In order to understand the connection with Yaz gall bladder problems and gallstones, it is important to review why stones form in the first place. Your liver produces bile salts and sends them to your gallbladder through the common hepatic and cystic ducts. There is a normally a small amount of cholesterol contained within the bile salts. If the level of cholesterol rises, an imbalance occurs, causing the bile fluid to thicken. If this imbalance continues to grow, the cholesterol eventually crystallizes into gallstones. The process is called cholelithiasis.

Cholesterol stones represent nearly 80% of all diagnosed gallstones (the remaining 20% are pigment stones). Yaz birth control pills are thought to elevate the level of cholesterol contained within the bile salts produced by the liver. Moreover, Yaz is thought to reduce the frequency and strength of the gallbladder’s contractions, thereby preventing the organ from pushing bile into the common bile duct. These two factors increase the risk of gallstones.

There are two possible ways to treat symptomatic gallstones caused by Yaz: dissolution therapy and removal of the gallbladder.

Dissolution Therapies For Yaz Gallstones

Dissolution therapies can take one of two forms – oral dissolution and contact dissolution. Oral dissolution therapy is administered through pills that contain bile acids. The most common are ursodiol (or, the branded version Actigall) and chenodiol (or, Chenix). The bile acids dissolve the gallstones. The problem is, there is a high rate of recurrence among patients who use oral dissolution therapy. Over 50% of patients can expect to develop gallstones years down the road. What’s more, the treatment is costly and must be administered over two or three years.

Contact dissolution therapy is administered by injecting a chemical compound called methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) directly into the gallbladder. Like the oral medications ursodiol and chenodiol, the purpose of MTBE is to dissolve the stones. The advantage of MTBE over oral dissolution therapy is that the solvent can dissolve Yaz gallstones within a single day. The drawback is that MTBE is volatile and can cause extreme pain.

Both oral and contact dissolution therapies are only used to treat cholesterol stones (as opposed to pigment stones). Because of the high rate of recurrence and extreme pain, respectively, they are normally used when surgical removal of the gallbladder is not an option.

Surgical Removal Of The Gallbladder

When women who are taking Yaz develop gallstones that become symptomatic, doctors will normally recommend surgically removing the gallbladder. This is accomplished through a procedure called cholecystectomy.

A surgeon can usually complete the operation laparoscopically. This is performed with a minimally invasive approach in which the doctor makes small incisions into the abdomen. Surgical tools and a camera-equipped laparoscope are inserted through the incisions. The doctor can study the site on a video monitor while using the surgical tools to remove the gallbladder.

If the surgeon discovers infection in the area, or there is scarring present from past operations, laparoscopic cholecystectomy may not be possible. Instead, the surgeon may need to resort to open surgery, which requires cutting through the abdominal muscle to reach the site.

One of the dangers of gallbladder removal – both laparoscopically and through open surgery – is that the bile ducts can become damaged. That can lead to bile leakage and infection. Bile duct injuries must be repaired through subsequent surgeries.

Symptomatic gallstones can result in extreme pain and serious medical issues. If you or someone you know has developed gallstones after taking Yaz birth control pills, you may have a legal right to file a claim. Contact a Yaz attorney to explore your options.