Yaz is the trade name used by Bayer for its formulation of drospirenone, a birth-control drug also used for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD. Yaz was marketed as a birth control pill that could help young women suffering from PMDD as well as being highly effective in the prevention of pregnancy. However, side effects quickly appeared that led to a general outcry by certain groups for a Yaz recall. At the present time, there is no Food and Drug Administration plan to perform such a recall, although the presence of dangerous side effects is still noted. In 2011, the FDA issued a study that suggested that users of drospirenone-based birth control have a much higher risk of fatal blood clots than users of other forms of birth control and non-users.

While no recall of Yaz is currently pending, further studies are being conducted to determine the level of risk for Yaz users. It has been clear for many years that women who smoke or are over the age of 35 have an increased risk of blood clots, heart problems, and other serious health issues when using oral contraceptives; it is also clear that Yaz users may experience a higher risk than usual. Yaz users have also suffered from nausea, headaches, gallbladder issues, kidney and liver failure. While the most common side effects may not be life-threatening, the most severe side effects may not immediately evident. Women using any form of oral contraceptive should have regularly checkups to determine if any of the more severe side effects of birth control pills are a problem for them.

Many current lawsuits center on the allegations that Bayer Pharmaceuticals did not adequately warn users of the high levels of risk involved in using Yaz as a method of birth control. This is compounded by the fact that women suffering from PMDD were targeted as likely customers for Yaz due to its theoretical treatment of these symptoms. There is also a question of whether the FDA's decision to keep Yaz on the market--decided by a very slim vote--was influenced by members of the voting committee with ties to the manufacturer. Although there is no current proof that the close vote was influenced by profit, it is wise to bear in mind that the amount of money spent on producing and advertising any drug means that the manufacturing company will definitely be interested in making a profit on the sale and may not be vocal about possible side effects and issues related to the drug’s use.

If you have experienced any negative side effects of Yaz usage, it is time to talk to a professional Yaz attorney. A personal injury lawyer can offer you a free consultation to talk about symptoms and problems you have experienced and determine if you might be eligible to recover damages from the manufacturer for your complications. If you have experienced blood clots, stroke, heart problems, or other side effects from Yaz use, please talk to a personal injury attorney right away; the time to file a lawsuit may be limited, and you deserve to recover damages for your medical problems.