Yaz birth control (as well as the generic brand Ocella) are known as fourth generation oral contraceptives. Manufactured by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, they were the first birth control solution containing the progestin drospirenone to be marketed in the U.S. Reports have surfaced regarding a number of side effects that are linked to these drugs. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism – both resulting from blood clots – are causing life-threatening circumstances for otherwise healthy women. Another serious side effect involves Yaz gallbladder problems.

Many women who are taking Yaz birth control have reported experiencing extreme abdominal pain due to gall bladder disease. In many cases, the symptoms are severe enough that the entire organ is surgically removed.

In this article, I’ll describe the two forms of gallbladder disease (cholecystitis and cholelithiasis) that can be caused by the Yaz oral contraceptive pill. I’ll also explain how both conditions are treated.

Cholecystitis And Cholelithiasis Explained

Your liver produces bile in order to help digest fat. The bile flows through hepatic ducts on its way to your gallbladder, where it is stored and concentrated. Fats within food near your upper small intestine trigger a hormone that transmits a signal to your gall bladder, telling it to release the bile. Yaz oral contraceptives have been known to cause gallstones which obstruct the flow of bile from the gallbladder. This condition is known as cholelithiasis.

It’s not uncommon for women who have developed Yaz induced cholelithiasis to experience lancing pain that spreads through their backs to their shoulder blades. Many women also develop intense fever, nausea, and even jaundice.

Cholecystitis is a condition during which your gallbladder becomes inflamed. It is similar to cholelithiasis and can likewise be triggered by Yaz, and the generic equivalent, Ocella. In nine out of ten cases, the inflammation is caused by gallstones. If it is left untreated, it can spread and eventually reach your bowel. Symptoms of Yaz caused cholecystitis are similar to those of cholelithiasis, and treatment is necessary to eliminate the pain.

Treatment For Gall Bladder Disease

Yaz and gallstones can be treated surgically or by administering drugs. Non-surgical treatment includes oral dissolution therapy and contact dissolution therapy; both approaches rely upon medications to dissolve gallstones. Oral dissolution therapy requires more time and is usually reserved for cholesterol stones. Contact dissolution therapy can dissolve gallstones far more quickly, but is still considered an experimental approach.

Doctors will typically recommend a laparoscopic cholecystectomy to address gall bladder disease. This is a surgical procedure during which the entire organ is removed. In its absence, bile flows directly from the liver to the upper small intestine, traveling through the common bile duct.

Understanding The Basis Of Yaz Lawsuits

Many women have filed individual Yaz lawsuits against Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals. These lawsuits claim that Bayer neglected to inform consumers about the risks of developing severe side effects, including gallbladder disease. They further claim that the oral contraceptive manufacturer used misleading advertising that failed to adequately describe the dangers of taking the drugs. Women who have no history of blood clots or gall bladder disease have experienced these side effects after taking this birth control pill.

If you have used Yaz and have developed gallbladder problems, blood clots, DVT, pulmonary embolism, or other side effects, contact a Yaz gallbladder lawyer to discuss your options.