At the time of this writing, there is only one Yaz® dosage being prescribed. That means that women who need a higher or lower dose birth control will be placed on another type of hormonal pill. There are pills in various dosages, and not all are appropriate for every woman. Patients who want to require a certain type of pill should speak with their healthcare providers.
Yaz® is a hormonal birth control. It helps prevent pregnancy by preventing ovulation, and also by thinning the lining of the uterus. This is similar to the way most other birth control pills prevent pregnancy. Although similar in function, Yaz® contains active ingredients which may differ from other conventional birth control pills. It is also used to treated severe pre-menstrual syndrome, also known as pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder, and mild to moderate acne in those who are interested in taking an oral birth control pill as a contraceptive.
There is only one basic Yaz® dosage that women are prescribed. All patients are instructed to take one pill per day. Each pack comes with 24 pills containing hormones, and 4 that are placebos. If a pill is missed, it should be taken as soon as it is remembered. The next pill should be taken at the regular time. In most cases, women are not prescribed a higher Yaz® dosage due to the risk of side effects.
Like most birth control pills, even the normal Yaz® dosage could lead to side effects and complications. Hormonal birth control can lead to heart attack and stroke. These risks are higher in women who are over 35 or those who smoke. Women with certain health conditions, such as renal disease, should not take Yaz® for their birth control. Doing so could lead to potentially life-threatening complications.
Yaz® will typically not harm an existing pregnancy, but it shouldn't be taken by pregnant women. When determining the appropriate birth control method, a doctor will examine a patient thoroughly to determine if she is healthy enough for the proper Yaz® dosage. Those who would require a lower dose hormonal birth control may be placed on another type. Others may require a different combination of hormones. For instance, some women may experience vomiting or diarrhea while taking Yaz®, but they may do well using a different or lower dose birth control pill.
