NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

Hi Guys:

My gyn prescribed the patch for me, but I have been hearing that it has horrible side effects. Plus, I am concerned about weight gain. Any one currently use or on the patch???

Re: NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

I was on it. My 2 complaints were minor skin irritation wherever I put the patch and If I put it on the front of my lower abdoemn or lower back I would get worse than normal cramps!

Re: NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

I've heard that the patch increases the risk of blood clots and that you should not smoke AT ALL while using it.

Personally, the pill messes me up. I'm very moody and it screws up all my hormone levels. My sex drive was zero. I went off of it and I can tell there's a HUGE difference! If anyone has any recommendations for me to try let me know. Otherwise he'll be using the raincoats, lol.

Re: NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

I have very sensitive skin, and when I used the patch I got this horrible rash all over, ie if it was on my lower back, I would get a rash from my lower back up to my shoulders, as for weight gain, I didnt notice any, and my sister in law lost 30 lbs after being put on it. Everyone is different which is why there are so many different kinds of bc out there, if they presribed it, give it a try, if it isnt for you, you can change. Oh and you arent supposed to smoke with any form of bc, its at the end of all of the bc commercials

Re: NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

I did experience some weight gain....and I was very moody and the patch would leave a gross outline...especially if I wore jeans and to rub it off is annoying.

The last straw for me was when I woke up one morning and it was in the sheets..... I really didn't want to have a mishap so I gave up the patch.

Re: NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

My roommate from college got pregnant while on it.... it didnt stick to her skin very well and started peeling off. Be careful!

Re: NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

I used it for almost 2yrs. It did cause mild skin irritation but that was nothing for me. I was a pill user and couldnt remember so the patch was a savior. I did notice that I did get MOODY and not very nice and that in the summer, i hated when that patch was in places that were going to be seen and the fact that it came off on occasions.

I switched to NuvaRing (a whole lot better...so on schedule and less side effects) but will be coming off of it soon. Getting married and well, preparing for some of these

Re: NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

I was on it the first time, and had no problems with it whatsoever.

The second time I got extremely sick to the point where I couldn't function. Turns out it was because I had gallstones, and any form of birth control aggravates the condition.

The doctor thinks that the patch caused the gallstones in the first go around, but they're still doing studies about side effects.

Re: NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

I went on it a year ago, but went back to the pill. I didn't have any of the scary side effects (like blood clots or anything), but it made my skind very raw and itchy. I don't normally have very sensitive skin, but the patch was unbearable for me. I also found that it would start to peel around the edges (which made me really paranoid that it was going to fall off) and would also collect fuzz/dirt around the edge since it's really sticky...It was gross...like a band-aid you've worn for too long.

It was honestly more trouble than it was worth...

Re: NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

Thanks ladies! I was hoping to hear more cases of the girls who grew a cup size. Given your experiences plus my own reservations, I am not going to use the prescription I filled and ask for an oral contraceptive instead.

Re: NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

Yeah, that DID happen!!! My breasts did grow, but not a whole cup size!! I just became a lot fuller up top while on the patch!!

Re: NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

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Posted by BKtoLI

Yeah, that DID happen!!! My breasts did grow, but not a whole cup size!! I just became a lot fuller up top while on the patch!!

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Hmmm ... did you gain any weight anywhere else or was all the weight gain boobage.

Re: NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

I tried it, but unless it was on my abdomen I got break-thru bleeding. Very annoying!! I also wound up having an emergency appendectomy by the end of the first month of use. Might have been a coincidence, but then again, might not have been. Either way, I went back to the name brand pill I had been using (MD had put me on a generic which wasn't that great, which was why we tried the patch), and I'm back to being regular, protected and happy.

Re: NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

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Posted by csui25

Thanks ladies! I was hoping to hear more cases of the girls who grew a cup size. Given your experiences plus my own reservations, I am not going to use the prescription I filled and ask for an oral contraceptive instead.

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Re: NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

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Posted by Rachel1013

I've heard that the patch increases the risk of blood clots and that you should not smoke AT ALL while using it.

Personally, the pill messes me up. I'm very moody and it screws up all my hormone levels. My sex drive was zero. I went off of it and I can tell there's a HUGE difference! If anyone has any recommendations for me to try let me know. Otherwise he'll be using the raincoats, lol.

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Same here - the pill screws with me. I've been off it for about 3 or 4 months now, and it's such an amazing feeling to actually have some kind of a sex drive again.

I've been reading up on Fertility Awareness which, when done properly, can apparently be as effective as the pill. It's a lot more complicated though and takes some getting used to. Essentially you use various signs (body temperataure, cervical fluid, cervical position) to chart your cycle and your ovulation and use those signs to know when you are fertile, and abstain (or use condoms) during your fertile period. If nothing else, it's amazing to actually know what's going on with your own body, and it really gets you in touch for your cycle and just makes for a healthier relationship with your body.
If you are interested, check out 'Taking Charge of Your Fertility' by Toni Weschler. It's a good read.

Re: NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

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Posted by csui25

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Posted by BKtoLI

Yeah, that DID happen!!! My breasts did grow, but not a whole cup size!! I just became a lot fuller up top while on the patch!!

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Hmmm ... did you gain any weight anywhere else or was all the weight gain boobage.

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All boobage....which was not a bad thing!!! My ex at the time was pretty happy about it!!

Re: NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

I was on it for two months. I DID go up a cup size, however my boobs ALWAYS hurt. Also, when I took it off it left this nasty red rash underneath. It also started to look like a dirty bandaid after a few days which was disgusting. I went back on the pill. I use seasonale now, which I am very happy with.

Re: NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

I think I'm one of the few who doesn't get a rash from it. I didn't gain weight - I just grew half of a cup size.

Re: NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

I was on the patch for over a year or two. The concept is great but I would not advise anyone to use it as there has been bad media regarding its usage and women getting blood clots. I suffer from migraines and using any type of birth control is not good for women with migraines as they become more frequent due to hormones levels changing. Towards the end of me using the patch I became very ill, it may have been the migraines but I just don't have a good feeling about the patch. Ever since I stopped taking it I feel 100%.

Re: NWR: Does anyone use the patch aka ortho evra

I used it for a long time and loved it. It is the only BC that didn't make me Nauseous.
I went off it because of all the bad things I heard. My Gyn said it was okay to use, so I went back on it for the wedding. I want to skip my period and this is the only way. I am going to go off it after the wedding. I don't know what to use since pills make me sick. I tried that Nuva Ring and all I can say is YUCK!! I can hardly stand having a tampon in for 6 days out of the month.