Yasmin is a popular combined oral contraceptive pill. It contains man made versions of oestrogen (ethinylestradiol) and progesterone (drospirenone). It contains the same hormones and strength as another pill called Lucette.

Most people take Yasmin to prevent pregnancy, but it can also be helpful for improving acne symptoms and controlling heavy, painful periods.

Yasmin works to stop pregnancy from happening in 3 ways:

1. Stops the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation).
2. Thickens cervical fluid making it difficult for sperm cells to enter the womb.
3. Thins the womb lining to stop any fertilised eggs from attaching and growing.

How effective is Yasmin

When used correctly Yasmin is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, when other factors are taken into account, such as missing pills or illness, the effectiveness is closer to 92%. That means around 8 in 100 people will get pregnant when taking a combined pill like Yasmin.

The synthetic form of progesterone in Yasmin, drospirenone, has also been shown to improve total acne lesions by 57%.

Drospirenone also reduces male hormone levels, including testosterone. Studies show that drospirenone containing combined pills, like Yasmin, can be effective for treating and relieving the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Yasmin is supplied in strips of 21 tablets. Each pill is marked with the corresponding day of the week that it should be taken on. To take Yasmin:

• swallow one pill at the same time every day with water
• take one pill every day for 21 days, followed by a 7-day pill free break – you will take no pills during the 7 days and should have a withdrawal bleed, similar to your period
• on the 8th day after taking your last Yasmin tablet, start a new strip of Yasmin pills, even if you are still bleeding
• take the pill that corresponds with the correct day of the week – so, you should start every strip on the same day of the week and your withdrawal bleed should happen on the same days each month

If you take Yasmin in this way, you will still be protected against pregnancy during your 7-day pill free break.

When to take Yasmin

Yasmin should be taken at the same time each day. You should pick a time that’s most convenient for you. Some people find it useful to set an alarm to remind them to take their pill or to pair it with another daily activity that they complete at the same time every day.

How often to take Yasmin

Yasmin is taken once a day for 21 days. Then you have a 7-day break before starting a new strip of 21 pills.

How long do you need to take Yasmin for?

You should take Yasmin for as long as you want to avoid becoming pregnant.

Most people take Yasmin for 21 consecutive days, followed by a 7-day break. You can also delay your period, perhaps for an occasion or a holiday, by taking 2 pill packs back to back without a break

What should I do if I forget to take the pill?

• If you are less than 12 hours late taking your Yasmin pill, take it as soon as you remember and take your next pill at the normal time. This may mean taking 2 pills in one day but you will still be protected against pregnancy.
• If you are more than 12 hours late taking your pill, your protection against pregnancy may be reduced. If you have had unprotected sex, you may need to use emergency contraception.

If you miss a pill in your third week you can choose to:

• take the missed pill as soon as you remember, even if that means taking 2 at the same time – when you finish the strip later in the week, you should start the next strip straight away and skip the 7-day break

or

• stop the strip and go straight on to your 7-day pill free break, make a note of the day you forgot your pill and if you want to start your next strip of Yasmin pills on your regular day, you’ll need to make your pill-free break less than 7 days

If you have missed a pill and you do not have a bleed during your pill break, you may be pregnant and should contact your doctor before starting the next strip.

Can I buy Yasmin online?

Yasmin can be requested quickly and easily from online services like Superdrug Online Doctor. When getting any medication online, it is important to purchase from trusted services that are regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

Can I buy Yasmin over-the-counter?

No, you need a prescription from a doctor to get Yasmin, so it is not available to buy over-the-counter. You can get one brand of mini pill over the counter, Hana.

Can I get Yasmin on the NHS?

Yasmin may be available on the NHS but you will need to make an appointment with your GP to discuss your contraception options.

As with all medications, Yasmin may cause side effects, but not everyone will get them.

Common side effects (could affect 1 to 10 of every 100 users):

• bleeding between periods, breast tenderness, breast pain
• depression
• headache
• migraine
• feeling sick (nausea)
• thrush

Uncommon side effects (could affect 1 to 10 of every 1000 users):

• changes in sex drive
• enlarged breasts
• high or low blood pressure
• being sick (vomiting)
• diarrhoea
• skin rash
• acne
• severe itching
• hair loss
• vaginal infection
• changes to body weight, fluid retention

Rare side effects (could affect 1 to 10 of every 10,000 users):

• allergic reactions
• breast secretions
• asthma
• problem with hearing hearing
• skin conditions such as erythema nodosum
• blood clots in a vein or an artery – in a leg or foot (deep vein thrombosis), a lung (pulmonary embolism), heart attack, stroke, mini-stroke or temporary stroke-like symptoms, known as a transient ischaemic attack, in the liver, stomach or intestine, or kidneys or eyes

For a full list of side effects, check out the patient information leaflet supplied with your medication.

How long do Yasmin side effects last?

Side effects from hormonal contraception should go away within three months or once your body has gotten used to the hormonal changes. If you experience side effects for a long time or find them difficult to manage you should let your doctor know.

What to do if you get Yasmin side effects?

If your side effects are mild and you feel you can put up with them, you don’t need to do anything or you can use over-the-counter medications to treat them. If you wait three months they may go away on their own.

If you experience side effects that last more than three months or affect your quality of life you should tell your doctor or nurse. They may recommend trying alternative contraception that has fewer side effects.

If you experience any serious side effects you should call 999 or go to A&E right away. These include:

• swollen lips, face, tongue, or throat
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• signs of a blood clot

Yasmin may not be suitable for everyone.

Do not take Yasmin if you:

• have or have ever had a blood clot in your leg, lungs, or any other organ
• have a blood clotting disorder
• need an operation or will be off your feet for a while
• have ever had a heart attack or stroke
• have angina or have ever had a mini stroke (transient ischaemic attack)
• have any condition that increases your risk of developing blood clots (high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglycerides, or diabetes)
• experience migraine with aura
• have kidney problems
• have liver disease
• may have breast cancer or are at an increased risk of developing it
• experience unexplained vaginal bleeding
• have hepatitis C and take any medications for it
• are allergic to any of the ingredients in Yasmin

You should let your doctor know if you are taking any prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal medications before taking Yasmin.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Yasmin must not be taken during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Yasmin, you must stop taking it and tell your doctor. If you want to become pregnant, you can stop taking Yasmin at any time.

It is not recommended to take Yasmin while breastfeeding. If you want to use the contraceptive pill while breastfeeding, speak to your doctor about the options available.

Does Yasmin increase your risk of blood clots?

Although noted in rare cases, Yasmin can increase your risk of blood clots. Combined pills like Yasmin slightly increase your risk of blood clots, but the risk is still low. It’s important to tell your doctor about your health history so they can check you don’t already have an increased risk of getting blood clots.

Can Yasmin cause acne?

When you first start to take Yasmin it can cause you to have acne as a side effect. However, Yasmin has also been shown to improve acne over time.

This happens as Yasmin contains drospirenone, a synthetic version of progesterone. Studies have shown that drospirenone can effectively improve acne symptoms by more than 50%. Though it may take up to 3 months before you start to see improvements.

Can Yasmin cause weight gain?

Weight gain is a possible side effect of using Yasmin, although it’s not common. Weight changes on the combined pill can be temporary as a result of water retention and can include weight loss as well.

Can Yasmin make me bleed between periods?

Yes, a common side effect of the contraceptive pill including Yasmin is bleeding between periods. This is more common during the first 3 months and should stop once your body has gotten used to the hormone changes.

Can smokers use Yasmin?

Do not use Yasmin if you smoke or are a smoker and are over the age of 35. This will increase your risk of heart attack and stroke. If you smoke and are over 35 but are looking for a suitable contraceptive pill, the mini pill may be a more appropriate option.

Does Yasmin stop periods?

If you take 2 strips of Yasmin back to back it can stop you having a withdrawal bleed during your pill-free week. Alternatively, you can request period delay treatment which can be used to delay your period for important events, holidays, and so on