Oral Contraceptives - Yasmin
Key points
- Important Warning - Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious side effects from oral contraceptives, including heart attacks, blood clots, and strokes.
- Oral contraceptives (birth-control pills) are used to prevent pregnancy.
- Oral contraceptives come in packets of 21 or 28 tablets to take by mouth once a day.
- Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
Estrogen and Progestin (Oral Contraceptives)
Important Warning - Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious side effects from oral contraceptives, including heart attacks, blood clots, and strokes. This risk is higher for women over 35 years old and heavy smokers (15 or more cigarettes per day). If you take oral contraceptives, you should not smoke.
Estrogen and Progestin (Oral Contraceptives)
(ess' troe jen) (proe jes tin)
Other Names:Alesse®, Apri®, Aviane®, Brevicon®, Demulen®, Desogen®, Estrostep®, Genora®, Jenest®, Levlen®, Levlite®, Levora®, Lo/Ovral®, Loestrin®, Low-Ogestrel®, Microgestin®, Mircette®, Modicon®, Necon®, Norinyl®, Nordette®, Nortrel®, Ogestrel®, Ortho-Cept®, Ortho-Cyclen®, Ortho-Novum®, Ortho Tri-Cyclen®, Ovcon®, Ovral®, Tri-Levlen®, Tri-Norinyl®, Triphasil®, Trivora®, Yasmin®, Zovia®, others, Birth-control pills, ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel, ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol and ethynodiol, ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel, ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone, ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate, ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel, mestranol and norethindrone
Why is this medication prescribed?
Oral contraceptives (birth-control pills) are used to prevent pregnancy. Estrogen and progestin are two female sex hormones. Combinations of estrogen and progestin work by preventing the release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation) and changing the cervical mucus and the lining of the uterus. Oral contraceptives are a very effective method of birth control, but they do not prevent the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
How should this medicine be used?
Oral contraceptives come in packets of 21 or 28 tablets to take by mouth once a day. To avoid upset stomach, take oral contraceptives with food or milk. Take the tablet routinely at the same time every day (e.g., after dinner or at bedtime) to help you remember to take the tablet regularly. Missing doses increases your risk of becoming pregnant.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
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