Contraception treatment Yasmin

As with any medication, Yasmin may cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them. If you encounter any side effects, especially if they are severe or persistent, or if you notice any changes in your health that might be related to Yasmin, consult your doctor. 

Increased risk of blood clots: All women taking combined hormonal contraceptives face an elevated risk of blood clots in veins (venous thromboembolism (VTE)) or arteries (arterial thromboembolism (ATE)).  

Possible serious side effects: 

• Severe allergic reaction: Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat. 

• Signs of breast cancer: Dimpling of the skin, changes in the nipple, or any visible or palpable lumps. 

• Signs of cervical cancer: Vaginal discharge with odour and/or blood, unusual vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, painful sex. 

• Signs of severe liver problems: Severe upper abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), hepatitis, generalised itching. 

If you experience any of these symptoms, consult a doctor promptly. Consider discontinuing Yasmin if advised by your healthcare provider.  

Common side effects (1 to 10 in every 100 users): 

• depressive mood 

• headache, migraine 

• nausea 

• breast pain, breast tenderness, menstrual disorders, bleeding between periods, thick whitish vaginal discharge, vaginal yeast infection. 

Uncommon side effects (1 to 10 in every 1,000 users): 

• breast enlargement 

• altered interest in sex 

• high or low blood pressure 

• vomiting, diarrhoea 

• acne, severe itching, skin rash, hair loss (alopecia) 

• vaginal infection 

• fluid retention 

• body weight changes 

Rare side effects (1 to 10 in every 10,000 users): 

• hearing impairment 

• asthma 

• breast secretion 

• allergic reactions (hypersensitivity) 

• skin conditions like erythema nodosum (painful reddish skin nodules) or erythema multiforme (rash with target-shaped reddening or sores). 

Blood clots can occur in veins (e.g., DVT), arteries (e.g., PE), or other organs, leading to conditions like heart attack, stroke, or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). The risk may be higher with certain pre-existing conditions, it is important to inform your doctor of any conditions or risk factors before using Yasmin.  

There is no evidence that the pill will make you gain weight. 

There may be a link between the pill and depression but evidence is mixed and further research is needed. 

Yasmin comes in the form of film-coated tablets. The tablets are round, light yellow, and have convex surfaces. One side of the tablet is marked with the letters "DO" in a regular hexagon. Each tablet contains 0.030 milligrams of ethinylestradiol and 3 milligrams of drospirenone as active substances. In addition to the active ingredients, the tablets also contain other components like lactose monohydrate, maize starch, pregelatinised maize starch, povidone K25, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, macrogol 6000, talc, titanium dioxide, and iron oxide yellow. 

The standard way to take the pill is to take 1 every day for 21 days, then have a break for 7 days, and during this week you have a bleed like a period. You start taking the pill again after 7 days.  

You may be able to take some types of pill with no or shorter breaks (a tailored regime), which may reduce some side effects. Speak to a doctor or nurse about your options.  

You need to take the pill at around the same time every day. You could get pregnant if you do not do this, or if you miss a pill, vomit or have severe diarrhoea.  

Some medicines may make the pill less effective. Check with your doctor if you're taking any other tablets.  

If you have heavy periods or painful periods, PMS (premenstrual syndrome), or endometriosis - the combined pill may help.  

The pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so condom use is recommended in combination with this contraceptive.