Has your doctor prescribed you this pill for family planning, perhaps to control acne, or to treat a condition called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)? You may have heard of this medication by names like Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella. They contain the same ingredients. So today, let's talk about it simply, as if you were talking to a friend.
What is this medicine?
Simply put, this is a birth control pill. That is, a medicine that prevents pregnancy. It combines two synthetic forms of two hormones that are naturally found in our bodies. These are estrogen and progestin . These two hormones work together to prevent your body from releasing an egg (ovulation). If an egg is not released, there is no way for you to get pregnant. In addition to this, as we mentioned earlier, this medicine is also used to treat acne and PMDD.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
This is very important. If you have any of the conditions listed below, or have had them in the past, you should definitely tell your doctor before starting this medication. This is because it can be dangerous to use this medication with these conditions.
| Conditions to report to your doctor | |
|---|---|
| Vaginal bleeding for an unknown reason | Adrenal gland disease |
| A history of blood vessel disease or blood clots | Breast, cervical, uterine, ovarian, or liver cancer |
| Diabetes | Gallbladder disease |
| Heart disease or a recent heart attack | High blood pressure |
| High cholesterol | Increased potassium levels in the blood |
| Kidney disease | Liver disease |
| Migraine headaches | Stroke |
| SLE disease (Systemic lupus erythematosus) | Smoking habit |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | Breastfeeding the baby |
| Having an allergic reaction to any other medicine, food, or dye. | |
How exactly do you use these pills?
This is a pill to take by mouth. Some people may feel nauseous after taking this. To reduce this, it is best to take the pill with food. The most important thing is to take the pill at the same time every day. Set an alarm on your phone. Take the pill every day as directed on the pill card. Do not take more than the doctor tells you to.
When you are given medication, you will receive a patient package insert. Always read it carefully. The information in it may be updated.
What if I forget to take a pill?
If you forget to take a pill one day, follow the instructions in the information leaflet you received. Usually, if you forget to take more than one pill, the contraceptive effect of this medicine may be reduced. Therefore, it is safest to use an additional method of contraception, such as condoms, for the rest of the month.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
- Regular medical checkups: While taking this medication, it is important to go for regular checkups as prescribed by your doctor. It is important to have things like a breast exam and a Pap smear.
- Smoking: This is very important.
- Fluid retention: This medication may cause fluid retention in some people. Your fingers, hands, and ankles may feel swollen. Your blood pressure may also increase. If you experience any of these changes, talk to your doctor.
- Sun sensitivity: Your skin may be a little sensitive to sunlight while taking this medicine. So, if you are going out in the sun, use a good sunscreen. Avoid using sun lamps, tanning beds, etc.
- Birth control: It is safe to use an additional form of birth control (e.g. condoms) during the first month of using these pills.
- Sexually transmitted diseases: Keep this in mind. This pill only protects you from pregnancy. It does not protect you from HIV (AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted disease . You must use a condom to protect yourself.
- Days 1-24: During this time, you will take the light pink pills. These are the "active" pills . This means that they contain the hormones that prevent pregnancy. Take one pill at the same time every day.
- Days 25-28: During these four days, you will take the white pills. These are the "inactive" pills , or placebos. They do not contain any hormones. They are there to help you remember to take your pill every day.
- On day 29: You should start a new pack of pills. Start again with the first light pink pill.
- It is very important to take this medicine at the same time every day .
- Before starting the medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all other medications you are taking .
- Smoking while taking this medication is very dangerous, especially if you are over 35 years old.
- This only prevents pregnancy and does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience warning symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, swelling in a leg, or severe headache.
- This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with others.
If you smoke while taking this medicine, especially if you are over 35 years of age, the risk of blood clots and stroke is very high. Therefore, we advise you to avoid smoking completely.
What are the possible side effects of the medication?
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. But not everyone gets them. Some are serious, some are common. Let's see what they are.
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Blood clot | Leg pain, swelling or warmth, difficulty breathing, chest pain. |
| Stroke | Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking, severe headache. |
| Liver injury | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark yellow/brown urine. |
| Other serious symptoms | Symptoms such as increased blood pressure, new or worsening migraines, and depression. |
| Side effects that are usually common, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Breast pain or tightness | Nausea |
| Irregular menstrual periods or spotting | Weight gain |
| Dark spots on the skin on the face or sun-exposed areas | |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do these Yaz/Yasmin pills contain estrogen?
Yes. These pills contain both hormones, synthetic estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and synthetic progesterone (drospirenone). We call pills that contain both hormones "combination birth control pills."
How exactly do you take the Yaz pill card?
A Yaz pill pack usually contains 28 pills.
Can this medicine be used for emergency birth control (Plan B)?
No. Absolutely not. Yaz/Yasmin is a daily birth control pill, not an emergency contraceptive. There are different types of pills that are used in emergencies. Ask your doctor about that.
What other medications may interact with this medicine?
This is very important. If you are taking any other medications, tell your doctor about them. Some antibiotics, epilepsy medications, HIV medications, and high blood pressure medications can interact with these hormonal pills. Also, tell your doctor about any vitamins, herbal remedies (such as St. John's wort), and Ayurvedic medicines you are taking.
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