Yasmin vs. Depo-Provera

See how Yasmin and Depo-Provera compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Yasmin is a daily combined pill containing estrogen and progestin, while Depo-Provera is a progestin-only shot given every three months.

  • Yasmin carries estrogen-related risks, including a boxed warning for smokers over 35, while Depo-Provera's main concern is bone density loss with long-term use.

  • Depo-Provera causes more menstrual irregularity and weight gain, while Yasmin is more likely to cause headaches and breast tenderness.

Yasmin vs. Depo-Provera Drug Summary

Yasmin

Yasmin is a combined oral contraceptive containing drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol, taken once daily to prevent pregnancy. It's also prescribed off-label to treat acne and manage PCOS-related irregular cycles.

Depo-Provera

Depo-Provera is a progestin-only injectable contraceptive containing medroxyprogesterone acetate, given once every three months to prevent pregnancy. It contains no estrogen and works mainly by suppressing ovulation.

Yasmin vs. Depo-Provera Side Effects

Yasmin

Most common
premenstrual syndrome (up to 13.2%)
headache/migraine (up to 10.7%)
breast pain/tenderness/discomfort (up to 8.3%)
nausea/vomiting (up to 4.5%)

Depo-Provera

Most common
menstrual irregularities (up to 57%)
weight gain over 10 lb (up to 38%)
headache (up to 17%)
abdominal pain/discomfort (up to 11%)

Yasmin vs. Depo-Provera Dosage

Yasmin

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 3 mg/0.03 mg once daily Days 1-21
Maximum dose Placebo tablet once daily Days 22-28
Dose changes 1 increase Every 21 days

Depo-Provera

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 150 mg every 3 months At the start
Maximum dose 150 mg every 3 months Same as starting
Dose changes None Fixed dose

Yasmin vs. Depo-Provera Indications

Yasmin

Yasmin is FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy in women of reproductive age. Off-label, it's also used to treat acne and to help regulate irregular cycles caused by PCOS.

  • Prevention of pregnancy (FDA-approved)

  • Treatment of acne (off-label)

  • Management of PCOS-related irregular cycles (off-label)

Depo-Provera

Depo-Provera is FDA-approved only for pregnancy prevention. It doesn't carry the off-label uses seen with combined pills, since it lacks estrogen and its hormonal effects work differently.

  • Prevention of pregnancy (FDA-approved)

  • Given as an injection every 3 months

  • Not recommended for more than 2 years continuous use unless other options are inadequate

Yasmin vs. Depo-Provera Pros and Cons

Yasmin

Yasmin provides predictable, once-daily dosing and offers off-label benefits for acne and PCOS-related irregular cycles, but it requires strict daily adherence and carries added cardiovascular risks for smokers over 35.

Pros

  • Once-daily pill lets you stop anytime, with fertility returning quickly after stopping

  • Can also treat acne and PCOS-related irregular cycles off-label

  • No injection needed and no bone density risk

  • Predictable monthly withdrawal bleeding makes tracking your cycle easier

Cons

  • Requires remembering to take a pill at roughly the same time every day

  • Contraindicated in kidney, liver, or adrenal disease due to drospirenone's potassium effect

  • Boxed warning for increased cardiovascular risk in smokers over 35

  • Roughly $50 to $96 per month without insurance, more than Depo-Provera

Depo-Provera

Depo-Provera offers convenient once-every-three-months dosing and avoids estrogen-related risks, but it carries a boxed warning for bone density loss and causes frequent menstrual irregularities in the first year.

Pros

  • Only needs an injection every three months, with no daily pill to remember

  • Contains no estrogen, an option for those who can't take estrogen-containing pills

  • Roughly $20 to $45 per month equivalent, less than Yasmin

  • Long track record of use since its 1992 approval for contraception

Cons

  • Boxed warning for significant bone density loss with prolonged use

  • Menstrual irregularities affect over half of users in the first year

  • Weight gain of more than 10 pounds reported in over a third of users by two years

  • Fertility can take several months to return after stopping the injections

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