The Meneo Law Group

Yaz®/Yasmin®/Ocella and Gallbladder Disease

There have been numerous reports of gallbladder disease associated with the use of Yaz®/Yasmin®/Ocella®. Many of these reports involve young, otherwise healthy women who, while using Yaz®/Yasmin®/Ocella®, developed gallbladder disease ranging from inflammation ("cholecystitis") to improper functioning or "failing" to the development of gallstones ("cholelithiasis"). Many of these cases required gallbladder removal surgery, i.e. a cholecystectomy.

The Gallbladder
The gallbladder is a small sac-like structure located in the right quadrant of the abdomen just under the liver. The gallbladder stores bile, a liquid that is produced by the liver and helps digestion by breaking down fats. When inflamed and/or impaired, the gallbladder can cause severe abdominal pain.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury which you think is related to the use of YAZ®,YASMIN® and OCELLA® and would like us to review the situation, please complete our E-Contact form HERE

Yaz®/Yasmin/Ocella® and Cholecystectomy           
Cholecystectomy, or removal of the gallbladder, is accomplished using one of two surgical methods: open incision surgery or laproscopic surgery.

The decision to perform gallbladder removal surgery is made in consultation with the treating doctor and can depend upon a host of different considerations. Questions concerning this surgery should be directed to and discussed with the treating doctor.

Yaz®/Yasmin®/Ocella® and Gall Stones (“cholelithiasis”)

There are different types of gallstones that can form in the gallbladder. The most common type of gallstone, the cholesterol gallstone, forms when the amount of bile and its related digestive substances are insufficient to process (dissolve) fats that are found in cholesterol. This leads to abnormally high concentrations of cholesterol particles which can bind to each other and form a tiny sand-like sludge which, over time, can develop into pebbles and stones residing in the gallbladder and possibly the common bile duct.

While there is an association between the use of oral contraceptives and the development of gallstones, the manufacturer of Yaz®/Yasmin®/Ocella® describes that association in the following manner:

“Earlier studies have reported an increased lifetime relative risk of gallbladder surgery in users of oral contraceptives and estrogens. More recent studies, however, have shown that the relative risk of developing gallbladder disease among oral contraceptive users may be minimal. The recent findings of minimal risk may be related to the use of oral contraceptive formulations containing lower hormonal doses of estrogens and progestogens."

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury which you think is related to the use of YAZ®,YASMIN® and OCELLA® and would like us to review the situation, please complete our E-Contact form HERE