WHAT ARE CONTRACEPTIVE PATCHES?
One Ortho Evra patch is worn each week for 3 consecutive weeks, usually on the lower abdomen or buttocks. The fourth week is patch-free to permit withdrawal bleeding. The 4.5 cm square patch delivers both estrogen and a progestin and this stops ovulation. Used correctly and consistently the patch leads to only 3 pregnancies amoung 1,000 women using patches for a year! You do not need a back-up method during the 7 patch-free days. Complete information about this method is available through your clinician and through the patch package insert. Ortho Evra patches lead to higher estrogen being administered to women than pills or vaginal contraceptive rings. Whether this leads to slightly higher risks for women using patches is not clear.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES:
- You don't have to take a pill daily or interrupt sex to use a barrier contraceptive.
- Patches decrease a woman's menstrual cramps and pain.
- Patches decrease the amount of menstrual bleeding and a woman's risk for anemia.
- Acne may improve and facial hair is diminished.
- Many women enjoy sex more when using Ortha Evra patches.
- You can use patches for an extended period of time or continuously (with no hormone-free intervals).
- Each patch has enough hormones to suppress ovulation for up to 9 days, so you can be a day or so late putting on the next patch. (Not recommended).
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES?
- The patch may be less effective for women weighing more than 198 pounds (90 kg) and overweight women should use backup. The patch should not be a "firstline" method for women 198 pounds without a backup.
- Patches do not protect you from HIV or other infections. Use condoms if you may be at risk.
- You may have spotting (mostly during the first few cycles).
- Using patches may cause headaches, depression, mood changes, or decreased enjoyment of sex (infrequent).
- Serious complications such as blood clots may occur but are rare.
- Patches tend to be slightly more expensive than birth control pills. In early 2005 the cost of patches for one 28 day cycle is $38 to $45 in most pharmacies. This works out to $494 to $585 per year!
- Partial detachment of patches (2.8%) complete detachment (1.8%) and skin irritation may occur. Even less common (under 1%) is increased pigmentation of the skin under the patch. This hyperpigmentation may last for a number of months.
- A back-up contraceptive for 9 days is recommended if there is any question about starting use of a new patch late (more than 9 days) or if there is a question about the attachment of the patch.
WHERE CAN I GET Ortha Evra PATCHES?
You will need a prescription from your nurse practitioner, physician, nurse midwife or physician's associate.
WHAT IF I HAVE SEX AND DON’T USE BIRTH CONTROL?
Did you know that for 120 hours after sex, you can take emergency contraceptive pills to avoid becoming pregnant? AND for 5 to 7 days after sex, you can have an IUD put in so you won't become pregnant? Emergency postcoital insertion of the Copper T 380 A IUD (ParaGard) is the most effective currently available postcoital contraceptive. Not all clinicians know about this. If you want more information or would like the phone numbers of clinicians near you that prescribe emergency birth control, call the toll-free hotline (1-888) NOT-2-LATE. Some of these sources of help are free. PLAN B is the emergency contraceptive pill that causes the least nausea and the least vomiting. | 