Announcements
Yasmin - A new Contraceptive Pill is released on to the Australian Market
Date 19 September 2002
What's different about this new Pill?
Yasmin became available in Australia on the 17/9/02. This Pill is an interesting one, because while it uses the same oestrogen found in all the other Pills available here, it contains a new and quite different progestogen called drosperinone. Yasmin is just as effective at preventing pregnancy as previously available contraceptive Pills. Studies overseas, where this Pill has been available for the past few years, show that bleeding patterns in women who use it are similar. Some women will have been told they cannot use the Pill because of medical reasons (like past blood clots in the legs or lungs or severe migraines) and this new Pill is no safer for these women than other Pills. One of the main differences between this new Pill and other Pills is that the drosperinone is a mild diuretic - which means that it will tend to balance the fluid retention that some women experience when they take contraceptive Pills which contain oestrogen. This should make it a very useful for those women who find that when they have used the Pill in the past they have had problems with side-effects like breast tenderness and bloating. These symptoms are felt to be due mainly to a tendency to retain extra fluid in the breast tissue and abdomen.
Another really interesting thing about this Pill is that the drosperinone also seems to reduce the effects of androgens in the body. Androgens are the hormones that are linked with conditions such as acne, oily hair and excessive body hair. Some women are troubled by these conditions before they even start the Pill. Yasmin may be a good choice for them if they also need contraception. For other women these symptoms only become a problem while they are taking the Pill or they may find the Pill can make a minor problem with oily skin or hair much worse. Using Yasmin will tend to settle problems with oily skin and hair over time. Unfortunately just as with other Pills like Diane and Brenda which are already used to improve conditions like acne, the effects are not instant and may take up to 8 months to achieve.
What about weight loss?
Some of the media articles on this new Pill have tended to concentrate on the ability of Yasmin to cause weight loss. While this is certainly true it really does need to be put in perspective. Over a 12 month period studies indicated a 0.7% weight loss compared with women using another Pill brand - so in a 70 kg woman we are only talking of about half a kilogram weight loss. It is probably reassuring for many women however that weight gain was not seen over this 12 month period in the women using Yasmin. Most weight gain that women experience on the Pill is not actually due to fluid retention and so for most women it seems likely that attention to diet and exercise would be a more effective weight-loss strategy than simply switching to Yasmin.
How much does it cost and where can I get it?
As with all combined oral contraceptive pills presently on the Australian market women will need to get a prescription from their doctor to obtain Yasmin. It is not listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and will cost about $20.00 per month when purchased from the pharmacy.
So do we have the "Perfect Pill" at last?
Yasmin is not the "Perfect Pill" as would seem to have been depicted in some media articles but it does mean that there is now a new Pill option for those women who have been troubled by fluid retention or androgenic symptoms on Pills they have previously used. You should ask your doctor or nearest Family Planning Centre for more information about Yasmin if you think this new Pill might be a good choice for you. Or you could ring the FPA Health nurses at our Healthline on 1300 658 886.
For further information
Contact Dr Terri Foran
Subject
Audience Health professionals - Women
