Women have developed Yaz blood clots after taking Yasmin and Yaz birth control pills. On the surface, this seems to hold little cause for alarm. The hormone ethinyl estradiol (estrogen) contained within most oral contraceptives has been known to increase the risk of blood clots. For most women, this is an acceptable risk and rarely leads to health issues. The problem with Yaz is that the risk of clotting is substantially higher.
Yaz birth control is known as a fourth-generation combined-hormone contraceptive because it contains a synthetic hormone called drospirenone. Along with ethinyl estradiol, drospirenone has been found to increase the risk of blood clots 6.3-fold compared to non-use. Unfortunately, the clotting can lead to a number of serious Yaz side effects. Below, I’ll explain how Yaz blood clots can cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to pulmonary embolism, strokes, and heart attacks.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Most instances of deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot that forms within a deep vein) occur in the legs, though they can also form in the arms and pelvis. Normally, the muscles in your legs contract through regular physical activity. The contractions squeeze the deep veins and push blood back toward your heart. Yaz birth control can cause your blood to coagulate faster than normal. When that happens, a blood clot can form within the deep vein.
Deep vein thrombosis impedes your circulation. By itself, it is not a life-threatening circumstance, though many women experience discomfort within the DVT site. The danger increases substantially if the blood clot becomes detached from the site and travels with the bloodstream.
Pulmonary Embolism, Strokes, And Heart Attacks
A traveling blood clot is known as an embolus. It is dangerous because it can directly block blood flow to your lungs, brain, and heart. For example, if an embolus travels toward your lungs and settles within a pulmonary artery, it can prevent blood from reaching the lung fed by that artery. This is known as pulmonary embolism (PE); it often results in permanent lung damage.
Similarly, an embolus can settle within an artery that feeds oxygen-rich blood to your brain. If your brain is starved of oxygen, you might experience an ischemic stroke. That may lead to long-term physical impairment.
If the embolus settles within a coronary artery, it can prevent blood from reaching your heart, which will trigger a heart attack. Within a few hours, the area of your heart muscle that has been starved of blood will begin to die.
Should You File A Yaz Lawsuit?
Even though all oral contraceptives increase the risk of developing blood clots, Yaz birth control carries a markedly higher risk. There is growing evidence that Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals (the manufacturer of Yaz and Yasmin) was aware of the dangers and neglected to inform the public. Meanwhile, they launched an aggressive marketing campaign that positioned their drugs as superior to available alternatives, a claim that the FDA forced them to retract.
An increasing number of women who have experienced a Yaz blood clot have filed lawsuits to hold Bayer accountable. If you or someone you love has suffered from DVT, pulmonary embolism, strokes, or heart attacks as the result of taking this oral contraceptive, contact a Yaz lawyer today. You may be eligible to file a claim.
