Yaz Gallbladder Side Effects: Overview Of GallBladder Inflammation

One of the serious side effects of Yaz birth control is gallbladder disease. The condition is defined by sharp abdominal pain caused by the presence of gallstones or inflammation of the gall bladder. Often, the former causes the latter. Most women using this oral contraceptive are aware that it sharply raises the risk of blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, and other dangerous side effects. Unfortunately, many women remain unaware of their exposure to Yaz gallbladder disease.

Bile, Your Gallbladder, And Digestion

Bile is secreted by your liver to aid in the digestion of fats within your small intestine. It flows into your gallbladder, where it is stored and concentrated through the absorption of water into the organ’s wall. Fats that enter your small intestine stimulate contractions in your gallbladder. The contractions push bile fluid into the common bile duct. The bile flows through the ampulla of Vater into your duodenum where it helps to emulsify and digest fats.

As long as bile can flow unimpeded into your small intestine, problems will rarely occur. However, gallstones can interrupt this process and thereby, set the stage for Yaz gallbladder problems.

Yaz Gallstones In The Biliary Tract

Your biliary tract includes your bile ducts and your gall bladder. Stones that are present within any portion of this tract can cause bile to become trapped within your gallbladder. The bile fluid gradually thickens and turns into a substance called biliary sludge. Meanwhile, chemicals contained in the stagnant bile cause the organ to become inflamed. This is what triggers the abdominal pain characteristic of a gallbladder attack.

One of the side effects of Yaz birth control is an elevated level of cholesterol in the bile secreted from your liver. This contributes to the formation of stones. At normal levels, cholesterol is absorbed into the cell lining of your gall bladder’s wall. An elevated level cannot be sufficiently absorbed and thus, begins to crystallize into Yaz gallstones.

Sometimes, the stones remain in your gall bladder near its opening. Other times, they escape into your common bile duct. Both circumstances can prevent bile from exiting your gallbladder, which leads to inflammation. This is known as cholecystitis.

Acute Versus Chronic Cholecystitis

There are two types of cholecystitis: acute and chronic. Both are usually caused by gallstones that become lodged in the opening of the gallbladder or within the bile ducts. Acute cholecystitis is accompanied by the sudden onset of pain within your abdomen. The pain is due to inflammation caused by chemicals within the bile that remains trapped within your gallbladder. The organ may start to fill with fluid as the walls begin to thicken. It is also worth noting that infection often follows inflammation (though not in all cases).

Chronic cholecystitis is defined by repeated gallbladder attacks, which can trigger intense abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting. The successive attacks eventually begin to damage the organ, creating scarring and thickening. Even though the symptoms subside, there is a high likelihood of recurrence unless the Yaz gallstones are somehow passed into the small intestine.

Both acute and chronic cholecystitis are usually addressed by surgically removing your gall bladder. While the operation is common, it is not without potential problems.

The Problems With Yaz Gallbladder Removal Surgery

One of the most serious complications of gallbladder removal surgery is injury to the bile ducts; the ducts might suffer tears during the procedure. If that happens, bile fluid can seep into your abdominal cavity and cause infection. If the infection is not addressed (which must be done surgically), it can become life-threatening.

Another problem is that removing your gallbladder prevents bile from being concentrated before it arrives in your small intestine. Bile will continue to trickle from your liver into your duodenum. However, because it is not concentrated, it may be less able to efficiently digest fats.

Yaz gallbladder problems have affected otherwise healthy women who have never experienced such issues in the past. Those who have suffered abdominal pain and other symptoms are often forced to have the organ surgically removed. If you have suffered gallbladder disease or gallstones after using this birth control pill, you may be due compensation for your injuries. Contact a Yaz gallbladder side effects lawyer to discuss your case.