Yaz Side Effects

As of June 30, 2024, the most common Yaz side effects reported to the FDA included pain, emotional distress and a general deterioration of physical health. Gallbladder injury was also frequently reported among people taking Yaz. Keep in mind that the FDA Adverse Event
Reporting System (FAERS) data represent the number of cases of possible Yaz side effects reported to the FDA between 2006 and 2024 and does not establish a correlation between a specific drug and those reactions.

Disclaimer: Reports sent to the FDA don’t necessarily mean the drug caused an adverse event. Consult a health care professional before stopping or changing medication.

Known side effects from Yaz have remained relatively stable since the drug’s introduction in 2006. In 2012, the FDA concluded that people taking drospirenone-containing medications, including Yaz, are at a higher risk of blood clots. The FDA now requires a warning label about this risk to appear on all packages of drugs containing drospirenone.

“Yaz contains drospirenone, a synthetic progestin, which increases potassium levels in the blood,” Aliyah Moore, a certified sex therapist who provides intimacy and sexuality-related guidance to her clients, told Drugwatch. “Studies show drospirenone-containing contraceptives have a higher risk of blood clots compared to those with other progestins due to these effects.”

Patients who smoke while taking Yaz birth control pills have an even greater risk of circulatory disease and death. Rates of myocardial infarction are particularly high among Yaz users over the age of 40 and those over the age of 35 who smoke. Package labeling indicates that oral contraceptives may magnify existing risk factors for cardiac disease such as hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia.

The package insert for Yaz indicates that the most common side effects identified in clinical trials include headaches, irregular periods, and nausea or vomiting. These symptoms are generally mild and resolve on their own. People with a history of migraines with aura are advised against taking Yaz. A significant number of trial participants reported experiencing breast pain or tenderness and mood swings with Yaz.

Bayer, the manufacturer of Yaz, also lists depressive mood, vaginal discharge and fungal infection as frequent side effects. Those who take Yaz as a treatment for premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) report side effects including fatigue, irritability, decreased libido and weight gain.

Most birth control pill side effects resolve once you’ve taken the medication for several months. However, you should notify your health care provider about any adverse reactions so that they can be reported to the FDA.

In addition to the most common Yaz side effects, there are potential risks of severe adverse reactions, such as blood clots, gallbladder disease and elevated potassium levels, when taking the drug. If ignored, these Yaz side effects can cause serious health complications or death. Report any of these serious side effects to your health care provider immediately if you experience them while taking Yaz.

High potassium levels in your blood, or hyperkalemia, may not result in symptoms but can lead to complications like weakness, sudden cardiac arrest or kidney failure.

Certain patients, including those with a history of blood clots, stroke, heart attack or kidney failure, face an increased risk of developing blood clots and other serious reactions while taking Yaz. Patients with uncontrolled blood pressure or migraine headaches with aura are also advised against taking Yaz.

Blood Clots

As explained in the package warning, some studies indicate that people taking Yaz have an approximately three-fold chance of developing blood clots. Deep vein thrombosis is a type of blood clot that forms in the legs and often causes pain and swelling. If a blood clot dislodges in any part of the body, it can become stuck in the heart, lungs or brain, posing serious health risks or even death.

Bayer, Yaz’s manufacturer, agreed to pay more than $2 billion in a settlement to resolve Yaz lawsuits over its failure to warn patients adequately about the risk of blood clots. A large multidistrict litigation over this failure closed on January 2, 2019. But many women remain unaware of the increased risk of blood clots associated with oral contraceptive use.

Gallbladder Disease

Gallbladder disease is a rare but serious potential side effect of Yaz birth control pills, but the exact cause of the risk is unknown.

Disease of the gallbladder can cause intermittent pain and may progress to include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fever and chills. The later symptoms require medical attention and could result in the need for surgical removal of the gallbladder.

“Long term, Yaz may increase the risk of gallstones due to fluctuations in estrogen,” Sazan Sylejmani, owner and pharmacy manager of Westmont Pharmacy in Westmont, Ill., told Drugwatch. “Studies show a small increased risk, especially in the first year of use, but the risks seem to decrease over time.”

Hyperkalemia

Patients taking Yaz face a small risk of developing high potassium levels, a condition known as hyperkalemia, because the active ingredient drospirenone interferes with kidney function. The FDA requires a warning of this risk on Yaz packaging.

Symptoms of hyperkalemia include an irregular heartbeat, weakness, paralysis, dizziness and fatigue. Some diuretics and medications for pain and high blood pressure may also increase the risk of kidney dysfunction and hyperkalemia.

Other Potential Yaz Side Effects

Some evidence points to an increased risk of liver disease, high blood pressure and certain types of cancers in people who take hormonal birth control pills including Yaz. Most of the evidence linking oral contraceptives to cancers comes from observational studies that do not prove a causal relationship. However, many of these studies point to an increased risk of cervical and breast cancer with hormonal birth control use.

Most Yaz side effects resolve on their own with consistent use. You may find relief from mild pain and discomfort with over-the-counter medications. However, you should always check for the risk of interactions when taking multiple medications.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any symptoms that might indicate a blood clot or hyperkalemia, such as dizziness, extreme fatigue, or swelling and pain in your legs. Left untreated, blood clots and high potassium levels can cause serious health complications and death.