skipping periods on the patch
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skipping periods on the patch
| 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.
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.

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
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.
<3cari