Currently there is no Yasmin class action lawsuit and claims continue to be filed individually for women and families affected by serious side effects. Since its debut years ago, Yaz and Yasmin oral contraceptives have been linked to an increase in the risk of developing blood clots. Clotting is a normal healing function of your body that helps it to contain bleeding. However, abnormal clotting can lead to dangerous and potentially life-threatening side effects, including strokes. Yaz birth control contains two hormones (ethinyl estradiol and the synthetic progestin drospirenone) that expose women to a far higher risk of abnormal blood clots.

Ischemic Versus Hemorrhagic Stroke

Your brain requires a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients in order to survive. Both are supplied by blood that is fed to the brain through the carotid or cerebral arteries. If the flow of blood is blocked, you will suffer an ischemic stroke. If a blood vessel in your brain ruptures, bleeding can occur in the surrounding tissue, or between the brain and the skull. This is called an hemorrhagic stroke.

While hemorrhagic stroke is more deadily than ischemic stroke, it accounts for only 15% of reported cases. Most of the exposure is represented by a blockage that forms within a carotid or cerebral artery – for example, a blood clot.

How Yaz Can Cause Ischemic Stroke

As noted, the progestin drospirenone that is included in Yasmin birth control pills increases the risk of blood clots. That results in a greater likelihood of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a clot that forms in a deep vein of the leg, arm, or pelvis. As long as the blood clot remains affixed to its original site (in the deep vein), it is not life-threatening. On the other hand, if it disengages from its site, it will travel in the direction of your bloodstream.

A traveling blood clot (called an embolus) is dangerous. It can become lodged within a carotid or cerebral artery, thereby preventing blood from reaching your brain. Starved of the oxygen contained within the blood, your brain cells will begin to suffocate and die. It happens quickly – within three or four minutes.

What To Expect After A Stroke

Ischemic strokes occur suddenly and symptoms usually develop immediately. You may feel a weak sensation throughout your body, paralysis on one side, and dizziness and confusion. You might also experience blindness in one eye, or blind spots in the same area of both eyes. Victims of Yaz strokes have also reported impaired speech and a loss of coordination.

Only 10% of those who suffer ischemic stroke regain all of their normal functions. Nearly 40% of victims are left with long-term impairment, and 10% are left incapacitated to the point of requiring long-term care. One in four victims will experience another stroke within five years, which usually leads to further impairment.

The risk of suffering an ischemic stroke is one of several dangerous and potentially life-threatening Yasmin side effects. One of the most sobering recent discoveries is that the drug’s manufacturer (Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals) may have known of the dangers and downplayed them. Current Yasmin lawsuits also claim that Bayer was negligent in performing ongoing testing regarding their drug’s safety.

If you have suffered a stroke or other serious side effects after taking Yasmin birth control pills, you may be entitled to file a claim. Contact a Yasmin attorney to explore your options.