Yasmin contraceptive pill

Yasmin is a combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP or "the pill") that contains the hormones, progestogen and oestrogen. These two active ingredients are synthetic versions of naturally-occurring hormones found in the body.

Yasmin comes in a pack containing 21 active pills (hormone-containing pills that prevent pregnancy). When taken correctly, this birth control pill has been shown to be very effective at preventing unintended pregnancies.

Are Yasmin and Yaz the same?

Both Yasmin and Yaz are combined contraceptive pills containing the same hormones. However, they contain slightly different doses. Both medicines contain 3mg of drospirenone, however, Yaz contains only 0.02mg of ethinyl estradiol, while Yasmin contains 0.03mg. Another key difference is that Yasmin is a 21-day pill while Yaz is a 28-day pill.

Yasmin has been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). You can purchase Yasmin tablets online at euroClinix after completing an online consultation for contraception.

Yasmin contains the active ingredients drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol. The combination of these hormones works in three ways to prevent pregnancy:

• It prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary).
• It thickens the mucus in the cervix, so sperm cannot reach the eggs.
• It thins the uterine lining, which makes a fertilised egg less likely to implant.

By blocking ovulation and causing other changes in your body, these hormones reduce your chances of getting pregnant.

Below is a list of some of the clinically-proven benefits of this contraceptive.

Provides effective contraception

Yasmin is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy when taken correctly.

Improves acne

Yasmin contains drospirenone which has antiandrogenic properties, this can help reduce acne and improve your overall skin clarity.

Reduces heavy menstrual bleeding

​​Yasmin can help make your periods lighter and more regular, potentially resulting in a decrease in anaemia (iron deficiency). This is especially useful for women with heavy periods.

Controls PMDD and PMS symptoms

By stabilising hormone fluctuations, Yasmin is effective in controlling minor premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms.

For women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD, a more severe form of PMS), Yasmin showed an improvement in mood swings, anger, irritability, sensitivity, crying, anxiety, and depressed mood compared to a placebo.

Reduces period pain

Yasmin can reduce menstrual cramps and pain associated with periods.

May help with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

While Yasmin is not officially approved to treat PCOS, it has been shown to regulate cycles and improve acne associated with PCOS.

May help with bloating

Yasmin may help reduce bloating and water retention as it helps the body get rid of excess water.

Combined hormonal contraceptives, such as Yasmin, are highly effective at preventing pregnancy.

• If they are used correctly and consistently, the pill is more than 99% effective. This means that on average, the chances of a woman getting pregnant in the first year of use are fewer than 1 in 100.
• However, in real life, the pill is around 92% effective as patients may miss pills, have severe vomiting or diarrhoea, or take it with medicines that can reduce its effectiveness.

Most women can take Yasmin to prevent pregnancy. However, it may not be suitable for all women.

Who can take this medicine?

Yasmin is recommended for adult women who want a reliable contraception option. It may be a great fit for women who:

• Experience acne
• Struggle with PMS
• Have heavy or irregular periods
• Have PCOS
• Prefer a combined pill over a progestogen-only pill

Who cannot take this medicine?

You should not take Yasmin if you are allergic to the active ingredients or any of the other added ingredients in this medication.

Yasmin is not recommended if you have or have ever had:

• a blood clot in the blood vessels of the legs (e.g. deep vein thrombosis - DVT), the lungs (pulmonary embolism - PE), or other organs
• a heart attack or stroke
• blood clotting disorders (e.g. protein C or S deficiency)
• a major operation after which you have not been able to move around for a period of time
• chest pain
• a mini stroke (known as a TIA or transient ischaemic attack)
• migraines (especially with aura)
• any of the following diseases that may increase the risk of a clot in the arteries:
  • diabetes with blood vessel damage
  • very high blood pressure
  • very high level of fats in your blood (cholesterol or triglycerides)
  • high levels of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood
• inflammation of the pancreas
• severe liver disease or liver tumours
• severe kidney disease or kidney failure
• cancer (e.g. breast or genital organ cancer)
• unexplained vaginal bleeding

In some situations you need to take extra care while using Yasmin, and your doctor may need to check in with you regularly.

Speak with your doctor before taking Yasmin if you:

• are over the age of 35 and smoke
• have immediate family members who have had DVT, PE, a heart attack or stroke, breast cancer, or high cholesterol
• are overweight or obese
• have diabetes
• have depression
• have heart valve or rhythm disorders
• have high levels of potassium in your blood
• have any hereditary conditions that may make you more likely to get blood clots
• have jaundice or itchy skin related to cholestasis (a condition affecting the bile flow from the liver)
• have gall bladder disease
• have chronic inflammatory bowel disease (e.g. Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
• have systemic lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disease)
• have haemolytic uraemic syndrome (a blood clotting disorder)
• have sickle cell anaemia (a disease of the red blood cells)
• have chloasma (pigmentation problems of the skin)
• have hereditary angio-oedema (a rare disorder that causes swelling)
• have varicose veins
• have epilepsy
• have recently given birth

Yasmin is not suitable for women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant.

What dose should I use?

Yasmin is available in packs containing 21 active tablets. Each tablet contains 0.03mg of ethinylestradiol and 3mg of drospirenone.

The recommended dosage for contraception is one tablet, taken once daily.

When do I start?

You should take your first Yasmin pill on the first day of your period (i.e. on the first day of your menstrual bleeding). If you take combination pills within five days of the beginning of your menstrual period, you will be protected from pregnancy right away.

You can still start taking birth control pills at any point of your cycle, but you won't be protected immediately. In this case you must use additional barrier contraception (e.g. a condom) or abstain from sexual intercourse for the first 7 days of taking Yasmin.

When changing from a combination contraceptive vaginal ring or patch, or after a miscarriage, follow the advice of your doctor.

How to take it

It’s important to take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

1. Take one tablet once daily starting from the section of the blister marked with the correct day of the week.
2. Follow the direction of the arrow on the strip until you have taken all 21 tablets.
3. Then, take no tablets for 7 days (this is the pill-free interval). During this time you will have a withdrawal bleed, which is like a period.
4. On the 8th day, start by taking a tablet from the following strip, even if your bleeding has not stopped.
5. You may take Yasmin with or without food and with a small amount of water.
6. Try to take the tablets around the same time each day.

Yasmin does not prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so you should still use condoms when having sex.

Dr. Caroline Fontana Lead Prescribing Doctor

How long do I take it for?

You can take Yasmin for as long as you require contraception, as long as it remains suitable for you. Some people may take it continuously for months or years. Your doctor may check in with you annually to see if it's still the best option for you.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a Yasmin pill, what you do depends on how many pills you’ve missed and when.

If you are less than 12 hours late taking a tablet, you are still protected against pregnancy. Simply, take the missed tablet as soon as you remember and take your next dose at the usual time.

If you are more than 12 hours late taking a tablet, the protection against pregnancy may be reduced. Depending on when you have missed your pill, the advice may vary. Check out our interactive tool below to plan your next steps.

If you have missed 2 or more tablets in one strip, speak to your doctor or pharmacy for advice or emergency contraception.

Yasmin works quickly to protect against pregnancy. If you start taking the pill on days 1-5 of your period, you are immediately protected against pregnancy.

However, if you start after the fifth day, or if you have a short or irregular cycle, you will need to use condoms or avoid sex until you have taken 7 active tablets in a row.

It’s important to make certain lifestyle changes to maximise the effectiveness of this medicine and reduce the risk of experiencing potential side effects.

Lifestyle guide for women taking Yasmin

Maintain a healthy diet

Ensure your diet contains a variety of fibre, protein, and healthy fats to promote hormonal balance.

Move regularly to improve blood flow

COC’s can slightly increase the risk of a blood clot, especially when you are immobile for a long period of time. Move around regularly to avoid this.

Have a routine

Make sure to take Yasmin at the same time daily to maintain hormone levels and prevent pregnancy.

To reduce the risk of missing a pill, set an alarm on your phone or use a pill tracker app to stay consistent.

Exercise regularly

Some women may experience weight changes while on oral contraceptives. Make sure to exercise regularly and eat a healthy, well balanced diet.

The progestogen component in Yasmin generally keeps potassium levels stable, but it may cause a slight increase in people with certain medical conditions or those taking specific medications. If you're at risk, limit foods that are high in potassium, such as bananas, oranges, avocados, spinach, and potatoes.

Silvia Fonda Nutritionist

Like all medicines, Yasmin can cause side effects, although not all women get them. If you experience any side effects, especially if they are severe and ongoing, please talk to your doctor.

Common side effects

Uncommon side effects

Rare side effects

Stop taking this medication if you experience signs of an allergic reaction, these may include hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing.

It is important to note that the risk of blood clots with Yasmin is small. Out of 10,000 women who use a combined hormonal contraceptive containing levonorgestrel, norethisterone, or norgestimate only around 5-7 will develop a blood clot in a year.

For the full list of side effects, please refer to the patient information leaflet.

How can I manage the side effects?

You can manage some of the side effects of the combined pill at home. Find some helpful management tips below:

Tips to manage the common side effects of Yasmin

Headaches

Make sure to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Consider taking a painkiller such as paracetamol, if recommended by your doctor.

Bleeding between periods

This usually improves after a few months. Make sure to take the pill at the same time daily. If this continues, speak to your doctor about alternatives.

Nausea

Try to take the pill before you sleep. Make sure to eat simple, bland foods and avoid eating rich or spicy food.

Breast pain or tenderness

Wear a bra that fits well for support. You can try applying a warm or cold compress for relief.

A yeast infection

Avoid using scented soaps and harsh products around the genital area. Speak to your doctor about over-the-counter yeast infection treatments.

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any medication, including supplements and herbal medicines. These may interfere with Yasmin and alter its effectiveness.

Tell your doctor if you are taking any medications for:

• epilepsy (e.g. lamotrigine, carbamazepine, phenytoin)
• tuberculosis (e.g. rifampicin)
• HIV (e.g. ritonavir, nevirapine and efavirenz)
• hepatitis C (e.g. ombitasvir)
• fungal infections (e.g. ketoconazole)
• high blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs (e.g. bosentan)
• arthritis remedies (e.g. etoricoxib)
• asthma (e.g. theophylline)
• muscle spasms (e.g. tizanidine)
• immunosuppression (e.g. ciclosporin)

You should also notify your doctor if you are taking the herbal remedy St. John's Wort or drink grapefruit juice, as these can interfere with Yasmin.

This is not a complete list of possible interactions. For a full list, refer to the BNF interaction checker.

For more information, refer to the safety information table below:

Safety Tips

Pregnancy Avoid

Do not take Yasmin if you are pregnant or suspect you might be. If pregnancy occurs during use, discontinue the pill and consult your doctor immediately.

Breastfeeding Consult your doctor

Yasmin is generally not recommended while breastfeeding, as it may reduce milk production and pass small amounts of hormones to the baby. Consult your healthcare provider for alternative contraceptive options.

Alcohol Caution

While taking Yasmin, it's advisable to limit alcohol intake, as excessive consumption may increase the risk of side effects like nausea or dizziness.

Driving Caution

Yasmin may cause side effects such as dizziness or headaches. If you experience these symptoms, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you feel better.

Smoking Avoid

Smoking increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects when using Yasmin, especially in women over 35. It is strongly advised to stop smoking while taking this contraceptive.

Blood clotting risk Important

Yasmin may increase the risk of blood clots. Be alert for symptoms like severe leg pain, chest pain, or sudden shortness of breath, and seek medical attention immediately if they occur.

How to store

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Store at room temperature (below 30°C). Keep the tablets in the original blister in order to protect them from moisture.

Disposal

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the pack. To throw away any expired or unused medication, take it to your nearest pharmacy. Do not throw away medicines in your household waste or flush them down the toilet, as this may harm the environment.

No. Yasmin is a prescription-only medicine (POM). You will need to complete a consultation with one of our doctors who will check if Yasmin is right for you.

You may not be able to take Yasmin if you suffer from certain medical conditions. If your treatment is approved, our pharmacy will dispense your medication via post, free of charge, with next-day delivery.

To buy the Yasmin contraceptive pill online from euroClinix, follow these simple steps:

1. Complete a quick online consultation to check your eligibility.
2. UK-registered doctors review your responses to ensure the medication is right for you.
3. Upon approval, an e-prescription will be issued.
4. Enjoy free delivery from our licensed pharmacy with tracking details.

Your privacy is our top priority. euroClinix uses secure, encrypted transactions and complies with UK’s medical standards to keep your information confidential.

Start your online consultation today to enjoy professional care from the comfort of your home.

euroClinix is trusted by thousands of users in the UK for its safe and convenient service. Here’s why:

• Experienced doctors manage your consultations and prescriptions.
• Online consultations, quick approvals, and discreet doorstep delivery add to the convenience.
• A supportive team is on hand to answer treatment-related questions or concerns.
• Patients can manage their prescriptions hassle-free through our secure platform.

Join thousands who trust euroClinix for their healthcare needs and take control of your health today.

The price of Yasmin at euroClinix includes everything you need:

• Free online consultation with our experienced doctors
• Free prescription, if approved
• Free delivery straight to your door

Our pricing is transparent, with no hidden fees. Order today and benefit from our complete, all-inclusive service.

If this medicine is not right for you, there are other options available for effective contraception. Some alternative oral contraceptives can be found in the table below:

If you would like to take a pill but are unable to take or do not want to take a combined pill, a mini-pill or progestogen-only pill (POP) is a good alternative. We also offer the contraceptive patch and vaginal ring.

To decide which option is best for you, check out our page on contraception, or use this helpful tool below.