Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
close window
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffAn estimated 9 out of 1,000 women will get pregnant during the first year of typical use of Ortho Evra.
Ortho Evra doesn't offer protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Side effects of Ortho Evra may include:
- An increased risk of blood-clotting problems, heart attack, stroke, liver cancer, gallbladder disease and high blood pressure
- Breakthrough bleeding or spotting
- Skin irritation
- Breast tenderness or pain
- Menstrual pain
- Headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Mood swings
- Weight gain
- Dizziness
- Acne
- Diarrhea
- Muscle spasms
- Vaginal infections and discharge
- Fatigue
- Fluid retention
Recent studies have shown that Ortho Evra causes a higher level of estrogen to circulate in the body than do combination birth control pills. As a result, you may have a slightly higher risk of estrogen-related adverse events, such as blood clots, while taking Ortho Evra than if you took combination birth control pills.
References
- Birth control methods fact sheet. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/birth-control-methods.cfm. Accessed Nov. 9, 2012.
- Ortho Evra (prescribing information). Raritan, N.J.: Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc.; 2012. http://www.orthoevra.com/fullprescribeinfo.html. Accessed Nov. 14, 2012.
- Zieman M. Overview of contraception. http://www.uptodate.com/home/. Accessed Nov. 9, 2012.
- Hatcher RA, et al. Contraceptive Technology. 20th ed. New York, N.Y.: Ardent Media; 2011:343.
- Burkman RT. Transdermal contraceptive patch. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 14, 2012.
- Dore DD, et al. Extended case-control study results on thromboembolic outcomes among transdermal contraceptive users. Contraception. 2010;81:408.
Find Mayo Clinic on