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What is Yasmin?

Yasmin is a brand of the combined contraceptive pill which is taken by women to prevent pregnancy. It's made up of two hormones: ethinylestradiol and drospirenone which are man-made versions of oestrogen and progesterone, the natural female sex hormones.

How does Yasmin work?

Yasmin works by preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg each month during ovulation. The pill also causes the mucus around the entrance of the womb to thicken, making it difficult for sperm to enter and it also interferes with the lining of the womb, making it thinner and less receptive to an egg. 

When does Yasmin start to work?

Yasmin will start to work right away if you start it at the beginning of your menstrual cycle, on the first day of a naturally occurring period. You can also begin Yasmin later in your cycle if you can exclude pregnancy, however, it will take 7 days before it works effectively as a contraceptive – use barrier contraception such as condoms during this period. 

How effective is Yasmin?

If used correctly, Yasmin is over 99% effective. This relies on it being taken every day and using additional contraceptive methods after experiencing sickness or while taking medications that stop the pill from working correctly. In real life, errors do occur, which reduces the average effectiveness to around 91%. 

Yasmin for non-contraceptive purposes

Yasmin is primarily used to prevent pregnancy but it can also provide relief for women who experience heavy, painful or irregular periods. The contraceptive pill is also sometimes given to help treat acne.

Yasmin summary

Active ingredients

The active ingredients in Yasmin are 0.03mg of ethinylestradiol and 3mg of drospirenone.

Inactive ingredients

The inactive ingredients are lactose monohydrate, maize starch, pregelatinised maize starch, povidone K25, magnesium stearate (E470b), hypromellose (E464), macrogol 6000, talc (E553b), titanium dioxide (E171) and iron oxide yellow (E172).

Yasmin dosage

Each pill contains 30mcg of ethinylestradiol and 3mg of drospirenone. One pill should be taken daily for three weeks unless you have missed a pill. In this case, a maximum of two can be taken during a 24 hour period. 

How to start Yasmin

It's recommended to start Yasmin on the first day of your period. This means you will be protected from pregnancy right away. If you start it at any other time in your cycle, you should use barrier contraception or abstain from intercourse for seven days.

How to take Yasmin

Yasmin should be taken at the same time each day. Choose a time that is convenient for you to take it to help you remember. Each strip of pills will have the days of the week printed on them. Start with the pill for the relevant day and then take them consecutively until you reach the end of the pack. Wait for seven days until you start your next one, this is when you will have your period.

What should I do if I missed a pill?

If you are more than 12 hours late in taking a pill, this counts as a missed pill and your contraceptive cover may be affected. Take it as soon as possible and continue to take the rest of your pack on time. Use additional contraception for seven days. If you have had unprotected sex during this time, get to a pharmacy or sexual health clinic right away to discuss emergency contraception.

What should I do if I took a pill too late?

If you take your pill later than usual this won't affect your contraception, provided you remember and swallow it within 12 hours of the scheduled time. You should try to take your pill around the same time each day otherwise it can be difficult to determine if you have missed one or not which can put you at risk of pregnancy. Setting an alarm or a daily reminder on your phone can help you to remember to take it on time.

How to use Yasmin for period delay

To use Yasmin for period delay, simply skip the seven-day break between packs. Start your next strip of pills the day after you finish your current one. This will delay your period for another three weeks.

Yasmin side effects

Yasmin, along with every type of combined pill, can cause an increased risk of a blood clot. Before prescribing you with Yasmin, your doctor will assess your medical history and current health to ensure it is suitable for you to take. The signs of a blood clot include stabbing pain in the leg or chest, difficulty breathing, sudden migraine, numbness, disturbed vision or coughing up blood. Seek immediate attention if this happens. 

Common side effects (occur in up to 1 in 10 people):

• Nausea 
• Depressed mood
• Headaches, including migraines
• Breakthrough bleeding or spotting 
• Breast tenderness or pain
• Vaginal discharge
• Vulvovaginal candidiasis (thrush)

Less common side effects (occur in up to 1 in 100 people):

• Changes in libido
• Increased or decreased blood pressure
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Acne
• Eczema
• Pruritus (itching)
• Alopecia (hair loss)
• Breast enlargement
• Vaginal infections
• Fluid retention
• Weight changes

Rare side effects (occur in up to 1 in 1000 people):

• Hypersensitivity
• Asthma
• Hearing loss
• Blood clots
• Erythema nodosum (swollen fat under the skin)
• Erythema multiforme (a skin eruption characterised by a typical target lesion)
• Breast discharge

Mild side effects may subside after the first couple of months. If they continue, see your GP as you may need to try a different pill.

Contraindications

Do not take Yasmin if you: 

• May be pregnant 
• Have, or have previously experienced, a blood clot
• Have a history of breast or genital cancer 
• Have ever experienced a heart attack or stroke 
• Have ever had angina or a transient ischaemic attack (temporary stroke symptoms)
• Are over 35 and smoke 
• Have very high blood pressure 
• Have any conditions which can have an effect on blood clotting 
• Have liver problems including tumours
• Have heart problems 
• Have severe diabetes with blood vessel damage
• Get migraines with aura
• Have hyperhomocysteinaemia 
• Need an operation or are going to be off your feet for a long time
• Have a very high level of fat in the blood (cholesterol or triglycerides)
• Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Are allergic to any of the ingredients
• Have renal (kidney) failure

Tell your doctor if: 

• You have high blood pressure
• You have high cholesterol 
• You are over 35
• You are overweight or obese
• You are diabetic 
• You have a family history of blood clots or heart disease 
• You have systemic lupus erythematosus
• You have Crohn's disease 
• You have ulcerative colitis 
• You have a history of migraines 
• You use a wheelchair

Drug interactions

There are certain medications which stop Yasmin from working correctly. These include 

• HIV treatments 
• Hepatitis C treatments 
• Epilepsy treatments 
• Griseofulvin
• Modafinil 
• Rifabutin 
• Rifampicin 
• St John's wort

Make sure to disclose all of your regular medications to your prescriber.

Yasmin and alcohol

Drinking alcohol does not interact with Yasmin. 

How to deal with the emotional side effects of Yasmin?

Yasmin can cause mood imbalances and in some cases depression. Seeking additional emotional support can help to deal with this. Ensure you practice self-care; getting enough rest, nutrition and time to relax.

Switching contraceptive pill

Switching from one type of contraceptive pill to another is simple. In most cases, you can just stop taking one and start the other right away. If you are switching from a different brand of combined pill, simply begin Yasmin after the last active pill of your current type. If you are changing to Yasmin from the mini pill then you can swap over at any time, but must use additional contraception such as condoms for seven days. Always check with your doctor or a pharmacist for advice as the instructions can vary depending on which type of pill you are taking.

Yasmin vs the mini pill

Yasmin is a type of combined pill which means it contains both oestrogen and progestogen hormones. The mini pill only contains progestogen and is also known as the progestogen-only pill (POP.) Yasmin is not suitable for everyone. Women with certain health problems or who are smokers over the age of 35 cannot take the combined pill. The mini pill is a safe alternative, the lack of oestrogen means it causes less potential side effects and health risks. It is also a good option for women who are sensitive to oestrogen and experience unpleasant side effects with the combined pill.

Alternatives to Yasmin

Yasmin is one type of the combined contraceptive pill. It contains the same components as Lucette, another brand of the pill. Other popular types of combined pill are Microgynon, Ovranette, Cilest and Rigevidon. All types of the pill which are available in the UK are stocked by Dr Felix. The mini pill provides a suitable alternative for women who cannot take combined hormonal contraception. Long term methods of contraception include the hormonal or copper coil and the implant or injection. Condoms are the only method of contraception that protect against sexually transmitted infections.

If I have vomited, will Yasmin still work?

If you vomit less than 2–3 hours after taking Yasmin then it is unlikely to be effective as the hormones may not have had a chance to be absorbed by the body. If this happens, take another pill right away and continue with the rest of your pack as usual. Your cycle will be one day shorter than normal. If your sickness continues, then you won't be protected against pregnancy. You should use an additional method of contraception for the duration of illness and for seven days after you feel better. If you reach the end of your pack during these seven days, continue straight on with the next pack without taking the usual seven-day break.

When can I get pregnant after taking Yasmin?

Once you stop taking Yasmin it's possible to get pregnant right away. After you come off the pill, it can take a couple of months for your natural cycle to return to normal so some women may not get pregnant for several months. Fertility is different for everyone so if you are planning to start a family then it's recommended to visit a family planning clinic for advice.

Is it safe to take Yasmin for a long time?

Yasmin is safe to take long term provided you are in good health and have no underlying conditions which put you at risk of complications. It is not recommended for women over 35 who smoke. Your GP will regularly monitor your blood pressure while you are taking Yasmin to ensure the pill has not had an effect on your blood pressure. If you develop any new conditions while you are taking Yasmin, inform your doctor to make sure it’s still the most appropriate option for you.

When will my period start again after I stop taking Yasmin?

While you take Yasmin, you will still have a monthly bleed that resembles your period. This happens during your pill-free week at the end of each pack. After you come off Yasmin, your natural menstrual cycle will return. It can take a couple of months for this to happen as your body adjusts to the change in hormone levels.