Does Yaz (drospirenone) contain progesterone?

Does Yaz Contain Progesterone?

No, Yaz does not contain natural progesterone but rather contains drospirenone, which is a synthetic progestin (progestogen) that has properties similar to natural progesterone. 1

Composition of Yaz

• Yaz contains drospirenone (3 mg), a fourth-generation synthetic progestin, combined with ethinyl estradiol (0.02 mg) in a 24/4 day regimen 1, 2
• Drospirenone is a novel progestogen derived from 17α-spirolactone that was specifically designed to more closely mimic the properties of natural progesterone 3, 4
• Unlike earlier generations of progestins (such as norethindrone or levonorgestrel), drospirenone possesses both antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic properties similar to natural progesterone 1, 5

Properties of Drospirenone vs. Natural Progesterone

• Drospirenone binds to the progesterone receptor with approximately 30% of the affinity of natural progesterone 5
• Unlike natural progesterone, drospirenone has a pharmacological profile that includes:
  • Antimineralocorticoid activity (about eight times more potent than spironolactone) 3, 5
  • Antiandrogenic properties (about one-third the potency of cyproterone acetate) 3, 6
  • No glucocorticoid or antiglucocorticoid activity 3, 6

Clinical Implications of Drospirenone

• Due to its antimineralocorticoid properties, drospirenone may actually decrease blood pressure, unlike other synthetic progestins that may contribute to blood pressure elevation 1
• Studies have shown that drospirenone can lead to decreases in systolic blood pressure of 1-4 mmHg when combined with ethinyl estradiol 1
• When administered as a progestin-only pill, drospirenone 4 mg is associated with decreases in systolic blood pressure of 8 mmHg in individuals with elevated baseline blood pressure 1
• Drospirenone may help prevent the sodium retention typically caused by ethinyl estradiol in combined oral contraceptives 4, 7

Important Considerations

• Despite its benefits, Yaz carries contraindications similar to other combined hormonal contraceptives, including:
  • History of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism 1, 2
  • Uncontrolled hypertension 1
  • Smoking in women over 35 years of age 1, 2
  • History of breast cancer or other estrogen/progestin-sensitive cancers 1, 2
• Drospirenone may increase potassium levels, so caution is needed in patients with kidney, liver, or adrenal disease, and those taking medications that can increase potassium levels 2

In summary, while Yaz contains a progestin (drospirenone) that mimics many of the properties of natural progesterone, it does not contain natural progesterone itself. The drospirenone in Yaz was specifically designed to provide a hormonal profile closer to natural progesterone than other synthetic progestins, particularly with regard to its antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic properties 3, 4, 6.