Pmdd symptoms and conditions

I've been taking Yaz for about 2 years now. I didn't notice any symptoms right away. In fact, I loved it in the beginning. It calmed my PMDD tremendously. I loved the fact that the mood swings I had been having were much improved. There was some breast tenderness but no big deal.
My symptoms have gotten increasingly worse over the past 6 months. Horrible headaches on an almost daily basis. Nausea 4-5 times per week. Extreme anxiety and panic attacks. Depression and suicidal thoughts. I constantly crave food...not necessarily that I'm hungry but I always want to eat. I have gained 20-25 pounds. I weigh more now than I ever have in my whole life!! Shortness of breath. Chest pains. No energy. It is killing my relationship with my fiance. We USED to have a healthy, active sex life. My libido has diminished to the point of being (basically) nonexistent. When we do have sex, it is extremely painful. Instead of enjoying it, I can't wait for it to be over. Of course, this is due to the fact that, as many other women on this site have stated, it blocks or binds free testosterone. I guess killing the desire to have sex in the first place is one way of avoiding pregnancy.
I recognize that there are side effects with any medication. But this pill creates\d some serious quality of life issues FOR ME. After reading this site and realizing ALL the uncomfortable symptoms I've been experiencing over the last 6 months are related to this (expensive) little pink pill, I threw the pack away. I'm not going to tell anyone else what to do b/c, hey, some women out there may have no probs with it.

I just posted a side effect on the Yaz page. I know all birth control pills are different for everyone but for the most part I had a lot of success on Yasmin. I was on Ortho Tricyclin for about 2 years in my early 20's and started having severe abdominal pain and severe bloating (all over my body). After several tests (blood work, CT scan, ultrasound, etc.) came back normal, I asked my ob/gyn to switch me to another type of birth control b/c I really didn't feel like myself and when your Mom says "You look like a zombie" then you know something is wrong. He gave me a prescription for Yasmin and I had immediate abdominal/bloating relief and felt normal again. I took Yasmin for 6 years and my only complaint is that I got PMDD the last 6 months I took it. I wasn't sure if it had something to do w/ turning 30 or just being on Yasmin for that long or a combination. I saw a commercial for Yaz and asked my ob/gyn if I could try it. The PMDD went away after the second month on Yaz but next week I'm going to try Yasmin again due to side effects I developed on Yaz (no energy, tired all the time, not feeling alert, feeling depressed). I'm crossing my fingers that Yasmin help me feel normal again and not bring back the PMDD.

I'm also glad I found this site. I have been on Yaz for nine months for PMDD. I totally thought I was losing my mind. I can't seem to keep focused on one thought at a time, I have had diarrhea since probably about three months into it. Gained weight, sleep problems, anxiety but worst of all my HAIR IS FALLING OUT in clumps. I have super thick hair and now it is so thin that you can see through it and it is getting worse with time. My hairdresser said I have lost 40 percent of my hair. I finally put two and two together and figured out it is the Yaz. I am on no other medications and am going to the doctor tomorrow. I was so scared about my hair. I just hope it grows back soon. I would rather be crazy than bald. I have been on other BC before without any problems. This stuff is too much to handle. Thank you for opening my eyes

I switched to Yaz after searching for help with my PMDD, I asked my doctor about it, because of the commercials I had seen stating it would help severe pre-menstrual disorder, instead I have spent the past month with the same severe symptoms that I was trying to get rid of, but worse I was having them every day; and it was not even close to the time I was supposed to start my period.

The worse side effect was I was down right mean!!! To my boyfriend, my kids, and anyone who would get in my way. Completely irrational, did not care about anyone's feelings but my own.I was saying mean horrible things about the people I love, and thought they were all out to get me. I lost interest in my job, which I love! I have also gained 5 pounds since i started it, and have had diarrhea, and severe heart burn. And I have only been on it for a month and a half. I quit taking it two days ago, and hopefully I will get back to myself again.

I switched to Yasmin after searching for help with my severe PMDD, I asked my doctor about it, because of the commercials I had seen stating it would help severe pre-menstrual disorder, instead I have spent the past month with the same severe symptoms that I was trying to get rid of, but worse I was having them every day; and it was not even close to the time I was supposed to start my period.

The worse side effect was I was down right mean!!! To my boyfriend, my kids, and anyone who would get in my way. Completely irrational, did not care about anyone's feelings but my own. I have also gained 5 pounds since i started it, and have had diarrhea, and severe heart burn. And I have only been on it for a month and a half.

I've heard nothing but good things about Yaz. The commercials make it look like a DREAM drug......one I truly needed. I'm 34 and getting married for the second time. My PMDD has become horrible. I started YAZ 7 days ago because I didn't want to be on my period for my honeymoon but mostly because I wanted to be a normal woman. I have 1 good week out of the month. I'm so tired of the mood swings and everything that is associated with PMS/PMDD. Well after day one I was horribly nauseated just like I was when I was pregnant. That has been daily. My stomach felt very"anxious" like I was nervous all the time and that is NOT me at all. It never dawned on me it could be the YAZ I thought it was nerves because of the upcoming wedding. I felt depression that I hadn't felt in a while since getting engaged. And it was almost a "hopelessness". Last night when I was driving home from work, day 6, I started coughing for no reason. I haven't been sick at all. It was like I couldn't quit. My left chest area was on fire and radiated to my back. I finally started thinking what in the world could this be so I got online and researched side effects of Yaz and boy am I glad I did. It blows my mind at the poor women who have either suffered threw a blood clot, or have died from it and ALL the other side effects I see on here that are just like mine. I'm so glad that I found this because today the Yaz went in the garbage. I refuse to take it anymore. I was worried all night I had a blood clot in my lung that I could barely sleep. I don't think anyone is aware of these problems associated with this medication. I hope they recall it soon!

I took YAZ for 2 weeks and for the first week i felt kind a drunk and experienced mood swings,crying ,fatigue,dizziness,migraines.intense anxiety,panic attacks and depression and severe Acne on my face and back. I decided to get off Yaz 3 days ago. I am still experiencing many of these symptoms,and yesterday while shopping I got really panicky and turned pail and dizzy thought i was going to pass out :( that sick feeling to my stomach.Today I got my period 1 week early. I used this drug in hopes to help my PMDD,but instead it magnified everything i had 10x worse. Im confused??? I called the doctor and she said you aren't even supposed to start getting symptoms of side effects for three months of being on the pill??

Hi,

I've been taking YAZ for 2 1/2 weeks. First I should tell you that I suffer from PMDD and I wanted to give this a try. I would eat none stop...bad stuff like donuts and fried foods and I was just very touchy and angry for no reason with no energy. I know it's still early but I did have the extreme fatigue, sharp painful headaches, blurred vision, muscle aches the first couple of weeks but yesterday and today I feel GREAT! To early yet to notice if my moods will continue to improve or not be so drastic before I start my period but this is exactly the time that I would start being a monster before...I did feel a little sad during the first couple of weeks but that has gone away! I'm happy except I have noticed some hair loss just in the last couple of days. I hope this is temporary until my body adjusts to the medication because if you suffer from PMDD you will know that the minor initial side effects are definatley worth it (except I would rather have my hair and be mean) lol...we will see. I hope this helps...Sex drive is fine so far...Please write something regarding hair loss if you have been taking it longer and yours stopped after awhile. I don't wanna lose too much. Take care! God Bless Women...We have to be strong and we are!

I would become a complete wreck two weeks before my period. I started noticing that it would become worse and worse as i reached 27.. I would not be able to concentrate i would feel that the world was coming to an end, i hated everyone , i took time off of work to sleep in, i hated myself. This was two weeks before my period. the other two weeks I was a happy goal oriented positive person.
I contacted my aunt whos a premed student and asked her what was wrong with me. I knew it wasn't PMS because my symptoms were so overpowering. She told me that I probably had PMDD and to take YAZ (birth control) .
Its my third month on it and I can not begin to tell you how happy i am she recommended this pill to me. Only side effects I ve had have been a little bloating and back pain... all worth having my sanity back.

HI! I posted on 8/18 and let me tell you this has been the worst week of my life. My antidepressant did not work for my PMDD and I was waay crazy, my husband was about to admit me into the stress center. I called my doc to have the IUD removed after reading your posts and they said my symptoms were not mirena side effects and actually made me feel bad about making the decision to have it inserted! saying I must have really forced the doctor into giving it to me. I was supposed to have an appt to check for PID and infection but I went to my reg doc and got an appt for a tubal, cuz I am not going through this anymore. I'm not bleeding during my period, but I have terrible side pain. THis site really saved me!! Thanks

I'm so glad I found this site. I've had my Mirena for only 5 months, but since then I've had horrible depression (very severe), hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, headaches, complete loss of any pleasure in anything, no sex drive AT ALL. I'm making an appointment on Monday to have this removed. I've been seeing a psychiatrist for a few months and being treated with antidepressants and Ativan for anxiety and Prozac for the week before my period for severe PMDD. I never had these issues before. Oh my God. I hope the Mirena is causing it. The idea that I could be 'normal' again is giving me so much hope.

Since my last post I have decided to stop taking Yaz! The majority of the side effects have faded, but the emotional rollercoaster is still very much active! It is killing my relationship and making my life a living hell. My poor family must think I have lost my mind! I started taking this medication to help my PMDD and it has done nothing but make things worse for me and my family. I want to thank everyone for being so open and being so honest, this has helped me beyond belief. I wish everyone good health!

HI, I just read all of your comments regarding Mirena and I cannot believe how exact your side effects are how I feel. I am on antidepressants for my PMDD, which I had prior to insertion and I gain 10 lbs per period. I cannot lose the last 10 lbs of baby 10/29/06 even though I road bike 3 to 4 times a week for 45 minutes a day.

I thought I was just getting old!

I had terrible pain and bleeding for the first 6 months and then things were good, but I have terrible pain during sex and terrible side pain.

Thanks! I think I am getting mine removed!

Hello, I am 27 and a mother of two. I have only used birth control pills a few times a few months on and off. My doctor said that she didn't want to give me an IUD, but she wanted me to take Yasmin, because of my tendency to be depressed. I was excited because I don't like taking anti depressants because of the sexual side effects. I really felt okay before I started taking the pill. My son was only two months old, and I was happy. After a while I started feeling really down, I was very tired, and I had horrible acne again. It didn't help my PMDD, I felt angrier and more unhappy the longer I took it. My joints hurt all over and I was getting these very painful headaches. I recently noticed that my hair was falling out. I also got a call from my doctor saying that I had an abnormal pap smear. I ran out of the pills two weeks ago, and I didn't get it refilled. I am feeling a lot better, my mood has improved, but the hair is still falling out, and I need more tests to clear up those bad results. Honestly, I would rather use condoms with my husband, than to feel so miserable on the pill. I have to take care of my children and my husband. I don't recommend Yasmin. It prevents pregnancy, (i think it works because no one would want to have sex with a girl who was a wrek because of it), but that is the only thing it claims to do that is right. I am also angry because my doctor doesn't seem to think that it is important to explain the risks of taking the pill.

I have been taking YAZ for 2 months and just picked my new pack up to start tomorrow but they are going in the trash! I started doing research tonight on YAZ for the first time searching for answers of what could be wrong with me! I have had an MRI checking for MS, blood work checking for Lyme Disease, along with many other tests to try to determine why I am experiencing NUMBNESS is my hands, arms, legs, feet and face, and mostly on the left side. After all the tests have come back negative, I have been left with confusion and sadness wondering what could be wrong. Then I looked at YAZ side effects tonight, and what a realization! I am so sorry for all the women like me that have been going through this. This drug is terrible and should not be on the market. I was just married on July 12th and the happiest time of my life has been covered with the dark cloud called YAZ. No wonder I have felt so sad and so crazy. I started taking YAZ because I wanted to be better for my husband and not make him have to put up with my PMDD. However, I have become someone other than myself, someone who is angry and sad for no reason. Thank goodness I have realized what has been wrong. Now I can get to the marriage I have waited for all my life! Please, if you are taking YAZ, stop, and if you are thinking of starting it, DON"T!

I am 39 and just stopped taking YAZ after being on it for only 1 month. My side effects include: hair loss, panic attacks, numbing in my arms and feet, depression, no energy, severe headaches and pain in my chest. I went to my internist and had a CT SCAN performed to make sure that I did not have any blood clots. My test came back clear. I am just amazed at how many of us are out there and experiencing the same things. We need to raise our concerns to the FDA for sure, since this drug seems to cause many more side effects than what it was prescribed for. For me, I was taking it to stave off my endometriosis. After this experience, I am going to go for a more holistic approach including acupuncture, since I have heard it does wonders for PMDD, Endo, and heavy periods. I wish everyone the best with their health.

I had terrible side effects with Yaz....I literally thought I had a deathly disease. It took 6 weeks to feel normal again. Get off of it if you are suspicious....there are other forms of birth control.

I was on yaz for about 8 months and loved it. I didn't break out at all and I even lost weight. It helped a lot with PMDD. I was very satisfied. Then, after my 4th month, I started experiencing long periods that lasted about 9 days and breakthrough bleeding that lasted all month. My GYN switched me to Loestrin 24 Fe. My period is now very light and about 4-5 days. My only complaint is that I have horrible acne! I have only been on Loestrin 24 Fe for a month and a half so I wonder if I should just wait it out and see if the acne improves. I am very pleased that my period is so short, but the acne looks terrible!!

I've been on the nuvaring for about a year now. I had been on the Nuvraring from November of 06 thru May of 07. When I broke up with my boyfriend, I stopped using it (giving my body a break) from May until August when I started seeing somebody seriously enough to consider having sex again. I love the ring because it just has to be inserted once a month (although I HATE the feeling I get taking it out...). My periods take almost 4 days to start once the ring is out and then it lasts for about 5 days. The cramps during the first day or two are almost unbearable, but the periods are light. SOOOO many pros and cons.

I have gained back the break up weight and then some. I was blaming it on being in the "comfy relationship" status where you eat out a lot and blah blah blah... my boyfriend and I started working out together and he was dropping pounds like it was his job and meanwhile I was working out with no results. I'm a solid 10lbs heavier than my normal "I'm not working out" weight. My breasts were always a full C now I'm a small D. The week before I take out my ring I'm ready to kill my boyfriend for not cleaning out the litter box or for leaving me dishes to wash when he's been home... normal things that I'd just make a comment about and move on become HUGE events (for example: eating my leftover burrito= WWIII).

I was on the pill (can't even remember the name) and spotted all the time. I found it hard to take it at the same time... and I spent more time not having sex because I was always bleeding. I'm only 24 so I won't use the "I'm not as young as I used to be" excuse.... I wish there was a way to prove it is the ring causing me to gain weight without having to stop using the ring,. I really don't feel like messing up my cycle only to find out I'm just chunky now-- nothing to do with the ring.

I am 35, and my doctor recently prescribed me Loestrin 24 Fe to regulate my periods. (I was bleeding/spotting for almost 2 weeks out of the month) and to help with my PMDD. Well, I just finished my 2nd week of pills, and let me tell you, I feel horrible. I'm bloated, have gained 3 lbs(I'm on Weight Watchers, plus exercise 4 times a week) , have insomnia (I've never had a problem sleeping) I am extremely moody (just ask my poor husband and kids) and have more pimples now than I did as a teenager. Since I"m not taking the pill as a form of birth control, (my husband has had a vasectomy), as of tomorrow, I am finished taking this pill. I would rather deal w/2 weeks of bleeding, than the the emotional/physical roller coaster I have been on for the past 2 weeks. Just my opinion..hope this helps someone!

It is so funny to read all of the negativity but nothing positive! I came here looking for side effects and get a bashing about how horrid Yasmin/Yaz is! Let me first start off by listing my side effects that I wanted to know about:

breast tenderness
change in appetite
tiredness
red spot in eye

Next, let me tell you that I researched BEFORE taking this medicine because 1. I have MS 2. I suffer from migraines and seizures and 3. I take a whole boat load of medications! My doc recommended Yasmin for PMDD coupled with Sarafem to help my mood right before and during my time of the month. I must say that I have only been on it for about 10 days so I do not know anything of how it works with my period.

I am APPALLED at the fact that there are few, if any, positive comments about this pill! I know for a FACT that it works because I know 7 people personally that are on it that have NO PROBLEMS! So, I ask you all that have negative comments, what is wrong with you, other than you HATE the pill? What OTHER meds were you on while taking it? I read a few comments about stopping for a month and then starting again and then wondering why they felt like crap?? Well HELLO?! You are effing with your body's hormones! And there is a difference between Yaz and Yasmin hormones. If you had a bad experience with Yaz, make sure you are not confusing it with Yasmin! Yaz is a 24 day hormone pill where Yasmin is only 21 days.

I am not a doctor, but like I said, I have done my research. I have suffered with adult acne and PMDD for years. It sucks. If Yasmin helps, I want to know. I don't want to read a bunch of bull about people who mess up their cycles by taking the pill and smoking or taking the pill with meds they shouldn't be taking them with. I know what I can and cannot take. Most of what I take is natural and what is not, well, it CAN be taken with Yasmin. Like the website for Yasmin says and like most of the informational, non-biased websites say, Yasmin and Yaz is not for everyone. Some people cannot handle this type of hormone.

I can guarantee you that some doctor or pharm company can tell you that whatever symptom you are having is from something completely unrelated to the BC you are taking. Warnings are clearly marked...read them and obey!

I don't have a side effect to report, but I have read all of your responses. Over all they are 95% negative. The only thing I am wondering, is WHY you chose Yaz to begin with.

I have been thinking about taking Yaz to help with my severe PMDD. If you don't know what that is, basically it's like the moodiness side of PMS times 10. I am euphorically happy normally, lol, kind of like how happy a cocker spaniel is when their family gets home... except I don't piddle on the floor. About 5 days before my period starts I go into a very deep depression, I bloat, I am irritable, and my entire life suffers. I cry (wail is more like it) for absolutely NO reason... blah blah blah. But once I am about 2 or 3 days into my cycle it all passes and I am back to chipper me.

Long story short, I heard Yaz is supposed to be amazing to help stabilize emotions in people like me. How many of you started Yaz just as birth control, or as an acne control? How many of you took it for PMDD and it STILL didn't help?

I don't have a side effect to report, but I have spent the past 3 hours reading all of your responses. Over all they are 95% negative. The only thing I am wondering, is WHY you chose Yasmin to begin with.

I have been thinking about taking Yaz to help with my severe PMDD. If you don't know what that is, basically it's like the moodiness side of PMS times 10. I am euphorically happy normally, lol, kind of like how happy a cocker spaniel is when their family gets home... except I don't piddle on the floor. About 5 days before my period starts I go into a very deep depression, I bloat, I am irritable, and my entire life suffers. I cry (wail is more like it) for absolutely NO reason... blah blah blah. But once I am about 2 or 3 days into my cycle it all passes and I am back to chipper me.

Long story short, I heard Yaz is supposed to be amazing to help stabilize people like me. How many of you started Yaz just as birth control, or as an acne control? How many of you took it for PMDD and it STILL didn't help?

I was put on Yaz (same as Yasmin but with a smaller estrogen dose) due to irregular periods and a presumed hormonal imbalance. That was in September '07. Four month later, on Jan 1, '08, I went to the ER with breathing difficulties, and weakness in my arms and legs. I had been having muscle cramps/ charley horses in my right calf, but that was the only other health problem I had experienced. I thought I was having an asthma attack. So did the ER - at first. After I did not respond to the breathing treatments, and I became completely out of breath and exhausted after walking across the hall to the restroom, the ER doc checked my D-Dimer level to see if I was at risk for blood clots. He said if it came back over 500, he would have to do further testing for clots. It came back 4500!! I was sent immediately down for a CT Scan which showed mulitple clots in both lungs, mostly small, but several of significant size. I was immediately put on oxygen and a heart monitor, and an IV drip of heparin was started. I was in the hospital for 4 days, had to learn to give myself shots of Lovenol in my stomach until my pill form of blood thinner had time to kick in. I am now taking Coumadin blood thinner every day until July, when my D-Dimer will be checked again. Depending on the results, I may come off the Coumadin, or I may have to commit to it for 3 years. However, I was tested for all the hereditary blood clotting disorders and all came back negative, so my doctor feels as though the cause has to be the YAZ! Everyone tells me I was very lucky and that I could have easily died, especially when I was just thinking I was having an asthma attack and put off going to the ER for a few days. If you are taking Yaz or Yasmin, and you begin to have difficulty breathing, any kind of leg cramps, weakness, or tightness in your chest (I had also been having severe heart burn) - go have yourself checked out!!!!!

I have just spent the last hour reading some of the post about Yaz. I have yet to read one that states she is diagnosed with PMDD and that is the reason for her dr. putting her on Yaz. Yaz is not only a birthcontrol pill but also effective tool in treading PMDD. PMDD is the more life effecting sever side effects of your menstral cycle. Some of the side effects people are experiencing on Yaz are those that I suffer with on a regular basis. You see I have been diagnosed with PMDD. I suffer every month for at least 7 - 10 days before my period starts. I literally hate human contact during this period. The slighest thing makes me uncontrollably irrate with things from fuzz on my carpet to the site of my husband. I experience svere road rage. Have absolutley no desire to do anything but eat and sleep. These side effects make life for everyone around me pure hell. Once my cycle starts they subside. I literally turn into cruella deville every month. I have been put on other antideppresants for the treatment of PMDD with no good results. I gladly welcome nasuea, headaches and break thru bleeding versus no sleep for days on end, halluctinations, memory loss, and flat affect all symptons I experienced on Prozac the most common treatment of PMDD. Not only do I suffer from PMDD but I have horrible horrible monthly periods consisting of major bledding with excessive clotting. I go thru 2 40ct. boxed of tampons each month and a box of maxi pads too. So if a headache is the price i have to pay for a few months I say bring it on. Any dr will tell you and the pamplet that comes with Yaz state that you may suffer some side effects until your body becomes adjusted to the new medication. You can't just pop one pill and say whalla my life is perfect now. I just started Yaz this week and so far no symptoms listed on this site have i experienced. Maybe some people need to be more patient. Medications are like diets, they don't all work and they were not intended to be overnight miracle workers. I will keep and eye on this site and further update with any success and or non success I have with this med. Remember talking a med used to treat an ailment that you don't have can make you suffer from worse side effects.