Yaz and testosterone

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 was prescribed Yaz to treat a hormonal imbalance.testosterone too high. the first day i expected the nausea and dizziness, so i took it at night. the next day i took it earlier 8pm and went to bed. i woke up at 930 am the next day because my daughter literally rolled me over to wake up and poked at me for a while she said i looked if i was dead. i went to work and was groggy the whole day, felt my tongue heavy and had several dizzy spells. It was scary.... i read in the booklets and did not find drowsiness as a common side effect but when I googled it I was surprised i was not the only one to experience drowsiness...

Agree with the earlier post -- read the drug insert that comes with your Rx! Majority of these side effects are well-known. Blood clots are a very well-known potential side effect of hormonal birth control -- non common but certainly devastating if it happens. Chances are good that these individuals have a genetic tendency toward abnormal clotting. The only good news for these gals is that they've had a warning (it's likely to happen again).
Re sexual dysfunction, it is a VERY common side effect of all hormonal BC. But especially with Yasmin and Yaz -- the form of progestin in these BC pills has anti-testosterone action which is great for acne but lousy for your sex life. Unfortunately, you might not be able to have clear skin AND libido.
For those with serious mood disorders on the pill, consider non hormonal forms of BC -- copper IUD inserted by an experienced clinician is worth considering.
And gals in your 40s, guess what? PMS often gets worse with age and then slides right into perimenopausal symptoms (did u know 10% of women never stop having hot flashes?!). Normalizing with BC pills is an option, but the sexual side effects are even worse for us older gals.

I am so glad I found this site!! I have only been taking Yaz for about 1 week but I can already feel the changes. I find myself becoming withdrawn and my sex drive went from 60 to 0 in 2.2 seconds!!! No wonder why, there is a testosterone blocker in this thing! No one has a sex drive without that!!
To make matters worse, I am breaking out with a rash on my face and forearms. My hair has also gotten dry!! Did I mention it's been one week?! I have been so thirsty and could not figure out why until I read that there is a diuretic in the pills. I'm getting these dark circles under my eyes, who know why that's happening but I'm not sticking around to find out. I am getting off now!!!

Yaz increases your potassium levels, SO DO NOT eat anything with Potassium or take any medications that will increase your potassium. You will over load your system and make it even worse on you. You really need to read the enclosed brochure that came with Yaz from front to back to ensure you are fully aware of what you are taking and all the risks and side effects you will get. I had the same issues with my calves and it was not normal at all. Since I have stopped taking Yaz all my symptoms are gone and physically I feel normal again. I have not gotten my period yet, which I thought would come when I stopped taking Yaz, but nothing yet. I experienced anxiety attacks whenever I tried to climax so I understand what you are talking about. Yaz lowers your testosterone levels which drives your sex lfe, so there may be no hope for it to be normal again as long as you are on Yaz.