Contraceptives

Every oral birth control has its ‘followers’ and its ‘anti users’ and Yasmin is no different. Every oral contraceptive pill is developed to prevent pregnancy. There is no perfect low dose birth control pill that every woman can use with a guarantee of no side effects. Period. (no pun intended) There are several low dose birth control ‘pills from hell’ in this category for those who have gained weight, suffered headaches, depression, low sex drive, bloating and mood swings!

Recent studies about drospirenone versus levonorgestrel - are suggesting that if you have the choice, you may wish to try a pill containing levonorgetrel in preference to one containing drospirenone which may  double the risk of non fatal blood clots.

“…the overall risk for blood clots with any birth control pill — whether it contains drospirenone or levonorgestrel — remains low, said Dr. Lauren Streicher, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.“While there may be an increase in blood clots, it’s important to keep in mind that the likelihood of developing a blood clot is so low in a low-risk population that a two- to three-fold increase may not translate to large absolute numbers,” said Streicher.

Yasmin  is a low dose, combined, monophasic contraceptive pill (Ethinyl Estradiol 30mcg + Drosperinone 3mg)   that has been on the market almost a decade now and apart from its main use in preventing pregnancy, it appears to come recommended for its reduced side effects compared to other brands and for its excellent effect on skin and hair. Acne sufferers are among its ‘followers’.

YAZ differs slightly from Yasmin in that it gives 3 more days of low dose birth control hormones (so 24 pills and 4 dummy pill days instead of 21  days and 7 dummy pill days) to reduce hormonal fluctuations.   You will find 24 pink pills and 4 white ones in a pack of Yaz and like traditionalbirth control pills you will get your period during the 4 days of white  hormone free pills. Don’t worry if your period lasts into the start of your next pack.

You need to know that Yaz has  NOT been evaluated for treating PMS yet but has been evaluated for treating the more severe state of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

Yasmin (Yaz) differs from other low dose birth control pills because it contains a progestin hormone called drospirenone, which is a synthetic version of the progesterone that your body naturally produces. During the first half of your menstrual cycle, estrogen produces water in your body and the natural progesterone helps your body to get rid of it. The synthetic progestin in all other contraceptive pills is based on testosterone and does not eliminate water, hence the tendency to put on weight and feel bloated. The drospirenone in Yasmin and Yaz is less likely to have this effect.

Warning: working against the body’s normal mechanism for regulating salt and water balance is a situation that can lead to potentially serious heart and health problems in some high risk patients so discuss this with your doctor prior to taking this low dose birth control pill.

 Yasmin suits all ‘pill taking routines’ as it comes in either a 21 OR a 28 pill pack to allow you to have 7 pill free days or, if you prefer the ‘every day’ routine so you don’t forget, 7 pills that are inactive. The usual contraceptive dose applies, one pill per day- no more than 24 hours apart and preferably taken at the same time each day.

Side Effects of Yasmin (Yaz) - not serious but here are the ‘common’ ones associated with oral contraceptives and you may find that Yasmin affects you the same way:

• changes in your menstrual cycle- hopefully will reduce pain and regulate your periods
• headaches/dizziness
• water retention- though hopefully less than with other brands of oral contraceptives
• change in appetite or weight gain
• breast tenderness

Serious Side Effects- you should STOP TAKING YASMIN (or any other oral contraceptive) AT ONCE and seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, face or hives)
• sharp chest pain, coughing of blood or shortness of breath
• pain in the calf (possible blood clot in the leg)
• sudden severe headache/vomiting, blurred vision, faintness or numbness in an arm or leg (possible stroke)
• stomach pain or tenderness, yellowing of the skin or eyes, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark-colored urine or light-colored stools (possible liver problems)
• new or changing breast lumps

Yasmin (Yaz) may increase the level of potassium in the blood so speak to a doctor about this IF you take a medication or have a condition where potassium levels in your body are affected.

You Should NOT Take Yasmin (Yaz) If:

• if you are pregnant or if you think you might be pregnant- Yasmin is a pregnancy category x FDA drug which means it has been reported to cause birth defects
• if you are breastfeeding- hormones pass into milk and may also slow down production
• if you have or have had breast cancer, liver problems or eye lesions
• if you have coronary heart disease of any kind, high blood pressure, clotting or abnormal bleeding
• if you smoke
• if you have epilepsy/seizures

I know I’ve stated this before but- it really is a question of trial and error when it comes to finding a low dose birth control pill to suit you. With an ‘ideal’ contraceptive pill, you feel no different to ‘normal’, given that at certain times of the month you may have felt moody or bloated when you were NOT on the pill.  Yasmin may just fit the bill for you but remember- Yasmin does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. 60% of Yasmin users say it is well tolerated and take it for an average length of 5 years. Yasmin (Yaz) is 99% effective when taken correctly.

(Yasminelle is an even lower dose form of Yasmin which contains the same active ingredients but with a lower dose of Ethinyl Estradiol (0.02mg instead of 0.03mg in Yasmin)

If you would like to purchase the only generic brand of Yasmin (janya) that I have discovered on line this pharmacy has by far the best price.

NB. The FDA is still looking into birth control pills containg drospirenone. A study carried out on 800,00 women is analyzing the risks and the results should become available this Summer. As yet (July 4 2011) no ban has been placed on any brand containing this ingredient. I shall be watching this outcome closely and of course will be posting the results as soon as they become available.