Due to the dangers associated with a DVT, diagnosing the condition early is important. Your doctor can perform an assortment of tests as part of his or her diagnostic evaluation. An overview of the most common tests follows.

Duplex Ultrasonography

Ultrasound has traditionally been used to detect signs of venous and arterial occlusions throughout the body – from the ankles to the brain. A doctor holds a device called a transducer near the site of the suspected obstruction. The transducer bounces high-frequency sound waves off the blood vessels. These sound waves return to the device, which transmits data to a computer, which in turn composes an image of the targeted vein or artery. The image shows the flow of blood.

While conventional ultrasound is helpful, the technology is limited in scope since it can only bounce the sound waves off stationary structures. For this reason, Doppler ultrasonography is often used. This approach follows the same principle, but the sound waves bounce off moving objects, such as red blood cells. The sound waves still return to the transducer, and a computer creates an image of the targeted blood vessel.

Duplex ultrasonography merges both technologies. The sound waves bounce off the blood vessels as well as red blood cells moving through them. The resulting images are clearer, and usually more helpful in diagnosing Yaz birth control side effects caused by a DVT.

The test is noninvasive, widely available, and accurate. This makes it preferable over contrast venography (discussed below), the previous gold standard for detecting venous and arterial obstructions.

What Is A D-Dimer Test?

When blood clots dissolve, they release fibrin particles known as D-dimers. These are small protein fragments that are found in higher levels wherever clots are present. Thus, a D-dimer test is commonly used as a preliminary step toward diagnosing deep vein thrombosis.

This test is only useful for building a suspicion of DVT; it cannot be used to form a conclusive diagnosis. The reason is because unrelated conditions can also trigger the release of D-dimers, resulting in a higher-than-normal level. Such conditions include pregnancy, malignancy, infection, and trauma. Hence, doctors will usually order additional blood work to look for signs of hypercoagulability.

Contrast Venography

As noted earlier, contrast venography was once considered the gold standard for identifying occlusions within blood vessels. Today, it is primarily used in cases where duplex ultrasonography fails to confirm an early suspicion of clots.

A contrast dye is injected into the target vein. X-rays are then taken to provide visualization. Unlike clots, the dye displays clearly on the x-ray images, which helps your doctor identify areas where its flow is restricted. These areas suggest the presence of an obstruction.

A venogram is more invasive than ultrasonography, and poses a risk of side effects (mostly, from an allergic reaction to the contrast dye). Also, conducting the test requires specialized skill. These challenges make venography far less common today than in the past.

CT And MRI Scanning

There are times when duplex ultrasonography fails to confirm suspicions of deep vein thrombosis, and contrast venography is either unavailable or contraindicated. In such cases, your doctor may order computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Both can provide visualization of the veins and arteries, but are seldom used.

Deep vein thrombosis can lead to dangerous outcomes, such as pulmonary embolism and in rare situations, stroke. Thus, it should be diagnosed and addressed as soon as possible. If you have suffered abnormal clotting, DVT, PE, or other Yasmin, Ocella and Yaz side effects, you may be able to file a claim against the oral contraceptive’s manufacturer. Contact a Yaz lawsuit attorney to discuss your case.

Yaz side effects involving a DVT may present few symptoms, making the condition difficult to diagnose and treat. Doctors usually start with ultrasonography since this imaging test is noninvasive and accurate. There are times, however, when a contrast venogram is necessary.

When Is Contrast Venography Used?

Occasionally, despite a high suspicion of DVT, results from ultrasound imaging show no evidence of blood clots in the legs. A venogram can be done to validate the findings – and thus, rule out DVT – or reveal evidence missed by ultrasonography.

Another reason doctors use venography is to visualize the interior of the deep veins, including the one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing backward. Such visualization is often needed when deep vein thrombosis has caused inflammation of the valves.

A contrast venogram can also be useful for guiding doctors while they perform minor surgery on the veins. This might the case for catheter-based clot removal techniques used to treat thrombophlebitis and DVT.

How A Contrast Venogram Is Performed

Prior to the test, your doctor will recommend that you drink plenty of fluids to assure hydration. This helps minimize the danger of kidney damage caused by the contrast dye. Then, a site on your leg or foot is chosen for injection. The site is cleaned, a local anesthetic is administered, and a needle is inserted into the targeted vein. The contrast dye may be introduced via catheter, injection, or intravenous line (IV).

The contrast material is radiopaque, and thus provides an image of the venous structure on x-rays. The x-rays will reveal areas in which the opening through the blood vessels is narrowed due to clotting. You might experience a warm sensation as the dye flows through your veins. For most patients, this marks the extent of the discomfort associated with venography.

Once the dye has been introduced, and x-rays have been taken, the catheter or needle is removed, and the entry site is closed and bandaged. The entire procedure can take up to two hours, though it is usually completed within sixty minutes.

Potential Risks Associated With Venography

A venogram rarely results in complications (some estimate the incidence rate at 2%). When side effects present, they are usually related to an allergic reaction to the contrast material.

In some cases, the dye may stimulate the coagulation process of your blood. This poses a danger of new clots forming and existing clots growing larger. There is also a chance the injection of the dye into the targeted vein may knock loose an existing clot. If this occurs, the clot may travel into the inferior vena cava, and onward to your heart and lungs, where it might cause a pulmonary embolism. Both of these circumstances are rare.

Additional Diagnostic Tests For Detecting A DVT

As mentioned earlier, an ultrasound study is usually the first test ordered to diagnose Yaz side effects caused by deep vein thrombosis. While contrast venography was once the gold standard for imaging the veins, duplex ultrasonography has largely replaced it.

Your doctor may also order one or more blood tests. These include studies for certain antibodies and coagulation factors, such as protein S and protein C. A D-dimer test, which looks for the level of D-dimers (i.e. fibrin fragments) in the blood, may also be ordered.

CT scans and MRIs are used occasionally in place of contrast venography when results from ultrasonography are unclear. Such cases are rare, however.

Because deep vein thrombosis can lead to dangerous – even life-threatening – complications, diagnosing the condition is considered a priority. If you have suffered from blood clots, DVT, PE, or other serious Yaz side effects, you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer. Contact an experienced Yaz lawsuit attorney to discuss your case.

Because the gall bladder is not considered essential, most doctors will recommend having it surgically removed in the event it becomes inflamed. The procedure – called cholecystectomy – is common, but not without risks. Below, we’ll examine the potential dangers of Yaz gallbladder removal surgery, including bile duct injury, missed stones, and possible long-term side effects.

Bile Duct Tears And Leaks

Recent news offers a stark reminder of the complications that can arise from cholecystectomy. In January 2010, Congressman John Murtha underwent laparoscopic surgery to have his gall bladder removed. The surgeons reportedly injured Murtha’s intestines during the procedure, a mistake that eventually led to the Congressman’s death. While intestinal injuries are serious, bile duct tears are far more common.

Bile duct damage is the most serious form of injury caused during cholecystectomy. While severing the gallbladder’s connections with its surrounding structures, the surgeon may inadvertently tear the duct. Even the smallest tear can allow bile fluid to leak into the abdominal cavity. Such leaks lay the groundwork for infection, which can spread and become systemic. Bile duct tears are often discovered during the recovery period following cholecystectomy; they require additional surgery to correct.

Overlooked Gallstones

Gallstones are usually small; their size may be little more than a few millimeters (though they can grow to several centimeters). In a small percentage of cases, the surgeon will miss one or more stones while removing the patient’s gallbladder. Sometimes, these missed stones are located in the common bile duct. Other times, they’re located near the opening to the cystic duct, and spill into the abdominal cavity during cholecystectomy.

Stones located within the bile duct can be addressed through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterotomy. Rather than requiring invasive surgery, both procedures are performed using an endoscope inserted down the patient’s throat.

The greater danger is posed by gallstones that spill into the abdominal cavity. As with bile leaks, such stones can cause infection. They can also cause fistulas and abscesses, which are serious and require immediate medical attention.

Additional Postoperative Side Effects

Any type of surgery poses a risk of bleeding, infection, and an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Gallbladder removal surgery is no different. Bleeding and infection are often discovered during postoperative recovery; problems related to anesthesia are usually evident immediately.

One of the potential long-term side effects of Yasmin gallbladder surgery involves digestion. Normally, bile secreted from your liver is stored within your gallbladder. It is concentrated within the organ until it is needed in your small intestine to aid in the digestion of fats. With the organ removed, bile flows directly from your liver to your small intestine. This can cause two problems.

First, the bile that arrives in your small intestine is not concentrated. While it still aids in the digestion process, it is less efficient. Second, the continuous flow of bile can lead to more frequent bowel movements; in some cases, it may cause chronic diarrhea. Granted, compared to bile duct damage and missed stones – both of which can cause infection – these side effects are relatively minor.

Most women are aware that taking Ocella, Yasmin or Yaz birth control pills can lead to gallbladder disease and gallstones. However, many underestimate the possible long-term consequences of treatment (i.e. surgery). If you have already suffered stones or inflammation of your gall bladder as the result of using this oral contraceptive, contact a Yaz lawsuit gallbladder attorney. You may have a right to file a claim for compensation for your injuries.

The operation can be performed through open surgery or using laparoscopic techniques. Most surgeons prefer the latter approach since it is quicker, poses fewer risks, and results in less postoperative pain. But complications do arise for a small percentage of patients. This will become clear in the following, a step-by-step overview of laparoscopic gall bladder removal surgery.

Creating Working Space In The Abdominal Cavity

Once you have been placed under general anesthesia, four small incisions are made into your abdomen. One of these incisions is made near your navel where a small tube is inserted to fill your abdominal cavity with carbon dioxide. The gas expands the region and allows the surgeon to create working space in order to observe the nearby structures more easily.

Next, small tubes called operating ports are inserted into the incisions. These ports are used to thread the laparoscope – a flexible instrument equipped with a video camera – and other surgical tools into the abdominal cavity. These tools include scissors, clamps, and dissectors.

The camera affixed to the tip of the laparoscope sends high-resolution video images to a monitor watched by your surgeon. These images help the surgeon visualize the area. He or she can study the organs in your abdomen and locate your gall bladder.

Severing The Gallbladder’s Connections

Before your gall bladder is removed, a needle is inserted to drain bile from the organ. This is done to make it easier for the surgeon to grab and hold onto the gallbladder with grasping forceps. With the organ drained, the cystic duct is severed as close to the opening of the gall bladder as possible. The exposed duct is then clamped to prevent bile leakage into the abdominal cavity.

Next, the connecting tissue between the gall bladder and the liver is cut, and the isolated organ is placed into a small bag. It is then crushed in order to make its extraction through one of the small incisions easier. Once the organ has been removed, your surgeon will inspect the cavity to ensure there is no bleeding. Then, the surgical tools and laparoscope are withdrawn, and the incisions are closed.

Yaz Gallbladder Removal Surgery: Potential Problems

One of the most common problems with laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery is bile duct injury. In some cases, the surgeon accidentally tears the duct. In other cases, he or she intentionally cuts it, mistaking it for the cystic duct. Both circumstances can allow bile to leak into the abdominal cavity. If this occurs, infection will follow.

Another potential complication is that Yaz gallbladder disease symptoms involving gallstones contained in the gall bladder can spill out when the organ is removed. As with leaking bile, they fall into the abdominal cavity. If the surgeon fails to notice these stones, they can eventually cause abscesses and other dangerous consequences. Surgery is required to retrieve them.

Surgeons are occasionally forced to convert from laparoscopy to open surgery during the procedure. This is the case when scarring or infection are present in the area, or when laparoscopy fails to provide sufficient space in which to work. Though an open procedure is safer under these circumstances, it is accompanied by a longer recovery period and much more postoperative pain.

Yasmin, Ocella and Yaz gallbladder disease usually requires hospitalization and results in the surgical removal of the organ. If you have suffered from gallstones, gall bladder problems, or other dangerous side effects, find out about your legal rights. Contact an experienced Yaz lawsuit gallbladder attorney to discuss whether you should file a claim against the oral contraceptive’s manufacturer.

Below, you’ll learn how clots form as a product of your body’s natural clotting system. This process will demonstrate why blood clots are especially problematic. If you have suffered from side effects please contact us for the latest Yaz lawsuit 2010 news.

Basics Of Normal Clot Formation

Blood flows from your superficial veins into your deep veins through connecting perforating veins. It then flows from your deep veins into a large vein called the vena cava. The vena cava leads directly to your heart. Blood flows into the right side of your heart, and then to your lungs before being pumped out to the rest of your body. It travels through your arteries to your organs and tissues.

When a vein or artery become traumatized, bleeding occurs. Your body reacts to the problem by forming a clot. It does so by activating platelets and thrombin, both of which are essential to the body’s clotting system.

Platelets roam throughout your bloodstream looking for injuries. When such injuries occur, your body activates these platelets, causing them to accumulate and clump together at the site of the trauma. At the same time, your body activates a protein called thrombin. This protein is instrumental in converting a “glycoprotein” called fibrinogen into fibrin. Fibrin forms a protective mesh with the activated platelets over the injury.

When the traumatized wall of the blood vessel has been repaired, your body initiates a process called fibrinolysis. The activated platelets are deactivated, allowing them to disperse from the site of the trauma. An enzyme called plasmin then begins to digest the mesh of fibrin. Thus, the clot eventually “dissolves.”

How Yaz And Blood Clots Are Treated

Blood clots form outside the body’s normal clotting system. This is due to the hormone estrogen – a known factor in hypercoagulation – and a relatively new synthetic progestin called drospirenone. It is believed that estrogen increases the number of platelets in your bloodstream, and their tendency to clump together. Progestins, such as drospirenone, allow the blood vessels to relax, thereby increasing the risk of pooling. Because these clots form in the absence of a venous or arterial injury, they are not sufficiently dissolved through fibrinolysis.

Medications can be given to treat abnormal clots. Some drugs, such as anticoagulants, are aimed at preventing the conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin. Others, such as antiplatelets, are aimed at minimizing the sticky quality of platelets, and thus prevent them from clumping. Both anticoagulants and antiplatelets are designed to slow the pace of clotting, as opposed to eliminating clots that already exist.

Thrombolytic drugs, such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), are given to initiate the conversion of plasminogen into plasmin. Recall that plasmin digests fibrin, the mesh that forms over wounds to create clots.

Complications From Abnormal Clotting

Treatment of Yaz problems and blood clots is done to prevent the onset of serious – and even life-threatening – medical problems. Earlier, it was noted that deep vein thrombosis can lead to venous valve insufficiency, pulmonary embolism, stroke, and heart attack. This can occur when clots break free of the venous lining and travel to the heart through the vena cava.

If they migrate into the arteries of the lungs, they can cause a pulmonary embolism. If an pulmonary arterial blockage causes blood pressure to rise, your heart may be forced to work harder to pump blood to the lungs. This can lead to heart failure or an arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation. This latter condition may cause blood clots to form in the left side of your heart. If they leave through the aorta, they can travel to your brain and cause a stroke.

Blood clots pose serious risks. If you have suffered abnormal clotting, DVT, or other Yaz side effects, you may have the right to file a claim for compensation. Contact a Yasmin lawsuit attorney to discuss your options.

Your body has a natural clotting mechanism that repairs injuries within your veins and arteries. This mechanism prevents blood from escaping. Once repairs have been completed, an agent called plasmin starts to digest fibrin, one of the main components of a thrombus. This is the process by which clots are dissolved.

When blood clots caused by Yaz form, they do so outside your body’s normal clotting mechanism. As a result, they are not sufficiently dissolved by plasmin. Instead, they remain attached to the venous or arterial walls, where they pose a danger of breaking away and migrating to other areas in your body. Below, you’ll discover how this leads to the dangerous Yaz side effects mentioned earlier.

Venous Thrombosis

Thrombi can form within superficial veins or deep veins. The former lie near the surface of your skin. Clots that form within them rarely pose a serious problem because they do not break away from the venous wall.

By contrast, thrombi that form within the deep veins (i.e. DVT) do pose a problem. Unlike superficial veins, these veins are surrounded by muscles, which contract around them whenever you move your limbs. When the muscles contract, they compress the veins and push blood toward your heart and lungs. These contractions can also cause thrombi to break away from the venous wall. When this happens, they are carried along with your bloodstream.

When Yaz blood clots migrate to your heart and lungs, they pose a danger of finding their way into a pulmonary artery. These arteries feed blood to your lungs. An embolus (i.e. a traveling mass, such as a thrombus) that lodges within one of these arteries can starve the lung tissue of blood. This triggers pulmonary embolism. It is estimated that 90% of diagnosed PE cases are caused by thrombi that have migrated from the deep veins.

Arterial Thrombosis

Thrombi can also form within the arteries. In most cases, this occurs when plaque builds up along the arterial wall and ruptures, which triggers the body’s natural clotting mechanism. Yaz blood clots can also form along the arterial walls. Similar to venous thrombosis, they pose a risk of breaking away.

Veins carry blood to your heart and lungs in order to pick up oxygen. Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from your heart to your organs and tissues. When a thrombus forms within an artery and breaks away, it can migrate to other areas of your body. An embolus can potentially migrate toward your brain.

Your internal carotid artery feeds blood and oxygen to your brain through a supporting network of secondary arteries. An embolus that lodges within one of these arteries can prevent blood and oxygen from reaching a portion of your brain tissue. This causes an ischemic stroke. The brain tissue supplied by the blocked artery begins to die, potentially causing a number of debilitating side effects.

Yaz side effects involving blood clots are dangerous because they can form within the deep veins or arteries. If they break away and travel with your bloodstream, they can trigger pulmonary embolism, stroke, and other serious Yaz problems. If you or someone you know has suffered abnormal clotting after using this birth control pill, contact an experienced birth control attorney. Find out whether you have a legal right to file a Yaz lawsuit against the manufacturer.

Currently Ocella, Yasmin and Yaz litigation is ongoing and there haven’t been any Yaz lawsuit settlement amounts to report for women suffering from gallbladder problems. Doctors normally recommend laparoscopic cholecystectomy to resolve Yaz gallbladder disease symptoms. This is a surgical procedure during which your gallbladder’s connections to nearby structures are cut and the organ is removed. Some women have suffered dangerous bile duct injuries, infection, and other problems as a result of undergoing the procedure.

Some women have also experienced a condition known as postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS). It is characterized by the same symptoms that are present during a gallbladder attack. Estimates suggest PCS occurs in 5% to 40% of patients who undergo gall bladder removal surgery. The condition can be serious. So too, can the consequences of leaving the underlying cause untreated.

Possible PCS Symptoms Following Yaz Gallbladder Removal Surgery

Symptoms of postcholecystectomy syndrome vary by patient. You may experience the same type of abdominal pain present with symptomatic Yaz gallstones. You might also suffer nausea, bloating, and persistent diarrhea. Jaundice, often present in severe cases of gallbladder disease, is rare with PCS, though still possible.

These symptoms may continue to present immediately following a cholecystectomy, or they can emerge years – even decades – down the road. Identifying their root cause is often problematic since they can be set off by one of many possible triggers.

What Causes Symptoms Associated With PCS?

The most common problems associated with PCS occur due to changes in the way bile flows to the small intestine. Bile is normally stored in the gall bladder where it is concentrated for use in digestion. When food enters the small intestine, the gallbladder contracts, pushing the concentrated fluid into the common bile duct.

Following the removal of the gall bladder, bile flows directly from the liver to the small intestine. This causes the upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract to have continuous exposure to bile fluid. Doctors suspect this exposure can lead to gastritis and in some cases, esophagitis. Both conditions may present symptoms similar to gallbladder disease.

Another possible cause of PCS-related symptoms is sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. The sphincter of Oddi is a small group of muscles located near the bottom of the bile duct. It controls the passage of bile (as well as pancreatic secretions) into the duodenum. If it fails to work properly following a cholecystectomy, fluids may be prevented from flowing into the small intestine. Instead, bile fluid and digestive enzymes from the pancreas will be trapped within the duct. This can cause abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting.

Because symptoms similar to Yaz and Yasmin gallbladder disease may indicate a serious health risk – for example, pancreatitis or infection – seeking medical attention is critical.

Treating The Underlying Issue

Your doctor will need to perform a thorough examination to diagnose the root cause for symptoms of postcholecystectomy syndrome. Treatment depends entirely upon the triggers indicated by this diagnosis.

For example, if sphincter of Oddi dysfunction is causing the pain, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with balloon dilation of the sphincter muscles can be done. If the root of the problem is gastritis, antacids and proton pump inhibitors can be given to provide a measure of relief. Bile duct stones, duct leaks, strictures, irritable bowel syndrome, and many other problems can potentially cause PCS symptoms. Each is addressed differently, either with medications, through surgery, or both.

Yaz gallbladder disease typically results in the surgical removal of the gallbladder. Even though the operation is common, it poses risks. Bile duct injury may allow bile fluid to leak into the abdominal cavity, causing infection and pain; strictures may cause bile to back up to the liver, eventually damaging the organ; sphincter of Oddi dysfunction can prevent bile and pancreatic secretions from entering the small intestine. These problems can be dangerous.

If you have suffered gallstones, gallbladder disease, or postcholecystectomy syndrome after using Yasmin, Ocella or Yaz birth control, please contact for a free no-obligation consultation and latest news on Yaz lawsuit settlements. You may have the legal right to file a claim for compensation.

Yaz gallbladder injury involving gallstones may develop when cholesterol-heavy bile sits within the gallbladder and stagnates. The excess cholesterol forms tiny crystals, which clump together into larger particles. These particles form the basis of stones. Some people think this process occurs because Yaz birth control causes the liver to secrete higher-than-normal levels of cholesterol while reducing gallbladder motility (i.e. contractions).

Stones can remain within the gall bladder or migrate into the common bile duct, a part of the biliary tree that leads to the small intestine. When stones cause Yaz gallbladder disease, the most common form of treatment is to surgically remove the organ. This procedure, however, does not resolve bile duct stones. A different approach is required: ERCP with endoscopic sphincterotomy.

How ERCP Is Used To Detect Yaz Gallstones

Diagnosing gallstones that are present within the bile duct is usually a multi-step process. Preliminary blood tests may show elevated levels of bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase; both indicate the possibility of bile duct stones.

An imaging test called ultrasonography may further support this suspicion. However, this test is used primarily for detecting stones in the gall bladder; it is far less accurate for imaging the duct system. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) are more accurate than ultrasonography. The downside is that both require the injection of a contrast dye in order to produce images of the bile ducts.

These diagnostic tests build a case for conducting a more invasive test called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). A thin, flexible instrument called an endoscope is inserted into the patient’s mouth. It is passed down the esophagus, through the stomach, and into the duodenum (the top portion of the small intestine).

The endoscope is positioned near the sphincter of Oddi, a valve that separates the bottom of the biliary tract from the duodenum. A thin tube is passed through the endoscope, past the sphincter of Oddi, and into the bile duct. A radiopaque dye is released into the duct and flows up the biliary tract. X-rays are taken to examine the structure and identify obstructions. If Yaz gallstones are detected within the duct, they can be removed with a procedure called endoscopic sphincterotomy.

Removing Bile Duct Stones With Endoscopic Sphincterotomy

The thin tube through which the radiopaque dye was released is removed. In its place, another instrument is passed through the endoscope. The purpose of this second instrument is to make a small incision in the muscles of the sphincter of Oddi, thus widening the opening into the small intestine. An alternative approach is called endoscopic balloon dilation; a balloon is inflated in the sphincter of Oddi to enlarge the opening.

Sometimes, the bile duct stones spill into the duodenum on their own. If this does not occur, they must be retrieved from the biliary tract. A catheter is passed through the endoscope into the bile duct. Its tip is equipped with a tiny basket, which is used to collect the stones for extraction.

This two-pronged approach (i.e. ERCP with endoscopic sphincterotomy) has a 90% success rate and prevents bile duct stones from causing serious problems.

Risks Of Not Treating Bile Duct Stones

If bile duct stones are left untreated, they can cause bile to back up within the biliary tree. This leads to further inflammation of the gallbladder. It can also set the stage for infection as bacteria climbs upward from the small intestine, through the tree, and into the gallbladder and liver.

If the stones migrate further down the bile duct, they can block the passage of pancreatic secretions. This leads to pancreatitis, a medical emergency that is potentially life-threatening.

Otherwise healthy women have suffered from Ocella, Yaz or Yasmin gallbladder problems and gallstones after using this oral contraceptive. When symptoms present, the gall bladder is almost always surgically removed. Common bile duct stones, however, pose an additional problem. ERCP with endoscopic sphincterotomy is required to remove them to prevent dangerous side effects.

If you or someone you know has suffered gallstones or gallbladder problems after using Ocella, Yasmin or Yaz birth control, take the time to explore your legal rights. Contact an experienced Yaz lawsuit gallbladder attorney to discuss your options.

The Yasmin and Yaz brand of birth control pills by Bayer HealthCare and the generic Ocella are considered unique because in addition to preventing pregnancy, it can also help diminish symptoms of pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and reduce signs of acne.

But Yaz also has a number of side effects that have affected women throughout the country. Understanding more about Yaz can help you make the best decisions regarding its use and your health. If you have suffered serious Yaz or Yasmin side effects please contact us regarding being part of a Yaz birth control lawsuit.

How Birth Control Pills Work

Most birth pills contain a combination of two types of hormones: estrogen and progestin. Estrogen is a group of hormones that naturally occur the body. Along with progesterone, these hormones help regulate the release of eggs from the ovary. Birth control pills use synthetic forms of estrogen and progesterone (progestin) to essentially trick the body into believing it is pregnant. When the body believes it is pregnant, it will not release any eggs.

Birth control pills also alter the body’s chemistry so that if an egg is released, it is harder to fertilize and more difficult to implant.

Generations of Birth Control Pills

The first birth control pills were introduced in the early 1960s. These first generation pills had high doses of progestin hormones and women who took them experienced weight gain, nausea, blurred vision, blood clots and strokes.

Second generation of birth control pills use different types of progestin, but some users had side effects related to the testosterone based progestin.

Third generation birth control pills also changed the type of progestin, but still had side effects such as an increased risk of blood clots.

We are now in the fourth generation of birth control pills. Contraceptives like Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella use a new form of progestin called drospirenone, along with the estrogen, ethinyl estradiol. Drospirenone has shown its risks as well: with women suffering several different serious side effects including gallbladder problems, blood clots, DVT, pulmonary embolism, stroke and heart attack.

Researchers believe that drospirenone causes high potassium levels in users, which can lead to these health conditions. In addition, a number of women who have used Yaz have developed gallstones and gallbladder disease. Scientists think that increased levels of potassium may be a factor in this as well. Gallstones and gallbladder disease can range from being barely noticeable to a life-threatening illness.

If you have used Yaz, Yasmin or Ocella and have experienced any blood clots or gallbladder problems, contact us. We represent all women suffering from Yaz side effects on a contingency basis, which means that there are never any legal fees unless we win compensation in your case.

For a free no-obligation case review please call toll free or fill out our short online contact form and a Yaz attorney will contact you to answer any of your questions including your options in filing a Yaz lawsuit.

Questions about Yaz and Gallbladder Side Effects

For women looking for contraceptives, the Yaz birth control pill may seem like the answer. Not only does it prevent pregnancy, it can also make periods lighter and shorter. It can help reduce physical and emotional symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Even better, it can be used to diminish acne. But it’s extremely important to understand the more seriousYaz / Yasmin side effects.

Yaz uses a combination of two hormones: estrogen and a progestin. Together, these hormones trick your body into believing it is pregnant. As a result, you do not ovulate. But, in case an egg is released, the contraceptives alter the body’s chemistry to make it less likely that the egg could be fertilized and implanted.

While using any hormone-based birth control can increase the risk of heart attack, blood clots or stroke, Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella are also suspected of causing serious damage to the gallbladder, including causing gallbladder stones and gallbladder disease.

The gallbladder is a small organ that sits in a small pocket near the liver, where it aids digestion. The gallbladder serves as a warehouse to store bile that has been produced by the liver. Bile is fluid created to digest fat. Once food is being digested, the gallbladder releases bile into the small intestine through the bile duct.

Some people who have used these birth control have suffered from Yasmin / Yaz gallbladder disease with two primary conditions: gallstones and gallbladder inflammation. Gallstones can occur when bile in the gallbladder hardens into rock-like stones. It can also be caused when excess cholesterol coming from fatty foods hardens into stones. These stones can block the bile duct, preventing bile from passing through for digestion, or they can become stuck in a bile duct, leading to acute pain and inflammation.

In some cases, the doctor may use non-surgical methods to treat a gallstone, such as medicines administered orally or directly into the gallbladder to dissolve the stone. Doctors sometimes use shockwave treatment to break the stone into smaller pieces to make it easier to pass.

Most often, however, if a gallstone causes pain or blockage, doctors will remove the gallbladder entirely. While this eliminates some of the problem, other ones exist.

Although the gallbladder is a non-essential organ, it still provides a useful function. Without it, fat is not digested the same way, which can lead to chronic diarrhea and other digestive problems. Additionally, studies show that people who have had their gallbladders removed are at a higher risk for developing colon cancer.

The Yaz contraceptive claims several benefits, but the risks and costs must also be known and understood. If you or someone you know has had gallbladder problems as a result of using Yaz, contact us.

We represent all women suffering from Yaz gallbladder problems on a contingency basis, which means that there are never any legal fees unless we win compensation in your case. For a free no-obligation case review please call toll free or fill out our short online contact form and a Yaz attorney will contact you to answer any of your questions including your options in filing a Yaz lawsuit.