Expert: Diane Cheryl - 1/28/2008

Question
Hi Diane!
My name is Kenna! I am 19 years old and I am about to finish my 1st pack of YAZ. I have about 3 more pills left in my pack.  Before I was on YAZ I was on the Ortho shot for several years.
Anyway, I've been experiencing severe breast tenderness and swelling, extreme bloating, and crazy mood swings! I am a very happy person and have always loved going out and having fun, but since I've been on Yaz i have noticed that I really haven't wanted to do much of anything! Also at random moments the smallest things will greatly upset me!  I feel like a crazy woman! The mood swings are what I am most concerned about!
When my doctor prescribed me Yaz, she told me to give it a few months to decide if I like it or not because it could take my body awhile to get used to it.
I was just wondering if you have heard of other women having  these same side effects and if they ever went away with time. Also, are these normal side effects?

Thank you so much for your help!
Kenna

Answer
Hi Kenna,

I'm not a medical doctor and I see you have already spoken with yours. Yes, mood swings are a somewhat common side effect that other women have spoken to me about. The birth control pills, including YAZ, put hormones into your body and that is one of the problems.
I can't recommend any kind of hormonal birth control methods. I will ask you one personal question. Do you need to be on any kind of birth control method at this point of your life? I would love to have you email me at DCHERYL51@yahoo.com and talk more. Hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,
Diane Cheryl