The serious side effects of Yasmin and Yaz birth control include problems with blood clots, stroke heart attacks, pancreatitis and gallbladder disease. Yaz or Yasmin (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) are oral contraceptive pills used to prevent pregnancy, for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and for the treatment of moderate acne. Yaz/Yasmin contains the unique hormone drospirenone, which is linked to an increase in potassium. Women with kidney, liver, or adrenal disease should not take Yaz/Yasmin because such use could cause serious heart and other health problems. The drug has been associated with gallbladder damage, blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolisms and kidney stones in women who had no previous health problems before using Yaz birth control.


Yazs manufacturer, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, recently undertook significant revision of its television ad campaign. The prior campaign misled women to believe that taking Yaz could eliminate premenstrual syndrome or that it could be used as a treatment to clear up acne. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Attorney General of 27 states objected to this misleading marketing by Bayer. Subsequently, in 2008, the FDA required that Bayer Healthcare use only marketing of Yaz of FDA approved applications of the drug. The new ad campaign clarifies that is only approved to treat PMDD but not PMS. The new television commercials also note that Yaz is not approved for maintaining clear skin and that there are a number of health risks associated with birth control pills.

Unfortunately for many women who believed Bayers original ad campaigns, these clarifications come too late and even the new warnings remain inadequate. Yaz, taken by millions of women throughout the United States, has been one of the most popular oral contraceptives on the market. Lawsuits against Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals are rising throughout the nation. The allegations in the lawsuits range from serious injuries and in some cases, death. From 2004 to 2008, there were at least 50 deaths in the U.S. linked to the use of Yaz/Yasmin. An FDA recall has not yet been issued, although advocacy groups around the nation are suggesting one. People with negative side effects from taking the drug are encouraged to report such side effects to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1800-FDA-1088. The more women who come forward who have experienced serious side effects helps create awareness of the risks involved with this birth control pill.By: John5 Davidson5Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.comJohn Anderson is author of this article on Yaz blood clots. Find more information about Yaz pulmonary embolism here.