Yasmin is a low-dose birth control pill. It uses a combination of two hormones – progesterone and estrogen – to prevent pregnancy. Specifically, Yasmin uses Drospirenone (a form of progesterone) and ethinyl estradiol (a form of estrogen). Yasmin prevents pregnancy in two ways. First, when combined, the two hormones prevent the ovary from releasing an egg. Secondly, in the very unlikely event that you do ovulate, Yasmin has the effect of thickening the uterus lining. This lessens the chances of the sperm ever reaching the egg and fertilizing it. As with any other birth control pill, the main problem with Yasmin is that you have to be very conscientious about taking it. You need to set a regular time to take the pill so as to maximize its effectiveness and to help you develop the habit of taking it. Missing pills may have dire consequences, depending on the number of pills missed and the week you missed it. You should also talk to your doctor if you are taking other medication, especially antibiotics. Some antibiotics are known to interfere with the Pill’s effectiveness. I am sure you wouldn’t want to get pregnant just because of an oversight. Compared to other birth control pills available in the market, Yasmin is a bit pricey. However, I like the fact that it is not supposed to make you gain as much weight as the other pills. In fact, that was my main reason when I chose to use this pill. Another reason I like Yasmin is that it seems to have helped my acne problem. Ever since I started using it, I haven’t had the major breakouts that I usually experience. It is not without side effects, though. During the first couple of months that I used it, I had really bad stomach cramps. It was very inconvenient as I couldn’t control the pain and the urge to go to the wash room. Around the third month I think my body got used to it and the stomach cramps went away. Other slight side effects are nausea, migraine headaches, and breast tenderness. Doctors encourage smokers to quit – or at least lessen – smoking when on the pill. So far, I haven’t had any negative experiences regarding this even though I did cut back on smoking. I would recommend Yasmin to anyone who wants to get on the pill. It claims to be 99% effective in preventing pregnancy and so far, I can guarantee it works.