OTTAWA – Health Canada is conducting a safety review of Yaz and Yasmin birth-control pills to evaluate their potential for increasing the risk of blood clots compared with other oral contraceptives.
Yaz and Yasmin both contain drospirenone, one form of the female sex hormone known as progestin, and are the only two birth control pills marketed in Canada made with the chemical.
Most birth control pills contain a combination of progestin and estrogen, another female sex hormone, while others contain different types of progestin.
Developing a blood clot, or a venous thromboembolism, is a rare but well-known side-effect associated with all birth control pills.
As part of an ongoing review, Health Canada is looking at two studies recently published in the British Medical Journal. The research papers suggest that the risk of blood clots with drospirenone-containing birth control pills may be two to three times higher than that of oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel, another type of progestin.
The federal department said Tuesday it will take appropriate action if necessary once the review is complete, including informing health professionals and Canadians of new safety information.
Health professionals are reminded that birth control pills are not to be used in patients with an elevated risk for blood clots, including women over age 35 who smoke.
Symptoms of a blood clot may include persistent leg swelling, leg pain or tenderness, chest pain or sudden shortness of breath. Consumers experiencing what may be symptoms of a blood clot should seek immediate medical attention and mention all medications they are taking, including birth-control pills.
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