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What's the Deal With: Yaz Birth Control

Wed, 09/26/2007 - 8:11am by DearSugar
17,491 Views - 47 comments

I'm sure you all can relate to the annoying and uncomfortable symptoms of PMS - it's just part of being a woman. For most women, PMS is manageable, but if you're having symptoms that are so severe that they affect your daily activities, your work, or your relationships, then your PMS may actually be PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).

Symptoms of PMDD include sadness and crying, feeling nervous or anxious, strong cravings for certain foods, breast tenderness, headaches, joint or muscle pain, bloating, and trouble sleeping. That's where YAZ comes in. It's the only birth control proven to treat these emotional and physical premenstrual symptoms.


Although this video is a bit cheesy, here's what Yaz is all about. Want to hear more? Then read more

Like all birth control pills, Yaz is also 99% effective at preventing pregnancy and it can give you shorter, lighter periods. It can also help keep your skin clear — 9 out of 10 women who took Yaz saw improvement in their moderate acne.

If you have unbearable symptoms about a week or two before your period, you very well might be suffering from PMDD so if you are into taking hormonal birth control pills, Yaz could be the answer.

Dear's Advice: Remember that birth control pills don't protect against STIs, so if you are on the pill, make sure you and your partner get tested before you get it on.


47 Comments Add a Comment

  • juliemyjewel's picture
    juliemyjewel
    1

    Yaz and Yasmin are the worst! They made me gain weight, get acne, and go crazy! Beware!

    1 year 8 weeks ago Report Comment
  • lolalu's picture
    lolalu
    2

    Used to use ortho tri-cyclen and I'm on Yaz now and i love it. Lost weight but my boobs got bigger ; ) , skin is flawless, i haven't had crazy pms symptoms since i've been on it, but best off all periods for me last 2, 3 days tops! This pill does wonders! But my gyno said that the pill is like a shoes, sometimes you have to try one lots of different ones until you find the perfect fit.

    1 year 8 weeks ago Report Comment
  • mrsgrillo's picture
    mrsgrillo
    3

    yaz has probably helped my relationship with my hsuband. I would get terrible PMS and was really mean and just unpleasant to be around. Now, I do not suffer as badly, nor does he. I have some issues with my period (its much longer and i have some spotting for a week and a half after) but the help with the PMS was the best. I feel like a new person, which is corny, but still...

    1 year 8 weeks ago Report Comment
  • timberlake_box_lover's picture
    timberlake_box_lover
    4

    I had the same scenario as lolalu. I stopped taking Yasmin because I just hated taking a pill every day. But I think I may go back on it...PMS really takes over my whole being..

    1 year 8 weeks ago Report Comment
  • cravinsugar's picture
    cravinsugar
    5

    Are YAZ and Yasmin the same thing? I am on Yasmin and I still get emotional, angry, crampy, etc. And i have gained weight but pretty sure it is my fault and not the BCs...

    1 year 8 weeks ago Report Comment
  • facin8me's picture
    facin8me
    6

    I've been on Yasmin for the last year or so and I love it. It helped my skin clear up and definitely lightened up my flow. Of course, everybody is different, but I would give this pill a chance- especially if you have problem skin. Yaz and Yasmin contain a different kind of progesterone that works as an antiandrogen better than the progesterone compounds found in other birth control pills.

    Yaz and Yasmin are the same pill, except that Yasmin has 21 active pills with 7 sugar pills and Yaz and 24 active pills with 4 sugar pills. In theory, your period should be lighter and your PMS better controlled with the additional active pills that you receive with Yaz.

    1 year 8 weeks ago Report Comment
  • fashionhore's picture
    fashionhore
    8

    I really want to try Yaz because as of recently I have been getting horrible symptoms almost 2 weeks in advance. Not fun!

    I have to wait until Feb. for my next yearly though. Does anyone know if I can call my Dr. and have her switch my perscription?

    1 year 8 weeks ago Report Comment
  • lily314's picture
    lily314
    9

    Why not? It couldn't hurt you to call your doctor if you want to; you won't be any worse off. And there's no reason to wait for your annual exam if the symptoms are horrible now.

    1 year 8 weeks ago Report Comment
  • stbhms4243's picture
    stbhms4243
    10

    I hated Yasmin. I was on it for one month before I called my doc to switch me to something else. It would give me the most awful headaches and I was nauseous all the time. As soon as I switched to my current pill (Microgestin), I instantly felt better.

    1 year 8 weeks ago Report Comment
  • cravinsugar's picture
    cravinsugar
    11

    hey stbhms...I was sick the first month as well, but my doc said if i could just hang in there it would go away, and it did!

    And facin8me, Thanks for the clear up. I am on Yasmin, and while my skin has never been a problem, I do have a much lighter flow and I LOVE it!

    1 year 8 weeks ago Report Comment
  • bluebird's picture
    bluebird
    12

    i'm currently on Yasmin, and it's wonderful! i did feel a bit sickish for the first month i was on it, but nothing too horrible.

    1 year 8 weeks ago Report Comment
  • notoriuskitty's picture
    notoriuskitty
    14

    I just switched to Yaz a few months ago and i love it! i used to get so b*tchy and have the worst cramps and bleed for a whole week! my periods are down to three days with way weaker cramps and I'm not irritated and b*tchy before that horrible time of the month!

    1 year 8 weeks ago Report Comment
  • herjoiedevivre's picture
    herjoiedevivre
    15

    I was on yasmin, and while it cleared up my skin PERFECTLY and gave my chest a little boost (lol), my PMS got WORSE. as if that could even be possible...my boyfriend could pinpoint the EXACT TIME when I had 3 pills left, because that's when I would have MAJOR mood swings. I actually met him while on yasmin and was dating him for about a year and a half when I switched off of it and he was amazed that it wasn't actually my personality!

    I have mild-to-moderate acne though, so my dermatologist recommended yaz. it has a less abrupt hormonal drop-off because of the larger amount of pills that aren't sugar pills.....so far it seems to be doing oookay with acne, but it's great for periods (no cramps!) and my ppmd is totally gone. Smiling love it!

    1 year 8 weeks ago Report Comment
  • mj3nks's picture
    mj3nks
    16

    i was on yasmin which worked great except that my skin was starting to get hyper pigmentation. . .called "melasma". now i am on yaz because it has a lower dose of estrogen than yasmin which should slow down the sun spots. both pills have gotten rid of all period cramps and cleared up my acne!

    1 year 8 weeks ago Report Comment
  • MrsJigglesworth's picture
    MrsJigglesworth
    17

    I had to get off Yasmin. It tremendously raised my blood pressure and heart rate. Microgestin works well w/ me.

    1 year 8 weeks ago Report Comment
  • Deanern's picture
    Deanern
    18

    Wow.. I am so relieved after reading these comments because I get SUCH horrible mood swings before my period. It has really been damaging my relationship with my boyfriend.. and I feel like it takes over my whole life. I get so depressed, cry a lot, and literally act CRAZY. Like a psycho. Last month I thought I really snapped. I was on Yasmin last year for 2 months but it made me bloated. When I went off, my hair started falling out, so now I'm SO scared to go on another pill. My doctor recommended Yaz since its a lower dose, but I'm still scared of being bloated. It really makes me feel so unattractive and ruins my mood, even though BC helped my mood swings in the past. My boyfriend wants me to go on the pill too, but I'm just so scared after that horrible experience!.. Did any of you go on the pill and get bloated, but then did those symptoms subside after a few months? My doctor said that sometimes it takes a few months for things to even out and the bloated stops. I'm just too afraid to try!

    1 year 7 weeks ago Report Comment
  • rlveronica's picture
    rlveronica
    19

    I just switched to Yaz and am loving it. My skin's clearer and I don't get as many PMDD symptoms... I'm not diagnosed with it, but my boyfriend noticed a significant change after using birth control. I went from Ortho Evra to Ortho Tricylen to Yasmin and now Yaz. Smiling

    1 year 7 weeks ago Report Comment
  • aveella's picture
    aveella
    20

    Since taking Yaz my skin has cleared, my moods have leveled and I am all around happier throughout the month. I definitely didn't seem to get any of the negative side effects that some mention. I had tried Levlen, Alesse and going off the pill entirely to see what would help my PMDD and so far Yaz is the answer.

    1 year 7 weeks ago Report Comment
  • ThePerfectScore's picture
    ThePerfectScore
    21

    I take Yasmin and I love it... I haven't gained weight and I think my boobs did get a little bigger....my periods are a little better, but Idk if my skin is any better, but I've always had clear skin....

    1 year 7 weeks ago Report Comment
  • graylen's picture
    graylen
    22

    I just started Yaz a week ago and have been horribly nauseous every single day, from the time I get up to the time I go to sleep. It's been awful.

    1 year 7 weeks ago Report Comment
  • psychotic_virus's picture
    psychotic_virus
    23

    I've been on Yaz for about a month. I am on my third sugar pill and I still didn't get period. I am not pregnant. Besides that the pill is good so far. I am not in such a bad mood now. So my bf is happy too.

    1 year 4 weeks ago Report Comment
  • Static Chemisty's picture
    Static Chemisty
    24

    Yasmin didn't work for me. But I have a problem were smetimes my period lasts alot longer then it should and comes randomly. One point my period lasted a month and thats when we finally decided to go to the doc. I was only 14..so I was scared like f*ck. But everyone is different so..

    1 year 4 weeks ago Report Comment
  • mcreverie's picture
    mcreverie
    25

    When i first started Yaz, my body had a hard time adjusting and I had crazy mood swings for about 2 months. Afterwards though, everything went back to normal and I don't see any current benefits or drawbacks ... except my boobs got a LITTLE bigger w/o any other weight gain =p

    1 year 4 weeks ago Report Comment
  • dolcezza's picture
    dolcezza
    26

    Well I am all for pills that lessen the severity of PMS symptoms. I take a bc pill to help prevent pregnancy and to help with PMS symptoms. But I am in no way a proponent of a pill that completely stops a womans monthly menstruation for any extended amount of time like 3, 4 or 6 months. Females have a monthly menstruation for a reason. We need our menstruation. Granted, not in such a severe way that our daily lives become unbearable but still we need them.

    1 year 4 weeks ago Report Comment
  • Crowford's picture
    Crowford
    27

    I was hesitant to go on birth control pills initially but as my PMS getting worse and unbearable sometimes, I had to find out some ways to get some relief. On my best friend's advice, I decided to go for oral contraceptive pills and after a long discussion, I chose YAZ (as also prescribed by my doctor). I got my first pack of yaz birth control pills from http://www.mybirthcontrolstore.com/ and I got them in three days!

    Well, my experience with YAZ is pretty good so far. I have been on Yaz for past four months and haven't experience any noticeable symptoms or side effects like generally women experience with birth control. Though I had headache, nausea initially but those were cured within few days. I found very much relief with PMS like severe cramps. Now, I'm having lighter and shorter period and the best thing is that I'm having regular now! I do not feel much difference in weights but yes, I got a bit bigger boobs and I'm glad to see them!

    1 year 23 hours ago Report Comment
  • Bottlecap photos's picture
    Bottlecap photos
    28

    So what you've all said is making me think that maybe i should just wait it out and see if Yaz will start to work better for me... so far [i think] its making my acne around my chin and nose alot worse, and more painful. i didnt used to ever have any there! it may be reacting with my migrane medicine, but my doctor said that wouldnt happen. i've also been getting really wierd spotting almost everyday since the begining of the month and my boobs hurt really bad! i dont know wether or not to try a different pill though, because i love being thin and dont want to gain weight...

    36 weeks 1 day ago Report Comment
  • angelninny's picture
    angelninny
    29

    I just recently started using yaz--it's been a couple of weeks and lately i've been having discharge. I know it says that it could be a possible side effect but no one on here mentioned if they had that problem. I'm just wondering if anything like this has happened to anyone here..

    34 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • tlpz's picture
    tlpz
    30

    Hello. I thought I'd contribute to a message board since they have always seemed to help me when I needed answers. Anyway, I have been on Yaz for 3 weeks now and my face is almost completely clear. I have been seeing a dermatologist for the past year or so because for the past 2 years I have had terrible acne (i.e. on my face, chest and back). I never had a problem in my teens or twenties other than a few pimples here and there. But the past 2 years or so have been so terrible for me. I am 34 now. As everyone knows, it's not a happy experience having acne. The dermatologist was about to put me on Accutane. But the Yaz has kicked in right away. I have tried 2 other birth control pills in the past (1 month each) and they made my acne worse (Ortho Tri Cyclen Lo & Alesse). But it is as everyone has said that everyone is different. Since this is my first month on Yaz I did have a longer period and some spotting. But I have read that it does take about 3 months for your body to adjust. I'd rather have clear skin and deal with spotting than be where I was before. Good luck to everyone.

    34 weeks 3 days ago Report Comment
  • bayleyray's picture
    bayleyray
    31

    I just switched to YAZ from Loestrin 24 because Loestrin was giving me painful, cystic acne on my jaw line and chin that I never used to have before. I have had moderate acne since I was 12 and am currently 18, the only reason I decided to try birth control was for the complexion benefits. I was on Loestrin for a little more than a month and couldnt handle the very painful acne so my gyno switched me to YAZ. The painful cystic acne has not gone away. It has only been a week and a half but I am wondering if YAZ just doesnt work for some people. Are there any similar cases? How long did it take for results? Is cystic acne a short term side effect of YAZ? I am desperate for clear skin, nothing works. Supposedly, it's hormonal. Just looking for some encouragement!! I want to stick it out!

    22 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • krislue's picture
    krislue
    32

    For baleyray,

    I encourage you to continue with YAZ. It has helped with my cystic acne on my chin. I am 26, and I never broke out this bad before, not even in my teens! The acne was very painful physically and emotionally. YAZ was referred to me by my nutritionist, and shortly after I asked my gynaocologist to remove the IUD and prescribe me YAZ. I have now been on it for 3 weeks and 2 days. I can honestly say all the cystic acne has dramatically cleared! So stick with it don't give up, you soon will see results.

    Some other advice I can give you, if the YAZ does not work for you, see your dermatologist, or even your primary physician and ask about Tetracycline 500 mg and Ery 2% pads that will clear up acne.

    18 weeks 5 days ago Report Comment
  • Andreanicole86's picture
    Andreanicole86
    33

    Has anyone else had sexual side effects with yasmine? I have like no sex drive and I'm completly dry down there. Its gotten worse the longer I've been on it. Does anyone know a better birth control pill that doesn't effect the sex drive so much? I'm only 22 I'm considering just getting off of it and just use a condom like we already do too.

    17 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • Nickolette's picture
    Nickolette
    34

    Ive been on Yaz for a little over a week. My already moderate acne has gotten a little bit worse and so has my PMDD symptoms. How long should I stick it out for? I would die for clear skin and happy thoughts.

    7 weeks 2 days ago Report Comment
  • chelseaaa's picture
    chelseaaa
    35

    I have been on YAZ for almost a month and a half. I never had acne problems untill I reached my junior year of high school. I am not a freshman in college. it always seemed to get worse during the summer and clar up during the school year. I tried Ortho tricyclen last summer but made my acne way worse the it was. so I was really scared to try YAZ. anyways, about the discharge question above me, I seem to have more discharge since yaz also. headaches and nausea suring the first 2 weeks but that went away. my acne is still pretty bad and I can't really take it anymore. I wash twice a day with purpose face soap and use clearasil every other night. I'm wondering how long it'll take before my acne gets better. it's not cystic or anything. its very little bumps all over my forehead and a couple on my cheeks and chin. help?

    6 weeks 3 days ago Report Comment
  • chelseaaa's picture
    chelseaaa
    36

    ^^^^ I mean I am NOW a freshman in college, not I am not lol sorry!

    6 weeks 3 days ago Report Comment
  • littlemoon423's picture
    littlemoon423
    37

    Hellow everyone. I've been reading some of your comments about YAZ. Let me tell you about my experience. I was on YAZ for almost a year. I thought it was great, no weight gain, no blemish problems, no mood swings. There was one problem that at the time I did not think was YAZ related. I had what I and my doctor thought to be reoccuring bacterial vaginosis. I had a continuous brownish colored discharge that seemed to never go away. Every month I was at the doctors office and prescribed either pills or cream to treat it. Later I wondered if it could be the birthcontrol and came off. I went on the Nuva Ring and had no more problems. You do get a discharge with Nuva Ring but it is clear or white which is what normal discharge should be. I read many websites and found that most lo-estrogen hormone level birth control pills cause you to have break through bleeding that change your PH levels in your vagina. Just so you know I also had the same problem on Seasonal which is also a Lo-estrogen level hormone birth control pill. Just FYI. Also I'm going to switch off of NuvaRing does anyone know a good birth control pill to switch to? I'm having problems choosing.

    5 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment
  • bnicole81's picture
    bnicole81
    38

    I have never been on a birth control before but my Gyno has always said I needed to be to prevent pregnancy, one thing is I am not very sexual active and have never been cause of my schedule being so crazy all the time with work and my son. I do have a 2 year old and I am a single mom. This time when I went for my yearly, I talked with the Gyno about putting me on YAZ for my acne. I have been suffering from mild/moderate acne for the last 2 years ( since having my son) and I hate it so seeing the Yaz commercial I decided to try it. My Gyno kept trying to get me to try Ortho Lo but I was stuck on trying YAZ. I have no side affects on yaz what so ever but my acne is going crazy. Never before have I had cystic acne all over my chin and now I do. Another reason I wanted on BC was for my back acne and I have noticed it not being as bad but the cystic acne on my face hurts and everyday there are 2 to 3 new ones. I just finished up my first month on Yaz and tonight I am suppose to start the new pack, not sure what to do now. Should I stick it out or try the Ortho Lo that they gave me?

    5 weeks 9 hours ago Report Comment
  • bayleyray's picture
    bayleyray
    39

    The first few months on YAZ were hard for my acne, it got worse and i got cystic acne that i had never had before. i have now been on YAZ for approx 6 months, and after the first 3, i have been seeing a steady change in my face. its slow, but it has been working for me! having acne since i was 12, and i am now 18, i am elated that i can finally see progress!

    stick with it i think. when i first tried Loestrin 24, my acne became painful and huge so it really just depends on your body. i would say if its still getting worse after the 2nd full cycle then switch, but it helps 90% of people! it's just not an overnight process. dont get discouraged ok! it takes time!

    5 weeks 2 hours ago Report Comment
  • chelseaaa's picture
    chelseaaa
    40

    you said 2nd full cycle? but I thought it didn't start working untill the 3rd cycle? i'm gonna stick with it for a few more months. I've noticed a very slight decrease either in size/amount. my acne is the little bumpy kind so I guess it's tolerable for a little while longer. as long as it clears up for good with yaz!

    4 weeks 1 hour ago Report Comment
  • chelseaaa's picture
    chelseaaa
    41

    and also, I forgot this in my last post, if it works for 90% of the people, do you have any idea a percentage of those that it gets worse before it gets better for?

    4 weeks 1 hour ago Report Comment
  • Lexilu's picture
    Lexilu
    42

    I have been on YAZ for about two months now and I am experiencing horrible cystic acne all over my jaw line and chin mainly. They are painful! I haven't had these since I stopped Accutane over 4 years ago, but I have always dealt with at least moderate acne. These cysts are almost disfiguring and I am concerned that it is YAZ. I have tried almost every other birth control there is and I like YAZ because it doesn't give me bad migraines like all of the other birth controls do-but I hate the acne! I am going to talk to my doctor about it today.

    1 week 2 days ago Report Comment
  • Chicagoanni's picture
    Chicagoanni
    43

    I'm glad I found this little conversation. I just started Yaz myself, about two weeks ago. I'm 28 and have been