Skipping periods on Ortho Evra

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Skipping periods on Ortho Evra
3
Fri, 07-16-2004 - 7:15pm
Hi,

I'm new to Ortho Evra, just got my Rx. I used to take Ortho Cyclen, three packs back to back without the placebo week, due to heavy cramps/bleeding (like Seasonale, but w/OC). Did this for about a year and it worked well, except that I tend to forget to take pills at the same time every day. I talked to my new doctor (I moved), and asked for the patch, which I like the idea of, but he wasn't sure if I could do the same thing, skipping periods, with it. He also was a little confused about what I was doing with the Cyclen before, so that was a little disconcerting - it felt like I was telling him what to do instead of him offering advice. So, anyway, can I skip the placebo week with the patch or will it be less effective?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Fri, 07-16-2004 - 9:39pm
Hi laninya, Welcome to the Birth Control Board!

If you could tricycle (take packs back-to-back) on Ortho Cyclen you should be able to ship your periods successfully on Ortho Evra. You might have to wait a few cycles to let your body adjust to the hormones in the patch which are I think are pretty close to those in Cyclen. Is your new doc. a Gyn? You’ll let us know how you like the patch, right?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Sat, 07-17-2004 - 12:31am
Of course I'll let you know how it goes - I'm looking forward to trying it. No, the doc wasn't an OB/GYN, at least I don't think so - it was just one of the docs at student health. I think if he was, he would have been a little more familiar with it all. But he did say that the hormones were the same as Cyclen. So would I have to let my body adjust before doing the back to back thing or could I start that right away?
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Sat, 07-17-2004 - 7:41am
You can certainly try to skip right away and see if it works. Even switching from a brand to its generic which is supposed to have the same dosages of the same hormones can sometimes cause side effects. So, if you have irregular bleeding it first just don't be discouraged.

Good luck,

      Jill