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.