Other Yaz Side Effects
Yaz birth control has been linked to several minor side effects. Produced by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Yaz is a contraceptive pill that was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and available in U.S. markets in 2001. Yaz is only available via prescription and has been FDA approved to:
- Prevent pregnancy
- Treat moderate acne, in females over 14
- Treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of PMS accompanied by depression, insomnia and migraines
Yaz is generically referred to as drospirenone. The other drospirenone-based birth control pill that Bayer HealthCare manufactures is Yasmin, known generically as Ocella. The only difference between each of these medications is the levels of ethinyl estradiol (a bio-active estrogen) each contains.
Side Effects of Yaz
It's important to note that Yaz (and other drospirenone drugs) have been reported to cause a range of mild to serious side effects. In the worst cases, Yaz side effects including heart attack and stroke can be permanently disabling or fatal.
Most of the time (in more than 1 percent of cases), however, women taking Yaz will only develop minor, if any, side effects. Following is an outline of some of the most common, mild Yaz side effects.
Anxiety and Yaz
Although Yaz may be prescribed to treat the anxiety associated with PMDD, in some cases, patients have reported that they have experienced a heightened sense of anxiety when taking Yaz. Women with a history of anxiety disorder (or any other type of psychiatric disorder) have the greatest risk of experiencing Yaz-related anxiety.
Another common emotional side effect of Yaz is emotional lability, the extreme, pathological expression of laughter, crying or any other emotion (whether or not the emotion fits the situation).
Yaz and Migraines
Yaz has been linked to a change in the pattern or severity of migraines.
Yaz Nausea and Vomiting
Along with causing emotional side effects, Yaz has been reported to cause a range of digestive side effects, including nausea and vomiting. In many cases, nausea and vomiting will dissipate once a woman's body becomes accustomed to the hormone dosage (within the first few months of taking Yaz). However, should this Yaz side effect persist or become debilitating, women should work with their doctor to find an alternative form of contraception.
Yaz and Lethargy
Some women who have used Yaz have complained of feeling lethargic, exhausted and weak. These symptoms are often accompanied by other feelings of depression.
Yaz and Yeast Infections
A common side effect of Yaz is yeast infections. They can be mild or severe and vary from patient to patient.
Yaz Bowel Problems
Every woman who takes Yaz will respond differently to the hormones. Some women have posted reviews, complaining about having bowel problems while taking Yaz or Yasmin birth control.
Yaz Skin Problems: Skin Spots, Melasma Yaz and Rash
Because Yaz regularly delivers specific does of hormones to women, this medication can significantly alter a women's hormone levels, which, in turn, may result in skin spots, clinically known as melasma. Melasma is the darkening of certain patches of the skin due to extreme hormone fluctuations (as a result, pregnant women are also susceptible to melasma). Though they can be unsightly, skin spots are not harmful to a woman's health.
Alternately, a skin rash can indicate that a woman is having an allergic reaction to Yaz medication. Should the rash be accompanied by shortness of breath or facial swelling, Yaz patients should seek emergency medical attention, as these are symptoms of a life-threatening allergic reaction to drospirenone.
Have you or a loved one been seriously injured after taking Yaz? If so, consult with an experienced defective drug lawyer to learn more about your legal rights.
