While most people can develop a blood clot, certain things can make this risk unacceptably high. Women who take birth control pills are at a higher risk level for blood clots, especially if they take birth control and are also a smoker, or over 35, or have a family or personal history of blood clots.

One type of blood clot, called a pulmonary embolism, is caused by a blood clot traveling from one part of the body where it was formed to a lung. The Bayer Corp. manufactured Yaz and Yasmin are two products that have caused women to suffer pulmonary embolisms. The company is aware of the risk, and has listed it on the box of the birth control.

Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms

Symptoms vary and are dependent upon the health of the victim and size of the clot. The most common symptoms associated with Yaz and Yasmin pulmonary embolisms include:

• Sudden shortness of breath, even while resting
• Rapid heartbeat
• Cough with blood in the sputum
• Chest pain that can radiate to the jaw, neck, arm or shoulder; the pain can get worse with movement or coughing and can be dull or sharp

Other pulmonary embolism symptoms include:

• Fever
• Clammy or bluish skin
• Excessive sweating
• Swelling in the legs
• Lightheadedness or faintness
• Anxiety
• Wheezing
• Weak pulse

Yaz and Yasmin Connection

Both Yaz and Yasmin contain the same dosage of estrogen used in birth control since the 1970s. However, Yaz and Yasmin also contain the progestin drospirenone. This progestin has been known to cause a dangerous increase in the potassium levels in the blood.

While the risk of pulmonary embolism when taking this dangerous drug is known to Bayer, there has not been a recall issued, though 50 deaths were recorded between 2004 and 2008 that are linked to taking this birth control pill.

It is estimated that one-third of those who develop a pulmonary embolism die. Those who survive will wind up in the hospital unable to work and with a mountain of medical bills.