Ortho Evra and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• April 19, 2012

For Birth Control "I have been on Ortho Evra for three months, and my experiences so far have been okay. The very first week of starting the patch, I was very nauseous, had some diarrhea, and very bad headaches (however, I think this would be the case with most methods). Usually, the first week is the worst. Since then, I've had random headaches and nausea (mostly on the patch 'change' days). Unfortunately, I had terrible abnormal vaginal bleeding that seemed to be like a heavy period for a little bit over two weeks. My only other complaint is that the patch gets stuck to my clothing a lot, and it concerns me. Sometimes it gets bubbles in it, or it looks like it's falling off. However, I like the ease of use and the fact that it is not a pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2012

For Birth Control "In the fourth month of using the patch, and my first time on hormonal birth control. I'm in my mid-40s, never smoked, slightly high blood pressure, but my doctor didn't think it would cause further elevation. I really like it. It's not as cheap as a generic pill, but wonderful not to worry about missing a dose. The patch sticks on fine and adhered again well if caught on a slipped bra strap when I wore it on my outer arm. I'm now wearing it on my butt and it's fine. It will leave a mark that doesn't easily come off for days and is prone to picking up lint on the sides, but I am okay with that. No weight gain, moodiness, or other issues. May have had a pimple or two in the first months, short nausea with the very first application, and heavier periods with additional but slight cramping. My sex drive dropped for a time but has returned to normal and I have no problems there. I think I feel a bit low emotionally the week it's off. Overall, no concerns I can't live with, and I love the easy protection and confidence of seeing it on."

• Sal...
• June 13, 2022

For Birth Control "I had Evra patches last week. The first night was fine, didn’t have any side effects, but the next day was horrible: dizziness, tiredness, and nausea. Then I thought maybe they would go away, but at night I couldn’t sleep, threw up, then I removed it immediately. Now I feel much better."

• Xul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2017

For Birth Control "I have PMDD and needed my hormones to be balanced. My mood was atrocious, and it had almost ruined my marriage. I've used Celexa 40 mg, which was awesome, however, I was unable to have an orgasm. This was very frustrating for both my husband and myself. So my psychiatrist advised me to get off of Celexa after we tried a few other things with Celexa that didn't work. I was on Xulane for 3 months and loved it. The first few weeks, I would get a little stomach ache and feeling of nausea, but it only lasted for a couple of hours per day. Both were very bearable. My appetite decreased as well. The good thing is I would only eat when I was hungry, no more emotional eating."

• Anonymous
• April 14, 2021

For Birth Control "I was on the pill about 4 months before I started the patch. I didn't like the pill at all, as I had awful side effects, gained weight, constantly tired, emotions all over the place. I just didn’t feel like myself at all. I started the patch about 2 months ago, and I love it. Couldn’t recommend it more. The first week I felt a bit nauseous, but that wore off. I experience slight excess hunger, but it’s not a huge issue. Other than that, I’ve experienced no side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 7, 2021

For Birth Control "I love the patch. I wish I knew about it sooner! I've been on the pill since I was 14 due to horrendous pain from periods. I stayed on it until the birth of my second daughter, aged 27. It suited me fine, but I have a terrible memory, so I wanted something more reliable. The first few months I felt terrible (but better than the other alternative contraceptives!). I felt like I was in early pregnancy, and I took loads of pregnancy tests. Really sore boobs and nausea. That all settled down though, so I don't feel any different. My boobs have grown two cup sizes after about a year of being on it, which is just amazing! It doesn't happen for everyone though."

• Man...
• October 19, 2016

For Birth Control "I sort of on the fence here. I'm 19, 114 lbs. I've only had the patch on for a week, and I have already gotten 2 cystic acne flare-ups. One on my cheek near my left nostril and an extremely painful one on my jawline near my ear. I had an IUD in for about 8 months, but it caused me problems and had to be removed. The patch I notice I am very tired and bitchy, with headaches and nausea. My biggest concern is the fact that I have never had bad acne. I'd usually only get 1-2 whiteheads during my menstrual week. Now my face is really bad, red, blotchy, gross cyst pimples. It really crushes one's self-esteem. I've been thinking maybe I just shouldn't use it anymore."

• Kat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 27, 2015

For Birth Control "This was the first BC I ever used. It was mostly fine, didn't help my acne any and didn't give me boobs (I was all hips in those days) but also didn't give me any nausea or weight gain. However, the patches never stayed on. They would get sticky and lint from my clothes would make the edges look really grungy. They fell off a lot. I also developed an allergy to the adhesive, leaving red squares on my skin for months after. Now I'm allergic to any adhesive (tape, Band-Aids, etc.). I switched to the NuvaRing and like it much better."

• cha...
• October 31, 2011

For Birth Control "I've only been put on Ortho Evra recently, so I can't say anything about the long term. But I can say that lately I have been quite depressed and nauseous. This is only my first month of using the patch, so I imagine that I'll begin to feel better sometime soon. But it's very easy to use, and if you're willing to put up with the side effects for a bit, it's worth it."

• Anonymous
• April 15, 2012

For Birth Control "I've only been on the patch for a few months, and I think it's much better than a daily pill. Two things are getting to me, though-nausea and a little acne. I've never had any problems with acne before, and I'm noticing some (not a ridiculous amount, but still more than I'm used to) since I started the patch. Also, it seems like on my change day, I get extremely nauseous. I work in a kitchen, so that makes it tricky. I'm going to try something else for a while, but I may be back on the patch afterward."

• Tas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2019

For Birth Control "Week 1: nausea. At the end of week 1, there was a red papule/blister on the skin at the edge of the patch. Week 2: breast tenderness. At the end of week 2, there were multiple papules, erythema, and itchiness on the skin under the patch. Both weeks: bleeding. The edge of the patch picks up clothes fluff. I took a low dose of pyridoxine daily with Evra, and after skipping 3 days of pyridoxine, felt tearful, which resolved after taking the missed pyridoxine tablets."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on birth control for almost 10 years. I have tried at least 8 kinds of oral contraceptives and went from feeling severe anxiety, spotting, nauseous, etc. The only pill that had seemed to work for me was Seasonale (which, if you want to go the oral route, I definitely recommend), however, a couple of years ago, it stopped working for me, and I had to come off it, switched to another oral, and actually became pregnant (used precautions, was aware that it can take 3-6 months to work, had been on it for 8). After that, I decided to try the patch, and I absolutely love it. My sex drive is back with flying colors, no mood swings, no spotting. In the beginning, I did feel a little nauseous, but that went away in no time. I definitely recommend it."

• Anonymous
• January 18, 2010

For Birth Control "My wife was on continuous patches, and she has breakthrough bleeding 365 days a year, nausea, throwing up, headaches, lower sex drive, and extreme pain in her stomach, which had her wake up in her sleep and crying out in pain, especially during her period when not doing the 4th week. The doctors didn't know what it was, so they gave her an unconfirmed diagnosis because they couldn't confirm anything else, but she's decided to discontinue the patch, and so far, all of the above side effects have subsided almost completely."

• Tee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2018

For Birth Control "I tried the Ortho Evra patch after I'd had complications with another type of birth control. The first thing I noticed was the nausea I felt every day for the full 3 weeks I had it on. It was accompanied by hives that had me taking antihistamines like they were Smarties and loss of energy, probably from the antihistamine meds because they do cause drowsiness. I suffered through it until the fourth week when I had no patch and my skin was smooth, and I felt invigorated after that. Putting up with the side effects became hard for me to do. I've taken my patch off early twice now because I'm unable to take the hives."

• Anonymous
• March 18, 2012

For Birth Control "Before being on the patch, I took two different birth control pills and was on the NuvaRing. I had a lot of problems with those which I'm not facing with the patch (acne, extreme tiredness, moodiness, yeast infections, bacterial vaginitis, weight gain, etc.). I'll admit that I've had pretty bad cramps and extreme changes in my mood when my period comes. I feel a little out of whack, but it's worth it compared to the alternative side effects I've experienced! The first day of a new patch, I'm always extremely tired and a bit nauseous as well. It also does leave a sticky ring and cause irritation, but it doesn't bother me. You can see a few faded square marks on my back from previous weeks... a little weird. Overall, the best birth control I've experienced so far! Easy, reliable, etc."

• Liz...
• February 12, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on the patch for about four months now. My biggest complaint would be the weight gain and the acne. Previously, I was on the pill and have tried the NuvaRing. The pill made me too nauseous, and I forgot to take it all too often. The NuvaRing just didn't suit me. I love that I don't have to worry about this birth control but once a week. I will say that each time I change the patch, I do have a day of nausea. I also have minor irritation of the skin wherever I place the patch. I itch pretty badly some days more than others. I find that putting it near my shoulder blades avoids any tugging on the clothing and the lint issue."

• Eli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2025

"I just started using this after about 8 years of using no birth control. I am now on week three and can say it makes me extremely nauseous more often than I would like. Then I started my period sooner than I should have. It has definitely helped with making cramps a lot less severe and lighter. Going to continue to try it due to the reason I have less cramps while on it."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2022

For Birth Control "I found this website when I was looking for answers to why I felt so sick, and I’m really amazed how similar other people's experiences are to my own! Feeling this nausea from a birth control is baffling, how can feeling like you have a stomach bug every day even pass the factory line! The things that they deem okay side effects for birth control just wouldn’t pass for so many other drugs! I have felt run down and sick for the two weeks I have been using it, and the heartburn is something else!! I am unaware if it’s the drug itself or the side effect of the side effect of the drug causing such bad nausea!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2021

For Birth Control "Was living in a constant state of severe PMS on the pill, and after 24 hours of starting the patch, those awful PMS symptoms had completely disappeared. I felt slightly nauseated when starting the first week, but really nothing like what PMS causes me! I feel so much more in control and relieved with these patches. Previous contraceptives always caused headaches, mood swings, and weight gain. Not this one."

• Ale...
• May 29, 2016

For Birth Control "The first month I started the patch, I had breakthrough bleeding for about a month. And every time I put a new patch, I get very nauseated and extremely bloated. Those are the only negative side effects I still have even after 4 months of being on it. But it does its job as a contraceptive, easy to use, and easy to remember."

• Dar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2020

For Birth Control "Awful, I’ve been on Ortho Evra for 3 days and have had nothing but sickness and nausea. I can’t eat because I feel so sick, and I’ve been physically sick. Feels like a never-ending circle. If this carries on, I will have to take it off. Can’t carry on like this. I want to feel normal again!"

• Pur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2014

For Birth Control "I just started the patch today, and I felt so nauseous from it being on my abdomen that I had to move it to my arm. I ended up having to put a new patch on because the first one got ruined when I took it off."

• Fin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 23, 2014

For Birth Control "I feel like I'm starving ever since I've been on the patch. I feel nauseous every day."

• bug...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2014

For Birth Control "I've only been on the patch for 6 days, and the nausea is almost unbearable. No other side effects so far but moodiness. I hope the nausea passes soon, or I'm done with it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2014

For Birth Control "Only side effect so far is random nausea. Hate that it's sticky on the outside and 1-2 days before change date it's almost peeling off."