Yaz, Yasmin and generic Ocella (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) are fourth generation combined-hormone contraceptives used to prevent pregnancy. They are also used to treat moderate acne and symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). One concern for women using this birth control is the risk of developing a Yaz blood clot problem including a DVT, pulmonary embolism and clots that can develop in a vein in any part of the body. Serious side effects of Yaz which call for immediate medical attention include: sudden numbness, weakness, confusion, pain behind they eyes or problems with vision, speech or balance; heavy feeling or pain in chest, pain spreading to arm or shoulder, nausea or sweating; severe migraine headaches; pain in the calf, leg cramps, leg or foot swelling; shortness of breath, coughing up blood or sharp chest pain; stomach pain, loss of appetite, jaundice; bladder problems; high blood pressure; high cholesterol; depression or emotional changes or; a breast lump. Other, less serious side effects include decreased sex drive, weight gain and headaches.
Paying attention to any of the above mentioned side effects is crucial since Yaz has been linked to blood clots, heart attacks and strokes. Bayer Corporation began marketing Yaz in 2006. In 2008, the deceptive marketing campaign prompted the FDA to issue Bayer a warning letter which forced the company to correct its misleading TV commercials. The FDA criticized the ads for misleading women with false information that Yaz is an approved treatment for all types of acne, when it was only approved to treat moderate acne. The FDA also stated that the commercials implied that Yaz was approved to treat the symptoms of PMS, when it was only approved for the treatment of PMDD. Finally, and most importantly, the FDA criticized the ads for downplaying important side effect information, such as the association with the development of Yaz and blood clots.
By January of 2009, when the corrective Yaz ad campaign began to run, Yaz was already one of the most popular birth control pills on the market. Yaz contains a synthetic type of progestin, drospirenone. According to the FDA, drospirenone can lead to hyperkalemia, a condition caused by excessive amounts of potassium in the blood, in high risk patients. This condition can lead to serious heart and health problems. Recently, several lawsuits have been filed for women who have claimed to have suffered various ailments, including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and stroke. Yaz is also believed to have caused heart attacks and sudden deaths in young women.
We represent all women suffering from Yaz blood clot side effects on a contingency basis which means that there are never any legal fees unless we win compensation in your case. For a free no-obligation consultation please call toll free at 1-888-343-5375 or fill out our short online contact form and a Yaz lawyer will contact you to answer any of your questions.
Some doctors have suspected that Yaz birth control pills carry a higher risk of blood clotting including causing DVT and pulmonary embolism clots compared to other oral contraceptives. However, it wasn’t until a recent study was published by the British Medical Journal that the risk of Yaz blood clots became clear. The study found that birth control pills containing the progestin drospirenone corresponded to a 6-times increase in risk of clotting.
It’s worth noting that all oral contraceptives expose women to abnormal blood clots. This is because they contain estrogen. Birth control pills that include lower doses of estrogen yield a lower incidence rate of clotting. Having said that, there is significant concern surrounding Yaz contraceptives. Not only is the risk of blood clots much higher, but Yaz birth control pills are the most popular contraceptives on the market. In effect, the public’s exposure is greater.
Below, I’ll describe the link between Yaz, the progestin drospirenone, and the increased risk of having a Yaz blood clot. I’ll also explain a few of the life-threatening complications that can result from the clotting.
The Role Of Drospirenone In Clotting
The medical community has not been able to determine conclusively why the inclusion of drospirenone in Yaz oral contraceptives yields a higher risk of blood clots. There is suspicion that the reason is linked to lower water retention and higher potassium retention. A single Yaz birth control pill contains 3 mg of drospirenone, which is equivalent to 25 mg of spironolactone. Spironolactone is a potassium sparing diuretic. The lack of water in a woman’s bloodstream combined with increased levels of potassium may be the reason behind the increased risk of Yaz blood clots.
Yaz Blood Clots And Problems
When blood clots form within veins, they do not necessarily pose an immediate danger to the patient’s life. In fact, clotting is the body’s natural healing mechanism when a blood vessel is damaged. If a blood clot grows, it will begin to impede the bloodstream and block your circulation. That will result in swelling and discomfort in the affected site. Because the veins carry blood back to your heart, a large clot can also lead to a number of ancillary symptoms.
If the blood clot forms within a deep vein, it can lead to a condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). If it becomes detached, it can cause a number of life-threatening situations. The traveling clot (known as an embolus) will be carried along by your bloodstream. If it travels and blocks an artery that feeds oxygen to one of your lungs, the clot can trigger a pulmonary embolism. If it blocks an artery that feeds oxygen to your brain, the clot can cause a stroke. If the embolus blocks a coronary artery that feeds oxygen and blood to your heart, it can lead to a heart attack.
Filing A Yaz Lawsuit
The circumstances described above are why many doctors are concerned about the increased risk of Yaz blood clots. Even though all oral contraceptives carry a risk of clotting, this fourth-generation contraceptive pill carries a higher risk due to the synthetic progestin drospirenone.
One of the reasons Yaz birth control pills have become the market leader is due to the manufacturer’s aggressive advertising campaigns. Not only did Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals promote their product as superior to other contraceptives, some are arguing that they failed to adequately warn the public of the dangers involved with using it.
Women who have never shown signs of abnormal blood clotting have developed DVT, pulmonary embolisms, strokes, and even heart attacks after taking Yaz. Some have filed lawsuits to hold Bayer accountable. If you have suffered from any of these conditions, contact a Yaz blood clot lawyer today for a free no-obligation consultation.
