I have a GREAT pill! It's called Yasmin and I don't hold water on it. I've taken a bunch - orthocept, desogen, some other one I hated and can't remember right now. If you stay with the pill this one really is better and different.
I copied this from their website:
BERLEX LABORATORIES ANNOUNCES FDA APPROVAL OF YASMIN®, NEW ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE WITH UNIQUE PROGESTIN
National Survey Demonstrates Need for New Birth Control Pill Options
Montville, NJ, May 14, 2001 -- Berlex Laboratories, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved YASMIN® (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol). YASMIN is a new, low-dose, monophasic oral contraceptive and the first and only birth control pill to contain the unique progestin, drospirenone.
???YASMIN is the second major innovation that we???ve introduced to the U.S. market this year. Its market entry, along with the introduction of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system MIRENA early this year, represents further expansion of the Berlex leadership in contraception,??? said Reinhard Franzen, Vice President and General Manager, Female Healthcare, Berlex Laboratories, Inc. ???Because of the unique clinical pharmacology of YASMIN, we believe this product will provide women with an important new option in contraception.???
Drospirenone is different from the progestins currently available in other oral contraceptives. As an analogue of spironolactone, widely used by Ob/Gyns for many women, drospirenone exhibits antimineralocorticoid activity that influences the regulation of water and electrolyte balance in the body. This activity may increase potassium levels in some patients. Therefore, it is recommended that women with kidney, liver or adrenal disease should not take YASMIN, because this activity could cause serious heart and health problems. Patients taking drugs that could increase potassium should consult their health care professional before taking YASMIN.
The launch of YASMIN continues in the tradition of Berlex???s German parent company, which introduced oral contraceptives in the European market 40 years ago. Over 500,000 women in Europe are currently using YASMIN, where the product has been available in several countries, including Germany, since November of 2000.
Survey Finds Women Are Dissatisfied
While more than 18 million women in this country use one of the more than 40 oral contraceptives available today, a new national survey of U.S. women aged 18-45 commissioned by the National Women???s Health Resource Center (NWHRC) shows that nearly half (47 percent) of women who have used birth control pills in the past five years were dissatisfied enough to discontinue use or switch brands.
"Nearly 700,000 unintended pregnancies occur each year in this country because women stop taking their birth control pills," said Amy R. Niles, Executive Director of the NWHRC. ???The results of our survey show that women are dissatisfied with the choices currently available to them. That being the case, an oral contraceptive that makes birth control more acceptable for more women in this country is not only important, but necessary progress.???
Data Demonstrate Safety, Efficacy and Tolerability
Large-scale clinical trials involving 2,629 women with over 33,160 cycles established the contraceptive effectiveness, safety and menstrual cycle control of YASMIN. Trials found that YASMIN offers excellent cycle control with a low rate of spotting and breakthrough bleeding.
YASMIN proved more than 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy, with only one pregnancy occurring in 3,201 cycles of 326 YASMIN users.
Women who participated in clinical studies tolerated YASMIN very well, with only six percent discontinuing use due to side effects.
Important Information about YASMIN and All Oral Contraceptives
Drugs that may increase serum potassium when used on a daily long-term basis to treat chronic conditions or diseases include ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor antagonists, potassium-sparing diuretics, heparin, aldosterone antagonists and NSAIDs (i.e., daily use for arthritis).
Oral contraceptives (OCs) are not appropriate for all patients, and serious as well as minor side effects have been reported with the use of all OCs. OCs do not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases. Women who use oral contraceptives are strongly advised not to smoke.
Information for Consumers
Women who would like to learn more about YASMIN should visit
www.YASMIN.com or call the toll-free number 866-YASMIN1 (927-6461) to receive a complimentary, informational product brochure by mail.
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I've been really happy with it so if you decide to go with pill form you might want to discuss Yasmin with your doctor. Good luck!
