I've been happy with the birth control pill (BCP) that I'm currently on (have been taking for 15+ years), and recently saw an advertisement for Yaz. Is anyone taking Yaz, and/or do know more information about it? (I've looked at the Yaz website, and they claim that this pill helps with premenstrual symptoms and other emotional stuff that would help me!).
I remember one of my respected doctors from years ago saying that a BCP being advertised as "the only" pill that helps with acne (Loestrin, I think?) and she said that was just advertising; most combination pills (at that time) had the same two hormones, so they all help with acne in similar ways (she acknowledged that although BCP had similar hormones, different women reacted differently to the various types of BCP...). So, I'm wondering if Yaz is just being advertised as being "the only" pill helping with premenstrual emotional problems, when most combo pills do the same thing?
Anyways...just wondering about your experience with Yaz. I love my current BCP because I don't have cramps or any physical side effects....just the negative emotional effects that would be nice to have diminished.
Thanks!
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I'm having great experience with Yaz, and have been on it for about a year. I was having some bad PMS issues, but since I've been on Yaz, my moods have been very stable every month.
April 22, 2008 - 2:11pmThis Comment
I've been on Yaz for a few months because I was experiencing really heavy periods, and it completely helped me. I feel great on it, and haven't noticed any side effects at all.
I'm wondering, since you've been on your BCP for 15 years, how high the hormone dose is. I think that some newer BCP's have a lower dose of estrogen and fewer side effects.
What kind of negative mood effects are you experiencing?
Kristin Park
April 22, 2008 - 2:16pmhttp://ppdsurvivor.blogspot.com
Kristin,
thanks for your reply! I may have mis-spoke (typed?), as I've "been on the same BCP for 15+ years", but I'm given the most recent version. I think? My current hormone dose is: 0.15 mg of desogestrel and 0.03 mg of ethinyl estradiol. Are those "current", or does the dose change drastically, depending on the type of pill? What is the normal range of hormones for BCP? I've never thought to find out!!
My negative moods that I'm having only happen 2-3 days per month, and are not severe. It's strange...those few days, though, I feel like I'm being taken over by my hormones...I cognitively know that I don't want to hate my husband or world, but on those days anything that people close to me say or do puts my feelings into a whirlwind of anger and irritation. It's strange! I've learned that it is "just my hormones" and if I wait it out a few days, I am not angry or mad at my hubby anymore. (oh...don't get me wrong! We have plenty of disagreements over the years...I'm talking about him asking me if I'd rather have chicken or pork for dinner, and I am ANGRY at him for asking me on those 2-3 days).
On other BCP that I've tried, I've had headaches and cramping. This one I do not; just the negative mood thing. So, I chalk it up to having to decide on what type of side effect I want to prevent from my BCP. I am tired of these drastic negative moods, though... is there a BCP that prevents both physical and emotional changes (and doesn't have side effects like messing with potassium levels?).
Thanks so much!!
May 3, 2008 - 5:44amDid u stay on your period for one whole month once you started your first pack of bcp's?
May 4, 2008 - 3:50pmHi,
I just read your comment about being on your period for an entire month with taking the first pack of BCPs. Is this something you experienced? I have never experienced this with my BCP (I am not taking Yaz, is this a common side effect of Yaz?).
From what I understand, starting a new birth control pill (BCP), or even missing a few days of taking the pill, can cause some spotting (lighter flow for a few days), but not similar to having a period (heavier flow) for a month.
I would think that any woman experiencing this should talk to their doctor who prescribed the BCP to discuss this.
May 6, 2008 - 1:51pmim not really happy with yaz i had just started taking them 2 months ago and since then my period was scary lite it lasted one day but the cramps that came with it the days before were unbearable i called out of work for my first period on the pill. then when my period ending i started spotting for 2 weeks out of the blue. now my back hurts like hell all the time and i recently found out i got a uti. then my libido has dropped to the point the intercourse is not something that interest me. i've been way more moody then when i wasn't on yaz .i would love for any one to recommend me another type of bc because im not really happy with yaz. but again to every woman they could act differently to the hormones.
November 10, 2009 - 11:43pmWhat the advertisements don't tell you are the side effects of Yaz.
Yaz has been shown (in small clinical studies) to elevate potassium levels, which can cause heart rhythm irregularities. Not good, but talk to your doctor about your family and health history with this in mind.
Yaz has been shown (in the same studies) to help over 45% of women feel better who had PMDD symptoms and/or diagnosis. However, over 30% felt better with placebo! (So, that's less than half of the women who felt better with Yaz who had PMDD symptoms/diagnosis). This study did not look at general PMS symptoms, which is what it sounds like you are experiencing from your description.
Other birth control pills have not been well studied for their effects on PMDD (why not?!!! that's absurd!!). Not sure what other birth control pills help with the emotional effects of PMS, but Yaz is definitely being advertised to help with more problematic (severe) PMDD symptoms.
April 22, 2008 - 2:41pmI had been on regular dose BCP's for almost 20 years and last year was told I should switched to Yaz because of the lower dose of Estrogen. I am 44 years old. I have had great experiences on Yaz. I also have been buying them in Mexico and they are a bit cheaper than when I buy them via my insurance's companies mail order pharmacy.
It's been great to see the comments about this pill.
May 2, 2008 - 5:21pmHi! I was just wondering where it was in Mexico that you were buying Yaz and if the lable was different. I am going to be traveling there in a few days and I may consider stocking up, as I am paying $53 a MONTH for Yaz because my insurance doesn't cover the costs. If you could email me back, I would really appreciate it :) Sincerely, Emily Email: Berrieblue143@aol.com
June 25, 2008 - 11:48pmYaz made me severly emotional! Check out the posts on www.steadyhealth.com (yaz+side effects)
June 11, 2008 - 8:45am