Generically known as drospirenone, Yaz is an oral birth control medication that, when taken daily within four hours of a set time, claims to be 99.9 percent effective. Yaz is produced by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical manufacturer that also produces another contraceptive pill known as Yasmin. Commonly mistaken to be the same contraceptive, the only difference between Yaz and Yasmin lies in the amount of ethinyl estradiol (a bio-active form of estrogen) each contains. While both contain the same amount drospirenone, Yaz contains 20mcg of ethinyl estradiol, and Yasmin contains 30mcg of the same hormone.
Yaz Side Effects
Yaz has been known to cause a range of mild to serious side effects. In most cases, Yaz side effects will be minor, passing and easily treatable. Minor Yaz side effects may include (but aren’t limited to):
- Breakthrough bleeding
- Breast swelling, tenderness and/or enlargement
- Changes in menstruation (including heavier, lighter, earlier or later periods)
- Changes in weight (either weight gain or weight loss)
- Headache
- Nausea
- Yeast infection
Yaz birth control has also been linked to dangerous, potentially fatal side effects, such as:
- Blood clots
- Breast lumps
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Depression
- Gallbladder disease
- Heart attack
- Liver damage, including the development of benign liver tumors
- Pulmonary embolism
- Stroke
Yaz patients who develop the symptoms of any of the above conditions should seek emergency medical care to further, potentially fatal, health complications.
Risk Factors for Yaz Side Effects
Although any woman who takes Yaz may be at risk of experiencing dangerous health complications, those who are at an increased risk include those who:
- Have a history of any of the above-listed conditions
- Are older than 35
- Smoke
Yaz Lawsuits
There have been hundreds of Yaz lawsuits filed on behalf of injured women and their families. Yaz complaints have been filed for injuries including blood clots and deep vein thrombosis. If you’ve experienced a health complication while taking Yaz and would like to see if you qualify to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries
