Yaz Birth Control Side Effects

The link between Yaz birth control pills and a number of potentially life-threatening side effects continues to grow stronger. Healthy women who have never shown a physiological predisposition toward blood clots, strokes, and gallbladder issues are reporting such problems after taking Yaz. Unfortunately, the advertising campaigns that promoted the contraceptive years ago made little mention of the possible consequences.

Yaz, Yasmin, and their generic counterpart Ocella, are known as fourth generation oral contraceptives because they combine a progestin called drospirenone with ethinyl estradiol (estrogen). The pills prevent pregnancy and are used to treat both premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Many doctors also prescribe Yaz and Yasmin to treat mild cases of acne.

This article will describe the side effects that women expose themselves to when they take the drug. Many of the women who use Yaz and Yasmin are unaware of the potential hazards.

Yaz Blood Clots And Deep Venous Thrombosis

Nearly all oral contraceptives increase the risk that you will develop blood clots. Yaz birth control pills present an additional level of danger. Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella can cause a deep venous thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that forms within a deep vein. This type of clot usually develops in the legs or pelvis, and can impede your circulation. If it is left unchecked, a DVT can lead to a pulmonary embolism or heart attack.

Yasmin Strokes

The blood clots described above can cause a stroke. In the case of a pulmonary embolism, the clot becomes separated from the inner wall of the vein. The bloodstream carries the embolus (the clotted material) until it settles within an artery. When it becomes lodged within the artery, the embolus blocks the flow and starves your brain of oxygen-rich blood. Eventually, a stroke occurs.

Even though a Yaz-induced stroke happens quickly, there are warning signs. You might suddenly feel dizzy or confused; you may have difficulty walking; you might experience problems with your eyes or feel a severe headache.

Yaz Gallbladder Problems

A growing number of reports suggest that Yaz and Yasmin contraceptives contribute to gallbladder issues. Healthy young women who have never experienced problems with their gallbladders have reported feeling intense pain within their abdomen and back. The pain is often caused by the presence of gallstones.

Your liver produces bile as part of your body's digestive process. That bile is stored inside your gallbladder to help digest fats. Your gallbladder performs its job by contracting and pushing the bile through a duct into your small intestine. Gallstones are hardened bile deposits.

It is widely thought that Yaz birth control pills play a role in the formation of these deposits. The most common form of treatment is surgery to have your gallbladder removed.

Holding Yaz And Yasmin Birth Control Manufacturers Accountable

Both Yaz and Yasmin oral contraceptives are manufactured by Bayer Healthcare (Yasmin was originally produced by Berlex Laboratories before the company was taken over by Bayer in 2006). The generic brand Ocella is manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals. A number of Yaz and Yasmin lawsuits have been filed to hold these companies accountable for the side effects caused by their products.

The FDA has warned these companies multiple times regarding the misleading statements made in their advertisements. If you, or someone you love, has suffered a DVT, stroke, pulmonary embolism, or gallbladder problems as the result of using these products, contact a Yaz lawyer today.

John Davidson is author of this article on Yaz blood clots. Find more information about Yaz pulmonary embolism here.