About
A birth control patch is a new method of contraception for women. It is available as a small plastic square patch (Brand name Ortho Evra) that contains the two female hormones, estrogen in the form of ethinyl estradiol and progesterone in the form of norelgestromin.
It acts in the following ways:
- It prevents the release of the egg from the ovary
- It causes changes in the cervical mucus, thus preventing the sperm from reaching the egg
- It changes the inner lining of the uterus, thus preventing implantation of the egg
Though its effect starts immediately after application, an additional contraception is advised for the first 7 days after starting the patch. The patch does not protect the woman from AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases.
The birth control patch is similar to oral contraceptive pills in terms of mechanism of action, benefits and side effects. Its main advantage is that it needs to be changed only once a week. This avoids the problem of missed doses with the oral pills.
The major problem or disadvantage with the patch is that it can increase the risk of blood clot formation more than the conventional pill. Hence a careful patient selection is necessary to ensure that the woman will have maximum benefit with least side effects.
- William A. Fisher, Amanda Black. Contraception in Canada: a review of method choices, characteristics, adherence and approaches to counselling. CMAJ • March 27, 2007 • 176(7):953-61
- Alessandra Graziottin. Safety, efficacy and patient acceptability of the combined estrogen and progestin transdermal contraceptive patch: a review
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Dr. Simi Paknikar. (2016, February 11). Birth Control Patch – How to Use, Advantages and Disadvantages. Medindia. Retrieved on May 28, 2023 from https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/birth-control-patch.htm.
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MLA
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Chicago
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Harvard
Dr. Simi Paknikar. 2016. Birth Control Patch – How to Use, Advantages and Disadvantages. Medindia, viewed May 28, 2023, https://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/birth-control-patch.htm.
Latest Publications and Research on Birth Control Patch
- Developmental effects of daily food availability times on song behaviour and neuronal plasticity of song-control system in male zebra finches. - Published by PubMed
- Comparison of a transdermal contraceptive patch with a newly sourced adhesive component versus EVRA patch: A double-blind, randomized, bioequivalence and adhesion study in healthy women. - Published by PubMed
- Intimate Partner Violence around the Time of Pregnancy and Postpartum Contraceptive Use. - Published by PubMed
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What are the consequences of using birth control pills during menstruation?
hi My Gynae recommended that I use the Evra patch, after a while my gynae did a test and he found out that my right side fallopian tube was blocked and confirmed that I will never fall pregnant again.Please advise me if the patch caused that blockage?
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