What Should I Expect?
Because every woman is unique, it's almost impossible to predict how your body will respond to ORTHO EVRA®. Some women notice minor changes, while others notice no changes at all. There are also serious side effects that have been reported.
If you experience any side effects, they're most likely to occur in the first 1 to 3 cycles and may disappear after that. Excluding possible irritation at your patch site, the types of common side effects reported in clinical trials were similar to those from other hormonal contraceptives.
Find out what you can expect when you start using the birth control patch.
In the first 3 months, you may experience these temporary side effects:
- Breast discomfort: Tender or sore breasts are common premenstrual symptoms, and may occur when you first begin using the Patch. Approximately 8 out of 10 women in clinical trials who reported breast discomfort described the side effect as mild to moderate. Most women found that this decreased with each cycle, and only 1% stopped using ORTHO EVRA® because of it. Breast tenderness typically decreases by the third month.
- Breakthrough bleeding or spotting: Breakthrough bleeding or spotting, which is bleeding that can occur between periods, ranging from slight staining to a heavier flow, are side effects that may occur when you use hormonal contraceptives. In clinical trials, very few women (3.7%) experienced bleeding while using ORTHO EVRA® in their first cycle. Most women's menstrual periods started on the fourth day of their patch-free week, and lasted five to six days. There was a low discontinuation rate due to bleeding (0.5%) in clinical trials.
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Three Months and Beyond
When you're in your third or fourth month, side effects should no longer be a frequent annoyance. If you're one of the few women who experienced common side effects such as breast symptoms or breakthrough bleeding and spotting, relief may be in sight.
- Breast discomfort: By your third month on ORTHO EVRA®, breast discomfort is unlikely to be an issue. Clinical studies showed that most breast discomfort happens in the first 2 months of patch use. Remember, some breast discomfort may happen right before your period, and that's common.
- Breakthrough bleeding or spotting: Irregular bleeding that varies from slight staining between periods to breakthrough bleeding with a flow similar to your regular period is temporary and not a sign of any serious problem. It's important to continue using your patches on schedule, changing them regularly on your designated Patch Change Day. If you're sticking to your schedule and bleeding continues for more than a few days or lasts for more than a few cycles, talk to your healthcare professional.
- No period: If you're sure you've been using ORTHO EVRA® correctly and you don't get your period for 2 consecutive cycles, there's a chance you may be pregnant. You also could be one of the very few women on ORTHO EVRA® (0.1% in clinical trials) who experience no period at all (a condition called amenorrhea). Call your healthcare professional if you suspect either condition.
- Skin irritation: At this point, skin irritation around your patch should be minor. If redness, irritation or itchiness continues, simply remove your patch, discard it and replace it with a new one in a new location until your next Patch Change Day. Changing patch locations will help avoid further skin irritation.
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Always losing your keys at home? Pick one designated spot for them.
Can't sleep? Flip your mattress for a comfy new bed.
Chewing gum stuck in the carpet? Rub it with an ice cube until hard, then just pull it off.
Breath not as fresh as you'd like? Remember to brush your tongue, too.
