Risks of Yasmin

By Erin Clark

Nearly 80% of women have used ‘the Pill’ since its introduction in the 1960’s. Though this number is estimated to be less among Native women, oral contraceptives remain a heavily relied upon birth control choice for millions, yet access to information about its side effects is not always easy. Recently, the brand of oral contraceptive Yasmin (also known as Yaz or Ocella) has come under strict scrutiny for the possibility of severe side effects, and many of these side effects are closely tied to health problems in Native communities.

Who is at risk, and why?
Yasmin is unique from other oral contraceptives because it contains the progestin drosperinone, an ingredient most noted for its capacity to significantly increase the amount of potassium in your blood. In addition to the general side effects of oral contraceptives, these changes in the level of potassium can be particularly dangerous for women with kidney, liver, or adrenal diseases, and further research has investigated the frequency of heart attack, stroke, and thrombosis in Yasmin patients. This frequency is likely tied to the imbalance of potassium levels provoked by Yasmin and subsequent tampering with the body’s natural levels of salt and water, an imbalance that can be particularly dangerous for high-risk heart disease patients. This tampering with the body’s natural mechanisms carries particular weight for diabetics and women with heart disease, blood clotting disorders, jaundice, and liver disorders, all of which are prevalent in Native communities. In addition, high cholesterol, smoking, and a history of heart attack, chest pain, or cancer of the breast or reproductive organs significantly increase the risks associated with Yasmin, as with many other oral contraceptives.

What side effects should I look for?
Many of the lawsuits filed against Yasmin have been associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), severe heart problems such as cardiac arrhythmia or heart attack, and severe depression or personality changes. If you are taking Yasmin, be aware that these health problems can be directly related to taking oral contraceptives. The symptoms of DVT, characterized by a blood clot in a deep vein, are usually the swelling, sensitivity, or discoloration of one or both legs; PE is the sudden blockage of an artery in the lung, most commonly signified by sudden shortness of breath or chest pain. Depression as well can be dangerous, but is frequently ignored by health professionals and patients, particularly in women. These severe side effects of Yasmin, seemingly more common than from other oral contraceptives, are rare but dangerous, particularly if you are already vulnerable with other health risks.

What can I do?
Know your body, and demand your health professional do the same. While Yasmin may not be for everyone, millions of women have successfully used this contraceptive since its arrival on the market in 2001. Your health and safety can be preserved by staying informed about your choice of oral contraception and requiring your health professional to carefully evaluate your suitability for Yasmin- analysis of cholesterol levels, blood pressure, diabetes, kidney problems, obesity, migraines, and medical history, including current medications, can protect you significantly from harmful side effects. Furthermore, smoking seriously increases the risk of adverse side effects associated with the heart and blood vessels (including clotting) and may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, particularly for women over 35 or who smoke more than 15 cigarettes/day. Most importantly, be aware of the health risks and effect on your body oral contraceptives, such as Yasmin, may have- and ask questions!

Talking points with doctor:

• Medical history, particularly related to heart, liver, kidney, and reproductive system functioning, along with mental health
• Reasons for choosing Yasmin as birth control method of choice; considering what is best for your lifestyle and health is important
• Current medications and possible interactions
• Possible side effects, from mild to severe, and what their symptoms might be