Yasmin/Yaz Birth Control Linked to Gallbladder Problems

September 9, 2009, 06:00:00AM. By Jane Mundy

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Nampa, ID: Amber had her gallbladder removed when she was just 19 years old. At the time, no one associated Yasmin, the birth control she was taking, with gallbladder problems. Now 21, Amber says having her gallbladder removed "really sucks because I get really bad heartburn when I eat greasy and fatty foods, but they taste so good!"

Amber first experienced chest pains when she was a healthy18-year-old: she had been on Yasmin for 2 years and didn't take any other drugs. "Finally I went to ER because the pains got worse and caused me to wake up in pain," says Amber. "Doctors told me it was just a muscle behind my sternum swelling up so I continued taking Yasmin and continued suffering from these pains.

I joined the army and when I got back from basic training I was back in the hospital. This time they told me I needed my gallbladder removed within a month or it could cause serious problems, even death. Apparently, gallstones were getting bigger and if one of them got into a tube connected with my gallbladder it could kill me. I was terrified; I had the army doctors check me out and they confirmed the diagnosis.

The doctors asked what meds I was taking but none of them connected Yasmin to gallbladder problems. Then I was watching TV and saw a commercial linking Yasmin and Yaz to gallbladder problems. I researched Yasmin online and discovered a lot of complaints. And the symptoms were the same as mine.

I was very upset; when my dad and I talked to our doctor about birth control, he told us that Yasmin was the best choice of birth control for a teenage girl. My doctor retired one month after my gallbladder surgery so I can't confront him about it. I would like to confront the manufacturer—I have no idea why this drug is on the market; I was led to believe these drugs are tested before they are approved.

Just before he retired, my doctor referred me to his associate. My new doctor changed my birth control—he told me that he never prescribed Yasmin to any patients. "

Amber is just one of many young women who have taken Yasmin and suffered from gallbladder problems.

Sandra says her 13-year-old daughter was prescribed Yaz for severe bleeding, migraine and painful periods. She recently had gallbladder surgery. "She missed over 20 days of school in 2008," says Sandra, "and she went back to ER three times this year –one time she got so dizzy and sick that she fell and stayed in the hospital overnight."

Jenny says 16-year-old autistic daughter had her gallbladder removed, after taking Yasmine for 2 years. "She was prescribed this birth control pill to control cystic issues, but last December she had her gallbladder removed and has continuing bladder and kidney issues and the doctors can't figure out why…"

"I have been taking Yasmin since I was 14 and at 20 I had to have my gallbladder removed," says Renee.

Clearly, many young women are suffering gallbladder problems associated with Yasmin and Yaz. Ironically, the makers of these birth control pills warn users not to take Yasmin or Yaz if you have gallbladder disease (among a host of other conditions listed). What the don't say is that Yasmin and Yaz may cause gallbladder disease.

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