Ortho Evra Patch

We are finally getting down to the last method of birth control that I will be discussing. We have covered everything from the pills to the IUD, and now it is time to talk about the Ortho Evra Patch, “the once-a-week birth control.” I will once again cover how the patch works, the complications, and the cons. Lastly I will be informing you of the pros.

So let’s take a look at how the patch works. Tracy Krueger, RN says, “It is used weekly on a 28 day cycle. Each box contains 3 patches. One patch is worn for 7 days then removed and replaced with a new patch on the same day of the week that is to be worn for the next 7 days. After 3 weeks of wearing a patch, no patch is worn the 4th week and this is when a woman gets her menstrual period. After the patch “free” week or end of the 28 day cycle, a woman begins a new 4 week cycle on the same day the patch was removed.” Therefore you need to keep track of the weeks that the patch is on or off. Patches can be worn in four different places: the buttocks, upper torso (front and back, excluding breasts), abdomen, and the upper outer arm.

Next we need to look at the complications… if there are any. Krueger says there are major side effects. “Some side effects include Benign liver tumors, blood clots, Gall bladder disease, heart attack, and stroke. Young healthy woman have a very small chance of developing these”. There are minor side effects, which are bleeding between periods, headaches, nausea, breast tenderness and an application site reaction like a rash or irritation that I mentioned earlier. Krueger informed us that, “All side effects except for the site reaction are the same for oral contraceptives as well.” Meaning that these complications can come with any birth control method.



There are downfalls to the patch Ortho Evra Patch. It may cause a skin irritation or rash at the application site. Also, if the patch is not applied correctly (on dry, clean skin) there may be problems with the patch coming loose or falling off.
As stated earlier there are cons to using the Ortho Evra Patch. Even though you have to keep track of the weeks that the patch is on or off, it is better than having to take a birth control pill daily. Krueger added, “Unlike the use of pills there is a less chance for human error while on the patch. A discreet patch can be worn under clothing making it hard for people to notice it.”

If you are interested in using the Ortho Evra Patch I would suggest asking your doctor if it is right for you.