Reviews Of The Things I Tried

One of the benefits of the Ortho-Evra patch is that it is transdermal. By simply attaching it to one of 4 areas (upper arms, upper back, abdomen, and back), the hormones will seep through skin pores. Birth control effectiveness is not immediate, so folks should abstain from unprotected sex for a few days before the hormones take effect.

It should also be stated that the patch does not prevent or protect HIV or sexually trasmitted diseases.

What the patch does do is prevent pregnancy by preventing ovulation. The patch works by seeping hormones (namely estrogren and progestin) through the skin and through the bloodstream. In my personal case, preventing ovulation also prevents cysts from forming. It also helps me to keep track of when my period will start, which is a major plus for those who have somewhat irregular cycles, like me!

For someone who is pretty bad at keeping track of pills, having the patch is a nice alternative!

Upon a yearly visit to my OB/GYN, I found out that I was suffering from more than a monthly period. I had developed some cysts on my ovaries and my menstral cramps were somewhat worse than usual. Although cysts are common during ovulation, the number found on my ovaries were of some mild concern. After a few ultrasound tests and x-rays, my doctor suggested trying birth control as a means to prevent cysts.

I was apprehensive at first and hinted that I wasn’t the best at taking pills regularly. (I often forgot the times I was supposed to take them.) Not really the best habit to have when taking birth control which requires a daily dosage, at preferably the same time every day.

So my doctor suggested Ortho Evra, the “Once-a-Week” adhesive patch.

The transdermal - or “through the skin” weekly patch is one of the latest advancements in contraceptives. By simply attaching a patch to one of a few areas: upper outer arm, upper torso (excluding breasts), abdomen, or buttocks, a woman can be free to resume all activities for a week before replacing the patch with a new one.

The patch is reported to be 99 percent effective when used as prescribed - once a week for 3 consecutive weeks.

Pretty good odds, I say?

Thankfully, my doctor gave me a couple months’ worth supply of patches to try out. They came in nifty little plastic cases, each patch tightly sealed, and packaged in a very discrete blue zip-up case that could be used to easily carry other daily toiletries!