Bayer, the manufacturer of Bayer aspirin, also manufactures lots of other drugs. They seem particularly interested producing drugs related to human intimacy such as their Viagra-alternative Allegra, or what results from human intimacy, their birth control pill Yaz (aka – Yazmin, aka – Ocella, and now Yaz 28)

Bayer will tell you that Yaz is not only a birth control pill, but a miracle pill. In a recent television commercial they give you an extensive list of things that Yaz will do for you above just preventing pregnancy. These benefits float across the screen written on balloons. Each balloon has what Yaz prevents during a woman’s menstrual cycle such as:
• Irritability
• Bloating
• Increased appetite
• Feeling anxious
• Moodiness
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Head aches

The FDA Agrees, Yaz is sending the Wrong Message

The problem with this list is that if you look at all of the above symptoms, they are also all symptoms of waking up in the morning or being a normal human being. Not that these symptoms aren’t symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), but all birth control pills curb these symptoms by curbing the effects and the severity of the menstrual cycle.

The far bigger problem is that these brightly colored “benefit balloons” float by and distract consumers while the commercial quickly rattles off and underscores the life threatening effects of the drug. The FDA has sent formal warnings to Bayer about this type of deceptive advertising, but the commercials persist.

Yet these perceived benefits have, according to the New York Times, made Yaz the top selling birth control pill in America. Through all of the warnings and lawsuits, in the same article, Bayer vows to further tout the benefits and in their advertising persist in underscoring the serious side effects. Before we get to those you should know some details.

How Do Yaz 28, Yaz, Yazmin, and Ocella Work? (Drospirenone and Ethinyl Estradiol)

Drospirenone is a fourth generation progestin that, according to Dr. Nelson Soucasaux, reduces aldosterone, the main adrenal hormone that controls the retention of salt and water in the body, thus, hydric balance. When combined with Ethinyl Estradiol (a form of the hormone estrogen) they, according to drugs.com:

“[sic] cause changes in your cervical and uterine lining, making it harder for sperm to reach the uterus and harder for a fertilized egg to attach to the uterus.”

What Do Yaz 28, Yaz, Yazmin, and Ocella Do?

The Good – They are, first and foremost, birth control pills with the effect stated above, but they also cause other reactions in the body, which also make them used for other ailments. Drospirenone has, according to Dr. Nelson Soucasaux, a considerable anti-androgenic effect. Androgen are male hormones that are considered to cause acne.

The Bad – The bad side effects come in Drospirenone, which is a close chemical cousin of spironolactone (aldactone), a diuretic or water pill that causes the body to retain potassium. This means that drospirenone causes elevated blood levels of potassium that may cause serious heart and other health problems such as a change in acid balance of the blood and muscle weakness. It can lead to clotting issues, stroke, and heart attacks in previously young healthy women.

What Is the Difference Between Yaz 28, Yaz, Yazmin, and Ocella?

The active ingredients of Drospirenone and Ethinyl Estradiol are essentially the same, it is the amount of estrogen contained in each, thus increasing its PMDD curbing effects. For example, Yaz (.30) has less than Yazmin (.50), and Yaz 28 (.28). The directions for taking the drug leaves the need for the lower estrogen levels under speculation. Though Yaz has less estrogen it is taken three more days than Yazmin, thus prolonging the time that the lower levels are in a woman’s body.

What Are the Side Effects of Yaz 28, Yaz, Yazmin, and Ocella?

• Stroke
• Heart Attack
• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Myocardial Infarction
• Cerebrovascular Accidents
• Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
• Death

The Diluted Message of Profit

As you watch the commercial they tell you if you are currently under treatment for diseases such as Cardio Vascular Disease or Chronic Inflammatory Disease you shouldn’t take their drug. They also suggest that, because of the raise in potassium, if you are at risk for kidney, liver, or adrenal disease you should “consult your physician.”

This is where Bayer leans heavily on the lifestyle and age of their consumer base. Their consumers are generally 16 to 35, ages prior to when many of the above ailments occur. For you to know what you are at risk for you need to know your family medical history. For many, their family medical history is archaic, limited to only a few generations, rife with now-disproved medical conjecture, and symptoms exacerbated by the bad health habits of the past.

As the multitude of lawsuits against Yaz for these symptoms in previously healthy young women, Bayer has not done the adequate research to determine whether they cause these severe health problems. The German-based Bayer has said that they have conducted a large scale study and they determined (surprise) that their product is no more detrimental than nay other birth control pill on the market.

There have been official calls by concerned groups to recall Yaz until the adequate studies have been done. Adequate studies are independent and peer reviewed by the scientific and medical community. Until then, the only safeguard millions of women who take and have taken Yaz 28 is litigation.

Protect Yourself

If you or anyone you know are currently taking Yaz 28, Yaz, Yazmin, or Ocella and are noticing health problems including:

• Blurred vision
• Numbness on one or both sides of the body
• Problems with balance and walking
• Sudden headaches

Contact Phillips Webster for consultation and to review your options.