Yaz and gallbladder disease
Recent findings indicate Yaz may cause gallbladder disease, lead to gallbladder removal.
Yaz, marketed by Bayer Healthcare Inc., is the only oral contraceptive currently sold in the United States that contains drospirenone, which is a diuretic, in addition to ethinyl estradiol. Studies show that long term use of diuretics such as drospirenone may cause serious gallbladder problems even lead to gall bladder removal.
However, Yaz product packaging does not contain a warning specific to adverse effects involving the gall bladder.
Normally, there are three types of gallbladder problems that may lead to gallbladder removal. These include:
- obstruction to a cystic duct, which causes severe pain referred to as biliary colic
- infection/inflammation of the gallbladder, called cholecystitis
- blockage of biliary duct, biliary obstruction
Women are twice as likely as man to have gallbladder problems, with traditional risk factors including multiple pregnancies, obesity or rapid weight loss.
However, women who are suffering serious gallbladder problems possibly linked to Yaz do not appear to fall into any of the traditional risk categories, leading to speculation that drospirenone may be a factor in their injuries.
More than 800,000 people are hospitalized each year in the U.S. as a result of gallbladder disease, and more than a half-million Americans undergo gallbladder removal each year.