Yasmine is a combined birth control pill, commonly referred to as a "pill". It contains two hormones, estrogen and gestagen. Most women take Yasmine to prevent unwanted pregnancies, but it is also prescribed for women who have problems with particularly difficult, painful or irregular periods. It usually leads to milder, less painful and more regular menstrual bleeding. Jasmine is the same as other combination tablets containing 30 µg ethinylestradiol and 3 mg of drospirenone. These include Dretin and Lusette.
Each Yasmine tablet contains two active ingredients, 30 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol and 3 mg of drospirenone. These are synthetic versions of natural female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone. Combined tablets such as Yasmine cover your natural menstrual cycle and work mainly due to the fact that the ovaries do not release an ovule every month (ovulation). They also increase the thickness of natural mucus in the cervix, which makes it difficult for sperm to pass from the vagina to the uterus, as well as thinns the uterine mucosa (endometrium), making it difficult for any successfully fertilized egg to implant there. You take one tablet every day for three weeks and then take a week break before taking the next package. During the week without the pills, your blood hormone levels drop and you usually get bleeding cancellation, which is similar to your period.
The combination pill is not the preferred method of contraception for women who are breast-feeding because oestrogen in it can reduce the amount of breast milk you produce. If you decide you want to take it, you should start it no sooner than six weeks after delivery, when breastfeeding is fully established.
Yasmin tablets are produced in calendar packages marked by days of the week. You take one tablet at the same time every day for 21 days and then you have a seven-day break. During the seven-day break, you usually get a cancellation bleed, which is similar to your normal period. Start the next set after seven days without pills, even if you are still bleeding. You will still be protected from pregnancy in your week without the pills, provided that you take all the pills correctly, you start the next package on time, and nothing else has happened that would make the pill less effective.
Consult your doctor because it depends on your personal circumstances, for example, whether you are switching from another form of contraception or whether you start taking the pill after the birth of your child or after a miscarriage or abortion. Your doctor will also advise you on how soon you will be protected from pregnancy. For some women, this will happen as soon as they start taking Yasmin, but most women need to use an additional method of contraception, such as condoms (or not having sex) until they take Yasmin within seven days.
If you forget to take the pill at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember. Missed tablet is the one that is 24 hours or more later. If you missed the pill, follow the instructions below.
One tablet missed:
If you forget to take ONE pill or start a new one day later, take the pill you missed as soon as possible, even if it means you are taking two pills at the same time. Then continue to take the rest of the package as usual. You will still be protected from pregnancy and you do not need to use any additional contraception.
Two or more missed pills:
If you forget to take two or more pills or run a new pack two or more days later, you will not be protected. Take the last pill you missed as soon as possible, even if it means taking two pills at the same time. Leave other pills missing. Then continue to take the pills one at a time per day as usual. You should not have sex or use an additional barrier method, such as a condom, for the next seven days.
If the pills you missed were in the last week of your package, finish the package as usual, but then start a new package immediately without interruption. This means skipping your week without pills.
If you had unprotected sex for seven days before you missed the pills, you may have to take the pill the next morning. Ask your doctor, pharmacist or local family planning clinic for advice.
Before you start taking Yasmin, be sure to let your doctor or pharmacist know if you are already taking any other medication, because some medications may make Yasmin less effective in preventing pregnancy. If you are prescribed a short course (up to two months) of any of these medicines while taking Yasmin, it can also make it less effective and your doctor will usually recommend that you use another form of contraception temporarily. If you want to keep taking Yasmin, talk to your doctor about what to do. You will also need to use an additional method of contraception (such as a condom) as long as you are taking the extra medicine and at least four weeks after you stop taking it. Yasmin is usually not recommended if you are taking the lamotrigine antiepileptic medicine. While you are taking Yasmin, it is advisable to consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines. Antibiotics will not make Yasmin less effective if they do not cause diarrhea or disease. If this happens, follow the instructions for diarrhoea and vomiting described above. The same applies to any other medicine that causes you to vomit or diarrhoea - common criminals include laxatives and slimming orlistates (Alli and Xenical brands). The morning pill ellaOne (containing ulipristal) can make Yasmin less effective. If you take this type of emergency contraception while taking Yasmin, you should use additional contraception, such as condoms, within 14 days of using it.