Yasmin

What is Yasmin?

Yasmin is a combined oral contraceptive pill that contains 0.03 mg of ethinylestradiol and 3 mg of drospirenone, two artificial ingredients that act in similar ways to oestrogen and progesterone. They work together to stop you from getting pregnant.

The combined pill is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy when it is taken perfectly. However, it is more realistically closer to 91% effective when typical use, such as forgetting or missing pills, is considered. That means that each year, 9 out of 100 women will get pregnant while taking Yasmin.

Although Yasmin can stop you from getting pregnant and may help make menstrual bleeding lighter, it cannot protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms are the most reliable method of contraception for protecting against conditions such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia.

How Does Yasmin Work?

Yasmin is a combined oral contraceptive that contains two synthetic hormones called drospirenone and ethinylestradiol. They are similar to the naturally produced female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone in the body.

Together, these hormones work to prevent pregnancy in 3 ways:

1. Inhibits the release of hormones that cause ovulation, the monthly release of a mature egg from the ovaries. This is Yasmin's primary mechanism of action
2. Increases the viscosity of cervical mucus, so sperm find it difficult to reach the womb
3. Alters the womb lining (endometrium) to make it thinner and reduce the likelihood of a fertilised egg implanting there

Drospirenone also has antiandrogenic properties, so it reduces the effects of male hormones (androgens) in the body. When combined with ethinylestradiol, drospirenone may improve the appearance of acne-prone skin. It also has a mild anti-mineralocorticoid effect, which means it could counterbalance oestrogen's salt-retaining effect. That being said, results will vary and cannot be guaranteed, and Yasmin will not be suitable for everyone.

How Long Does Yasmin Take to Work?

Yasmin pills work immediately to prevent pregnancy if you take them on the first day of your menstrual cycle. It's also possible to begin on days 2 to 5 of your period, but you'll need to use additional contraceptives (like condoms) for the first 7 days while the medication takes effect.

After this point, you'll be protected from becoming pregnant, as long as you continue taking Yasmin correctly.

How To Take the Yasmin Pill

Yasmin is packaged in strips of 21 pills. Each pill is marked with the day of the week on which it should be taken. Take each pill at the same time on each indicated day, following the arrows until the strip is finished.

After finishing a strip, you should take a 7-day break where you take no pills. During this time, you should experience a withdrawal bleed. You will still be protected against pregnancy during these 7 days as long as you have taken the 21 pills previously as prescribed.

Start your new strip after the 7-day pill-free period, regardless of whether your withdrawal bleeding has stopped. You should start the new strip the day after the 7-day break ends.

When to Start Taking Yasmin Pills

If you're taking Yasmin for the first time or coming back to it after a break, have your first pill on day 1 of your cycle (the first day of your period). This will ensure you are immediately protected against pregnancy. You could also begin on days 2-5 of the cycle, but you'd need to use extra precautions until you have taken Yasmin for 7 days.

Can You Take Yasmin Without a Break?

Yes, you can take Yasmin strips without a break (back-to-back) and skip the pill-free week. Although you will not get a withdrawal bleed, you may have some light bleeding while using the second strip. You should speak to your clinician if you want to take Yasmin following this regimen of continuous use.

What Should I Do If I Forget to Take Yasmin?

If you are less than 12 hours late taking a Yasmin birth control pill, take the pill as soon as you remember - even if it means taking two pills in one day. Continue taking the rest of your pills as usual. You will still be protected from pregnancy.

If you are more than 12 hours late taking a Yasmin pill, you may not be protected from pregnancy if you have unprotected sex. What you will need to do will depend on how many pills you have missed and in what week.

• More than 1 missed pill in the strip

Speak to your clinician as soon as possible.

• One forgotten pill in week 1

Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if that means taking 2 tablets at the same time. Continue taking the pill as usual and use condoms for the next 7 days.

If you had sex in the previous week, you could be pregnant, so you should speak to your clinician.

• One forgotten tablet in week 2

Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if that means taking 2 tablets at the same time. Continue taking the pill as usual; your protection is not reduced, and you should not need to take extra precautions.

• One forgotten tablet in week 3

Here, you have 2 options:

1. Take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if that means taking 2 tablets at once. Continue taking your pills as usual, but instead of having a 7-day pill-free break at the end of the strip, start the next strip the next day.
2. Stop the strip and go directly to the 7-day pill-free break, recording the day you forgot your pill. If you want to start a new strip on the day you always start, keep the break under 7 days.

If you have missed any pills in the strip and you do not have a bleed during the first pill-free break, you could be pregnant. Take a pregnancy test or contact your clinician.

What Should I Do If I Take More Yasmin Than I Should?

If you have taken more Yasmin pills than you should, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice. Having several tablets at once can cause you to feel sick, vomit, or experience bleeding from the vagina.

What Should I Do if I am Sick (Vomit) or Have Diarrhoea When Taking Yasmin?

If you are sick (vomiting) within 3 to 4 hours of taking a Yasmin pill or you have severe diarrhoea, the active ingredients may not have been fully absorbed by your body. After being sick or having diarrhoea, take another pill from a reserve strip as soon as possible. If possible, take it within 12 hours of when you would normally take your pill.

If more than 12 hours have passed, follow the missed-pill guidance. If your symptoms do not improve or get worse, speak to your clinician.

Can I Stop Taking Yasmin?

Yes, you can stop taking Yasmin whenever you want to. If you want to try for a baby, you should stop taking Yasmin and wait for your first period before trying. This will help your clinician calculate your expected delivery date more easily.

If you do not want to get pregnant when you stop taking Yasmin, speak to your clinician about alternative contraceptive methods.

Cautions and Side Effects of Yasmin

Not all treatments work and react in the same way. You should therefore ensure you have a thorough understanding of the treatment you're taking, so you know what to expect.

Detailed information on the cautions and side effects of Yasmin is available in the Patient Information Leaflet. If you're ever unsure, speak to a clinician before starting the medication.

Yasmin Side Effects

Yasmin can cause side effects, but not everyone will experience them. The side effects usually occur during the first 3 months of starting the pill, as your body adjusts to the hormones.

Potential Yasmin side effects include:

Please note that the above is not an exhaustive list of Yasmin side effects. More information can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your treatment or can be viewed online.

If you are concerned about the side effects associated with Yasmin or any other birth control pill, contact your GP or speak to a medical professional for advice. You can also report any side effects, even those that are not listed in the patient leaflet, directly to the MHRA's Yellow Card Scheme.

Allergy Information

Do not take Yasmin if you are allergic to ethinylestradiol, drospirenone or any of its other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet enclosed with your pill pack.

Yasmin contains lactose. If you are sensitive to certain sugars, talk to your doctor before taking Yasmin.

If you experience the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction after taking Yasmin, stop taking it immediately and go directly to the nearest accident and emergency department. Remember to take the packaging and any remaining medicine with you so that the doctors treating you know exactly what you've taken and how much.

Signs of an allergic reaction may include:

• Chest tightening
• Dry, red and cracked skin
• Itchy, red, watery eyes
• Raised, itchy, red rash (hives)
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, eyes or face
• Tummy pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• Wheezing

Yasmin and The Risk of Blood Clots

Yasmin and other combined pills slightly increase the risk of blood clots compared to women who do not take the combined contraceptive pill.

The risk of getting a blood clot is as follows:

If you do experience signs of a blood clot, seek immediate medical attention. Things to look out for include:

• Coughing up blood
• Swelling in one leg
• Sudden numbness or weakness in the arm, leg, or face, especially down one side of the body
• Sudden rapid breathing or unexplained breathlessness
• Immediate loss of vision
• Severe headache
• Heaviness, pain, pressure, or discomfort in the chest

It's important to note that the risk of a blood clot when using Yasmin pills is at its highest during the first year of treatment, or if you're starting again after a break of 4 weeks or more. This risk can also be impacted by external factors such as obesity, smoking, and a family history of blood clots.

You may not be able to take Yasmin or any other combined contraceptive pill if you're due to have elective surgery or are likely to have mobility issues for an extended period. Your clinician will recommend an alternative method of preventing pregnancy, such as a progestogen-only (mini) pill.

The risk of developing a blood clot while taking Yasmin is detailed in section 4.4 of the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), which is available online.

Yasmin Interactions and Warnings

Yasmin is a suitable contraceptive option, though you may need medical advice before taking this oral contraceptive if you have certain medical conditions or are taking specific medications.

Do not take Yasmin if you:

• Have or have ever had a blood clot in a blood vessel in your leg, lungs, or any other organ
• Have a blood clotting disorder
• Need an operation or are going to be off your feet for a while
• Have ever had a heart attack or stroke
• Have or have ever had angina pectoris or a transient ischaemic attack
• Have any disease that may increase the risk of a blood clot in your arteries (severe diabetes with blood vessel damage, very high blood pressure, very high blood fat levels, hyperhomocysteinaemia)
• Have or have ever had a migraine with aura
• Have or have ever had liver disease, and your liver function is not normal
• Have kidney failure
• Have or have ever had a tumour in your liver
• Have or have ever had breast cancer or cancer of the genital organs
• Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Are allergic to ethinylestradiol, drospirenone, or any other ingredients listed in Yasmin

Before taking Yasmin birth control pills, tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have, including any that aren't listed here. The combined pill is not suitable for everyone, so tell your clinician if you:

• smoke and are over 35
• are breastfeeding
• have blood circulation or heart problems
• have kidney or liver problems
• suffer from diabetes
• have varicose veins (swollen veins)

You can find a full list of known cautions about taking Yasmin in the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your pill pack.

Yasmin and Other Medicines

Before taking Yasmin, it is important that you tell your clinician about any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications you are taking. Some medicines can affect the blood levels of Yasmin, cause unexpected bleeding, or make it less effective at preventing pregnancy, such as medications that treat:

• epilepsy (e.g. primidone, phenytoin, barbiturates, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine)
• tuberculosis (e.g. rifampicin)
• HIV and Hepatitis C Virus infections (so-called protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, such as ritonavir, nevirapine, efavirenz)
• fungal infections (e.g. griseofulvin, ketoconazole)
• arthritis, arthrosis (etoricoxib)
• high blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs (bosentan)
• the herbal remedy St. John's Wort

Yasmin can also impact the effectiveness of other medications, such as:

• medicines containing ciclosporin
• the anti-epileptic lamotrigine (this could lead to an increased frequency of seizures)
• theophylline (used to treat breathing problems)
• tizanidine (used to treat muscle pain and/or muscle cramps)

Do not take Yasmin if you have hepatitis C and are taking any products containing:

• ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir
• dasabuvir
• glecaprevir/pibrentasvir
• sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir

It's important to understand that most antibiotics will not interfere with combined oral contraceptives and are therefore safe to use. However, those that affect liver enzymes (such as rifabutin and rifampicin) can reduce the effectiveness of Yasmin.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Do not take Yasmin if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are planning on becoming pregnant. It's also generally not recommended if you are breastfeeding.

If you become pregnant while taking Yasmin, inform your doctor as soon as possible for advice on what you should do.

Frequently Asked Questions About Yasmin Pills

Sources

• EMC (2024): Yasmin film-coated tablets 0.03mg/3mg.
• EMC (2024): Patient Information Leaflet.
• Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research (2010): Comparing the effects of Yasmin® and LD™ (low-dose estrogen) as contraceptive methods on menstrual cycle changes in women referred to the health care centers of Isfahan.
• Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology (2004): Drospirenone, a progestogen with antimineralocorticoid properties: a short review.
• NHS (2024): How well contraception works at preventing pregnancy.
• Obstetrics and Gynecology (2008): Treatment of acne using a 3-milligram drospirenone/20-microgram ethinyl estradiol oral contraceptive administered in a 24/4 regimen: a randomized controlled trial.
• NHS Better Health: Drink Less Alcohol.
• Cochrane (2011): Combination contraceptives: effects on weight.
• Cochrane (2012): Combined oral contraceptive pills for treatment of acne.