Women across the United States have become concerned about gallbladder problems while on Yasmin birth control. In certain cases the injury has required gallbladder removal surgery. Yasmin gallbladder disease includes inflammation, infection, stones, or obstructions of the gallbladder.

The gallbladder is a pear shaped organ under the liver. It stores and concentrates bile which is produced in the liver to digest fat. Bile helps in the digestion of fats, and is released from the gallbladder into the upper small intestine (duodenum) in response to food (especially fats). Conditions that slow or prevent bile flowing out of the gallbladder result in Yasmin gall bladder disease.

Types of gallbladder disease include:

• Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
• Cholelithiasis (gallstones)

Acute cholecystitis is a sudden inflammation of the gall bladder wall that causes severe abdominal pain. In 90% of cases, acute cholecystitis is caused by gallstones in the gallbladder. In severe cases, necrosis and rupture may occur. Cholelithiasis is the presence of one or more gallstones in the gallbladder.

Acute cholecystitis causes bile to become trapped in the gallbladder. The buildup of bile causes irritation and pressure in the gallbladder. This can lead to bacterial infection and perforation of the organ. Although cholecystitis may clear up on its own, surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is usually needed when inflammation continues or recurs.

Symptoms of gallbladder disease include:

• abdominal pain
• pain in the back between the shoulder blades
• chills and shaking
• fever
• heartburn
• nausea and vomiting

How is gallbladder disease diagnosed?

• Computerized tomography (CT) scan. The CT scan is a noninvasive medical imaging procedure that produces three dimensional cross-section images of the body. The test may show the gallstones or complications, such as infection and rupture of the gallbladder or bile ducts.

• Cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan). A nuclear imaging procedure used to test gallbladder function. The patient is injected with a small amount of radioactive tracer material that is absorbed by the gallbladder, which is then stimulated to contract. The test is used to diagnose abnormal contraction of the gallbladder or obstruction of the bile ducts.

• Endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography (ERCP). ERCP is used to locate and remove stones in the bile ducts. Physicians use this procedure to diagnose conditions of the liver, bile ducts, pancreas and gallbladder. They pass a tube referred to as an endoscope down your throat and through the stomach into the small intestine. The endoscope is connected to a computer and video monitor. The doctor guides the endoscope and injects a special dye that helps the bile ducts appear better on the monitor. The endoscope helps the doctor locate the affected bile duct and the gallstone. The stone is captured in a tiny basket and removed with the endoscope.

• Blood tests. Blood tests may be ordered to look for signs of infection, obstruction, pancreatitis, or jaundice.

How are Yasmin and gallstones treated?

Surgery

If you have developed gallstones without symptoms, you do not require treatment. However, if you are having frequent gall bladder attacks, your physician will most likely recommend you have your gallbladder removed—an operation called a cholecystectomy. Following gallbladder removal surgery, bile flows out of the liver through the hepatic ducts into the common bile duct and directly into the small intestine, instead of being stored in the gallbladder.