Yaz® is an oral birth control medication that contains a combination of Estrogen and Progestin hormones. Drospirenone is the Progestin and Ethinyl Estradiol is the Estrogen.
Yaz comes in strips of 28 pills. There are 24 active pills and 4 placebo pills. When you finish the strip of 28 pills you move directly to the next strip without taking a break.
Yaz
is sold under various brand names like
Lorynya and Yazz.
Yaz® is mainly used as a birth control medication. However it is also used to treat acne in teenagers. So Yaz® has 2 main functions, to avoid pregnancy and to maintain healthy skin. There other uses for it too. For example, doctors can also prescribe Yaz® to pre-teens who have started early menstruation cycles. In some cases Yaz® 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, Yaz® is used for other illnesses that have not been mentioned here, for example it can be used as a Folate supplement in rare cases.
Yaz® is 99% effective against pregnancy when used correctly. The hormones used in Yaz® birth control work by preventing 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 Yaz® also has side effects – some are minor and some are serious and even life threatening. If the side effects last more than one day then consult with your doctor and consider changing birth control. Side effects of Yaz® can include 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 are also common, but not dangerous, side effects.
It’s possible to have an allergic reaction to Yaz®. Symptoms of Yaz® allergy include: hives, difficulty in breathing, facial swelling, swelling of the lips, tongue or nose. Other side effects may include 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.
More serious side effects of using Yaz® 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 Yaz® 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.
Do not use Yaz® if you are pregnant – it can harm you and the fetus. It should also not be used immediately following the birth of a baby. You should wait a few months before beginning the course of treatment.
Avoid taking Yaz® if you suffer from blood pressure related problems or have suffered from cancer.
Avoid taking Yaz® if you have suffered from organ diseases especially disorders of the lung, liver or kidneys. Heart patients should avoid taking Yaz® or any other medication other than their heart medication. Stroke victims should also avoid using Yaz®. Women who suffer from migraines, are overweight or suffer from cholesterol related problems should also not take Yaz®.
Smokers should also avoid taking Yaz as well as women over the age of 35. Smoking while on birth control medication can increase the chances of blood clots, stroke or heart attack
Taking Yaz® alongside other medications like antibiotics, vitamin tablets, hepatitis C medication, HIV or AIDS medication, may reduce the effectiveness of Yaz® – make sure you discuss this with your doctor!
Do not take Yaz® if you have an under-active thyroid or history of depression. Likewise, Yaz® should be avoided if you are Diabetic as it may affect the blood sugar levels in the body. Do not take Yaz® if you suffer from seizures or epilepsy or have suffered from tuberculosis in the past.
You should stop taking Yaz® before going in for any surgery.
Yaz® does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
Yaz® 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 Yaz®.
The information about Yaz® on this site is purely educational; it does not replace a doctor’s consultation.