Uses of Yasmin

Yasmin is a contraceptive pill used for pregnancy prevention. It contains a drospirenone, a progestin hormone that is not found in other birth control pills. It does not prevent STDs.

Yasmin comes in 28 cycle packets. The first 21 tablets contain the active ingredients ethinyl estradiol and drospirenon and are then called active pills. The last seven pills come in a different color and do not contain hormones. They are placebo pills. Start a pack by taking the first active pill within the first 24 hours of your period. There is no need to use backup contraception. However, you should use backup contraception if you have sexual contact on the first week of your first packet of Yasmin.

Safety Guidelines & Possible Side Effects

Before taking Yasmin, talk to your doctor about your complete medical history, especially if you have had a heart attack, blood clotting, angina, a hormone-related cancer, abnormal vaginal bleeding, high blood pressure or a heart disease. Inform your doctor about medical conditions such as diabetes, depression, epilepsy, irregular periods, gallbladder disease, high cholesterol, and extend bed rest due to illness or surgery. Mention if you are smoking cigarettes. Yasmin, combined with smoking, can increase possibility of blood clots, heart attack or stroke. Do not take Yasmin when pregnant or breastfeeding. The pill can cause birth defects and affect the contents of breast milk.

Yasmin use can cause side effects such irregular vaginal bleeding or spotting, discomfort with wearing contact lenses, fluid retention and melasma. Vaginal bleeding is normal and should not require you to discontinue Yasmin. However, if the bleeding lasts several days or for more than just one cycle, call your doctor. Immediately call your doctor if you have signs of fluid retention. Other side effects include appetite changes, anxiety, depression, dizziness, loss of scalp hair, headache, rash and vaginal infections.

Missed Dose

- If you miss 1 active pill, just take it as soon as you remember then take the next pill on time. You may take two pills in a day. There is no need for backup contraception in this case. If you miss 2 active pills in a row on week 1 or 2, you take two pills as you remember and then two pills the next day, after which you can revert to one pill a day until the pack is finished. Do use a backup contraceptive method if you have sex within seven days after missing the pills.

- If you miss 2 active pills in a row on week 3, throw the pack and start a new pack on the same day. You will miss one period as expected. You should, however, get checked if you miss two periods in a row as you may be pregnant. The same goes if you miss 3 or more active pills in any week.

Drug Storage

The ideal temperature for Yasmin is 25°C (77°F) but you may store it at temperatures between 15°-30°C (59°-86°F).

Overdose

Yasmin, like other oral contraceptives, may cause nausea and withdrawal bleeding in females. It, however, contains drospirenone, which may have possible effects that need monitoring.

Other Information

Your doctor will take care to investigate your full medical history before prescribing Yasmin. So do not just recommend it to a friend.