Yasmin Tablets

Yasmin is a popular birth control pill that also provides a number of additional health benefits which include:

• Shorter, more regular periods.
• Less painful periods.
• Fewer PMS symptoms.
• Low incidences of iron-deficient anaemia.
• Decreased risk of benign breast or ovarian cysts.
• Reduced risk of ectopic pregnancies.
• Lowered risk of certain cancers, such as ovarian and endometrial cancers.
• Some users of Yasmin birth control pills also reported decreased symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and acne.

Yasmin contains two active ingredients; Drospirenone and ethinylestradiol, which are synthetic forms of the hormones progesterone and oestrogen.

Yasmin birth control pills work in two ways:

• Yasmin birth control pills prevent ovulation. They trick your body into thinking it is already pregnant, and thus prevent an egg from being released.
• Yasmin causes the cervical mucus to become thicker making it more difficult for sperm to fertilize the egg.

Like other birth control pills, Yasmin may interact with certain medical conditions. Discuss your medical history with your gynaecologist before using Yasmin, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• You take any prescription or over-the-counter-medications, including herb-based products, vitamins, and dietary supplements.
• You have any allergies to food or medication.
• You are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• You have or have had irregular menstrual periods, abnormal vaginal bleeding, endometriosis or growths in the uterus.
• You have had lumps in the breast, fibrocystic breast disease, abnormal mammogram, or breast cancer.
• You have had a stroke or blood clots; diabetes or high blood sugar; high blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels; high blood pressure; high blood calcium or potassium levels; or heart problems.
• You experience migraines or persistent headaches; mood swings; depression; or seizures.
• You have suffered from gall bladder, adrenal, or liver problems; jaundice; or unexplained vaginal bleeding.
• You are overweight or have swelling or thyroid problems.
• You have not yet had your first menstrual period.

If possible, begin taking Yasmin on the first day of your period. If you begin taking the Pill in the first five days of your cycle, you will be immediately protected from pregnancy. If you begin later in your cycle, you will need to abstain from sex or use alternative contraception for the first seven days of taking Yasmin.

If you have a menstrual cycle of less than 24 days, you may need to use alternative contraception for your first seven days regardless of when you start.

If you have just given birth, begin taking Yasmin on day 21 following the birth. If you begin taking the Pill later than this, you will not be immediately protected against another pregnancy.

Begin taking Yasmin immediately following an abortion or miscarriage. If more than seven days have passed, you will need to use additional contraception for your first seven days of using the Pill.

Keep the following precautions in mind while taking Yasmin:

• Take Yasmin only under your doctor’s guidance
• You should take Yasmin orally with or without food. Do not remove the tablet from the pack until you are ready to take it.
• Take the first pill within the first 24 hours of your menstrual period or on the first Sunday after your period begins. If you start the birth control pill at the beginning of your period, you will not need additional contraception. If you start using Yasmin birth control pills on the first Sunday after your period starts, use a second form of birth control for the first 7 days.
• Yasmin is a 28-day pack with 21 active pills (yellow) and 7 inert pills (white). Take the active pills every day for the first 21 days. On the last week, take the inert pills for the next 7 days. During this last week, you will have your period. Contact your doctor if you do not get your period.
• Begin your next pack of Yasmin the day after you take your last inert/white pill.
• Yasmin birth control pills are more effective when taken at the same time every day. Select a time convenient time for you.
• Continue taking the pills even if you are spotting, bleeding, or feeling nauseous.

Most women who use Yasmin birth control pills experience no serious side effects. Common side effects include:

• Bleeding or spotting, nausea, vaginal discomfort, vomiting, stomach cramps, bloating headache, or breast tenderness/enlargement. These side effects are common and generally lessen or disappear with continued use of the product.
• Weight gain.
• Women who wear contact lenses may notice vision changes or difficulty wearing the lenses.
• Edema or high blood pressure.
• Dark spots on the skin.

If these side effects worsen, or if you develop other serious side effects while taking Yasmin, inform your doctor.

Yes, like with all medicines, it is possible to be allergic to Yasmin. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Yasmin, or any other contraceptive, please inform your doctor prior to taking Yasmin. Suffering a serious allergic reaction is unlikely, but be sure to talk to your doctor immediately should any of the following develop:

• Breathing trouble
• Itching, rash or hives
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, or face
• Severe dizziness

Before you start taking Yasmin, it is important to inform your doctor about all other prescription and over-the-counter medicines you are currently taking. This includes vitamins and herbal supplements. If you are currently taking any of the following medicines for a long-term chronic complaint, be sure to consult with your doctor before you take Yasmin:

• Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) - This includes, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Naproxen and Diclofenac.
• Potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g. Spironolactone)
• Potassium supplements
• ACE inhibitors, such as Ramipril, Lisinopril and Enalapril.
• Angiotensin-II receptor antagonist, such as Losartan.
• Heparin.

Yasmin should not be used for at least 4 weeks after giving birth or suffering a miscarriage.

Yasmin passes into the breast milk, so alternative methods of birth control should be adopted until the child is weaned. Consult with your doctor about suitable substitutes.

No. Yasmin will only prevent pregnancy whilst the course is being taken.

A pregnancy can occur within days of stopping the pill. However, some doctors will advise postponing conception until the menstrual cycle has normalised after stopping the pill.

Missed doses of Yasmin birth control pills can result in pregnancy:

• If you forget to take one active pill, take it as soon as you remember. Take your next dose at the regular time, this may mean taking two Yasmin pills on one day.
• In Weeks 1 or 2, if you miss two active Yasmin pills: take two pills on the day you remember, two pills the next day, and resume your schedule the next day.
• If you miss two active Yasmin pills in Week 3 of the pack: If you began using Yasmin on the first day of your period, start a new pack immediately. If are a Sunday starter, take one pill a day until Sunday; start a new pack of pills on Sunday.
• If you have missed three or more Yasmin pills, contact your doctor. Keep taking pills until your appointment.
• If you miss any white Yasmin pills, throw them away and continue with your normal schedule. You will not need an additional form of contraception.
• After missing more than one active Yasmin pill, use a non-hormonal form of contraception, such as condoms with spermicide for 7 days.
• If you miss more than one active Yasmin pill, it is possible that you may miss your period this month. If you miss your period for two months in a row, talk to your doctor immediately.

Store Yasmin in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep Yasmin away from children and pets.

Do not use Yasmin for four weeks following childbirth or miscarriage. If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about other birth control options you might use until the child is weaned. Yasmin can enter the breast milk and cause harm to a nursing baby.

Keep the following in mind while using Yasmin:

• Women who smoke or use tobacco products have an increased risk of developing heart problems and stroke while taking Yasmin. For information about smoking cessation products such as Zybanand Champix,
• Women who take Yasmin may experience dizziness when large quantities drinking alcohol. Limit your alcohol consumption while using Yasmin.
• Avoid excessive sun exposure, tanning booths and sun lamps until you know how you react to this birth control pill. Some women may develop dark spots on the skin.
• Inform your doctor that you are taking Yasmin before receiving any dental or medical care, emergency care, or surgery. Your doctor may suggest that you stop Yasmin for a period of time before and after surgery.
• Some doctors also recommend stopping Yasmin if you will be confined to a bed or chair for an extended period (during a plane journey or bed rest).

If you are allergic to any of Yasmin’s ingredients, inform your doctor. Serious allergic reactions are unlikely, but possible symptoms include:

• Difficulty breathing.
• Itching, rash or hives.
• Swollen lips, tongue, or face.
• Severe dizziness.
• If you develop any of these symptoms while taking Yasmin, contact your doctor immediately.