Yaz And Gallstones: Causes And Symptoms

Together, Yaz birth control and gallstones have burdened otherwise healthy women with severe gallbladder problems. Some of these women had never developed stones or suffered gall bladder disease prior to using Yaz. Please contact us for more information regarding your legal options including filing a Yaz lawsuit gallbladder claim. We are currently representing women throughout the United States who have developed side effects while using this birth control product.

In nearly 80% of cases, gallstones are asymptomatic; those who have them may be unaware the stones exist. However, they can lay “dormant” for years before symptoms finally emerge. When they become symptomatic, the effects are painful and medical attention is usually required.

Below, we’ll explore the link between Yaz and gallstones. You’ll learn how the oral contraceptive contributes to the formation of stones and by extension, the development of gallbladder disease. I’ll describe common symptoms that present as well as the most common form of treatment recommended by doctors.

What Causes Yaz Gallbladder Problems?

Your liver secretes bile fluid into the common hepatic duct of your biliary tract. The bile contains a small amount of cholesterol. It flows through the cystic duct and into your gallbladder where it is stored and concentrated for later use. The cholesterol is absorbed into the cell lining of your gall bladder’s wall.

When fats enter your small intestine, a hormone called cholecystokinin is released. This hormone tells your gall bladder that bile is needed for digestion. The organ contracts and pushes bile into the cystic duct. The bile flows through the common bile duct and into your duodenum (the top portion of your small intestine).

Yaz birth control may contribute to the formation of stones within your gallbladder. It combines estrogen with a synthetic progestin called drospirenone. These hormones can increase the level of cholesterol within the bile fluid secreted by your liver. Moreover, they can reduce the frequency and strength of your gallbladder’s contractions.

The elevated level of cholesterol within the bile fluid cannot be sufficiently absorbed into your gallbladder’s wall. Meanwhile, the diminished activity of the organ prevents the bile from exiting into the cystic duct. The bile remains within the organ and slowly turns into a sludge-like substance. This is the beginning of cholelithiasis, the formation of gallstones.

Signs And Symptoms Of Yaz Gallstones

The most common sign of symptomatic gallstones is sharp pain within your upper abdomen. This is generally referred to as biliary colic. The pain is caused by stones that block the passage of bile from your gallbladder. Trapped inside, the bile triggers inflammation and causes the organ to swell.

In some cases, the blockage forms within your gall bladder. Gallstones gather near the organ’s exit, preventing bile from moving into the cystic duct. In other cases, the stones can migrate from your gallbladder into the cystic duct or common bile duct. Here too, they can form a blockage and prevent bile from leaving your gallbladder.

Other symptoms of gallstones caused by Yaz include fever, nausea, vomiting, and a bloated sensation. Because the area in which pain is sharpest is near the bottom portion of the esophagus, many people mistake the stones for heartburn.

Once gallstones display symptoms, doctors will normally recommend gallbladder removal surgery. The organ can be removed with a minimally invasive procedure called laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, if infection is present, open abdominal surgery is necessary.

Should You File A Yaz Gallbladder Lawsuit?

Many women who have never experienced gallbladder problems have suffered Yaz gallbladder disease and gallstones after taking this birth control pill. Even if stones remain asymptomatic, they can unexpectedly display symptoms. At that point, removing your gallbladder becomes the default form of treatment.

If you have suffered stones, biliary colic, and other gallbladder problems after using the contraceptive, invest the time to explore your legal rights. Contact a Yaz gallbladder lawsuit attorney to discuss your case.