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Overview
The Ortho Evra patch can be a convenient alternative to a daily birth control pill, as women who use the patch don't have to remember to take their pill every day at the same time. However, there are a few dermatological side effects that can come with patch use, and because of the Ortho Evra patch's drug delivery system users receive stronger doses of the hormone estrogen, which may raise the risk of side effects.
Identification
The Ortho Evra patch is a form of birth control for women. The Ortho Evra patch is similar to the birth control pill in its effects. The Ortho Evra patch is specially formulated to remain on the body for a week. Ortho Evra users put the patch somewhere on the body, such as the upper back, arm, stomach, or buttocks, and replace it weekly. Women who use Ortho Evra go through three patches per month; during the fourth week they go patch-less and the period occurs.
Function
The Ortho Evra patch works by delivering two hormones, progestin and estrogen, through the skin and into the bloodstream. Without birth control, your ovaries release an egg each month. Progestin and estrogen prevent the ovaries from releasing this egg. They also thicken the mucus plug in the cervix, making it harder for sperm to enter the uterus.
Side Effects
The most common side effects of the Ortho Evra patch are similar to those caused by birth control pills. These include breast pain, menstrual cramping, headaches, nausea, and emotional changes. Serious side effects include blood clots, heart attacks, and stroke. Your risk of developing serious side effects rises if you smoke, particularly if you are over 35. The Ortho Evra patch does have a unique side effect---the patch itself can irritate the skin.
Risks
If you're using the Ortho Evra patch, you're being exposed to more estrogen than you would be if you used a birth control pill. Therefore, you may be at increased risk of developing a serious side effect, especially venous thrombosis (blood clots in the lungs and legs). These clots block blood flow; if they break off and enter the lungs they can cause a pulmonary embolism, a severe and possible fatal condition. Studies of Ortho Evra's effects as compared to birth control pills are inconclusive.
Combinations
Certain supplements and medications can make the Ortho Evra patch less effective. Among these are St. John's wort (a supplement used for depression) and certain anti-seizure medications. Antibiotics and large doses of vitamins A and C and potassium may also affect the effectiveness of the Ortho Evra patch, but there is little evidence to support these claims.
