skipping periods on the patch

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2004
skipping periods on the patch
4
Wed, 07-21-2004 - 11:01pm
I just started taking the patch and find it very easy with no side effects. But I'm confused about skipping my period. My dr. told me that I could continue using the patch without a patch free week and not have my period for up to three months. However this info was not in the Ortho Evra material. So I called Ortho Evra to see what they had to say. I was told that the patch was designed to be used for three weeks and then have a patchfree week. I'm confused about the different directions.

I'm wondering have others been successful skipping their periods and what were the side effects?

If I continued using the patch without a period would I still be protected?

Thanks so much.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Thu, 07-22-2004 - 10:46am
Hi jane3lane, welcome!

Your doctor is correct. Ortho can't recommend that the patch be used continuously to skip periods because it hasn't been tested and approved by the FDA for use that way. Of hormonal oral or transdermal contraceptives only the pill Seasonale has been tested and approved for extended cycling. That doesn't mean that the other pills, patch or ring aren't effective when used that way... the mfgs. just can't say so. If you use your patch as directed, and use back-up if you are on meds or supplements that might decrease its effectiveness, then you should be protected. Ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2004
Thu, 07-22-2004 - 3:24pm
Hi jane3lane,

I've been on the patch for a little over a year (I'm currently looking into getting an IUD,because I'm tired of worrying about the patches lifting,which they sometimes do--even when using them correctly) now and have never heard of using it that way.For me it would be quite expensive,my co-pay each month for 3 patches is $38(that's almost $500 a yr!!)..now to get an extra patch (if one of mine ever comes loose) it's another $17 (my insurance covers no part of that).My periods aren't so bad that I would want to skip them...anyways my point is give it a while and your periods will hopefully become very lite also.

Avatar for lucy4980
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 07-22-2004 - 6:30pm
When I was on Ortho-Novum my periods were very light - I have heavy periods normally. I just switched to Ortho-Evra (have completed 1 cycle and am 1/2 way through the 2nd cycle on the patch). My first period on the patch was really heavy, which was not fun. I am hoping that after a couple months that my body will get used to the change and I will have light periods again - here's hoping! Because otherwise, being on the patch is great.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-03-2003
Thu, 07-22-2004 - 8:35pm
i'm on the patch and tried skipping a month before. it didn't work out so well. at the time i must have been on the patch for at least 4 months. i kept getting "sorta periods" to the point where i took it off when it wuld have been my 3rd patch (of the 2nd of the 2cycles).. and got my period bc i culdnt take it and didnt like messing w/my body. my doc also said it's okay but i won't do it again, from now on i just switch my start days and make sure im not sexually active for a week after or use back up (that's if u want to avoid having ure period for some special event)

<3cari