Ortho Evra Patch Killing My Libido

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2004
Ortho Evra Patch Killing My Libido
3
Mon, 07-12-2004 - 10:55am
I've been on Ortho Evra (the patch)for 8 months. I suffer from most of the side effects...neusea, feintness, moodiness, etc. But one side effect not mentioned in my little flyer is loss of desire. I love my boyfriend very very much and I want him, but when it comes to actually having sex much of the time I can't get in the mood. This is only since I started the patch. We first had sex a month before I went on the patch and everything was fine. Now I only get horny when I'm on my off week which means 1) I'm on my period and its kinda yucky and 2) we're not protected as well. Its disappointing because when I'm on the patch and we can have almost guilt-free sex I can't get into it. Our sex is always good too and I just wish I could make it better for both of us. Does anyone else have this problem? And what can I do to get my libido back without dropping the protection?
Avatar for lucy4980
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 07-12-2004 - 7:55pm
I don't know about loss of libido with the patch, but I wanted to comment on your comment about not being protected on your "off patch" week. This is not true. As with other hormonal BC methods, there is a week when you don't have hormones. With pills, it is a week or placebo pills. With the patch, it's just a week when you don't wear the patch. This is part of the way hormonal BC works. As long as you don't go more than 7 days without hormones at the end of your pill or patch cycle, you will be protected from pregnancy throughout the month.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-12-2004
Tue, 07-13-2004 - 9:15am
WOW! I always thought the 4th week I wasn't protected because I was having my period so I figure an egg must have to drop if I'm having my period. But this is great news! I hated worrying if I was going to get pregnant having sex the 4th week. THANK YOU!!!
Avatar for lucy4980
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 07-13-2004 - 12:09pm
Hormonal BC works by preventing ovulation. That is why it is important to use it exactly as directed (ie same patch change day every week or taking the pill at the same time every day). The "off" week where you don't have a patch or are taking placebo pills is there to allow your hormone levels to drop so you get your period.

When women aren't on any type of hormonal BC, ovulation generally occurs some time in the 2nd or 3rd week of the cycle, not during the period week. The egg drops, goes through the falopian tubes and the uterous, and if it doesn't get fertilized, just comes out. The body waits several days to a couple weeks depending on the woman's cycle, and if no egg is implanted in the uterous, the lining sloughs off and the woman has her period. So, even when ovulation is occuring, it doesn't happen the week of your period.

When you are on hormonal BC, ovulation doesn't happen.