarah for a little over a month, and all of my cysts are gone. My old acne scars are clearing up, and my emotions are very stable now. Zarah's packaging is cute (as if that matters, lol), and it's super easy to use. Although everyone reacts differently, Zarah was perfect for me, and I recommend it to everyone."

• Sky...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2019

For Acne "I use Zarah mainly for acne and regulation of my period. I'm with a woman, so I don't need to worry about pregnancy! It's cleared my acne up pretty well, but I have had dizzy spells and mood swings. I just started the second month, so we'll see!"

• Mar...
• June 9, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on Zarah for about 2 weeks now. My doctor switched me to Zarah after my last birth control (the generic form of Yaz) gave me bad spotting. So far, I've had no problems with Zarah. No spotting, cramps, weight gain, or emotional changes. My skin is clear and I'm no longer constantly in pain like I was before I started Zarah. I'm so happy my doctor had me change birth control pills."

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2015

For Birth Control "I'm 25 and am basically taking birth control for acne. I have tried many different pills, but this was my least favorite, I took it for 2 months. I am small-framed, about 98 lbs and 5'. I feel this was too much hormone for my small body. The first month, I was getting anxiety around my period time, crying spells, very crampy, a heavy flow, and mood swings (my poor boyfriend). This has never happened with any pill I've taken, the anxiousness scared me. I gave it another month and not really much of a change. My acne did not clear up at all! No weight gain, and sex drive was great. Overall, not for me. I switched to Monessa a few weeks ago, a much lower dose BC pill, and so far, so good! Everyone's different, good luck!"