Yasmin 3-month course

How to take Yasmin for the first time

Yasmin comes in packs of 21 pills, each labelled with the day of the week to help you keep track.

• Take one pill every day at the same time, swallowing it whole with water.
• Repeat this for 21 days, followed by a 7-day break where you don’t take any pills. During this break, you may experience a withdrawal bleed, similar to your monthly period.
• Begin a new pack after the 7-day pill break, starting on the same day each time.

Can you start Yasmin at any time?

If you have not used a hormonal birth control in the past month:

• Begin Yasmin on the first day of your cycle for immediate protection against pregnancy.
• Alternatively, you can start on day 2-5 of your cycle, but you must use extra protection (like a condom) for the first 7 days.

Switching from another combined hormonal contraceptive, vaginal ring, or patch:

• Start Yasmin on the day after the last active tablet of your previous pill. At the latest, start on the day after the tablet-free days or after the last inactive tablet of your previous pill.
• If switching from a contraceptive ring or patch, follow your doctor’s advice.

Switching from a progestogen-only method (pill, injection, implant, or IUS):

• You can switch any day from using the progestogen-only pill (or on the day of removal for an implant or IUS, or when the next injection is due). Use extra protection (like a condom) for the first 7 days.

After a miscarriage or abortion:

• If you had a miscarriage or abortion in the first three months of pregnancy, your doctor may advise you to start Yasmin immediately for contraceptive protection with the first pill.

After having a baby:

• Begin taking Yasmin between 21 and 28 days after giving birth. If you start after day 28, use a barrier method (like a condom) for the first 7 days of taking Yasmin.
• If you have had sex before restarting Yasmin, ensure you are not pregnant or wait until your next period before beginning the pill again.

Instructions for a missed pill

• Less than 12 hours late: If you remember within 12 hours of the usual time, take the missed tablet immediately, then continue as normal. You are still protected against pregnancy.
• More than 12 hours late: If you are more than 12 hours late, protection against pregnancy may be diminished. The more tablets you have missed, the higher the risk of pregnancy.

For more information speak with a pharmacist, GP, or refer to the patient information leaflet.

Yasmin, like all medications, has several listed side effects. Not everyone experiences them, but here are some potential side effects you may experience:

Common: Affecting 1-10% of users

• Depressive mood
• Headache and migraine
• Nausea
• Breast pain and tenderness
• Changes to your period
• Bleeding between periods
• Thick whitish vaginal discharge
• Vaginal yeast infection

Uncommon: Affecting 0.1-1% of users

• Breast enlargement
• Altered interest in sex
• High blood pressure or low blood pressure
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Acne, severe itching, skin rash, hair loss (alopecia)
• Vaginal infection
• Fluid retention
• Changes in body weight

Rare: Affecting 0.01-0.1% of users

• Hearing impairment
• Asthma
• Breast secretion
• Allergic reactions
• Skin conditions such as painful reddish skin nodules or a rash with target-shaped reddening or sores
• Harmful blood clots in veins or arteries

If you experience any of the following side effects, seek urgent medical attention. They can be signs of something serious:

• Signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Signs of breast cancer such as dimpling of the skin, changes in the nipple, lumps on the breast that you can see or feel
• Signs of cervical cancer such as vaginal discharge which is strong smelling or contains blood, pelvic pain, painful sex
• Signs of a liver problem such as pain in the upper stomach, an itchy body, yellowing of the skin or eyes

You should read the patient information leaflet for a full list of side effects. Always report any side effects to your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Yasmin cause long-term side effects?

Whilst taking Yasmin, there is an increased risk of blood clots, psychiatric disorders, and certain type of cancer. These risks are higher in certain women. Once you stop taking Yasmin, the risk of these side effects will be reduced. It is important to disclose your full medical history to your doctor or pharmacist, so that they can check the suitability of Yasmin.

Does Yasmin affect fertility?

Taking the contraceptive pill has no long-term impact on your fertility, so your fertility levels should return to normal shortly after stopping the pill. It is possible to get pregnant as soon as you stop taking the pill, though some women may find it takes a few months for their periods to return to normal.

Yasmin can interact with certain medication. This can alter the blood levels of Yasmin, reducing its effectiveness. It can also cause other side effects such as bleeding.

You should always let your doctor or pharmacist know if you are taking other medication.

Some medications that can interact with Yasmin include:

• Epilepsy medication such as phenytoin and carbamazepine
• Antivirals, for example, those used to treat HIV and hepatitis. These include ritonavir, nevirapine and efavirenz
• Antifungals such as ketoconazole and griseofulvin
• Medication used to treat inflammatory disorders such as arthritis. Examples include etoricoxib
• Medication used to treat high blood pressure in the lungs, for example, bosentan
• St John’s wort
• Ciclosporin, used in the treatment of transplants
• Theophylline, used to treat breathing problems
• Tizanidine, used to treat muscle pain

Yasmin is an oral contraceptive pill used to prevent pregnancy.

Can you take Yasmin while breastfeeding?

It is not recommended to use Yasmin while breastfeeding. If you wish to take the pill whilst breastfeeding, consult your doctor.