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Why it's done
By Mayo Clinic staffOrtho Evra is a type of contraception. Ortho Evra:
- Helps prevent pregnancy
- Eliminates the need to interrupt sex for contraception or seek partner compliance
- Doesn't require a personalized fitting or daily attention
- Provides a steady dose of hormones
- Can be worn during most activities, including showers, strenuous physical activity and swimming
- Can be removed at any time, followed by a quick return to fertility
Ortho Evra isn't appropriate for everyone, however. Your health care provider may discourage use of Ortho Evra if you:
- Are age 35 or older and smoke
- Are breast-feeding or recently gave birth, had a miscarriage or had an abortion
- Have chest pain or a history of heart attack, stroke or severe high blood pressure
- Have a history of blood clots in your legs, lungs or eyes
- Have a history of breast, uterine or liver cancer
- Weigh more than 198 pounds (90 kilograms)
- Have liver disease, migraines with aura or diabetes-related complications of the kidneys, eyes, nerves or blood vessels
- Have unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Developed yellowing of the whites of the eyes or of the skin (jaundice) during pregnancy or previous use of hormonal contraceptives
- Are about to be immobilized for a prolonged period due to major surgery
- Are sensitive to any components of Ortho Evra
In addition, tell your health care provider if you have:
- A family history of breast cancer
- Breast lumps, fibrocystic disease or an abnormal mammogram
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol or triglycerides
- Epilepsy
- Gallbladder, liver, heart or kidney disease
- Irregular periods
- A condition that could be worsened by fluid retention
- Depression
- Skin conditions, such as psoriasis, eczema or sunburn
References
- Schorge JO, et al. Contraception and sterilization. Williams Gynecology. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3151449. Accessed Sept. 30, 2009.
- Frequently asked questions: Birth control methods. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/birth-control-methods.pdf. Accessed Sept. 30, 2009.
- Burkman RT. Transdermal hormonal contraception: Benefits and risks. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2007;197:134.
- Cole JA, et al. Venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, and stroke among transdermal contraceptive system users. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2007;109:339.
- Ortho Evra (prescribing information). Raritan, N.J.: Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc.; 2009. http://www.orthoevra.com/shared/pi/OrthoEvraPI.pdf. Accessed Sept. 30, 2009.
- Jick SS, et al. The risk of unintended pregnancies in users of the contraceptive patch compared to users of oral contraceptives in the UK General Practice Research Database. Contraception. 2009;80:142.
- Birth control. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/ab020.cfm. Accessed Sept. 25, 2009.
- Zieman M. Overview of contraception. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 30, 2009.
- Nanda K. Contraceptive patch and vaginal contraceptive ring. In: Hatcher RA, et al. Contraceptive Technology. 19th ed. New York, N.Y.: Ardent Media Inc.; 2007:271.
- Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 4, 2009.
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