hello folks!

so i've NEVER taken any birth control pills ever (with exception to plan B.) i'm kind of a "naturalist" when it comes to putting stuff in my body, especially if it's going to screw around with my hormone levels.

my boyfriend just mentioned to me that he heard about YAZ and was telling me all these great things about it (he wasn't pressuring me, but simply letting me know.) i've heard some good stuff too, but i usually just ignore it because i don't want to take anything "unnatural."

i'm starting to think it would be a good thing to take it... i mean, it would be nice to not have to worry each month if i'm going to get my period **knock on wood!** and with YAZ, the website says it's good for acne and pms symptoms (which i've heard is true for other BC pills.) my boyfriend also said he heard it's good for warding off immune killers like hpv (but i've taken gardisil for that, so i'm not so worried for that!)

in any case, i'm curious what other people have to say about YAZ or BC in general.... i've heard it reduced your risk of breast cancer but increases your risk of ovarian (the latter of which is in my family....) i'm also worried about the weight gain part (don't wanna buy new jeans!) and the fact that i'll be "dependent" on it. i'm also worried about how much it will cost.

any info anyone can offer would be very helpful :angel:

My doctor started me on Yaz. I got three months (free, yay!). It was my first time on birth control and I never had break-through bleeding, didn't feel bloated, didn't gain weight.

But I did feel a little anxious at times and the first week, I had a very mild upset stomach. Those did go away. I had moderate acne. It lessened a bit.

After my three month supply was up, I switched to something my university pharmacy had generic and cheap ($20!) Kariva (generic of Mircette).
I would probably still be on Yaz if I could acquire it for cheap.

I have just finished up 2 months on Kariva. I have gained 5 pounds, and my acne is still lessened but not completely gone. I was thinking of switching, but as my doctor told me, and the board, I should really give it time to settle in, and that's about 3 months.

I have low sex drive and I think either being on Kariva OR just being on birthcontrol for such a time, as my sex drive is a bit replenished.

I have a question for you gals, Has any birthcontrol increased your sex drive?

I am feeling the exact same way as you are...don't mess with mother nature. I have some severe pain my entire life and NEVER wanted to be on BC. The doc. is asking me to stick it out for at least three months...I am on month one..on my second white pill..no period. But, this could be because I had a surgery four weeks ago. Anyway, my boobs are growing (most don't mind, I do, big enough) Like you said you did not want to buy jeans...it looks like I might need to. Just more plump. Weight on scale same but body feels like it's changing. Flat tummy not so flat. But maybe if and when I have a period these things will change. I feel like i have my period, cramps, tired, weird tummy tingles..just no flow as of yet.


I am like you "naturalist" and don't think stopping your period or controlling the length is right. Let your body do what it needs!

Not sure if you should try or not. I am still researching. Keep you posted.

I love my birth control pill! I'm on Yasmin, which is similar to Yaz and have never had any problems on it. I try to not take many pills and only take my birth control pill and over the counter migraine medication as needed. I took anti-depressants once and THAT screwed me up! Never again!

My pill is $20/month with insurance. I'm sure it varies and depends on the brand, insurance, etc. I know my college offers birth control for $35 without insurance per month but it's a different brand.

I personally love the pill because I've had friends have accidents with condoms who got pregnant. I just wouldn't feel safe using only condoms and I know the shot can cause a lot of weight gain. My weight hasn't been affected by the pill at all. Yasmin actually HELPS with bloating during your periods. I don't mess up my pill and follow everything perfectly (if I do mess up, I wait to have sex) and I feel very safe since it's over 99% accurate. Some people find it hard to remember to take it and end up having a less accurate pill from not taking it at the right time.

Noelsgig, it's normal for you to not have your period after one white pill, especially on the first month. On Yasmin, I get my period after three white pills and I've been on it for years. Once it came a day late (scary!) but it was okay.

Jessi330, I don't think the pill has affected my sex drive much, but some people say it has increased theirs because they felt MUCH more protected when taking the pill perfectly and they wanted more sex because of less worrying. Makes sense to me!

The pill increases the risk of breast cancer and reduces the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer. The pill does NOT reduce your risk of HPV. To the contrary, it increases the risk of cervical cancer. For a long time it was assumed that cervical cancer was more common because women on the pill were having unprotected sex, but more recent studies indicate that it is the pill itself that raises the risk of cervical cancer.

So should I tell my doctor NO. I just went in on Tuesday for pre-op for my laparoscopy next week. He really wants me on it due to severe periods and possible endometriosis. But when I read your post I am just like "Why the hell do we put this crap in our bodies" Is it doing more harm then good? I told him I do not want on it and he swears up and down it's the BEST out there and I need to at least go the three months and see if side effects go away.

One thing I notice is my emotions. I am going through an emotional time and I am somewhat of an emotional person to begin with. But this hormone thing is making me COO COO FOR COCOA PUFFS.

Just remember that these increased risks are VERY small. If it was a big risk, I don't think so many people would go on the pill. It's really up to you and you may want to talk to your doctor about different things OTHER than the pill because it's not right for everybody.

I couldn't see myself without my pill. I would not feel comfortable using condoms because they can break or slip off and without my pill I would get terrible stomach aches every month during my period and would have to go home sick from work, which I CAN'T do every month!

One thing I notice is my emotions. I am going through an emotional time and I am somewhat of an emotional person to begin with. But this hormone thing is making me COO COO FOR COCOA PUFFS.

Birth control pills deplete many of the B vitamins which are important for our mood. You might try taking a B complex vitamin, this may help replenish what's being lost and make you feel better. It helped me when I was on the pill.

Thank you...you are so right! And I know my mother lacks B's so I might as well.

I've been on Yaz for about 5 months. It took the first 3 months to even out. But I like it...... It does squash the sex drive a bit. The progestin in it is a real androgen suppressor (all progestins are) and has no androgenic affect of it's own (which some of the others have).

Don't be afraid of the pill if your doctor says your a good candidate for it. I've been on the pill for about 19 years without break. I don't have cancer. My body even fought off an HPV infection all on it's own (my immune system is good).

CAG1965....Did you have the crazy depression and crying in those first three months? What about weght gain? I am going to stick it out and see. Not so happy about the sex drive thing but i can get around that.

I did have a couple of bouts of emotion with this pill. I've never really had it with any other pill like that. I think that's gone now.

No weight gain at all. I'm still slowly losing weight (not because of the pill). Yaz acts like a mild diuretic so you shouldn't see weight gain as a side affect unless it's making you hungry for some reason.

I did have increase acne the first couple of months.... also gone now.

At first I had very light periods for about 4 days when starting a new pack now I'm back to skipping the placebo pills (which I've done on previous pills) and no spotting...... :)

Only thing I'm unhappy about is cost. My copays are higher for Brand Name drugs. At least it's on my formulary which makes it a mid level cost drug for me. Can't have everything I guess.