So during my really horrible week with anxiety this week I went to see my gyn. We talked alot about the anxiety and other peri symptoms, insomnia, night sweats, etc. He agreed that a low does bcp could help. He was thinking Alesse but then changed his mind to Yaz because he said it is designed to help with pms. Now I have read all kinds of HORRIBLE things about Yaz online. I wouldn't be starting anything for about 2 1/2 more weeks. Plus I am starting with a psychiatrist next week to try to get a handle on this horrible anxiety with ad's and xanax. So, of course I'll talk to him about the bcp's too. I am willing to give bcp's a try, but now I am scared of it. I have a very pretty box of $20 Yaz sitting on top of my frig that I am afraid of!

Sounds like you had a good discussion with you gyn. Might try looking up bcp info in vliets book called Women, Weight and Hormones. She has some good advice on picking the right bcp for your particular body chemistry and symptoms. Redmonds, Hormonally Vulunerable Woman is good also on this issue. My only question is why afraid of a bcp but not ad's or benzo's? Yes, those help alot of people. But, all drugs can have side effects. jmo Regards, JZZ If it were me I'd start with the bcp. Best thing is to ONLY add one thing at a time to really know how it is affecting you.

Sorry I haven't had time to pm you back. I'll do it over the weekend. Hang in there. JZZ

My gyno also Rx me Yaz, I filled the Rx but did not take it, based on the reviews I have read about it, LOL.
It is aimed to help with PMS and PMDD, which he said, I have based on the symptoms and since I am still cycling naturally, he said, nothing else that he would suggest.
I am on xanax, which takes care of anxiety part, so I decided to wait and not to mess with BCP, as the side effects of it can be detrimental, while xanax is actually quite benign if you not abusing it purposely. I have been on xanax for 4 years and doing fine, I am not increasing my dose, and there are days I don't feel like I need it at all.
I would wait and see if xanax alone takes care of anxiety, if u have other symptoms, then may be try Yaz.
BCP can be life saver for some and opposite for others, I know my body hated it back in my 20s, so I decided for now wait more and see if my body is settling at this level, seems anxiety is lessening.
As much I have read on BCP, there is soo much controversy and especially on Yaz, because of the type of progestine.
Good luck,
I.

Hi JZZ,
IMHO, xanax causes less side effects than BCP. Most serious to be afraid of: infamous pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis, potassium build up related cardiac arrest, high BP, liver functions, blood glucose control, heart attack and stroke.
Low dose xanax has barely any side effects if used as Rx without intention to abuse it , for once, it is hardly to cause anything similar to BCP.
This is just my opinion, but I believe out of most BCP Yaz looks the scariest. I guess we all have different views on how to control perimenopause beast, LOL.
Cheers,
I.

Hi mainmom,
I took Yaz for several months a couple of years ago when I first started having severe peri symptoms (like you, my main disturbing symptom was anxiety). The Yaz took a few weeks to kick in, but then I felt great on it--it gave me back my life--for awhile. I felt so good, that after a few months I decided to go off the Yaz to see how I felt. I was o.k. for awhile, but then the anxiety started coming back. I went back on the Yaz, but it never worked as well as it did the first time--I had constant breakthrough bleeding and intermittent anxiety. After trying a higher dose bcp (Ortho-Novum), I eventually went to BHRT (Climara patch and Prometrium) and felt much better. I also think that BHRT is safer than synthetic hormones--synthetic progestins especially.

My main point is that if you are still having periods and/or need contraception, and you have no history of cancer or strokes or blood clots, then the Yaz is probably o.k. to try. I'd probably still be on it if it had kept working for me. Since you are in peri, you may find that a lower progestin/higher estrogen (Modicon or Brevion are two that come to mind) pill works better for you.

I also took a tranquilizer--Ativan-- for a little while to help with sleep. I loved that stuff! But I haven't yet found a doctor who will prescribe anything more than a short term, very low dose for me. So estrogen is my tranquilizer now! Good luck and I hope you are feeling better--there's nothing worse than anxiety--I know, I've been there.

Thank you Skier, I always feel like I need a positive response. If i EVER find a combo that works for me I'll never go off it. I hate this feeling. My xanax is helping a little at this point, but I'm never getting complete relief yet.

Mainemom,

Have taken YAZ for 18 months and felt wonderful. Stopped to see how I would do. In 2 months hot flashes were back with a vengeance! Back on Yaz.

Wendy

Thank you for positive responses to Yaz! I may have the courage to try after my next period.

I am working on the courage to try it also, filled the Rx and now it is sitting in my medicine cabinet, every time I am tempted to try it, I think, what if it works and one day I have to stop, then what.............I can;t take it forever

My gyn told me that if it works, or another one does, that i can stay on the bcp right up until menopause. I figure that buys me 10 good years. That would be awesome! I'll take 10 good years!