Yasmin (Ocella) is used to prevent pregnancy. Yasmin contains 2 hormones (drospirenone, a progestin, and ethinyl estradiol, an estrogen). These hormones prevent pregnancy by preventing the release of an egg (ovulation). They also change the womb and cervical mucus, making it more difficult for an egg to meet sperm (fertilization) or for the fertilized egg to attach to the wall of the womb (implantation). Besides preventing pregnancy, birth control pills have been shown to help make your periods more regular, decrease blood loss and painful periods (dysmenorrhea), and decrease your risk of ovarian cysts. Smoking using tobacco while using hormonal birth control increases your risk of heart problems and stroke. The risk of heart problems increases with age (especially in women over 35) and with frequent smoking (15 or more cigarettes a day).