Ortho Evra ("The Patch")

I started it a mth ago and was fine on Wk 1, first day I had slight tingling of my right arm due to that I placed patch on right upper arm. Patch stayed on fine, no rashes, no sickness. However Wk 2 rolled around and once I put on new patch I experienced (already) 3 lbs weight gain, bloating, restlessness at night to where I couldn't fall asleep, extreme mood swings, and this very anxious feeling-I dare to call it 'Paranoia.' I felt like I was on the defense with everyone all the time. Very argumentive. I took the patch off when I was suppose to start my 3rd wk, and felt great within 24 hrs.--and a raging yeast infection in wk 2 as well. The patch made me 'very dry' down there and since I been off I'm still having trouble with dryness and my sex drive plummeted when the patch was taken off....probably going to take awhile to get to normal. I also still haven't gotten my period and this would have been the wk PAST the period wk if I was still on.

*This is a personal opinion/reaction so please bear in mind that not everyone will react the same as me* I started taking the patch in June, I was on the BC pill before but had not used any birth control for a year prior to starting the patch. (As in I wasn't having sex so didn't see the point in being on the pill!) I started a new relationship and as I had had previous problems with various pills I asked my GP if I could try the patch. She asked me a a few questions such as 'Do you smoke?' which I do; I thought this may be a problem after reading about Evra and seeing that it can cause blood clots, even more so in smokers. She prescribed it anyway. I was worried about the patch not staying on correctly but actually that was the best part, it's stayed on and never even curled at the edges. I bath daily and still no crinkling or curling, wearing the patch on alternate shoulders. The first week was absolutely fine, I was excited to try it and hoped it would work. My breasts got a cup ... Read more

I thought I was having anxiety until I spoke to my doctor and found out my birth control (ortho evra) was the problem. For the last year every month around my period I would get very emotional. If I would drink around that time it would make it worse like really bad. Out of control.It was starting to affect my relationship with my boyfriend. I thought I had anxiety but not all the symptoms match because I didn't want to kill myslef or anything to that nature. I spoke to my doctor and she will no long er prescribe the patch to any of her patients becuase it has 60% more estrogen that any other birth control. Which explains my emotional issues. She immediately had me take the patch off and I will go on the pill once I have my period again. Im so glad I found out what the problem is. Imagine a guy with 60% more testosterone. Yikes is all I have to say. I started crying like every day whenever I found myself alone. No good!

Before this rating turns people away, please know that I think the concept of Ortho Evra is amazing! :] I was on Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, and had no issues whatsoever, but after studying abroad, I became horrible at remembering to take the pill, so instead of wasting money, I went off of it. This summer I was VERY excited to try the patch, and through a bunch of hoops, leaps and bounds, I finally got the prescription (My OBGYN had left her practice, I had to find a new one, lots of waiting, then pharmacies I went to were all out of the patch, etc...) Anyways, after my long awaited arrival, I started the patch. My first week I placed my patch on my buttox, and the second week, on my shoulder. The reason my rating is so low, is that I had very severe reactions to the patch- which makes me sad because I really do like this birth control. I had sever nausea, and stomach pains that were bad enough that my doctor sent me to the ER (thinking it was appendicitis, or ovarian cysts). I was ... Read more

Wow - THIS IS SCARY STUFF. I decided to go on the Evra patch to help regulate my periods and thought that replacing the patch weekly would be easier than remembering to take a pill daily. I went from no birth control to the patch. At first it was relatively easy with my only side effect being some minor nausea. Then, after 1 month of using it, I developed a dull pain at the base of my left ribs which radiated up into my neck. Thinking that I'd just stretched a muscle, I took an ibuprofen and slept it off. The next night, after an argument, my pain go so bad that I had to take short, stacatto breaths and could hardly stand upright. After going into ER and passing out twice, the CT scan showed that I had multiple pulomonary embolisms in BOTH lungs. I was in the hopital for 7 days and now have to be on blood thinners for 6-12 months. The scariest thing about it is that I HAVE NO OTHER RISK FACTORS and MULTIPLE CLOTS DEVELOPED IN BOTH LUNGS X ONLY 1 MONTH. I'm young, don't smoke,... Read more

I was on the patch for a year after being on ortho-tri cyclen which was wonderful minus the headaches. The patch however wasn't for me, I never had cramping ever with my periods now I have pretty bad cramping, I get really bad ovary pain when I'm ovilating, the glue got on my clothes and lint collected around the patch, and when showered the patch would fall off. I've been off the patch now for 4 years and the cramping and ovary pain never left after using the patch. I give it one star.

This thing was NOT for me. I took that thing off after just one week and threw it in the garbage. However, I'm going to be fair and list the pros as well as the cons, because it wasn't all bad. PROS: First of all, my skin noticeably cleared up after just a few days! I'm 21 and still unfortunately get zits and pimples all the time, but my skin calmed down nicely while I was on it. I also liked the convenience -- it was easy to put on, easy to take off, and unnoticeable once it was on, and I liked not having to remember to take a pill every day. And third, like the Pill, it's cheap and accessible. CONS This thing killed a part of me. Normally I'm a pretty bouncy, cheerful person who likes having sex. On the Patch I immediately became a quiet, irritable, emotionally numb grouch with no libido at all. The thought of sex left me blank. I couldn't feel anything inside. I felt flat. All the usual fizz inside me was gone. I walked around like a zombie, doing what I usually do, not enjoying t... Read more

I'm 19, and have been on "the patch" for 9 months now, I completely love it, for me i've had no side effects, my period lasts 2 and a half days now! its amazing! my breasts were already big to start with (30F) and since taking the pill they have grown to a size 30H.. its beyond crazy! i dont hate having large breasts, i deal with the slight back pain, so i recommend it! Another slight bad thing about it, is that when the patch (for me is on my ass cheek) gets too hot for example, sitting on it for a long period of time, or in a hot shower/bath, the patch begins to slide a bit, and then the stickyness gets attached to my clothing, but that is the only negative i can think about. I love how you can control your period, without taking a pill everyday! and also i put a new patch on Saturday Nights, so when i take it off for the week break, my period starts on the thursday morning, and then as soon as i put the new patch on the next saturday, my period will stop about an hour later! its ama... Read more

Wow!!! I was really excited about "the patch" because my friends had great success with it. However since being on the patch my skin has been FREAKING OUT! I had a pimple here or there before the patch but ever since my skin has been terrible! I'm breaking out like crazy and they are painful. As soon as a few look like they are going away, a few more take their place! I had to take it off before my face becomes a huge map of scars!! Also this birth control made my breasts very sore and I was exhausted all the time and could never bring myself to go out and I used to be a party girl!! Also I've become super irritable and moody. I also have been experiencing numbness in my arms and legs when I sleep or cross my legs. The only star I give it is for it's convenience as far as remembering to change it as opposed to a daily pill, but completely inconvenient as its completely screwed me up!!

I've been on the patch for 3 months. In the past I've tried the pill but the side effects of the pill and remembering to take it everyday were deal-breakers for me. The pill made me hungry and moody, and I spotted CONSTANTLY which is annoying, to say the least. For me, the patch is wonderful. I don't feel crazy hungry, I don't get mood swings, and I feel very little physical effect from the hormones. The one thing that changed... my boobs grew an entire cup size, and I was already a 34C, I went up to a D. However, after the first month I'm between a C and a D. I think I just had to adjust. I had NO spotting starting the patch. My cramps are manageable and my periods are much lighter. The one thing I don't like about the patch, is the stickiness of it. Sometimes the patch and the glue are misaligned in the packaging, so one side will sometimes curl while the glue extend a few millimeters past the patch on the other side. Not a big deal, except that sometimes my shirt gets stuck to it... Read more

I was on the patch for a while and it worked quite well for me as a convenient form of birth control but it didn't help much with my cramps, so after my last boyfriend dumped me I switched to NuvaRing and it completely eliminated my cramps, it was awesome. But upon getting a new boyfriend I found it also completely eliminated my libido. So I'm back on the patch. Haven't seen my boyfriend (long distance) since the switch but I have noticed I've been getting insanely horny lately, like I never did on the ring. My next period should be starting soon so I'm bracing myself and stocking up on ibuprofen. Only things I don't like about the patch are how it gets fuzzies under the edges and i've noticed it makes me hungrier, which didn't happen last time.

i'm going on my second round of the patch and parts I like, while too many parts I don't PRO: -super easy for someone forgetful like myself, no problems about worrying if I took my pill or not -Typically stays on well, sometimes will curl at the edges, but for the most part I don't have to mess with it CON: -I just can't stop eating. At all. The first couple weeks I was good at just ignoring the extra hunger, but now that I've gotten used to it, I just find myself needing to eat more and more. It's not even that I'm eating horribly unhealthy food, maybe not the best, but it's definitely not been different than my eating habits before. My body definitely thinks its pregnant for sure... maybe its just too much estrogen? I have found myself craving foods I hate, it's gotten horrible! I've only had about a 4 lbs weight gain but on someone only 5'1", that's way too much. The worst is I've even began working out to counteract it, but it hasn't done any good at all. -My boobs have gotten H... Read more

I can recommend a reputable pharmacy http://online-canadian-drugshop.com/item.php?id=4283&aid=9210 Just wanted to write and say that I'm VERY satisfied with my purchase.

I just ripped the patch off my skin. I've been on it for 2 weeks and I just can't take it anymore! Before starting the patch I was on Nuva-Ring for about 3 years, and the only complain I have is that some of my partners would sometimes feel it (depending on how well endowed they were). My current bf was getting irritated from rubbing against it for prolonged time periods, so I would take it out before having intercourse and put it back in after. That being a little inconvenient I thought the patch might be more convenient for us, so I gave it a shot. As soon as I switched over, I noticed my sex drive decrease. I am definitely drier down there than I normally am, it hurts when I have sex. Normally I have a really high sex drive and its gone down to almost zero. Second, I got terrible lower back pain. It was so bad for a couple of days I could hardly bend over to tie my shoes. Third, my mood is insane. Commercials are making me cry, I am picking ridiculous fights with my bo... Read more

I have been on the patch now for 4 months and it is awesome. I am always telling my friends how great it is. I have only gained about 2 pounds which I worked off and my boobs have went from a d to a double d. My skin is way clear and I have had regular periods that are predictable. At first I was getting bad cramps and by the 2nd period I was fine. My doctor also told me to rotate where I put the patch which helps to reduce irratation and so far its worked. I also LOVE not having to take it every day! The Patch has definately worked for me and I LOVE it.

Well this was my first birth control I used and it wasn't a bad experience. I normally get a period about 4- 5 times a year, so it was a drag when I started getting them every month!! I did actually get moody (crying) and cramps, which I normally never get so that was crummy too. Other than getting PMS that most women normally get I had no problems. I'm quite forgetful so it was great that I only had to put it on once a week. I did have some weight gain but my breast went up a good size from a C to DD and when I came off back to a D :-D. I'm actually going to go back on it again.

5 stars I used the patch for a year and loved it! Aside from minor but temporary side effects like breast tenderness and a little aching at site of application, I didn't have any troubles with it. I think if you're having issues with a certain birth control, you need to explore your options and try them. Every woman reacts differently. .

I was on this for about a year when out of nowhere I started having numbness on the right side of my body. Mainly on my back/shoulder area. My breasts developed lumps also and I was freaking out. I called the doctor and of course they were worried I was having a heart attack or blod clot. After going through numerous tests, they couldn't find anything wrong with me other than my breasts were fibrocystic. My doc. told me I should continue using the patch!! I was dumbfounded and angry. The patch had caused me more problems than it was worth, not to mention pain at the site of application. The edges always folded up and made me worried whether I was getting the proper dosage as well. Side effects prior to this were not that bad, so it's too bad it didn't work for me. After 5 years, I've finally decided to give BC another shot, this time in the pill form. Hopefully I have better luck this time.

I am on Ortho Evra now for the second time. I did it a couple years ago for a few months. Now, I've been on it for going on 3 weeks. I can't really think of any bad side effects. Yes, my breasts are more tender and have gone up in size. They went up in size, too, the first time I used it and didn't shrink after I quit using it, either. They are about a 34D now, and I'm a small girl (5'5", size 2-4), but it is what it is. I haven't noticed any problems whatsoever with weight gain. I think maybe these people who do have that problem may need to switch to healthier alternatives for snacks. I don't eat junk food, at all. I've had NO problems, whatsoever, with mood swings, depression, etc. However, I take zoloft and have taken it for years, so maybe that helps. I actually think I'm more well-balanced than most. I can't remember the last time I even had mood swings, at all. So, I guess the side effects depends on the person, and how one manages them. I think being health... Read more

The patch rocks! This is my first birth control that actually works. In the beginning, I got prescribed ocella and read horrible reviews about it and I chickened out from giving it a try. My doc then prescribed me Avienne, and boy it gave me a huge migraine the very first day and that was the end of that. I was really skeptical about the patch cause of higher estrogen levels. But I'm so glad I gave it a try. No side effects!! Not even spotting. :) I was worried about irritation around the patch area but jojoba oil fixed that part. After removing the patch, I just take shower and instead of applying moisture there, I applied the oil instead! Worked great. But the thing that cannot be ignored is, every birth control reacts differently to different women. But trying is the best way to figure out what works best.

I have been on the patch for about 3 years, never had a problem until recently- within the last 3 days.- That I have been short of breath, my head has been very dizzy and foggy. I had issues with a couple of pills with the same problem, ie; head aches, my eyes would also black out if i stood up too fast. I dont understand why these symptoms have started but its really annoying, has anyone tried out the seasonal birthcontroll? I heard that one is alright.

I was on Ortho Evra a few years ago and I was sent by ambulance to the Emergency Room because of chest pains and problems breathing. After they did a through exam, they asked me if I took any form of birth control! I told them what I was taking and the doctor that had worked there for about 10 years told me that I should discontinue taking the patch, because he believed that it was the cause of my symptoms. So I discontinued use, and I would strongly suggest that nobody take this form of birth control. "It was a horrible experience" REALLY! (The bill was huge from the hospital too.) PROS-It was easy to remember to change it once a week CONS-ALL of the above!

I have been using the Evra patch for 2 and a half years and it has done nothing but cause trouble. The reason I wanted to use the patch was because I knew I'd forget taking a pill everyday. I'm 5'2" and around 100lbs so I think the amount of hormones in this birth control might have had more of a negative affect on me because of my small build. Since starting the patch I've had all of these side effects: - A considerable amount of hair loss, especially on the crown - Depression - Weight gain in only my stomach and off and on in my face(it's like a bloating weight though) - Exhaustion ALL the time - Overly emotional and sometimes I will randomly start crying. This gets 5 times worse when I'm expecting my period..I'm a terror at that time! - Mood swings and irritability - Paranoia - Anxiety - Tons of stress all the time - Changes constantly in hunger. Some weeks I'll be hungry 24/7 and then some weeks I'll eat one meal a day. - Dehydration The only positive I have to say about it is ... Read more

I had a horrible 6 days on this BC. I ate like crazy. I could not help but eat I felt sooo hungry all the time. I was overly sensitive to anything I could misinterprit as criticism. I cried when me and my boyfriend disagreed over candy. I cried for no reason and felt so upset from day 2 to 6 when i finally took it off. We almost broke up over this stupid sticker. I got weird scary numbness. My feet and legs got numb really easily, so i was scared to keep using it. My down there even got numb twice. It hurt when I had sex. I felt the area the patch was really painfully ache when i had sex. it also hurt randomly sometimes like crampy in my lower stomach. It made me soo dizzy and unfocused. i couldn't keep my head straight. It was just a really bad experience all together for me. I loved the idea of once a week, i missed at least 2 pills every month. This was nice I just stuck it on. I did have to check it every day when it would start bunching and sticking to itself I had to continuall... Read more

I have been on the patch for 4 1/2 monthes! And it has been horrible!!!!!!!!!!! i am 24 years old and have 2 children, this has affected me as a mother IN A bad WAY! I havent been able to sleep, depression,*MOOD SWINGS*, and i cry 4 no real reason!plus i spot all month long, therefor i never want sex! i guess its different 4 everyone, put it is not for me! this is my last month! does anyone out there know of any Good Birthcontrol? Read more: http://www.rateitall.com/i-55744-ortho-evra-the-patch.aspx#ixzz0x0qodJi2

I used Ortho Evra for the past three months, and have decided to discontinue use because of the side effects. I have always experienced some side effects with any form of hormonal contraceptive, but I experienced more with Ortho Evra than any other. Side effects I experienced include: nausea, breast swelling and tenderness, acne, mood swings and increased irritability, break through bleeding, and 6-8 pound weight gain in 3 months. I maintained a steady weight for the last two years, but within the last 3 months of being on Ortho Evra I gained 6-8 pounds, and believe I would continue to gain if I did not discontinue use. The thing that I liked about Ortho Evra was that it only had to be applied once a week, and that I didn't have to remember taking a pill at the same time everyday. It only came loose once when I was at a water park on the water slides and had the patch on my behind. I found wearing it on the lower abdomen was the best place. If it were not for the weight gain and... Read more

I see a lot of negative feedback, but it is usually from people within the first 6 months of the patch, so I thought it was necessary I comment I have been on the ortho-evra patch for 6 years now, and I couldn't be happier. The first 3 months it was hard to adjust.. extremely painful periods, headaches, etc. but once your body adjusts i think its great. I know now, down the the hour, when my period will star and end. I also only get cramps for one day of my period. I can't swallow pills, and I've only heard horrible things about the shot so I knew this would be for me, and I was right. I've never had a preganancy scare the whole 6 years I've been on it, and once you get used to it, remembering to change it once a week is just natural. I would recommend this to anyone under 198lbs, and I would NOT recommend smoking on it. I did smoke on it for a while, and I felt really out of breath all the time.. So, I quit over 2 years ago and I feel good now. If I had to write a con, I would sa... Read more

I love the patch. I have been on it for two months now and its great. I have experienced some nausea and breast soreness but overall its okay. I don't have to worry about taking it everyday and I always knnow when to expect my period. My breast size has also increased and I'm happy about that. The patch does not irritate my skin at all and sometimes I forget that its even there. It's the best birth control method I have used.

I feel I need to give my opinion after reading a couple of bad reviews for the Patch. I decided to start Ortho Evra after a year-long hiatus from birth control. I had tried two different pills before, and the nausea was unbearable and unrelenting... not to mention killing my sex drive and helping to cause major problems in a relationship. So I started the patch in March. The first 2 months were rocky; I had a few nasty headaches and my sex drive went down a bit. My emotions were all over the place. I was fighting a lot with my boyfriend and crying over the tiniest things! But by the 3rd month, things were definitely looking up. The headaches went away. I'm a thin girl, so gaining 7 pounds was a victory for me. I went from an A cup to a large B cup, which boosted my confidence. My emotions leveled out and I was no longer an angry, crying mess. And best of all, my sex drive not only improved, but frankly, I felt as horny as I did when I was birth control-free! Now in my 5th month wit... Read more

This is my 6th day wearing the patch. I feel horrible :( I am nauseated all the time and that makes me feel sick. My pharmacist said that it takes at least 2 weeks for your body to adjust to a new birth control. So, I am going to continue giving it a chance. Also, I feel hungry a lot, but at the same time, since I am nauseated throughout the day, I don't want to eat sometimes. It's weird. I believe that I may be having these reactions because I am only 5'2" and I weigh 112 pounds. My OB-GYN said that the patch has way too much hormones in it for me because I'm so little, but I still wanted to give it a shot. I have also been having slight discomfort/cramping in my legs, hands, and feet. I will give you guys an update soon.

I rate this patch with a ZERO. i am going on my 3rd month and its horrible! i thought hey this is easy since i cant swallow pills and hate shots.and its was fine at first! every month im in pain for 2 weeks until i get my period! my head hurts, cant sleep, my back starts to hurt, i get cramps for no reason, i get shortness of breath, dizzy, i never want to eat, always feel like im going o be sick. and i thought i was pregnant too. i have all the symptoms of it and to be told oh its just the patch it does that. and thats not just once this is every month i feel that way.. and i have had 3 patch fall off rite after putting them on. and i took a shower and air dried the spot and it still fell off. i dont recommend this patch to anyone! yea it may work for some people or some people think nothing of some things they feel. just for birth control its not worth this much pain! i want to feel better then i did not feel like i wanna die from the pain of it. i would rather stick to condoms or j... Read more

OMG I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONE TRIPPIN OUT !!!! I NEVER IN MY LIFE USED BIRTH CONTROL BESIDES PLAN B "EVERY ONCE AND THEN"...THNKIN ORTHO WAS OKAY FOR ME..BUT AFTER READING ALL THESE REVIEWS I TOOK MY PATCH OFF ASAP..OMG IT WAS BARELY MY 2ND WEEK ON ORTHO AND IT WAS DRIVING ME CRAZY. now i know why I COULDNT SLEEP,hardcore DEPRESSION,ANXIETY,MOOD SWINGS FLEW OFF THE ROOF,CRAZY THOUGHTS TO THE POINT THAT I CRIED for no damn reason..LMAO AAGH MAN THANK GOD FOR THIS SITE. ladies please please think twice before you pick this as your birth control the side effects are insane!! am 20 yrs old and first time user and it hit me quick. IT SOUNDED SWEET BECAUSE ITS SOMETHING I WOULD REMEMBER TO DO ONCE A WEEK..BUT AFTER FEELING THE EFFECTS ILL RATHER KEEP SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING ELSE!!

No side effects... I like it now that I found a good price for Ortho on the internet at: www.MyCycleDirect.com. Before it was quiet expense when I lost my insurance. Good Luck

I was never on birth control in my life. But after having three kids, we didn't want to risk getting pregnant again. I decided to try the patch, as I didn't want an IUD and I would never remember to take a pill every day. So..Benefits- Used correctly, it is effective in preventing pregnancy. Easy to remember to change, just mark the day on your calendar. Put it on and forget about it. It made me SUPER horny. Incredible sex. But I already knew that, as when I was prego I was even more of a horndog as well. The addition of hormones increases my libido. Downfalls-I gained 4 pounds in the first week! And I wasn't eating any more than usual, and I work out. For some people, the addition of hormones just makes it harder to lose weight, or even to maintain the weight that you are at. I was very emotional. Cried at anything. I could not deal with it. I had shortness of breath, increased blood pressure, and chest tightness. And I eat extremely healthy, and do not smoke. I was having parano... Read more

I have been on the patch for 19months and am very happy with. My breasts have increased by 2 full cup sizes and my face is much clearer. However, I did experience scalp loss at the crown of my head. I did not gain any weight. I like the patches the most because I don't have to worry about taking a pill everyday. However, it is expensive if you do not have insurance.

I was on the patch for three years and I liked it. It did make me a little more emotional, so I wouldn't suggest it for anyone who is emotional or hormonal already. The first year I took it I just lived my life as normal (not particularly active) and gained 25 lbs. So within the last year I exercised every day, and I have lost 30 lbs. I have been off the patch for a couple weeks and already lost 5 more lbs. SO if you get on the patch you have to be more active than normal, or else you will just put on the pounds, BUT it is not impossible to lose weight while on the patch. It cleared my skin up too. Overall it was great for me, with the only side effect being it was harder to lose weight (but it did prompt me to change my lifestyle and be healthier!).

I have been on the patch for about 4 months now.I recently lost 145 pounds and since I have been on the patch it is so hard to lose more weight.I am a bitch to my fiance.and i have nocticed hat the week im suppose to take it off i lose 5 pounds.I hate it so much.I am taking it off tonight.I hope it was helpful please dont use this unless you need to gain weight.

I've been using the Ortho Evra patch now for almost three months. As for my small complaint, the patches like to peel. A lot. Not only do they peel, but they get lint stuck to the glue so there's a dark blue square around the patch. Not so attractive. Along the same lines, when the patch is removed (which isn't quite painless) I get an irritated spot from where it was. For the bigger complaints; I could tell that I might have been putting on some weight since I've had breast tenderness lately, and they seemed a bit larger than normal, but I just found out that I weigh 117lbs. Prior to going on the patch (I had the Mirena IUD), I weighed 104 lbs. I've gained almost 15 lbs in 2 months, and I'm only 4'11''. Not only have I put on some weight, my mood swings have been insane, which has been driving my husband crazy, and me crazy as well. Needless to say, I'll be switching my birth control when I go to the doctor tomorrow.

I decided to go with the patch because the idea of only having to worry about birth control once a week was very appealing. I had read a lot of reviews and was well aware of the fact that it contained more estrogen than other forms of birth control but I was willing to give it a shot. The first week went by without occurrence, however I did notice my breasts getting more full. They weren't really sore, but they went up probably a half a cup to one whole cup size, which I wasn't going to complain about. About 5 days into it, though, I started to experience RAVENOUS HUNGER like I had never felt before. I was hungry 24 hours a day and all I could think about was food. It took every once of willpower not to give in to the terrible hunger pains even though I was eating normal, sensible portions of food which prior to using the patch were enough to fill me up!!! I also began to experience tremendous bloating and water retention -- I felt like a water balloon about ready to pop! ... Read more

was on the patch for 1year and 3 months. positives: once a week instead of a pill everyday. was effective- no babies for me! no weight gain. negatives! $$$ my insurance didn't cover it so it was $65 a month! acne! oh my goodness! the adhesive would cause me to break out whenever the patch was on my back or arms i would end up with little squares patches of white heads!! ewww!! it folded- alot. i'm a slightly curvy girl and anytime my skin rolled even in the slightest whe i sat or twisted my torso the patch would fold up in the middle! is it only for people with washboards abs? the mood swings! yikes!my PMS was monster-like!

I am 22 and have been on the Ortho Evra patch for one week. I have the type of menstrual cycle that is a nightmare for me and a torture for those around me. I have PMDD and I am slightly Bipolar(The Double Whammie!). The patch has helped in convenience; however, it hasn't improved my menstrual cramps, mood swings, heaviness of flow, or my mild case of acne due to menstruation. I have had some side effects to it. I have experienced nausea every morning and night since I have started, and some slight itchiness around and under the patch site. I don't believe these side effects will be long lasting but I will say that it can become a minor nuisance. It is a perfect alternative to oral contraceptive, but it's just not for me. I think I'm going to try Seasonique after I finish the last patch. If you are looking for a birth control that is convenient and easy to use and your doctor suggests it, this is for you. I'd rather go through the pain of taking the pill than deal with the effects of m... Read more

I've only been on the patch for a week. I took it off last night. I've been having horrible headaches, nausea, and my breast hurt. And I just remembered last night that the doctor told me to call back if i have continous headaches. Tylonol hasn't really done anything. I'm still waiting for the call back, it seems like it's worse since I've taken it off. I'm thinking about getting on the shot now.

I started using the patch because I couldnt remember to take the pill everyday. I had very painful side effects from it. it had exspanded my uteruas.

i am currently on the patch and it's ok i switched to it because i was on the pill and couldn't ever remember to take it and the last thing i want is to be 19 and pregnant. I've been thinking about switching to depo though, i seem to have alot of bleeding and brown discharge. i never really thought about the side effects till i read all the reviews and i do believe that it makes you more moody and i know that i gained 10-15lbs on the pill but i feel the patch has made me gain 10 more and thats why i'm not sure if i should switch to depo because i know that tends to put weight on too and that is something i am trying to avoid because i'm not my 135 pounds anymore! please give me some advice anyone who has switched to depo. thanks :)

I am 25 and have been on Ortha Evra for around 7 years now. It is the first birth control I ever tried and have no complaints with it. I'm 5'5 115lbs and I have never experienced any weight gain or mood swings related to the patch. I'm recently married and hope to start a family soon so let's hope that conceiving is still possible after using this form of birth control for so many years! That's what I'm most concered about, although I have read on a few websites that it is possible to conceive as soon as 24 hours after removing the patch or if you dont consistenly change your patch on time. So, hopefully this info is accurate and babies are still a possibility after Ortho Evra :)

I had to go on birth control right after I started having sex with my boyfriend. I didn't want to take the pill because I saw my friends going crazy setting alarms to remember to take the pill everyday, and that to me was too much. So I picked the Depo shot. I only did one shot since I bled 3 months straight AND went CRAZY; I was depressed, I yelled @ everyone... just moody! I even got acne! So once it was time to take my second shot I decided to switch to the OE patch. Every since I've put it on I've been my normal self again!!! My boyfriend and I have no problems anymore about my mood swings. My bleeding from the shot went away right when I put the patch on and the acne went bye bye. I do admitt tho, that I have been feeling tired, a bit nausous, and have been hungry, but I've been told that would go away. My sex drive has actually gone up. My boobies have been feeling fuller, which is GREAT! And the best part... I don't have to bleed everyday or take a pill everday... I must say I... Read more

I'm 19 and I've only been on the patch for a month and a week, but so far i like it. The first month was crazy though, i would get upset about everything and just cry for no reason, my poor boyfriend thought i was losing my mind but he was nice enough to understand that my body was just getting use to the patch and didn't think too much about me blowing up over stupid things or me randomly crying for hours. My boobs did swell to the point i couldn't lay on my stomach or fit into some of my smaller shirts. My boyfriend enjoyed that but i didn't so much...but after the frist month they don't hurt anymore ( i haven't messured them to see if they went back to normal or if they just stop hurting) and i don't find myself crying over stupid things anymore either. So basicly the first month was just crazy but after that my body was getting use to it and i feel like my old self again. i haven't gained weight but i lost 6 lbs so far so nothing bad there. and it doesn't bother my skin at all exce... Read more

I LOVE the patch, and recommend it to anyone looking for a more convenient form of birth control. I see allot of women have had some pretty bad side effects, but I have not had any. I'm thin ( 5'8" 120lbs) and have not gained any weight, nor have I had a appetite increase. I also haven't became more emotional or irrational. It actually made me more calm and not so emotional! My boyfriend said I was a ball of emotions allot before I was on the patch and now I have tougher skin and don't sweat the small stuff so much anymore. It did however make my sex drive go down slightly, but then again maybe that has just happened with age. I was 17 when I started the patch and used to want it 5 times a day. Now I'm 22 and I'm good with sleeping with my boyfriend 2wice a day. But yeah, I think a slight decrease in libido is normal once you're out of your teens. But we've been together for almost 5yrs and no complaints! And to get the residue off ladies just put some baby oil on a cotton ball and it ... Read more

My period can start a week before it's supposed to, even when the patch is still on and new, for tht matter. They unstick pretty easily if you exercise regularly like I do, every other day. I have more acne since, too. Only convenience is the weekly administration. If they made it transparent it might be a little less annoying, but since I am quite tan naturally, it does not look good.

I was on the patch for about a year and have recently switched to the nuvaring. I had no side effects what so ever other than irritation. Sometimes it was very intense, and i have noticed that once out of every few times my skin would stay irritated and rough feeling for weeks in the spot where i had it. You can see a square for a few weeks as well where you had the patch. The only reason i switched was because of the irritation getting so bad, and I didnt like that you could see it at times. My periods were regular for the most part. Sometimes it wouldnt start for a few days after i took the patch off which is said to be normal. i wouldnt recommend putting it on your lower front side because it gets bunched up and i got sores from it. Overall i liked it but everyone is different