Yaz, Yasmin and Yasminelle birth control pills are three models of contraceptive pill manufactured by Bayer. All three have a combination of two hormones: ethinyl estradiol (an estrogen) and a hormone called drospirenone.
All three prevent pregnancy mainly by preventing ovulation (the maturation and release of ovarian eggs). However, they also prevent pregnancy in two other, minor ways. They change cervical mucus (the fluid in the cervix, which is the narrow part of the uterus that connects to the lower vagina), making it harder for sperm to enter the uterus. Finally, they alter the lining of the uterus (called the endometrium), making it less receptive to an embryo.
The progestogen containing these three pills, drospirenone, is closely related to spironolactone, a drug used as a diuretic. Drospirenone has anti-androgenic activity, which means it goes against testosterone and other "male" hormones. All women have a small amount of these hormones, which can cause acne and other problems.
The amount of hormone is different between 3:
Yasmin uses a combination of 3 mg of drospirenone and 30 mcg of ethinylestradiol per tablet. There are 21 tablets with hormones and 7 of rest.
Yasminelle with 3 mg of drospirenone per tablet but only 20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol. There are 21 tablets with hormones and 7 of rest.
Yaz has the same amount of hormones as Yasminelle, but instead of 4 sleeping pills, she has only four, that is, she has 24 hormone pills and 4 rest pills.
Why these variations? How are Yasmin, Yasminelle or Yaz different?
Yaz and Yasminelle birth control pills have a lower estrogen dose, which decreases the chance of side effects - but in turn increases the chances of bleeding.
Yaz birth control pills contain 24 active pills and 4 inactive pills, with no active ingredients. Most birth control pills (including Yasmin and Yasminelle) have 21 active pills and 7 inactive pills. Having fewer inactive pills seems to lessen some of the annoying symptoms that occur just before and during menstruation.
Yaz is recommended not only for contraception but also for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric syndrome or premenstrual dysphoric disorder, which is characterized by symptoms such as extreme mood swings, tenderness in the breasts and pains and discomforts that hinder normal daily activity.
Yaz is prescribed for the treatment of mild to moderate acne; Yasmin or Yasminelle are not prescribed for the treatment of acne.
The fact that Yaz has fewer inactive pills than Yasmin or Yasminelle often results in shorter and lighter menstrual periods. If you want to know more about Yaz, you can read the entry "Everything you should know about contraception Yaz"
Side effects of Yasmin, Yasminelle or Yaz
Finally, like all birth control pills, both Yaz and Yasmin and Yasminelle have some risks and possible side effects. Common side effects include breast tenderness, mood swings, nausea, and weight gain. These are usually well tolerated by people.
More serious complications include blood clots, pulmonary embolism, and stroke. Blood clots are a rare but serious side effect of any contraceptive pill containing a progestogen and an estrogen. The risk of blood clots in users of birth control pills is low, although it is greater than the risk of blood clots in women who do not take birth control pills. In fact, the risk of blood clots in pregnant women (approximately 5 to 20 cases per 10,000 women) is even greater than in women taking birth control pills.
The risk of blood clots associated with birth control pills increases as the woman ages, and is also higher in women who smoke. The risk of blood clots is usually greater in the first year after starting a combined birth control pill.
On the other hand, drospirenone can increase potassium levels, which makes the Yaz, Yasminelle and Yasmin contraceptive pills a bad choice for those women with liver or kidney problems.