﻿ OrthoEvra™ Contraceptive Patch - McKinley Health Center - University of Illinois

OrthoEvra™ Contraceptive Patch

What is the contraceptive patch?

OrthoEvra™ is a transdermal contraceptive. It is a thin beige square patch with one sticky side that is applied directly to the skin. When used correctly it will stay in place and provide a stable dose of medication. Patches are applied weekly for three weeks and removed on the fourth week. During the patch-free week a woman will usually have her period.

What medications are in the patch?
How does it differ from other methods of birth control?

The patch contains a combination of the hormones estrogen and progestin. These are the same hormones used in most birth control pills and are similar to the natural hormones produced by the body during the menstrual cycle. The primary difference between the patch and the pill is the manner in which the medication is delivered into the blood stream. The medication in the patch is absorbed through the skin directly into the blood stream.

How does the patch work?

The progestin component in the patch prevents the ovary from releasing an egg (ovulation). If ovulation does not occur, a woman cannot become pregnant. The uterine lining is also thinner than normal. This change in the uterine lining helps inhibit the implantation of a fertilized egg providing additional protection in case ovulation occurs. These hormones also cause an alteration in the cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to enter the uterus.

How effective is the patch?

In studies provided to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during the FDA approval process, effectiveness ratings are listed as 99% when used according to recommendations on the label. This is comparable to the pill and other hormonal contraceptives. The risk of pregnancy increases if the patch is used incorrectly.

Are there risks to using the patch?

Health risks related to the contraceptive patch are low when compared to the risks of pregnancy. Hormones from patches are absorbed and removed differently from the body than hormones from the birth control pills taken by mouth. You will be exposed to about 60% more estrogen if you use OrthoEvra than if you use a typical birth control pill containing 35 micrograms of estrogen. In general, increased estrogen exposure may increase the risk of side effects. However, it is not known with certainty if there are differences in the risk of serious side effects based on the differences between OrthoEvra and a birth control pill containing 35 micrograms of estrogen. Estrogen affects the way the body forms blood clots. There is some evidence that the patch increases the risk of blood clots compared to low dose oral contraceptives. Blood clots may form in the legs, lungs, brain or other vital organs causing serious health problems. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular complications, which is greater when a woman smokes more than 15 cigarettes daily and increases significantly when she is also over 35 years of age. Other factors that increase the risk of blood clots are high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and migraine headaches with aura or neurological symptoms.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical care immediately.

A - Abdominal pain (severe)
C - Chest pain- shortness of breath, coughing up blood
H - Headache (severe), numbness or weakness in arms or legs
E - Eye problems (vision loss, blurring, flashing lights)
S - Severe leg pain in calf or thigh

What are the benefits of using a patch for contraception?

The benefits of the patch are similar to those of other combined hormonal contraceptives. In addition to the high rates of effectiveness, other benefits include:

Are there other things I should consider?

What about cancer and the patch?

There is little information available specifically about the patch and cancer. However, since the patch and birth control pills utilize the same types of hormones, it is expected to have similar effects. That information is included for your review.

Migraine headaches have been associated with an increase risk of stroke. Users of oral contraceptives with a history of migraine headaches are 2-4 times more likely to have a stroke. Other factors that increase the risk of blood clot formation include smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and being overweight.

What are the side effects?

The most common side effects of the patch are mid-cycle bleeding, spotting and breast tenderness. These side effects will usually resolve within the first 2-3 months of use.

Occasionally a woman may experience a very light or absent period during the patch-free week. If the patches have been used exactly as prescribed, you may re-apply a patch as scheduled. If this occurs two months in a row, please contact your health care provider. If the instructions have not been followed carefully, there may be a risk of pregnancy. For eligible students, home pregnancy test kits are available at McKinley's Health Resource Centers located at McKinley in the main lobby (walk-up window on the left) and at the Illini Union, Room 40 (lower level near the Food Court).

What about drug interactions?

Contraceptive effectiveness may be reduced when hormonal contraceptives are administered at the same time as other drugs. Breakthrough bleeding or unintended pregnancy can result. Examples of drugs that potentially interfere with contraceptive hormones include antifungals, seizure medications and possibly antibiotics. For additional information please refer to the handout "Pill Interactions with Other Drugs."

How do I get a patch prescription?

A prescription for the patch can be obtained from a McKinley Women's Health provider or an outside provider. For a prescription from a McKinley provider, an annual exam needs to be documented within the past 12 months. First time hormonal contraception users need to take the on-line birth control education session at: http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/Interactive/bcclass/1_introduction.htm

How do I use the patch?

To apply the patch:

When do I start using the patch?

There are three start options when you have not been using any other hormonal method of birth control:

  1. First day start: Apply a patch on the first day of your menstrual period. No backup birth control method is needed.

  2. Sunday start: Apply a patch on the first Sunday after your period starts. You must continue to use a condom for the first seven days of the first patch cycle. Thereafter, assuming that the patch application instructions are followed, the contraceptive protection is continuous.

  3. Quick Start:  Apply a patch the day of your appointment with your provider, regardless of where you are in your menstrual cycle. This allows you to start the patch immediately, without waiting until you get your period. If you use the Quick Start method, it is necessary to use condoms or another back-up method of birth control for seven days. Women concerned about a possible pregnancy before starting the patch should wait until they get their period and choose either the first day start or Sunday start method. If using the Quick Start method, your period will be delayed until your patch-free week. If you do not get a period during the placebo week, take a urine pregnancy test. You may experience break-through bleeding; continue using the patch as directed, even if unscheduled bleeding occurs.

If switching from the birth control pill or vaginal ring:

Apply the patch on the first day of bleeding. By doing this, it will not be necessary to use any backup birth control. If starting the patch later than the first day of bleeding, a (back-up contraception) should be used for seven days.

If you later wish to switch your patch change day

You may do so by waiting until the patch-free week. Choose the day you want to use as your Patch Change Day and re-apply the patch on the chosen day, instead of waiting for the original Patch Change Day. It is safe to shorten the patch-free week, but you should never leave the patch off for more than seven days. If you shorten the patch-free week, you may still be bleeding when you re-apply the patch.

What if the patch comes off or the edges lift up?


For less than 24 hours:

Apply a new patch. No contraceptive back-up is needed. The Patch Change Day remains the same. You may experience some bleeding.  Complete the usual cycle of 3 patches.

Greater than or equal to 24 hours:

During Week 1: Apply a new patch (ASAP) as soon a possible. Patch change day stay the same. Complete the usual cycle of 3 patches. You may not be protected from pregnancy.. Use a back-up method of contraception for 7 days. .Consider emergency contraception (EC) if have had unprotected intercourse within the previous 5 days.  You may experience bleeding.

During Week 2 or 3 and detachment less than 72 hours (<3 days):

Apply new patch as soon as possible.  Patch change day stays the same.  Finish the cycle of patches then start a new 3-patch cycle with no hormone free week.

During Week 2 or 3 and the detachment is greater than or equal to 72 hours (3 days):

Apply a new patch as soon as possible.  Patch change day stays the same.  Finish the cycle of patches and then start a new 3-patch cycle with no hormone free week.  Use back up contraception for 7 days.  Consider emergency contraception if repeated or prolonged times with no patch.

What if I forgot to change the patch?

Extended wear greater than or equal to 9 days

Patch 1 or 2 left on for 9 to 11 days. Apply new patch. Patch change day stays the same.  Finish the cycle of patches and start a new 3-patch cycle with no hormone free interval.

For greater than or equal to 12 days: Apply a new patch

Patch change day stays the same day.  Use back-up method like condoms and spermicide for 7days. Consider emergency contraception if unprotected intercourse within previous 5 days.

Extended wear of patch 3 will not reduce birth control protection unless left on past the scheduled start of the new patch cycle.


OrthoEvra information may be found on the web site at: www.orthoevra.com

If you have any questions or concerns, or need an appointment,
please call Dial-A-Nurse at 333-2700 and select Women's Health.


Missed Doses of Hormonal Contraceptive. Pharmacist’s Letter/Prescriber’s Letter 2009; 25(1):250120.
Hatcher, Robert A., et al. Contraceptive Technology. 19th ed.  New York: Ardent Media, 2007.