Yasmin

What is Yasmin?

Yasmin is a combined birth control pill, which means it’s made up of a combination of two hormones, progestin and estrogen. It’s got two active ingredients in it: drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol.

It’s a pill that prevents pregnancy in three ways. Progestin and estrogen help control the menstrual cycle. When you take it your hormone levels are altered, which changes how the body deals with reproduction. This includes the release of an egg for fertilization (also known as ovulation).

Yasmin helps prevent ovulation by changing the levels of these hormones in the body. It can also thicken the mucus in your cervix, which blocks sperm from reaching the egg if it has been produced. It keeps the lining of the uterus thin too, making it hard for an egg to embed itself there. A thin lining is also the reason why periods are shorter and lighter and in some cases stop altogether (so added benefits then).

What are the other benefits of taking Yasmin?

You can take Yasmin for acne, with many women finding it can really help, although it might not work for everyone. You can also use Yasmin for PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder), which is a more severe form of PMS.

Because everyone reacts to birth control in a different way though, there is no guarantee that you’ll experience these benefits.

How effective is Yasmin?

Hormonal birth control is 99% effective when taken perfectly. That means taking it at the same time day in, day out. With typical use, which is when you miss the odd pill or don’t take it at the same time each day, this drops a little to 91%.

If you’re taking a birth control pill and finding it difficult to remember it every day, a different contraceptive might be a better fit for your lifestyle. Alternatives include the patch, which is changed once a week, and the ring, which is replaced once a month. Our clinician can talk you through other birth control options.

How to take Yasmin

Same time, every day. Yasmin will come with detailed instructions on how to take it. It’s important to follow these instructions — late and missed pills lower how effective Yasmin is. Each pack of Yasmin comes with 28 pills. You’ll take active pills containing hormones for three weeks, and then inactive pills with no hormones for the last week. That’s when you’ll have your period. After you’re done with the pack, you can start a new one. How you take Yasmin is up to you. You can take it with water, with a small meal or even swallow it dry if that’s your thing. Some people report a bit of nausea when taking the pill — if that’s you, try having a snack or small meal.

When can I start taking Yasmin?

If you haven’t used hormonal birth control in the last month, you should take your first Yasmin tablet on the first day of your period. You’ll be immediately protected against pregnancy. You can also start taking it on days two to five of your period, but you should use a condom for the first seven days whilst the treatment becomes effective.

What should I do if I miss a Yasmin pill?

If you’ve forgotten to take your pill and it’s less than 12 hours since the time you normally take it, you’re in the clear. Just take Yasmin as soon as you remember. If it has been more than 12 hours, though, the effectiveness of your birth control is reduced. The patient information that comes with your Yasmin pack has detailed instructions on what to do if you’ve missed a pill, but here’s the gist. If you forget a pill during the first week, take it as soon as you remember (even if that means taking two at the same time). Use a condom for the next week. If you forget a pill during the second week, take it as soon as you remember (even if that means taking two at the same time). You don’t need to use a condom. If you forget a pill during the third week, either take the pill as soon as you remember and start a new pack instead of taking the week of inactive pills or don’t take the forgotten pill and go directly to the week of inactive pills. If you’ve forgotten more than one pill in your pack, we recommend getting in touch with a doctor.