- Developed in 2002, Ortho Evra was designed for women who did not feel that a daily birth control pill was right for them. In an effort to attract these types of women, pharmaceutical companies wanted to create a birth control method that was just as effective as the pill. However, this one did not require a daily pill. They decided on a patch method that--when applied directly to the skin--worked the same way as birth control pills.
- Using the same types of hormones as birth control pills, the Ortho Evra patch releases a combination of progestin and estrogen hormones that prevent ovulation from occurring. Unlike the pill, however, the Ortho Evra patch is designed for external use. Typically worn on the upper arm, upper torso or abdomen, the patch is effective for one full week. After a week, it can be replaced with a new one.
- Although Ortho Evra provides the same rate of effectiveness as the pill, the product tends to cost quite a bit more than the average brand of birth control pills. Because a generic form of Ortho Evra is not yet available, it can cost 30 to 40 dollars per month (not including the required medical exam). In addition, some insurance companies' prescription plans may not cover the use of Ortho Evra.
- Because Ortho Evra delivers hormones directly into the blood flow, the way your body processes them is very different. As a result, women using Ortho Evra are exposed to about 60 percent more estrogen than women using the pill.
- Thanks to increased estrogen levels, women who use Ortho Evra are more likely to gain 10 to 30 pounds while using the patch. For this reason, it is recommended that women over 198 pounds not use Ortho Evra. Additionally, Ortho Evra can increase symptoms such as nausea, bloating, skin irritation, and headaches.
