Ortho Evra and Itching: What Users Say

• Elb...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 12, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on the patch for about 5 years now and love it. I never had many problems with it. I didn't gain weight, but I typically will get a pimple or two the week before my period is supposed to start. I do get a slight skin irritation where I put it on. Only a little itchy and no big deal. I wear mine on my stomach and switch sides to help irritation. I don't think it hurts that bad to take off, it's like pulling off a bandaid. I have only had one fall off, and I was swimming every day for a week when it happened. I do notice I am more emotional (and slightly bitchy) while I'm on my period, but I put the new one on and I'm fine. Definitely would recommend!"

• Elb...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 12, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on the patch for about 5 years now and love it. I never had many problems with it. I didn't gain weight, but I typically will get a pimple or two the week before my period is supposed to start. I do get a slight skin irritation where I put it on. Only a little itchy and no big deal. I wear mine on my stomach and switch sides to help irritation. I don't think it hurts that bad to take off, it's like pulling off a bandaid. I have only had one fall off, and I was swimming every day for a week when it happened. I do notice I am more emotional (and slightly bitchy) while I'm on my period, but I put the new one on and I'm fine. Definitely would recommend!"

• Sha...
• October 18, 2013

For Birth Control "Loved the patch! Been using it for about 5 months. The first 2 months my breasts were super sore, but I went up 2 cup sizes! Soreness started to taper off after 2 months. Weight, acne, and sex drive did not seem to be impacted. If anything, they got better. Only complaint is that the patch would sometimes cause my skin to itch a lot."

• Fra...
• June 12, 2015

For Birth Control "I have been on birth control since I was 14 or 15 to control my period. I have been on the pill, the ring, and the shot. The shot was the devil, and while on the shot, I went to my gyn and told her I wouldn't stop bleeding, and I wanted to stop the shot, and I told her I wanted to try the patch. I was going to wait for the shot to wear off because I have 5 more weeks, but I couldn't take the bleeding, so I put on the patch on a Sunday. A couple of hours later, the bleeding stopped!! I love, love the patch, it is easy to remember. The only problem I have had the last 2 patches is it left my skin irritated, but it's my fault because I shaved the area before I put on the patch."

• hle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2014

For Birth Control "I really, really enjoy using this. I'm 17, and I am now on my period from the 2nd cycle. The only downside is sometimes it would feel like it itches, but it turns out it's the area around it. Also, my cramps are horrid right now, but I think this is a very effective contraceptive."

• HWD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2013

For Birth Control "This is the best birth control I've ever been on! I was put on the pill when I was 14 because I bled for around 15 days a month. Not fun. The pill didn't really help, I always had a lot of breakthrough bleeding, acne, and migraines. After 9 years of trying different 'types' of birth control pills (monophasic, biphasic, triphasic, high dose, low dose, Yaz, you name it, I was on it!), Implanon, and Paragard, and no success, my doctor said that I could try the patch, but otherwise, she didn't know what to tell me. It worked! I have normal periods, no acne or headaches, and I'm so happy! My only complaint is sometimes the patch is kind of itchy, but it depends on where you put it. A great bet for people who've had problems with other kinds of birth control!"

• Ama...
• March 4, 2013

For Birth Control "I originally took the pill, but the mood swings were too intense for me. I have not experienced any mood swings on the patch. I really like the patch because it cleared up my moderate teenage hormonal acne. I also like that I just have to change it once a week around the same time, and then I can forget about it. In addition, it has been my only form of birth control as long as I've been on it (other than pulling out), and having sex regularly, I have not gotten pregnant. However, it does leave my skin irritated and dry, and it can be very itchy. I prefer to put it on my back, which makes it hard to wear tank tops or other shirts that expose my back without having people ask about it. Overall, I think more people should look into the patch."

• his...
• March 2, 2013

For Birth Control "I was on Ortho Cyclen 28-day cycle for almost two years. I lost my sex drive, I gained almost thirty pounds in five months, my moods were horrid, and constant migraines. I switched to the patch, which I had been on previously. I'm on my second patch, and already my sex drive is returning, I'm dropping some of that weight I gained, and my breasts are growing (they aren't even tender). My only serious complaint is the itching. My skin itches where I place it and leaves a few little bumps that itch and burn. I'll take that and deal with it. Also, placement took a while to figure out, but the best area to put it on is your shoulder blades. They don't wrinkle and scrunch up, or collect the linty stuff there."

• Ann...
• December 31, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on the patch for 4 months now. The first month, I had spotting for about 2 weeks after my period, but it vanished completely, and I didn't have any spotting since. My periods seem to be less heavy, and my cramps are completely gone too - I never had bad ones before, though. I found the best place for me to wear it is on my butt. It does irritate the area, and it becomes itchy the last week. It always gets lint around the edges, but I just don't care anymore. Despite everything, I'm thinking of stopping using it. It has killed my sex drive, thus making my sex life miserable and endangering my relationship. I'm so dry and so uninterested in sex now when 5-6 months ago, I was a waterfall after the slightest caress. It's a shame."

• Anonymous
• December 14, 2012

For Birth Control "I had been on the patch for about 3 months. I had noticed a bit of mood swings, and my breasts grew as well (bonus). Unfortunately, for any of you women who have sensitive skin or are allergic to certain chemicals, I was allergic to the sticky glue on the back of the patch. Whenever it was on, I would be extremely itchy and have a terrible rash. It became so bad that I still have scars in the shape of the patch all over my body. So if you have sensitive skin, then be wary that the patch may cause a reaction!"

• jay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 27, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on the patch for almost 5 years now, and it's amazing. I tried the pill before, but always forgot to take it. The patch is perfect since you change it weekly. I haven't noticed any side effects whatsoever, the only downside I ever remember is the first couple of months it was really annoying and itchy, but now I never even notice it. And sometimes it starts to peel off in the shower, but in the time I've been on it, I've only had patches fall completely off twice, so overall this thing is an effective lifesaver. It has never failed me."

• Mol...
• November 15, 2013

For Birth Control "I am almost on my third week of the patch. The first day was awful, my cramps were so bad I couldn't sit through a meeting with my professor, and he told me not to go to class. The next day was absolutely fine and has been fine ever since. My breasts have already gotten much fuller. So far, no weight gain, I don't think, a little itchiness at the site of application, but it seems to be working really well."

• Try...
• May 8, 2018

For Birth Control "I've tried many forms of birth control, and this works the best for me. Pros: I can remember replacing it every week much better than taking a pill at the exact same time every day. My breasts have grown a full cup size, but they're incredibly sore and dense. I sleep on my side, so this isn't a huge problem. I don't have problems with skin irritation or the patch leaving sticky residue. I rub Bio-Oil on the area after removal. I stick them on my upper thigh and do not have problems with it peeling off, even after bathing, swimming, or going to an outdoor sauna/spa. I have never gotten pregnant! No nausea or weight gain (experienced both of these on oral contraceptives). Cons: It leaves a ridiculous (lack of) tan if left on somewhere visible during the summertime! My periods have become unmanageably painful. I keep my patch on for 9 weeks+ at a time, then take a 4-day break."

• Anonymous
• March 21, 2009

For Birth Control "I have used the patch for about five years. Unfortunately, because of cost and no insurance, I had to stop using it. Unlike the last person, my sex drive was low while using it. I loved the convenience of it-put it on and forget about it until next week. The little bit of adhesive residue was not a problem for me. I too alternated from one side of the pelvis to the other. There was a brief period that I experienced a side effect even with alternating. The area under the patch would become inflamed and would itch. It might have just been a bad batch of adhesive because it has never happened since. I would highly recommend Ortho Evra."

• Sna...
• August 1, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on the patch for almost 2 months, and I'm loving it! First of all, no baby, which is great! The first month was horrible, I had the worst mood swings, and I cried so much. I was so mean and kept on snapping at everyone. However, I got over it. I prefer to place the patch on either cheek of my buttocks because it hides it and also doesn't wrinkle and peel. However, it does itch at the site and when I remove it. My breasts have grown an entire cup size, which is not so great because I was a 36DD before the patch. I have noticed a slight weight gain, but I think that is from me consuming too much food when I have cravings. The patch works wonders, and my sex drive is great! Always in the mood."

• 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."

• spr...
• July 9, 2013

For Birth Control "I'm just about to start my 5th month on the patch, and now that my body's gotten used to it, I can honestly say that I love it! I felt completely normal the first month. The second month, however, I experienced mild itching around the patch, extreme mood swings during the 'off period,' and heavy spotting for 4 weeks while wearing the patch. After the second month, I was back to normal. No itching, no baby, no huge detrimental side effects except that I increased a cup size, acne is mild/did not change on the patch, no more spotting in between periods, and no mood swings. Overall, I would recommend the patch. Easy to use, put it on my butt and forget about it for a week. LOVE it."

• Aes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 11, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on two different pills, and after I had my son, I wanted to find something that lasted longer. Until I decided, my OB-GYN put me on the patch. I love how it's once a week. It's easy to remember. I've been on it for almost a year (in March). However, lately, every patch has started to leave big red squares where they used to be. The skin where the patches were is dry, red, and bumpy. Sometimes they burn, but mostly they itch. I moved and haven't gotten a new doctor, so I can't change it. Other than that, I have absolutely no sex drive-but I haven't had a sex drive since I had my son two years ago. So... yeah. Haven't really gained weight with it. It's been great except for the red patches it's started to leave."

• Tes...
• March 27, 2013

For Birth Control "I've been on the patch for a month now. So far, so good. My breasts look great, I've even got a butt now, which I'm happy about. My only complaint is that the first day putting it on, it itches. I have a lot of sex drive. Loving the patch so far."

• Lov...
• March 9, 2017

For Birth Control "I've been on the patch for 4 months now. The first couple of days in week one, I have a low-grade headache, but nothing Tylenol can't fix. I found putting the patch on my shoulders or my back gets way too itchy! So I put mine under my underwear line on my outside thigh, and it doesn't itch near as bad. It sticks pretty well, and by the time it looks like it's about to fall off, it's time to put on the new patch anyway. I started my patch on Sunday, and when it's the week without it, I know exactly when I will get my period and when it will end. It lasts about 6 days (only major downside for me because without birth control, mine usually only lasts 3 days). Cramps are a little worse but bearable and only happen the day before my period and the day of. No weight gain."

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2015

For Birth Control "I've been on two types of birth control pills, and I had breakthrough bleeding no matter what for months. So I tried the patch. This was nice because I didn't forget to take it, etc. It lasts a week, you can take it off a day later if needed. It for sure regulated my period, which was great. I've always had a crazy high sex drive, and that didn't change. BUT I hated the patch because it would collect fabric around the rim, the skin underneath would get super itchy. If you're sexually active, etc., it can shift or fall off. Once taking it off, it left terrible rashes and would leave a mark for about two weeks after. It was really bad, so I'm now going off it to try different pills instead of the patch. Not good for your skin at all."

• Ria...
• April 14, 2013

For Birth Control "I switched to the patch a little over a year ago after being on the pill 'Microgynon' for almost two years. I was getting really bad breakthrough bleeding with the pill, so I wanted to try something different. The patch has been great for me this past year, though I generally found the easiest place to put it was on my stomach, as arms and back just itched too much! My biggest problem is how unsightly it is - I wear black leggings for work 5 days a week, and the edges of the patch collect a horrible black lint from them all week. Additionally, if I have a long bath or go swimming, the edges start lifting, and sometimes I have to change it midweek as it's started to peel off. Overall, it does what it should and hasn't caused any problems."

• Car...
• March 3, 2010

For Birth Control "I've used it off and on for the past few years or more (depending on if I was single or not). Indeed, it is simple to remember to use and quite effective. My only complaint is skin irritation from time to time and tender breasts. Those are the only reasons why I didn't rate this product a 10, but other than that, I'd suggest it to anyone who is in the recommended age/health group."

• One...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2013

For Birth Control "I tried the Ortho Evra patch for one day, and instantly the patch was extremely itchy. I had a continuous headache within hours of the medication. I felt nauseous and a little achy. Honestly, it's probably not for everyone. I'm only 145 lbs, and I've never been on birth control before, so hopefully the hormones wear off and have no long-term side effects."

• Dia...
• August 30, 2015

For Birth Control "This is my first birth control ever - after I had an abortion in July. Decided to take on the patch because it is easy and convenient, and you don't have to remember to take it every day, just once a week, and my change patch day is every Monday. On my patch-free week today, menses came. Tomorrow will be my second month wearing it, and so far, so good. Side effects are mainly headache and a big appetite, however, no weight gain, no breakouts, and some spotting in between. Cons: lint will adhere to the patch, and it could be itchy for me once in a while."