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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.
Find out what you can expect when you start using the birth control patch.
First 3 Months
3 Months and Beyond
Smart Strategies
First 3 Months
If you experience any side effects, they're most likely to occur in the
first 1 to 3 cycles and may disappear. Excluding possible irritation at
your patch site, the types of common side effects reported in clinical trials
were similar to other hormonal contraceptives.
Most women in these trials described any side effects as mild to moderate
and very few (approximately 2%) stopped using the Patch because of them.
Some women experienced breast discomfort, headache, nausea, painful periods,
upper respiratory infection, or skin irritation where the Patch was applied.
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 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 and spotting: Breakthrough bleeding
and spotting 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, lasting 5 to 6 days. There was
a low discontinuation rate due to bleeding (0.5%) in clinical trials. Most
women started withdrawal bleeding on the fourth day of the drug-free
interval.
The median duration of withdrawal bleeding was
5 to 6 days. Including withdrawal
flow and breakthrough bleeding and/or spotting, on average 26% of women
per
cycle had 7 or more days of bleeding and/or spotting.
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3 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 completely
normal.
- Breakthrough bleeding and 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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Click here to learn more about ORTHO EVRA benefits, precautions, side effects,
warnings, and other important patch information.
If you are uncomfortable with any side effects that you may experience,
make a note of the occurrence and discuss it with your doctor or other healthcare
professional.
SMART STRATEGIES
ORTHO EVRA occasionally causes skin irritation, redness or rash at the placement
site. Most often this can be avoided by simply selecting a new patch site
each week.
- To make sure ORTHO EVRA sticks properly to your skin,
don't use
creams, oils, powder, or makeup where you intend to put your patch or near
a patch you already are
wearing - this can cause it to come loose.
- If mild irritation develops during use, apply a new patch to a
new location. Then start another new patch on your regular Patch Change
Day. Remember: only wear one patch at a
time!
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