YAZ : Oral Contraceptive

Background: Have used prescription acne meds off and on (mostly on) for 11+ years. Went on Accutane a few years ago, greatly improved acne. Before trying Yaz, I had been using Tazorac and Benzaclin for over a year with good success. However, I was still experiencing breakouts during my period and halfway between my periods. Experience with adding Yaz to my routine of Tazorac and Benzaclin: The first month my acne was the same or a little worse. The second month I had one small pimple. Currently, I have no acne at all. Periods are much better and I never felt sick. This was surprising to me because just about everything makes me sick. Thoughts: I think Yaz has worked well for me because my skin was already mostly clear from the other drugs--thus lessening the initial breakouts and only "asking" Yaz to deal with hormonal acne. I consider it an effective addition to my anti-acne regimen. However, I don't see myself ever using Yaz as my sole anti-acne med.

To make a long story short, I never had a pimple during high school. I went on Yasmin when I was 18 because of irregular periods, and then decided to go off the pill when I turned 21. Within 3 months of going off the pill I started getting acne, something which I had no clue how to handle since I never had this problem before. Last summer I started to break out real bad and tried all different topical treatments, but nothing worked. Finally I decided to go back on the pill (YAZ) because I figured I have some hormonal issue going on. Within 4 months my acne was gone and I only get one small pimple during my period. People, don't rule out the pill after one month. It takes months for the hormones to regulate and for your body to get adjusted.

I'm 29 now and have been on a variety of acne treatments since I was 15. Before Yaz, I spent 10 years taking Dianette and was reluctant to come off this as I found it so successful. Having said that I have been pleasantly surprised by Yaz. My skin is pretty much the same as it was on Dianette (more or less clear but regularly one or two spots) but an added bonus is much lighter periods - 24 hours literally, whereas both on Dianette and naturally I was always 5-7 days long. I have experienced some headaches, though there were more at the start and I wonder in some ways was it a withdrawl from coming off the Dianette or just my body getting used to the new horomone combinations...otherwise I have found it fine, once taken with food. I have not had mood swings and though I have put on some weight recently I know myself that's probably down to an over-indulgence of easter eggs ;) Would definitely recommend people to give Yaz a go - you never know what might work for you until you

So I've had acne since I was 14, I'm 24 now. It was severe at one point. I tried multiple topicals and it would work and then come back worse. So I finally went on Acutane. Cleared my skin up to where I would get maybe two or three small pimples! I was clear for 6 years. Then a year ago I started Minastrin fe 24 for my irregular periods I've always had. It made my skin all oily again, and I had horrible cystic acne return. After 6 years! My derm said it was from too much testosterone, which increases oil production. Enter yaz. In the first week I noticed I did not get a cyst. I was getting them everyday before. It has only been two weeks, so after a few months I will update again. But it is reversing the damage my other BC did, so far so good! I did get tired and nauseous a little but that only was for the first two days. No other side effects now. I'll post again in a few months with results. 2 month update----- I'm almost done with my second month and still improving. My skin is getting less oily. I haven't gotten a cyst. I am still getting smaller pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, but not like before. So far so good!

I am really impressed with this BC, it really did clear my skin. When I first started taking it I was broken out on my back, chest, neck, jaw, and face! It cleared from the bottom up (back, chest, neck, jaw, then face last) with everything showing improvement the whole time, even if the area wasn't completely clear. I stopped taking it for a month and some of my cystic acne has returned, so I am back on it!

Yaz really worked for me! Hormones had a huge part to play in causing my acne (non inflammatory). Been suffering from it for the last 12 years - mainly concentrated on my chin area. I had tried so many different treatments before this, but nothing worked in the long term. Been on Yaz for 8 years - it has changed my life.

It works but it takes time.

This BCP does not give me any side effects besides a minor body ache every now and then, but nothing to make me notice too much. I think Yaz works for women who are younger and healthy enough for it.. The only thing I hate is the spotting, but hopefully this will subside with time. My skin looks great.

Great idea. BC just clears up my acne. All that I've taken has done the same thing and given me flawless skin. Going off of it just is bad though. My acne comes back full force within a week or two and gets worse and worse from there.

If you are going to try it- give it at least 4 months until you give up. I stuck it out through many embarrassing breakouts and now it works awesome! I don't break out hardly at all (also on the regimen). Try it!!!