Yasmin Side Effects
Summary
Yasmin side effects are similar to the symptoms associated with other birth control pills, including changes in appetite, breast tenderness, and menstrual cycle changes. Some women who use Yaz, Yasmin, Ocella and other drospirenone/ethinylestradiol formulated contraceptives may be at a greater risk of developing thrombosis, or blood clots, than those who use other forms of birth control.
Common Yasmin Side Effects
Many women experience side effects of Yasmin, especially when they first start taking the medication. These symptoms are common with most forms of birth control pills and include:
- Weight changes
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Irregular periods
- Spotting
- Painful, tender, or swollen breasts
- Bloating
- Swelling in the ankles or feet
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Changes in appetite
These side effects generally improve with time. If they persist or become worse, contact your doctor.
Serious Yasmin Side Effects
Most women can take Yasmin without any serious side effects. In rare cases, Yaz and Yasmin users have reported blood clots that can result in serious conditions and sometimes death, including stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis. If you experience any of the symptoms below, seek medical attention immediately.
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Unexplained sweating
- Severe headaches
- Changes in vision or blurred vision
- Slurred or slow speech
- Confusion
- Sudden blindness
- Tingling or weakness on one side of the body
- Chest pain
- Pain in the jaw or left arm
- Difficulty breathing
- Pain or swelling in the groin or calf
Other rare but serious side effects of Yaz and Yasmin include:
- Sudden heavy bleeding
- Missed periods
- Continuous spotting
- Jaundice, or yellowing of the eyes or skin
- Unusual mood changes
- Thoughts of suicide
- Breast lumps
- Severe abdominal pain
- Dark colored urine
Contact your doctor at the first sign of any of these side effects. Allergic reactions to Yasmin are also possible, but rarely occur. These symptoms include swelling or itching of the face, tongue, and throat, a rash, difficulty breathing, and severe dizziness, and require immediate attention.
Pregnancy
When used as directed, Yasmin and Yaz can effectively prevent pregnancy. Pregnancy can occur, however, if the pill is not taken at the same time each day or if doses are missed. Yasmin can cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy so it is very important to follow the instructions and to use a backup contraceptive for at least a week if a dose is skipped. If you have not taken the medication correctly and miss a period, contact your doctor immediately. Yasmin should not be taken while breastfeeding and can affect the production of milk in lactating mothers.
Tobacco Use
As with any hormonal contraceptive formula, women who smoke or use tobacco products are at a greater risk of experiencing serious side effects. Women who smoke and take Yaz or Yasmin have a higher chance of developing blood clots and high blood pressure, and are also at a greater risk of suffering from a stroke or heart attack. Women over the age of 35 who smoke and women who smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day should not use hormonal birth control like Yasmin.
Existing Conditions
Yasmin is not the best form of birth control for everyone. Women who have experienced problems with other estrogen and progestin oral contraceptive formulas may have similar side effects with Yaz and Yasmin.
Tell your doctor about your experiences with other birth control methods, or if you have a history of uncontrolled high blood pressure, migraines, blood clots, kidney or liver disease, stroke, or a hormone-dependent type of cancer. Yasmin may not be the right form of birth control for individuals who suffer from diabetes, seizures, depression, or gallbladder disease either.
Other Medications
A number of medications can make hormonal birth control pills like Yaz and Yasmin less effective. Mixing these drugs without using a backup contraceptive may result in pregnancy. These medications include:
- Antibiotics, such as penicillin, amoxicillin, cotrimoxazole, rifampin, etc.
- Griseofulvin
- Modafinil
- St. John’s wort
- Medications used to treat the symptoms of HIV, including nelfinavir, nevirapine, and ritonavir
- Seizure medications, such as phenytoin, primidone, topiramate, etc.
Yaz raises the level of potassium in the blood and should not be taken with other drugs that cause an increase in potassium. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the medications below before starting this birth control.
- Diuretics like amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene, etc.
- ACE inhibitors, including enalapril and lisinopril
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aleve and ibuprofen
- Angiotensin receptor blockers like diovan, heparin, etc.
- Potassium supplements
- Salt substitutes that contain potassium
This is not a comprehensive list of medications and drugs that may interact with Yaz or Yasmin so be sure your doctor is aware of all vitamins, supplements, and medications that you take on a regular basis. Contact your physician before starting any new medications or dietary supplements while taking Yaz.
Estrogen and progestin birth control pills are a safe, effective, and convenient way to prevent pregnancy for many women but it is not the right choice for everyone. Discuss your risk of Yasmin side effects with your doctor to determine if it is right for you.
