Yasmin

Yasmin is a combined oral contraceptive pill (or "the pill") that contains small amounts of female hormones, progestogen and oestrogen. These two active ingredients are synthetic versions of naturally-occurring hormones.

Yasmin comes in 21-day packs, with 21 active pills (hormone-containing pills that prevent pregnancy). It’s a low-dose contraceptive, meaning it has lower levels of hormones than many other birth control options. This makes it a good choice for women who have experienced side effects from other hormonal contraceptives. When taken correctly, this birth control pill has been shown to be very effective at preventing unintended pregnancies.

Are Yasmin and Yaz the same?

Both Yasmin and Yaz are combined contraceptive pills containing the same hormones. However, they contain slightly different doses. Although both Yaz and Yasmin contain 3mg of drospirenone, Yaz contains only 0.02mg of ethinyl estradiol, while Yasmin contains 0.03mg.

The hormone combination of Yasmin works in three ways to prevent pregnancy:

• It prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary).
• It thickens the mucus on the cervix, so the sperm cannot reach the eggs.
• It thins the uterine lining, which makes an egg less likely to implant.

By blocking ovulation (releasing an egg from one of your ovaries) and by causing other changes in your body, these hormones reduce your chances of getting pregnant.

How well does Yasmin work?

Combined hormonal contraceptives, such as Yasmin, are highly effective (99%) at preventing pregnancy. The chances of a woman getting pregnant in the first year are fewer than 1 in 100 if they are used correctly. Several things can impede the combined pill's efficacy such as vomiting, diarrhoea, some antibiotics, and missing a pill. Because of this, you need to have a full understanding of your contraceptive method, as well as how to use it, before deciding whether it's right for you.

Yasmin does not prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so you should still use condoms when having sex.

Women with certain medical conditions may find Yasmin to be a good alternative to other methods they have tried. Below is a list of some of the clinically-proven benefits of this contraceptive.

Yasmin pill benefits:

• improves acne and overall skin condition
• reduces heavy menstrual bleeding
• controls PMDD and PMS symptoms
• eases PCOS symptoms
• reduces period pain

In spite of this, it's important to note that not all women will experience these potential health benefits.

Is Yasmin good for acne?

A 2012 review examined 31 trials that used hormonal contraceptives as an acne treatment. The researchers found that non-inflammatory and inflammatory acne improved among females on contraceptive pills. The combined pill can be an effective treatment for acne if you have mild to moderate acne, according to the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, as it may help reduce acne breakouts and make your skin less oily. If you take combination birth control pills to improve acne, it may take anywhere from a few weeks to 3 months before you notice a visible improvement.

While Yasmin has been clinically proven to reduce acne, this medication might not be recommended if acne is severe. If you're interested in using Yasmin to treat acne, talk with your doctor first — they may suggest starting with another medication like Dianette instead.

You should take your first Yasmin pill on the first day of your period. If you take combination pills within five days of the beginning of your menstrual period, you will be protected from pregnancy right away and the chances of irregular bleeding will be reduced.

You can still start taking birth control pills if your period won't be for a few weeks, but you won't be protected immediately. If you begin the pill pack mid cycle, backup contraception will be needed.

Yasmin is approved for use in the United Kingdom by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). In order to determine if Yasmin is right for you, your doctor will need to review your medical history, current medical conditions, including your blood pressure readings, and other factors such as how much you weigh, your age, and if you smoke. As with any medication, there are side effects associated with Yasmin, but it's generally regarded as a safe choice of contraception. Please consult your doctor if you have any questions about this medication or what kind of contraception is best for you.

Who should not take this contraceptive pill?

If you have any of the following conditions, you should not use Yasmin. Before using this pill, tell your doctor if any of these apply to you. Your doctor may recommend a completely different method of contraception.

Yasmin is not recommended if you have or have ever had:

• problems with your circulation e.g deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, or in any other part of your body that can be affected by thrombosis.
• a heart attack or stroke (from a blood clot in your brain or a ruptured blood vessel).
• chest pain that might be indicative of a heart attack or stroke (such as a transient ischaemic attack).
• migraines.
• diabetes mellitus with blood vessel damage.
• jaundice or severe liver disease.
• cancer (e.g. breast cancer).
• severe kidney disease.
• unexplained vaginal bleeding.
• adverse effects to ethinylestradiol, drospirenone, or any of Yasmin's other ingredients.

Yasmin is not suitable for women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant.

If you experience any of these conditions for the first time while taking the pill, consult your doctor immediately. Use non-hormonal contraceptives in the meantime.

Yasmin is only one of many different types of oral contraceptives (also known as "the pill"), so you should talk to your doctor before deciding whether Yasmin is right for you.

Are there any interactions between Yasmin and other medications?

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any medication, including supplements and herbal medicines. They may interfere with Yasmin and alter its effectiveness.

You should tell your doctor if you are taking any medications used to treat:

• epilepsy (such as carbamazepine and phenytoin)
• HIV (such as ritonavir, nevirapine and efavirenz)
• hepatitis C
• fungal infections
• high blood pressure
• arthritis

You should also notify your doctor if you are taking the herbal remedy St. John's Wort.

Patients should refer to the patient information leaflet for a complete list of potential drug interactions and for other precautions.

There is always a risk associated with contraceptives, as well as side effects. Most of these are mild and you shouldn't be alarmed if you experience them.

Common side effects include:

The patient leaflet for Yasmin contains a complete list of any and all possible side effects, including serious ones. It is important to seek medical attention if you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction such as: swelling of the face, tongue, or throat difficulty breathing or swallowing; or hives. Please consult the patient leaflet for further information.

Does Yasmin cause blood clots?

Combination hormonal contraceptives like Yasmin are associated with an increased risk of VTE compared to not using them at all. The risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism is extremely rare in women of reproductive age. Even though you may have an increased risk of blood clots when using birth control pills, it is significantly lower than that of developing a blood clot while pregnant.

MHRA recommendations for women and physicians emphasise that hormonal contraceptives are highly effective and safe, and that when used appropriately, benefits far outweigh risks of VTE.

You will not be prescribed the combined contraceptive pill if you have been diagnosed with blood clots, if you are overweight, or if you have a medical history that puts you at risk for blood clots. If you would like to take a pill but are unable to take or do not wish to take a combined pill, then a mini-pill or progestogen only pill is a good alternative.

Yasmin is a prescription-only medicine (POM), available from euroClinix after completing a short questionnaire, which will be reviewed by a UK-registered doctor. Our doctors will ensure that Yasmin is right for you based on the health and medical history you provide. You may not be able to take Yasmin if you suffer from certain medical conditions (see the question 'Is it safe to take the Yasmin contraceptive pill?' above). If your treatment is approved, our pharmacy will dispense your medication via post, free of charge, with next-day delivery.