Yasmin® is mainly used as a birth control medication. However it is also used to treat acne in teenagers. So Yasmin® has 2 main functions, to avoid pregnancy and to maintain healthy skin. There other uses for it too. For example, doctors can also prescribe Yasmin® to pre-teens who have started early menstruation cycles. In some cases Yasmin® can also be prescribed to treat PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder) which includes symptoms like anxiety, stomach pain, depression, mood swings, fatigue and weight gain. In some cases, Yasmin® is used for other illnesses that have not been mentioned here, for example it can be used as a Folate supplement in rare cases.

Yasmin® prevents ovulation as well as preventing the sperm from fertilizing the egg. This means that the egg will not fertilize and attach itself to the uterus where it then develops into a fetus.

Like most medications Yasmin® also has side effects – some are minor and some are serious and even life threatening. You might experience the following side effects: vomiting and diarrhea, especially when you first start taking it. Bloating, breast tenderness, nipple discharge, freckles or darkening of facial skin, loss of hair, changes in weight and loss of appetite, vaginal infection and decreased sex drive. While these side effects are not especially dangerous you should still let your doctor know about them. If the side effects continue long term then you might consider changing birth control.

It's rare, but in some cases Yasmin® can cause an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions can bring on symptoms like hives, difficulty in breathing, facial swelling, swelling of the lips, tongue or nose, sudden numbness or weakness, loss of sensation in certain parts of the body, severe headaches, confusion, problems with speech and hearing, blurred vision or balance. If you experience any of these do not take any more doses of Yasmin®. Consult with your doctor right away.

More serious side effects of using Yasmin® can include: chest pain, wheezing, coughing up blood, redness in the legs, change in the colour of urine, jaundice, swelling of the hands and feet and changes in mood. All these side effects require immediate doctor attention. Other minor and common side effects of Yasmin® include bloating, breast tenderness, nipple discharge, freckles or darkening of facial skin, loss of hair, changes in weight and loss of appetite, vaginal infection, decreased sex drive.

Using Yasmin® when you are pregnant can harm your body and it can also harm the fetus. After birth it's advised to wait a few months before beginning using birth control pills like Yasmin®.

Sometimes birth control pills like Yasmin® are not the best methods of birth control for you. If you have suffered from high blood pressure, heart related problems or have suffered from cancer it's advised not to take Yasmin® birth control.

If you have lung, liver or kidneys diseases, high cholesterol, suffer from persistent migraines or are obese then Yasmin® should not be used as your preferred method of birth control.

In all cases, it is advised to stop smoking when using birth control pills like Yasmin®. Smoking while on birth control medication can increase the chances of blood clots, stroke or heart attack.

If you take prescription medication regularly or also take other over the counter medications and supplements then check them over with your doctor before starting to use Yasmin® birth control. These medications and supplements might interact with the birth control and cause it to be less effective.

Women with under-active thyroids, Diabetes, Epilepsy or a history of depression should avoid taking Yasmin®. Likewise, if you have suffered from Tuberculosis in the past.

You should stop taking Yasmin® before having surgery of any kind.

Yasmin® birth control is just that, a method of birth control. It does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

Yasmin® may interact with over the counter medications like vitamins, minerals and herbal products. It’s best to avoid new medicinal drugs when you are on Yasmin®.

Never start any new birth control without discussing it with your personal doctor. Sometimes there can be drug interaction with other medications that you are taking. Sometimes Yasmin® is not a good choice for people with previous medical conditions.

Do not presume that all birth control pills work the same way and contains the same active hormones. They don’t.

Your doctor can advise you on all the benefits and risks of taking Yasmin®, and more importantly will confirm that it is suitable for you to take – before you start taking it.

The information on this site is purely educational; it does not replace a doctor’s consultation.