Yaz

Yaz Side Effects

Reviewed by Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD, Daisy Chau, PharmD

Last reviewed on February 20, 2025

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Pregnancy prevention and acne:

Headache or migraine (7%)
Irregular menstrual bleeding (5%)
Nausea or vomiting (4%)
Breast pain or tenderness (4%)

PMDD:

Irregular menstrual bleeding (25%)
Nausea (16%)
Headache (13%)
Breast tenderness (11%)
Tiredness (4%)

Less Common Side Effects

Mood changes
Irritability
Lower sex drive
Weight gain

Yaz serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

Heart attack: chest pain, belly discomfort, sweating, nausea, dizziness
Stroke: sudden numbness or weakness in the arm, leg, or face, confusion, trouble seeing, headache, difficulty walking
Deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in the leg): leg cramp, swelling, pain, muscle tightness
Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung): cough, chest pain, trouble breathing, racing heart
Liver or gallbladder problems: yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, tiredness, pain in the right upper stomach, dark urine
High potassium levels: muscle weakness, nausea, irregular heart beat

When do Yaz possible side effects begin and end?

Time passed since treatment started:

HHOURS

DDAYS

WWEEKS

MMONTHS

Irregular menstrual bleeding

Nausea

Headache

Breast tenderness

Mood changes

Seek immediate medical care if you experience this side effect.

If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.

Source: DailyMed

The following Yaz side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Breast pain or tenderness

headache, severe and throbbing

heavy non-menstrual vaginal bleeding

irregular menstrual periods

nausea

normal menstrual bleeding occurring earlier, possibly lasting longer than expected

Less common

Longer or heavier menstrual periods

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting

Incidence not known

Chills

clay-colored stools

dark urine

difficulty with breathing

dizziness

fever

headache

itching

loss of appetite

pain in the chest, groin, or legs, especially the calves

rash

slurred speech

stomach pain

sudden loss of coordination

sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arm or leg

unpleasant breath odor

unusual tiredness or weakness

vision changes

vomiting of blood

yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Crying

decreased interest in sexual intercourse

delusions of persecution, mistrust, suspiciousness, or combativeness

false or unusual sense of well-being

inability to have or keep an erection

irritability

loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

mental depression

quick to react or overreact emotionally

rapidly changing moods

weight gain