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Popular contraceptives Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella have been linked to several serious side effects, including strokes and heart attack. Why does Yaz cause heart attacks?

The problem primarily lies with the key chemical ingredient, Drospirenone. Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella combine estrogen with a synthetic progestin called Drospirenone. No other contraceptive (or birth control) pills contain Drospirenone. The combination of chemicals in Yaz has been reported to increase the risk of blood clots by more than 600%.

Blood clotting is a normal bodily function. This function normally stops blood flow from cuts and creates scabs to stop bleeding. This function repairs damage to the skin and other body tissues. However, the chemical combinations in Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella can cause abnormal blood clotting. This results in blood clotting when it is unnecessary and inside the blood vessel, vein or artery.

These abnormal blood clots can break away from the blood vessel on which they formed. When these clots break away they travel through the blood stream and can form a blockage or become lodged inside the heart itself. This blockage can starve the flow of blood and cause a heart attack.

If the blood clot lodges in the brain (rather than the heart), it can result in a stroke.

If the blood clot lodges in the pulmonary arter that supplies blood to the lungs, it can result in a pulmonary embolism (or PE).

Learn more about Yaz and Yasmin side effects and what you can do to if you have taken these birth control pills.

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