There is a new form of birth control pill – YASMIN – which is contra-indicated for people with adrenal problems. Why?
Yasmin is a birth control pill that contains an estrogen and a progestational agent as in other birth control pills. The difference is that the progestational component in Yasmin is different from other birth control pills since it also blocks the action of aldosterone, the adrenal hormone that stimulates the kidney to retain salt. This may be a desirable effect in some women because it decreases fluid retention, but in individuals with Addison’s disease who are taking Florinef, it will block the salt-retaining effects of the Florinef and could cause a fall in blood pressure. It is therefore not a good choice for women with Addison’s disease.
