Studies Confirm Link Use of Birth Control Pills Like Yaz and Yasmin to Increased Risk of Injury

In the first study, researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine examined two groups of women: one taking Yaz or Yasmin (which both contain drospirenone) and one taking second generation birth control pills (which contain the progestin levonorgestrel). What the authors found is that women who used Yasmin and Yaz were two times as likely to suffer from deep vein thromboses or pulmonary embolisms (blood clots) when compared to users of second generation birth control pills. The authors concluded “[t]hese findings support more recent studies that suggest that drospirenone oral contraceptives are not as safe,” and even recommended that Yasmin and Yaz “should not be the first choice in oral contraception.”

The second study also performed a comparative review of second and third generation birth control users, but this one was based on the information available in the UK General Practice Research Database. Here, the authors found that women who used Yaz and Yasmin were up to three times more likely to suffer from pulmonary embolisms or deep vein thromboses than women who took second generation birth control pills. These results are not only consistent with previous research, but the study excluded individuals with major risk factors for developing blood clots were excluded from the study. Indeed, the authors not only called for more research into the side-effects of drosperinone but they also concluded that third generation birth control pills like Yaz and Yasmin should be avoided since there is no clear evidence that drugs like Yaz and Yasmin provide any benefit when compared to second generation birth control pills.

For more information about the Yazmin case, please click here.

Sources:

First Study

Second Study