- Yaz is a medication meant to be taken for the prevention of unwanted pregnancies. Yaz also has other uses, though these are considered secondary. Yaz is the only medication on the market that claims treatment of PMDD, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder, a condition that can result in anger, irritability, depressed mood, bloating and headaches. Yaz is also used in some instances as a cure for mild to moderate acne. Like other contraceptives, Yaz offers the possibility of having shorter, lighter periods. It may also reduce the risk of ovarian cancer or endometrial cancer.
- Yaz is an oral contraceptive, which means it is essentially a pill you take to help prevent unwanted pregnancy. It is a low-dose combination birth control pill, which like many combination birth control pills, contains an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and a progestin (drospirenone), two synthetic hormones. According to the Yaz website, Yaz is "99% effective at preventing pregnancy." Most women who take Yaz experience no side effects.
- Some side effects of Yaz are fairly common among oral contraceptives, and though they should be monitored are generally not cause for alarm. They include a decreased sex drive, headaches, increase of appetite, bleeding between your periods, vaginal discharge, yeast infections, nausea and weight gain.
- Some less common side effects are more serious and you should report them to your physician immediately if you experience any of them. These include indications of a blood clot in the leg, such as leg cramps and foot swelling; indications of a blood clot in the lungs, such as coughing up blood or sharp chest pains; and sudden vision changes. They also include depression, breast lumps, migraines, or symptoms of an allergic reaction.
- It is difficult to pinpoint whether or not weight gain experienced while using Yaz is a result of the drug, or of something else. According to eMedTV, weight gain was seen as a relatively common side effect during clinical trials of Yaz. However, weight gain is fairly common when dealing with any form of birth control pill. If you experience weight gain while on Yaz, you can consult your doctor about possible dietary options, or ending your use of the medication all together.
