help with the patch

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-27-2004
help with the patch
4
Wed, 10-27-2004 - 9:16am
Can anyone tell me what the deal with the ortho evra patch is? I'm very interested, but anxious to start this form of birth control over all the hoop-la surrounding it.

I've heard from several different places that it is causing serious health problems and even deaths in 17 people due to blood clots! Is this all true?

I know it releases the same amt. of hormones as the pill, which i've been on for years, but could it be the constant contact with the skin that is causing all these problems?

I am a non-smoker and young healthy women. Any opinions?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 10-27-2004 - 12:05pm
Hi sadiemaple,

I don't think the chances are any greater for developing clots on Ortho Evra than on any other combined oral contraceptive. If you are a young, healthy, non-smoking women who has no family history of clotting problems there is very little likelihood of developing a clot. There has been a lot of publicity recently about the patch and clots but the problem while very, very slight exists for all combined contraceptives. It might be a good idea to discuss your concerns with your doctor. Let us know what you decide, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
Thu, 10-28-2004 - 3:31am
Hey sadiemaple,

I am also a healthy non-smoker. I just started the patch about two months ago. Before, I was off and on with different pills but they all gave me the same symptoms (nausea, spotting, cramps, fatigue) so I quit altogether. I was really skeptical about the patch and afraid of a repeat of the symptoms. I did a lot of research and had a long talk with my doctor. She told me she had a lot of positive responses from patch users and the risks are generally the same as the pill.

So I tried it. And I love it. No nausea. No menstrual-like cramps or spotting. And it actually stays in place the whole time. And it’s A LOT easier to remember.

I haven’t heard of any risk directly related to the patch that weren’t the same risk associated with the pill. My doctor did say that some women have an allergic reaction to the adhesive. But that’s the only “patch specific” side-effect I’ve heard of. And it didn’t happen to me. I would just talk to your doctor and try one cycle. Hope this helps.

-Anjelbaby

Lilypie Expecting a baby Ticker

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-23-2004
Thu, 10-28-2004 - 12:44pm
I have seen several posts and discussions revolving around new bc options and inparticular, the patch. I believe that my experience could be beneficial for you and others to hear due to the unfortuante amount of incorrect notions about it.

Unlike many others who can only testify from their recent switch to the patch, I have been using the patch for over 2 years now. I had a history of difficulties with several different types of bc pills over 5 years or so before trying the patch and I know could not imagine using anything else. I remind you this is coming from someone that did not just switch to it, but has used it for two years with never a single problem.

My sypmtoms are tremendously less with only slight breast tenderness (used to hurt terribly for nearly a week), cramping is minimal, and most of all for me it has made my cycles very predictable. I have never experienced breakthrough bleeding as I did with the pill. I start on the same day every month and my cycle subsides when the new patch is put on. Since it is only weekly you are much less likely to forget as you can with pills and in 2 years I have only had to replace my patch due to it coming lose once. They do not come off as long as you apply it to dry skin before putting any lotion or oils on.

The possibilities of problems, such as clots like you mentioned, are the same risk with any type of birth control...these are not only with the patch.

I recognize the patch is not for everyone and it works differently for everyone, but I felt it would be beneficial to hear from someone who can testify to using this product nearly since it first came on the market.

Good luck finding the best product for you.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2003
Fri, 10-29-2004 - 1:09pm
I have been using the patch for over 1 year now and have never had a single problem. I think that the best perks of using the patch is that it does not have to go through your digestive system to become effective. If your sick with the flu (nausea or the other end) it still works. My patch has never came loose, but I do remember when I first started wearing it I constantly checked about 20 times a day to make sure that it was still there, and it always was. Hope this helps!