www.lesswrong.com/posts/EfvePeHnW2EajwH8s/3-years-of-being-on-birth-control
2 corrections found
Yaz is the same combination at a lower dose (2 mg drospirenone and 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol)
Yaz does use a lower ethinyl estradiol dose than Yasmin, but its drospirenone dose is 3 mg, not 2 mg.
Full reasoning
The post correctly notes that Yaz has 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol, but it understates the drospirenone content.
Official labeling identifies Yaz as containing 3 mg drospirenone and 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol per active tablet, not 2 mg drospirenone. So the statement is inaccurate on the progestin dose even though it is right about the estrogen dose being lower than Yasmin's.
This matters because Yasmin and Yaz differ mainly in their ethinyl estradiol dose and regimen, not by Yaz dropping drospirenone from 3 mg to 2 mg.
2 sources
- Yaz prescribing information (FDA label)
Yaz (drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol tablets) is available in blister packs: 24 light pink tablets each containing 3 mg drospirenone (DRSP) and 0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol (EE).
- YAZ Essential information | Bayer
YAZ 0.02 mg / 3 mg film coated tablets. Composition: 24 light pink film-coated tablets containing 0.020 mg ethinylestradiol and 3 mg drospirenone.
stopping resets the clock
For combined hormonal contraception, the elevated clot risk on restarting is specifically tied to a break of about 4 weeks or longer—not just any stoppage.
Full reasoning
This overstates the restart risk.
For combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs), official labeling says venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk is highest during the first year of use and when restarting after a break of four weeks or longer. In other words, the evidence-based warning is not that any stop immediately "resets the clock." The increased restart risk is tied to a substantially longer hormone-free interval.
That distinction matters here because a brief interruption due to a pharmacy stock issue is not the same thing as restarting after a month or more off CHCs.
2 sources
- Highlights of Prescribing Information (combined hormonal contraceptive label)
The risk of VTE is highest during the first year of CHC use and when restarting hormonal contraception after a break of four weeks or longer.
- FSRH Guideline: Combined Hormonal Contraception (2023)
Risk of VTE is highest in the months immediately after initiation of CHC or when restarting after a break of at least 1 month. The risk then reduces over the first year.