Yasmin

Yasmin (ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone) is a combination of two female hormones prescribed as oral contraceptive pill used to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

How does it work?

This is a hormonal drug that contains ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone (an analog of natural progestogen).

The contraceptive effect of this drug is based on the interaction of various properties of its constituent substances, the most important of which is the ability to inhibit ovulation and produce a qualitative effect on the uterine endometrium.

Drospirenone, if used in therapeutic doses, has antiandrogenic and mild anti-mineralocorticoid properties. The substance is devoid of any estrogenic, glucocorticoid and antiglucocorticoid activity, which provides drospirenone with a pharmacological profile that is very similar to the similar natural hormone progesterone.

Weak antimineralocorticoid properties lead to a weak antimineralocorticoid effect.

Indications

Yasmin is used as an oral contraceptive. It also produces an antiandrogenic effect, as a result, it has an effect on androgenetic alopecia, acne, seborrhea, hormone-dependent fluid retention in the body.

It is also used to treat symptoms of the premenstrual dysphoric disorder in women who use oral contraception.

Ethinyl estradiol, which is part of the drug, is able to prevent the occurrence of osteoporosis, affecting osteoclasts. It also has a beneficial effect on the skin, slows down the formation of wrinkles and reduces the concentration of glucose and insulin in the blood.

Drospirenone is a progestogen. It counteracts water retention in the body, and as a result, prevents arterial hypertension, weight gain, chest soreness, and swelling.

The drug is also able to normalize lipid metabolism, lower blood cholesterol. This medicine is also used to prevent malignant neoplasms.

Contraindications

Yasmin is not used if the patient has an increased sensitivity (allergy) to one of the components of the drug.

This drug should not be used in patients who have any of the following conditions:

• vaginal bleeding;
• oncological disease, benign tumor;
• hepatic, renal failure;
• arterial/venous thrombosis, thromboembolism;
• acute cerebrovascular accident;
• severe arterial hypertension;
• pancreatitis, liver tumors;
• obesity;
• diabetes;
• migraine.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

This drug is contraindicated for use in pregnancy and lactation.

Dosage and administration

Take 1 tablet per day, at the same time of the day. When taking the tablets, you must adhere to the sequence indicated on the back of the blister.

Tablets are taken in a row for 21 days. Each subsequent packaging begins 7 days after the previous one has ended.

Bleeding similar to menstruation begins 2-3 days after the end of the package and does not have to end before the next package begins.

If the tablet is missed, the next pill should be taken as soon as you remember about it. The next tablet is taken the next day at the usual time. Moreover, if the break is less than 24 hours, then the contraceptive properties of the drug are not reduced. If the break is more than 24 hours, then the contraceptive effect can be reduced.

If an abortion is performed in the first trimester, then you can take the first tablet on the day of operation.

If the abortion was performed in the second trimester of pregnancy, or the woman wants to start taking oral contraceptives after childbirth, then the first tablet is taken on the 21-28th day.

The contraceptive effect is not guaranteed in the first week of the use. Therefore, you should use barrier methods of contraception during these days.
A break in hormonal contraception may be less than 4 but not more than 7 days.

Overdose

An overdose of ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone has not yet been observed and not described.

Theoretically, an overdose of this drug can cause:

• dyspepsia;
• nausea;
• vomiting;
• vaginal bleeding.

Symptomatic treatment is recommended. The antidote has not yet been identified.

Side effects

At the very beginning of hormonal contraception, you may notice bleeding/spotting from the vagina and pain in the mammary glands.

In some cases, Yasmin can cause the following side effects:

• anemia, anorexia, increased appetite, changes in body weight, constipation;
• irritability, depression, emotional instability, tachycardia, phlebitis;
• visual impairment, tinnitus, tremor, vertigo, candidal stomatitis;
• thromboembolism, arterial hypertension, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, venous thrombosis;
• shortness of breath, abdominal pain, nausea, dyspepsia, vomiting, xerostomia;
• gallstones, cholecystitis;
• hirsutism, alopecia, acne;
• urinary tract infections, dysmenorrhea, uterine fibroids, benign tumors in the mammary glands, uterus, cervix;
• swelling, chest pain, chills;
• chloasma, purpura, erythema multiforme.

If you notice any unusual side effects as a result of taking these pills, you should consult your doctor about possible changes in the treatment regimen.

Benefits of Yasmin

The drug is very popular among women as it has the following advantages:

1. It is a popular oral contraceptive based on drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol;
2. Helps to overcome acne and seborrhea;
3. Convenient mode of application – 1 pill once a day for 3 weeks with a break of 7 days;
4. Normalizes the menstrual cycle;
5. Reduces pain during menstruation.