Yasmin Pill

Being a combined contraceptive pill, each Yasmin tablet contains a synthetic version of oestrogen and progestogen, taken daily to control the existing hormones in your body. This offers near total protection against pregnancy. In fact, when taken correctly, Yasmin is 99% effective when used correctly, with clinical trials stating that less than one in 100 women will fall pregnant.

Most typically used for contraception, many women find Yasmin has a number of additional benefits such as reducing acne breakouts, and some women use this particular contraceptive pill solely for that purpose.

What are the benefits of using Yasmin?

The Yasmin pill has been available in the UK since 2002 and is very popular as a long-term oral contraceptive solution to help avoid conception. It provides immediate protection if taken on the first day of your period; if taken later, it will take seven days to become fully effective.

• Possible weight loss - This pill has been said to help reduce water retention, as it uses a type of progestogen that has the same effect as the compounds present in diuretics.
• Can improve appearance of skin and hair - Although it's not prescribed to treat skin conditions such as acne, using Yasmin can potentially improve the appearance of skin and hair. The progestogen present in this birth control pill has an anti-androgenic effect, which means that it works against testosterone, which is usually the cause of acne.
• Improving symptoms of the menstrual cycle - Like all contraception, the synthetic hormones mimic the menstrual cycle and offer benefits such as regulating your period, lighter flow and easing premenstrual symptoms such as cramping, pains and mood swings.
• Helps manage anaemia - If you struggle with a heavy flow, in particular if it leads to a low iron supply making you tired, weak and dizzy, Yasmin pills control blood loss during menstruation.

All combined pills contain both artificial versions of oestrogen and progestogen and work in exactly the same way, however often it is the active ingredients that differ. This birth control pill contains drospirenone and ethinylestradiol; drospirenone is a type of progestogen and ethinylestradiol is a type of oestrogen. These active ingredients work together in three ways:

• Preventing the ovaries from releasing eggs, therefore stopping ovulation
• Thickens the vaginal fluid to prevent sperm from reaching the womb
• Makes the womb walls thinner, so if an egg were to be released, it would be unable to attach itself to the womb

Starting Yasmin - You should ideally start using your first Yasmin pill on the first to fifth day of your menstrual cycle. This will ensure that you are protected straight away. If you start Yasmin any other day of the month, then you will need to use additional contraception such as condoms for the next seven days as a precaution.

• One pill should be taken orally, with or without food, at the same time every day.
• Each pack contains 21 pills; you take the pills for three weeks and then leave a week before beginning a new course of medication.
• You will still be protected against pregnancy during this week between courses.
• During the pill-free week, you may experience a withdrawal bleed similar to your period.

If not taken on the first day of your period, use condoms for the following seven days. Take each pill around the same time every day for maximum effectiveness. Many women set an alarm to remember their next dose. Each Yasmin pill can be easily swallowed with or without drink and food. Store away from direct sunlight and under the temperature of 25°C. Double check the expiry date and patient leaflet regarding use and missed pill if unsure.

What if I miss a dose?

The comprehensive guide to missing a combined pill dosage is on our Combined Pill page and depends on how many you have missed.

• If you miss just one pill, take it as soon as possible and you will still be protected against pregnancy.
• If you miss more than one, then you will need to use additional barrier protection. It's also worth mentioning that effectiveness can drop if the time of which you take the pill changes vastly.

Use our interactive tool below on what to do if you miss one or multiple pills in one month (menstrual cycle). Simply click to begin.

At HealthExpress, we offer a 3-month supply (63 tablets) and a 6-month supply (126 tablets) of Yasmin pills, meaning you can stay protected with ease. In terms of dosage, each tablet contains drospirenone (3mg) and ethinylestradiol (0.03mg).

Chemical formula of ethinylestradiol

As with most prescription medications, certain side effects are a possibility when you are using this birth control pill. But Yasmin is generally well tolerated and most of the side effects that occur are very mild in nature and will pass without causing any long-term health problems.

Possible side effects include:

• Headaches
• Menstrual changes
• Breast pain
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea

For the full list of side effects, and as best practice for any medication, you should read the patient leaflet before taking any prescription drugs. The patient leaflet can be found at the bottom of this page.

Yasmin and weight gain

The combination of the combined pill and weight gain is usually water retention that is a temporary effect as your body becomes used to the synthetic hormones. With Yasmin, it has actually been proven to reduce the risk of weight gain, which is a side effect of many other oral contraceptives, and can result in weight loss.

This contraceptive option is available for use by women who are above the age of 18, sexually active and require an effective method of preventing the risk of pregnancy.

Those who are not suitable to use this pill include women that are:

• Allergic to Yasmin or any of its active ingredients (an alternative contraceptive may be more suitable)
• Older than 35
• Smokers (or those smoking more than 15 cigarettes a day)

A consultation with your doctor is advised to ensure you are suitable for this treatment, alternatively, when filling out the online consultation here, ensure your medical information is correct so that the doctor can make an informed decision when prescribing this contraceptive treatment for you.

Before taking any prescription medication, you should tell your doctor about any other medications, allergies or health concerns you may have. Yasmin should also not be taken if you have or have had:

• Blood clots or stroke, circulation problems, heart valve issues, jaundice, abdominal or vaginal bleeding, uterine or breast cancer, kidney and liver diseases, adrenal gland disorders, high blood pressure or if you experience regular migraines.

Interactions

Though there are only minor indications that alcohol interacts in a severe manner with the Yasmin pill, it is still advisable to limit the amount of alcohol taken when first using the pill. Additionally, when the active ingredient drospirenone interacts with ibuprofen, it may increase the levels of potassium in the body. High levels of which can cause hyperkalaemia and possible kidney damage or other health complications. Although this is highly unlikely, it is still essential to check with your doctor for any potential negative interactions this pill may have with other medication.

At HealthExpress, you can buy either a 3-month Yasmin supply or a 6-month Yasmin supply online. Complete a quick and free consultation to begin.

Can I buy Yasmin without a prescription?

All combined contraceptives such as Yasmin require a prescription slip, which is issued by a registered doctor. Needing to book an appointment every 3-6 months for Yasmin can be a hassle, which is why we provide an online consultation. Here, your prescription slip will be sent straight to the pharmacy for you.

Is it safe to buy Yasmin online?

Yes, it is safe to buy contraceptives online, provided the source is reputable. You will need to complete a medical questionnaire to ensure that Yasmin is safe for you to use. This can be done online or over the phone and is reviewed by our doctor. Yasmin is prepared by our UK-based pharmacy where it is checked again before being securely dispatched.

Getting Yasmin delivered in the UK

We use Royal Mail across the UK and a mixture of private couriers and Royal Mail in London to deliver all our treatments, including Yasmin. Our next-day delivery is free of charge and will arrive at your chosen address the next day. This is on all orders completed and approved by our doctor by 4.30pm Monday through to Friday, meaning we also deliver on Saturdays.

We also offer a nominated-day delivery meaning you're in control of when and where your medication is sent so you can schedule to have Yasmin delivered every time.

Alternatively, you can take advantage of our UPS pick-up option. In the checkout, choose your preferred location or shop to collect your contraceptive in person along with the rest of your groceries.

Is my personal and medical information safe online?

When buying Yasmin online, a consultation must be provided and this must be reviewed by a UK-certified doctor. This means providing your complete medical history and personal details are stored in your own member's area. All data on HealthExpress is encrypted and will not be shared with third parties. Your medical details can also be updated at any time by logging in online, making the process even quicker for repeat orders.

Do you have any other queries or observations?

If you have any further questions regarding how to order Yasmin online that we haven't answered here, you can always contact our Customer Service Team via email, phone or Live Chat available Monday to Friday 8:00-17:00.