Yaz Birth Control Side Effects

The benefits and side-effects of the birth control pill have been analyzed and debated since for over forty years. Yaz birth control pills are one of the more recent oral contraceptive pills being marketed to women. The first generation of birth control pills (developed in the 1960’s) used a higher concentration of estrogen-like compounds called ethinyl estradiol as the main means of contraception, but over time it was believed that the levels of estrogen created a higher risk of developing blood clots. The second generation oral contraceptives were then introduced. They included progestins at varying concentrations and strengths, with some using gradually increasing hormones, resulting in a lower total dosage of hormone each month.

In the 1990s, the “third generation” pills were released, which have lower doses of active ingredients than early oral contraceptives. While both second and third generation oral contraceptives still contain both types of hormones, estrogen and progestin, the difference between second and third generation pills is the type of progestin contained in the pill. Second generation pills contain norgestrel, levonorgestrel, or norgestimate while third generation pills contain desogestrel or gestodene (outside of the US). Contraceptives like the patch (Ortho-Evra Patch) and the birth control ring (Nuvaring) also contain third-generation hormones.

Drug manufacturers are now producing and marketing fourth-generation contraceptives. Examples of these new birth control pills are Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella which all contain the synthetic progestin drospirenone which is derived from a diuretic called spironolactone. Yaz birth control along with Yasmin have been heavily marketed to women by promoting the benefits of helping with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and reducing acne.

Yaz side effects including blood clots, stroke and pulmonary embolism have been reported by women using this third-generation form of birth control. Some studies suggest that side effects of Yaz are associated with the hormone desogestrel which can cause changes in the blood clotting system allowing blood clots to form more easily. Yaz birth control was approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006 and marketed in the United States Bayer Healthcare. Yaz, along with Yasmin and the generic Ocella, is heavily marketed and used by many women.

The side effects of Yaz can increase depending on several risk factors. Increased risk factors include: women over age 35, smoking more than 15 cigarettes a day, diabetes, and high levels of blood cholesterol or fat. Warning signs of potentially more serious Yaz side effects include:

• sharp chest pain, coughing blood, or sudden shortness of breath (possible clot in the lung)

• pain in the calf (back of lower leg – possible clot in the leg)

• crushing chest pain or heaviness in the chest (possible heart attack)

• sudden severe headache or vomiting, dizziness, or fainting, problems with vision or speech, weakness, or numbness in an arm or leg (possible stroke)

• sudden partial or complete loss of vision (possible clot in the eye)

About the Author:

David Johnson is the author of this article on Class Action Lawsuit. Find more information about Drug Recall News here.