Yaz Pulmonary Embolism: Common Questions

Yaz and pulmonary embolism side effects have placed otherwise healthy women at risk of suffering a potentially life-threatening event. It is estimated that a third of all diagnosed PE cases in which patients do not receive treatment end in death. Despite this, many women who are taking Yaz birth control may not fully understand the extent of the dangers. Among those who are aware of the risks, many questions remain.

Below, you’ll find the answers to several questions women are increasingly asking about Yasmin birth control side effects. Some women have discovered the risks are higher than they realized.

“How Does Yaz And Pulmonary Embolism Occur?”

Nearly all cases of PE begin with one or more blood clots that form within the deep veins, typically in your legs. This is a condition known as deep venous thrombosis (DVT).

Your deep veins are surrounded by groups of muscles. When you move, these muscles contract and squeeze the veins. That sends your blood flowing back to your heart and lungs to pick up oxygen before recirculating throughout your body. If clots are present in these veins, your muscles’ contractions can cause them to break away from the venous wall. Newly detached, they are carried along with your bloodstream.

If the clots travel through the right side of your heart and block a pulmonary artery, they can starve the lung tissue fed by that artery. You will suffer a pulmonary embolism.

“What Are The Symptoms Of a PE?”

The symptoms you experience will be dependent on the extent of the arterial blockage. Small Yaz blood clots in your lungs may not cause noticeable signs, especially if you suffer from other health conditions, such as coronary artery disease. That said, when symptoms present, they do so quickly.

You might feel lightheaded and have difficulty taking deep breaths. You may also experience anxiety, bouts of coughing, and pain in your chest and jaw (similar to a heart attack). In some cases, coughing is accompanied by bloody sputum. If the offending clot is large, it can cause your blood pressure to plummet, putting your life in immediate danger.

“Can I Prevent It From Happening?”

If blood clots have already formed in your deep veins, your doctor may suggest having an inferior vena cava filter installed. Your inferior vena cava (IVC) is a large vein through which blood flows from your lower body to your heart. A metal filter can be installed within your IVC to catch clots that have broken away before they can travel to your lungs and block a pulmonary artery.

“How Is Yaz Pulmonary Embolism Treated?”

Once your blood oxygen and blood pressure levels have been stabilized, a doctor will administer antiocoagulants to prevent further clotting. These are usually enough to avert subsequent problems, especially if the clots are small and can be broken down by your body.

If the pulmonary embolism is large and your life is at risk, a doctor may administer thrombolytic medications. These drugs represent a more aggressive approach than antiocoagulants, and can help dissolve dangerous clots. The problem is, thrombolytics pose a higher risk of bleeding.

Severe PE that is unresponsive to antiocoagulants and thrombolytics can be treated with a catheter technique called suction thrombectomy. Your doctor will thread a catheter into the blocked pulmonary artery and either break apart or extract the offending clots. In rare cases, doctors will perform an embolectomy to remove clots that have caused a massive pulmonary embolism.

“Should I File A Yaz Pulmonary Embolism Lawsuit?”

Women who have never experienced problems with abnormal clotting have developed blood clots after using Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella. These birth control pills combines estrogen with drospirenone, a synthetic progestin hormone. Together, they are known to significantly increase the risk of clotting.

If you have suffered blood clots, DVT, or pulmonary embolism after using this oral contraceptive, contact a Yaz blood clot attorney who will investigate your case.