Yaz, Yasmin and risk of deep vein thrombosis

You may have heard that women taking Yaz or Yasmin birth control pills are at a higher risk for blood clots than other women. Should you be worried?

Yaz and Yasmin contain drospirenone, a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. This drug works by preventing ovulation, making cervical mucus unfriendly to sperm and keeping the uterine lining thin to prevent implantation of an embryo.

Four studies cited by the FDA since 2009 have reported that women who take drospirenone are at higher risk for deep vein thrombosis, a life threatening blood clot disorder, than women who take birth controls containing levonogestrel (another synthetic progesterone).

However, the actual risk should be weighted. The risk of blood clots for women taking any oral contraceptive is 6 per 10,000 (0.06%). The risk of blood clots for women taking Yas, Yasmin or other drospirenone birth control is 10 per 10,000 (0.1%).

Women with a family or personal history of blood clots may be at greater risk.  The risk for blood clots while taking oral contraceptives is also increased in women who smoke. Talk to your doctor about your concerns.