Yasmin / Lucette Contraceptive Pills

Yasmin and Lucette are combined contraceptive pills. They are exactly the same apart from the brand name. 

They both contain ethinylestradiol and drospirenone, which are synthetic versions of oestrogen and progestogen, respectively. 

This type of pill offers 99% effectiveness against pregnancy if taken correctly. 

Combined Oral Contraceptives are also useful for helping to control hormonal acne, irregular periods, migraines and period pain, cramps and mood swings.

Yasmin / Lucette FAQ

What Is Yasmin / Lucette?

Yasmin and the generic version Lucette are both different versions of the same combined contraceptive pill, containing ethinylestradiol and drospirenone, which are synthetic versions of oestrogen and progestogen.

Is Yasmin / Lucette Only Effective At Preventing Pregnancy?

In short, no these pills can also help with other things, including:

• Can sometimes help to manage weight – The progestogen in this type of pill can sometimes act as a diuretic, which helps to reduce water retention.

• Can help to control acne as the progestogen used in this type of pill can act as an anti-androgenic (acts to oppose testosterone). Excess testosterone in women (and men) is one of the known causes of hormone-related acne.

• Improves the pain, cramping and mood swings sometimes experienced before and during a period. This is because the synthetic hormones help to regulate and balance normal hormone function during this time, stopping any excess that can cause unwanted effects.

• Helps to control heavy periods, which, in turn, can manage certain types of anaemia (iron deficiency is the most common.)

How Does Yasmin / Lucette Work?

This type of pill is a combined oral contraceptive (COC). All COC type pills work in a three-fold way:

• Prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs (stop ovulation).

• Thickens the mucus in the cervix, which blocks sperm from entering the womb.

• Thins the walls of the womb, thus stopping an egg from embedding and developing into a pregnancy.

This type of pill is NOT suitable for women that:

• Are allergic to Yasmin or any of its active ingredients (an alternative contraceptive may be more suitable).

• Are older than 35 years old.

• Smoke cigarettes or cigars.

• Have a higher-than-normal risk of heart and circulation problems, high blood pressure, history of hormonal cancers, history of regular migraines or a history of stroke or high risk of blood clots. Patients with these risk factors will need to discuss other types of contraception with their GP.

How Do I Use Yasmin / Lucette?

If started between day one and day five of the start of your menstrual cycle, this type of pill will provide immediate protection against pregnancy.

If started after this point, then additional barrier methods of contraception (i.e. condoms) should be used for at least 7-days until full protection is achieved.

The tablet course, if started on day one of your menstrual cycle is:

• One tablet is taken daily around the same time (for best effect) for 21 continual days.

• This is followed by a seven-day rest period. Within this time, you may experience withdrawal bleeding similar to that of your regular period, but this is generally lighter. During this 7-day period, you are still protected from pregnancy.

Missing A Pill

If you miss taking a combined pill, the action you take will depend on how many you have missed and where you are in your cycle.

1. One missed tablet or started new pack one day late:

Take your pill as soon as possible (even if it means taking 2 in the same 24hour window).

Continue your month as normal from this point onwards. 

You will still be protected from pregnancy as if you hadn’t missed a pill.

2. You have missed two or more tablets or have started the new pack two or more days late:

Take the last missed pill as soon as possible (even if it means taking 2 in the same 24hour window)

You will need to use additional barrier methods of contraception or avoid intercourse until you have started your next pack.

3. If there are six or fewer tablets left in the pack:

Finish the pack as normal and start the new pack the next day without having a 7-day break.

Use additional barrier methods of contraception or avoid sex until you have started your next pack after the seven-day break.

4. If there are seven or more tablets left in the pack:

Finish the pack as normal, and take your 7day break before starting the next pack.

Use additional barrier methods of contraception or avoid sex until you have started your next pack after the seven-day break.

What Are The Side Effects Of Yasmin / Lucette?

Yasmin and Lucette are generally well tolerated, but as with any medicine, there is a chance that they can cause minor side effects.

Common Side Effects:

Common side effects of Yasmin and  Lucette include:

• Headaches

• Menstrual changes

• Breast pain

• Abdominal pain and

• Nausea

For the full list of side effects, including uncommon ones, please read the PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET.

Interactions

Patients should reduce their alcohol intake for the 1st two weeks of treatment with this type of pill.

Patients taking Ibuprofen for a prolonged period should discuss the use of this pill alongside it with their GP as it can cause a marked rise in blood potassium. This is rare.