Yasmin Birth Control Pills

Introduction:

Yasmin birth control pill is a combination birth control pill. It is made up of two female hormones and is used to prevent pregnancy. It is prescribed as a 28-day or 21-day oral contraceptive pill. It works by inhibiting ovulation. One tablet has to be taken orally every day at the same time. Taking this tablet after dinner or during bedtime reduces some side effects. It should be kept in mind that birth control pills act as contraceptives and will not protect people against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syphilis. Smoking increases the risk of heart attacks when used along with contraceptive pills.

What Are Yasmin Birth Control Pills?

Yasmin pills are available as 28 or 21 film-coated tablets.

1. The 28 tablets contain the following:

• 21 Yellow Tablets - These are active pills that contain hormones.

• 7 White Tablets - These seven tablets are chemically inactive.

2. The 21 tablets pack does not have the seven white pills.

What Is the Composition of Yasmin Birth Control Pills?

The 21 active yellow pills contain two hormones:

1. Ethinyl Estradiol (Estrogen).

2. Drospirenone (Progestin).

Both Ethinyl estradiol and Drospirenone are synthetic compounds of female hormones estrogen and progesterone, respectively.

The seven inactive white pills contain:

1. Lactose monohydrate.

2. Corn starch.

3. Povidone.

4. Magnesium stearate.

5. Titanium dioxide.

6. Ferric oxide.

How Do Yasmin Pills Work?

These pills work by:

• Preventing the release of an egg, that is, ovulation, during the menstrual cycle.

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• Preventing the sperm from reaching the egg for fertilization by making the vaginal fluid thicker.

• Preventing a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterine wall by changing the uterine lining.

How to Use Yasmin Birth Control Pills?

It is recommended to take the yellow pill on the first day of the menstrual period or the first Sunday after the periods start. One should take one tablet, preferably at the same time daily. The ideal time to take the tablet is after the evening meal or at bedtime.

• Yasmin 28 - Take yellow pills from day 1 to 21, and take the white pills from day 22 to 28. Start the new packet on the 29th day, irrespective of whether the period has occurred or is still in progress. One is most likely to get their period any day from day 22 to 28.

• Yasmin 21 - Take one yellow pill every day for 21 consecutive days, and do not take any pill from day 22 to 28. Start the new packet on the 29th day, irrespective of whether the period has occurred or is still in progress. One is most likely to get their period any day from day 22 to 28.

What If Someone Missed a Dose?

It is crucial to take this medicine as prescribed by the gynecologist and not even miss a single pill, as the chances of becoming pregnant increase. But in case someone has missed taking a pill, read the instruction leaflet that comes along with the pill.

• If someone misses one pill, then take the pill as soon as remembered, and take the next day's pill at the usual time.

• During the first two weeks of the cycle, if you missed two pills, take two as soon as possible, and take two pills the next day. After that, continue taking one pill daily till the pack gets over.

• If someone misses two pills in the 3rd week of their cycle or if they miss three or more pills at any time, discard the pill pack and start a new one the day they remember. They might miss their period that month.

• If someone misses taking white pills from the pack of 28 pills, dispose of the pill they missed and continue taking one daily until the pack is empty.

Consult the gynecologist in case of not getting periods for two consecutive months. There are chances of pregnancy for seven days after missing a pill, so use other non-hormonal birth control methods, for example, condoms or spermicide, during that period.

What Are the Things to Remember While Taking Yasmin?

• Always read the patient information leaflet carefully before using the pills.

• Always take the pills on the gynecologist’s recommendation, and do not self-medicate.

• Chances of pregnancy increase if a pill is missed. Start the new packet late, or alter the time to take the pill.

• One should ideally get their period on the third day after taking the last yellow pill. If two consecutive periods have missed, consult the doctor.

• If this is the first time someone is taking the pill, and have started taking the pill on a Sunday, then for the first seven days, use other non-hormonal birth control methods. This gives time for the medicine to work.

• If switching to Yasmin from another birth control pill, then Yasmin should be started on the day they would have started the previous packet of birth control.

• If switching to Yasmin from an intrauterine device or implant, Yasmin should be started on the day of removal.

• If someone vomits after two to three hours of taking a tablet, it is considered a missed pill and might require additional contraceptive measures.

What Are the Side Effects of Taking These Pills?

The common side effects include:

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Headache.

• Breast tenderness.

• Weight gain.

• Intermenstrual spotting.

• Abdominal discomfort.

• Bloating.

• Nipple discharge.

• Increased hair growth.

• Darkening of facial skin.

• Hormones alter how contact lenses fit.

• Reduced libido.

• Vaginal discharge.

• Changes in periods.

Some of the serious side effects include:

• High blood pressure.

• Blood clots.

• Stroke.

• Heart rhythm problems.

• Liver tumors (rare).

• Depression.

• Gallbladder disease.

When to See a Doctor?

Stop taking the pill and get immediate medical attention if experiencing any of the following symptoms:

1. Stroke - Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, slurred speech, sudden headache, and vision problems.

2. Blood Clot - Stabbing chest pain, shortness of breath, and sudden vision loss.

3. Allergy - Skin rashes, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, and tongue.

4. Heart Attack - Chest pain, sweating, nausea, and jaw pain.

5. Liver Problems - Jaundice, clay-colored stools, itching, dark urine, and loss of appetite.

6. Hypertension - Severe headache, shoulder and neck pain, and blurred vision.

What Are the Drugs That Yasmin Interacts With?

Yasmin can interact with some of the other medicines and can cause unwanted side effects or might prevent the drug from working well. Some of the drugs that can interact with Yasmin are:

• Rifampin - Antitubercular drug.

• Levothyroxine - Hypothyroid medication.

• Phenytoin, Carbamazepine - Antiepileptic drugs.

• Clarithromycin, Erythromycin - Antibiotics.

• Statins - Cholesterol drugs.

• Itraconazole, Fluconazole - Antifungal medicines.

• Morphine, Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen - Painkillers.

• Mycophenolate - Immunosuppressant drug.

• Enalapril, Losartan - Antihypertensives.

Tell the doctor if using any of these medicines, as they may need additional contraception, or it might raise potassium levels or cause intermenstrual bleeding.

Who Should Not Take Yasmin?

One should avoid taking this medicine under the following conditions:

• If they think they are pregnant.

• If they smoke.

• A history of blood clots, stroke, and heart attack.

• If they have heart valve or rhythm problems.

• High blood pressure.

• Diabetes.

• History of breast cancer.

• Liver, kidney, or adrenal diseases.

• If they are depressed.

Conclusion:

Combination birth control pills are one of the most effective ways to prevent pregnancy. Yasmin is very effective; only one woman out of 100 gets pregnant while taking this pill correctly. Take this pill only after consulting the gynecologist. One can consult gynecologists online, as they will help to choose the best birth control method depending on the person’s condition.