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.