What are the possible side effects?
The Ortho Evra patch is the first weekly form ofhormonal birth control.
How Is It Used and How Does It Work?
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The Ortho Evra patch contains the same types of hormones found in the pill.
This increased estrogen exposure may increase the risk of side effects for those using the patch.
Still, the overall risk of blood clots is relatively low with either method.
Who Can Use It?
State-funded Medicaid health coverage should cover the cost of this contraceptive method.
A woman should check with her private health insurance policy as coverage for birth control varies.
Effectiveness
The Ortho Evra patch is 92%99.7% effective in preventing pregnancy.
With typical use, 8 out of every 100 women who use the patch will become pregnant.
Certain medications can decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills or patches.
The patch might be less effective for women who way more than 198 pounds.
The effectiveness of the Ortho Evra patch can also be lowered due to user error.
There are several advantages as well as some disadvantages of using hormonal contraception.
Your estrogen levels may be higher when using the patch than with a typical birth control pill.
Like birth control pills, the Ortho Evra patch offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
If it has been over 24 hours, you will need to use a new patch.
You should also use a backup form of birth control for the rest of the month.
The Ortho Evra patch works in a similar way to combination birth control pills.
Talk to your healthcare provider for the best steps for you to skip your period using this patch.
You should be able to shower or swim without problems while using the Ortho Evra patch.
If your patch does fall off, however, verify to reapply a patch within 24 hours.
