Ortho Evra and Headaches: What Users Say

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 22, 2014

For Birth Control "When I first went to the doctor, I was not interested in the patch. She talked me into it and said if I didn't like it after a few months, to come back and we would change it. With the birth control pills I used to take, I had to pay $50 a month. Although, with the patch, I am paying nothing. FREE! Now to the symptoms. The first 3 months sucked between headaches, nausea, being moody, and tired. The worst symptom was cramps when I was not on my period at random times. It hurt so bad and was very annoying. After 3 months of using the patch, the symptoms are gone and I absolutely LOVE THE PATCH. I have been on it for about 6 months and the only downfall is that clothes lint collects around it, but it's not a huge deal if you put it where no one can see."

• MS9...
• September 17, 2014

For Birth Control "I am rating this a 10 because I believe it's extremely effective. I have been on the patch for almost 4 years, and I never once had a pregnancy scare. For me, I get regular periods, but I also get most of the side effects. After the first few months, periods are regular, mine last between 3-5 days. I get more emotional, I get mood swings, cramps, headaches, I bloat, I basically get all the side effects, but they are not severe. Every once in a while, they are pretty bad, but that will only happen once every 6 months to a year. On the patch, I never gained weight from it. The only thing I truly dislike about it is I will get really nauseous and throw up if I don't eat anything the night before I put a new one on, and recently I'll have bloody discharge."

• hmh...
• October 26, 2009

For Birth Control "I was on Ortho Evra for 4 years and absolutely loved it! I had no problems with it up until the last year. I recommend this product 100%, if used like the package states. It's very easy to use and very convenient, I mean how easy is it to remember to switch it once a week? Very effective as well! I used it continuously (with no off week) because I had really bad headaches during my period week and loved it at first, until about 6 months later and I started having a lot of horrible cramping and breakthrough bleeding. The cramps were more frequent than the bleeding, but just as annoying. I talked with my doctor who told me I needed to force my body to have a period, so I tried that (took the patch off for a week) and that didn't help. My doctor said that with this medication used continuously there isn't enough estrogen and the body can't handle that sometimes. I am currently using Seasonique, which I haven't had any problems with yet. I wanted to let everyone know of my experience, but that I still recommend the product, just not for continuous use."

• Lil...
• March 2, 2011

For Birth Control "It may be too early for me to review this since I've only been on it for a month, but I thought I'd share my beginning side effects for the people who are curious. So far, I haven't gained weight, or had hair loss, spotting, or any of that. I have had some headaches here and there, as well as nausea, which when I chew some gum, goes away in no time, and also some moodiness-not a big deal, though. By what I've gone through from the start of it, I would say I definitely love this medicine. Absolutely recommend it to others."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 14, 2019

For Birth Control "I am 33 years old and have been using the Ortho Evra transdermal patch for approximately 16 months. I ran out of the patches, so I had a gap and started the cycle again. Everything seemed okay, my periods were normal and all well for the first year. The last 4 months of using the patches, I started with medical problems. I had fatigue, dizziness, irregular periods, very heavy headaches, and tiredness. I fainted, and then after that, it went downhill. I knew something was wrong but never linked it to the patches. It progressed, and I ended up with the most severe headache, sickness, etc. I was sent to the hospital via ambulance, and it turns out they think the patches caused a TIA (mini-stroke). I stayed in overnight and am waiting for my MRI appointment to come through to see if any long-term damage, blood clots, etc. The hospital's recommendation was to remove the patch immediately and never use it again. So I definitely don't recommend it. It is too risky."

• ml1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2017

For Birth Control "I started the patch on Friday. I felt fine Friday night. I woke up Saturday morning and felt okay. As the day progressed, my nausea got worse. Woke up Sunday feeling okay, but around 11 pm, the nausea came back. I had a headache and my saliva was really thick. I went to bed that night feeling horrible, not getting much sleep. Monday, I woke up feeling extremely lethargic. I ended up having to leave work early because I thought I was going to pass out. I went home and slept most of the day. Tuesday morning, I spent by the toilet and called my doctor, who told me to take it off if it continued. I just took it off 30 minutes ago and I already feel better."

• Pat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 1, 2021

For Birth Control "The issue with a lot of these reviews is they don't give the patch time to settle. You're giving your body hormones that it isn't used to having excess of, so it can take up to 6 months for it to fully settle. I've been on the patch for 8 years and love it. The first 3 months, I had headaches, cramps, and slight nausea, but after that, I have had 0 side effects. No other birth control works for me, and I would recommend the patch. Please just give it time, it won't be for everyone, but 3 weeks, like most of the reviewers have had it for, just isn't long enough."

• Mar...
• May 3, 2016

For Birth Control "So, I've had the patch for six and a half years now... I remember my first month with it... it was crazy! I had some mood swings and terrible headaches, but I decided to be brave and just give it a try since it was my very first birth control, and after four weeks, all the symptoms went away.... Ever since, I've been super happy with it, and I just love it. I never gained a pound with it, never had mood swings with it, never had a baby, hahahar... I wear it on my back, switching from side to side every week, and never had irritation of the skin. It has never fallen off in six years either... The only issue is now, after six years of it, I'm starting to get some spotting. So... Don't give up so easily on the patch!! Haha, it's not for everyone, but it might be for you."

• Nel...
• December 22, 2014

For Birth Control "I first decided to try the patch after trying the pills for several months. I liked the idea of only having to worry about changing it once a week, as opposed to having to worry about the pill every day. At first, everything was perfect, I had some spotting here and there, but nothing major. My mood was normal, and I had no weight gain. The downside of it for me was the headaches. I got terrible headaches from it."

• Pia...
• January 22, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on the patch for 4 years. This is the best birth control method. Of course, like anything, your body has to get used to a foreign object that's attached to your body and lets estrogen through your skin. Your body will go through changes (nausea, sweats, headaches), but good luck finding a method that will leave you symptom-free. Once you get through that yucky part, you'll notice weight gain and also your breasts will get larger and tender. For most, I don't think this goes away. For myself, I do have a little bit of a tummy (I'm 105 lbs), and my boobs have gone up a whole cup size. I find the patch to be insanely convenient. After years of using it, I have zero problems with it. I can only say great things about this BC method!"

• Sun...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I’ve been on the patch off and on for 5 years! I tried Mirena IUD, and this was 1000x better and easier on my body. Normally, without any birth control, I suffered from extreme hormonal acne, massive depressive mood (PPMD), along with all the typical side effects of the monthly cycle. I report on Ortho Evra everything got easier for me! The occasional headache or breakout, slight cramping from time to time. Overall, this patch saved my life. The only downfall is finding a spot that it stays for a week at a time, managing activities around patch placement, lol. One small note is I went off in hopes to conceive and ended up with an ectopic pregnancy, that I was very lucky to notice on day 5 before. So patch has slowed down my egg release for sure. I was 29 at the time, I am 31 now and continue to stay on the patch with no problems."

• hor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2013

For Birth Control "I just began the second week of the patch, and so far, I love it! I put the patch on my bum, and I alternate which sides every week. It stays on through showers, school, sex, etc. I haven't really had any side effects except a little bit of a headache every now and then, but I don't know if that even has anything to do with the patch because I have a problem staying hydrated. It's not the most attractive looking thing, but my boyfriend likes to see it because it lowers his stress and thus makes sex more enjoyable. Once this month is over, I'll make another review to see if anything has changed!"

• Mic...
• December 13, 2013

For Birth Control "My experience with the patch was terrible. I started it Wednesday night, and by the evening of Thursday, I had a headache and felt completely drained at work, to the point where I had to ask my manager if I could be sent home. Went to bed around 9:30 but kept frequently waking up throughout the night. I had the most intense nausea, threw up, and then threw up again in the morning. Felt as if I was pregnant even though I'm not (on my period while I put the patch on). Immediately took the patch off me. The side effects were too brutal for me to endure."

• Kel...
• May 29, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on the patch for 3 weeks now. I am now on my patch-free week, and I think it's great. There's no itching or reddening at the placement site, and I alternate between placements each week, which helps. I feel nauseous every once in a while, but that may be contributed to other things, and it subsides relatively quickly. I had a slight headache the first day of application, but none since. I've had a few mood swings, but once again, it could be contributed to other things. Oh, and my breasts have grown, which is a plus for some. Slight tenderness but only to touch. Sex drive has increased. And it's so easy to remember! I'm 98 lbs and 5'1'."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 27, 2013

For Birth Control "After looking at all birth control, I decided to go with the patch since it had the least side effects. This is my first birth control ever, and I was worried how I would feel. I read the reviews on here and was expecting a horrible headache the first day I put it on, but I didn't feel any different at all. It's still my first week, but so far, everything is great! I forget it's even on me, and my sex drive is still beyond great!"

• wis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 12, 2014

For Birth Control "I'm 21 years old, and have been on the patch for 2 years now. In the beginning, I wasn't nauseous or anything, but in the last couple of months, nausea and headache have gotten really bad. I'm still going to be on it for two more weeks until I get an IUD. Cannot wait! Other than that, it's pretty good, no pregnancy, no dryness, no mood swings."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2019

For Birth Control "I have been using the Ortho Evra patch for 4 months. At the beginning, the side effects were not good, I had nausea, headaches, and sore breasts. In the first month, I had breakthrough bleeding for 7 days. But after those two months with side effects, everything was normalized, only the pain in the breasts remained, but only when the period is coming. I still consider it a very good method for me because I should not remember every day, as I am too forgetful to take pills. Llevo usando el Evra 4 meses. Y al principio, los efectos secundarios fueron rudos conmigo, tenía náuseas, dolores de cabeza, y dolor en los senos. Y el primer mes tuve un sangrado intermenstrual por 7 días. Pero luego de esos dos meses con efectos, todo se normalizó, solo quedaron los dolores en los senos cuando está por venirme el periodo. Pero aún así considero que es un muy buen método para mí debido a que no debo recordar cada día porque soy muy olvidadizo para tomar píldoras."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on the patch for about 4 months now, and I can honestly say that I love it. This is my first time being on BC, and I did a lot of research before picking one out. The first 3 months, I experienced some of the side effects: headaches, nausea, sore breasts, emotional as hell. But all that stopped in the 3rd month. I still get a little emotional, but that's just regular PMSing. Do not buy the generic brand, it sucks ass. It doesn't stick as well as the name brand, so I spend the $5 to get it. My skin gets a little irritated around the patch, but I have seriously dry skin, so that can play a factor. Overall, I'm loving it! My BF can relax a little because he doesn't have to worry about condoms anymore because this is more cost-efficient."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 6, 2014

For Birth Control "I have been on the patch for 10 months now, and I absolutely love it. I don't worry about pregnancy scares at all. The only downside I have is that when I put on a new patch after my period, I get really nauseated and a bad headache for a few hours, but this started about 3 months ago. The other downside is that when I exercise and take hot showers, it seems to make the patch slip off. But it's honestly the best birth control I've been on, easy to use and great protection."

• kja...
• June 30, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on Ortho Evra for 3 years now, previously, I was on the pill. I gained an additional 5 or so lbs when I switched over, but I think it's way worth it. My period is now regular, and my usual heavy flow significantly decreased. Recently, my pharmacy has started giving me the generic, don't do it. I have spotting all the time, pretty heavy. It's like having a regular period in between periods. For the first time last week, the spotting was really heavy, I'm switching back to the brand name. Other than that, no mood swings, no decrease in sex drive, no nausea/headaches/breast pain/etc. Great birth control!"

• Ber...
• January 26, 2017

For Birth Control "I'm on week three of the patch, and I can't wait for it to be over. This is the second time this year I've used the patch, and I remember the same side effects as before: headache during most of the first week, coupled with constant nausea. The only thing that seems to make the nausea subside is eating! Needless to say, I've noticed some weight gain! I suppose you've got to try these things... In theory, it's a great idea, unfortunately, it doesn't work for me."

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 5, 2017

For Birth Control "...and I was thinking I'm imagining stuff. I just started my 7th month on the patch. The last 5 days, I worked myself sick thinking about whether I had a brain tumor and dying on my little girls, couldn't snap out of the mood. From the beginning of taking these, I had those headaches (progressively worsening...) and it worried me a lot. I was feeling sick but not being able to puke, horrible loss of balance and vertigo (full whack with eyeball movement), weight gain (but I blamed that on the fact that I stopped running due to muscle pain and balance problems). The patches left red marks and rash, itchy skin (all over), and a little cough with no reason... Lately, the anxiety problems are my biggest scare. I booked the GP. The EVRA is going bye-bye... One pro - no pregnancy."

• Anonymous
• August 18, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been using the patch for over 3 years now. It is the first birth control method I chose because I was afraid of forgetting to take a pill every day, and it sounded easier than other forms of birth control. When I placed the patch on my stomach, it gave me cramps and nausea, so I alternate butt cheeks instead. This also keeps it hidden, the edges of the patch have excess adhesive, so it sticks to underwear rather than clothes, and the underwear or swimsuit keeps it in place if sweaty or wet. At 30 years, 5'11" and 150 lbs, I've gained about 10 lbs in the past 3 years, so probably unrelated to the patch. My biggest complaint is that my occasional headaches have become bad migraines, so I may look at other options. Loved it until now."

• 16y...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2016

For Birth Control "In my personal experience, this was horrible. Been on it for 3 days and just took it off tonight because I can't handle it anymore. I am puking all night (10-12 times) and can't hold anything down. I am having body aches and can't stop shaking. And also, a massive headache that Advil won't get rid of. It works for a lot of people, I guess just not for me."

• Sun...
• June 6, 2016

For Birth Control "I have been on the patch for a month now. I absolutely love it! I have tried the pill and was having the worst headaches of my life, and I was already on the lowest dosage. I gave up on the pill after 3 months. I have finished my first month and have experienced no weight gain, mood swings, depression, or headaches. The only side effects I have experienced are that my breasts have grown slightly and become slightly tender before I get my period, and I have a little bit more cramping when on my period. Besides these side effects, I honestly feel like I'm on no birth control. The only negative I would say is that the patch can begin to peel, which is easily fixable with cushion tape. I have PCOS and the patch has been the best option for me!"