Ortho Evra and Spotting: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• December 3, 2009

For Birth Control "I was on Ortho Evra for almost 6 years (since my early 20s). I've had very few issues with it... no weight gain, no moodiness, no stale sex drive. All I've experienced were slight skin irritation (where the patch was placed) and spotting. I switched to NuvaRing under the guidance of my physician (because of my concerns over the FDA warnings). It was as easy as the patch, but I quickly gained 5-7 pounds over 2 months of usage. Then my doctor put me on Microgestin 1/20 FE. It was the first and will be the last birth control pill I ever take! I have gained 15 pounds over 6 months, experienced excessive night sweats, and lost all interest in sex altogether. Now, I might return to the patch."

• Aja...
• November 14, 2014

For Birth Control "The only side effects I have experienced are bloating and tender breasts. I think my breasts are growing, and I think it is a downside because I don't want them to. I didn't notice any weight loss or gain. I had spotting, which is normal, but it is annoying. I just suggest using pantyliners."

• Rav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2020

For Birth Control "I've been on the patch for about 4 months. I haven't noticed any emotional changes, nor weight gain, but I've been spotting throughout using almost every patch. I am not supposed to have a period with the way my doctor set this up for me (taking patches back to back, indefinitely), but I still have them throughout using the patch. The first month I bled every single day, then it cleared up for a couple of months, now I’m back to bleeding every day. It’s like a mild period, but I’d say it’s more than just spotting. I’m trying to stick with it to see how it plays out, and hoping I will stop bleeding before the 6 month mark."

• ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 4, 2013

For Birth Control "I was completely new to birth control and did not want to be on a pill due to all the stories I've heard. The patch is amazing! Only have to worry about it once a week, haven't had any side effects, not even bleeding or spotting, get to have my regular period, and is basically so convenient. It is on the more expensive side, especially if insurance won't cover it, but for me, it was worth it. I don't have to wait for my period to start when I do plan on getting pregnant and is easy to wear. I prefer to wear mine on my shoulder blade because it doesn't rub against my clothes and people don't notice it, which is nice. This is a great birth control, and whoever invented it is a genius. Highly recommend, especially if you're new to birth control."

• 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."

• Ada...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 7, 2018

For Birth Control "I've been on the Ortho Evra patch for 4 years now, and I've never had any problems. I was originally put on the patch to combat hormonal mood swings, severe cramps, and an irregular period. Since then, my period comes 3 days after I remove the patch and lasts till I put on my next (3-4 days). I've never had any spotting or bleeding throughout the month, and my weight has never been affected. My mood is also very stable, and I get virtually no cramps/aches on my period. I would highly recommend the patch to anyone."

• 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."

• 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!"

• Ant...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 5, 2018

For Birth Control "At first, I was skeptical about this, but it's actually been great. It's so easy, it sometimes feels too easy; you just put a sticker on and it stops you from getting pregnant. Before, my periods were so irregular, sometimes only having a week between them, sometimes having months. Now, they always come at exactly the same time, to the hour. You can also put on an extra patch to postpone it for a week (any longer than that, I tend to get spotting, but some don't). The only side effect I had was a bit of breast tenderness, but that went away after a few months. The only downside is that it does get fluff attached to it, and it does leave some glue after you take it off, but I also put it somewhere hidden, so it doesn't really matter. Would definitely recommend this contraception."

• Rhi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2019

For Birth Control "I have used this patch since February, so around 5 months. I consistently keep my patch on (no period). Pros: easy to use, don’t have to remember to take it every day like the pill, can be hidden, no pregnancy (hopefully). Cons: I randomly bled for 14 days straight whilst on my patch, so I took it off for a week and bled until I put my next patch on, so I bled for 21 days total. I never used to get cramps but now developed light cramps, nausea (especially in the morning), spotting, irritation on skin from the patch, and fatigue. Overall, within your first 3 months, the side effects are definitely more severe. I still get a tiny bit of spotting, my cramps are much lighter, and I don’t get consistent nausea every morning. I have PCOS and almost never used to have periods (hence I keep the patch on as periods now scare me), so my experience may differ from someone with regular periods, but overall I’ve found it to be fine apart from the odd side effect."

• amc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2016

For Birth Control "I've actually had no health problems at all with the patch so far, and I've been on it just over a month now. I read up on it beforehand, and the reviews were playing on my mind, but I've had no sickness, no headaches, and no spotting, which has been great! I've been wearing it on my bum (alternating sides each week) for a few weeks, and this seems alright, but I'm trying my inner arm now. The only downside of this I've had is the pain when taking it off - I thought it would be like taking a plaster off, but it's much worse! Like getting an unwanted wax each time. Granted, this means that it stays on for a week! This is enough to put me off the patch, and I'll be trying something different next time."

• 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."

• Luc...
• November 24, 2017

For Birth Control "I have been on the Evra patch for a year now, no specific mood swings, no spotting, normal periods of 7 days, period only starts on the 3rd day after removing the patch and overlaps by 3 days! Breasts have grown, I might say a cup size. Some of the periods I had very bad back pain, some I don't even feel (so I don't think it's anything to do with the patch). I have not gained much weight, and I think it's nothing to do with the patch. If I eat like a pig, I get fat, and if I cut down on carbs, I slim down."

• Fin...
• June 27, 2013

For Birth Control "I'm 19, and this is my first time using birth control. I chose the Ortho Evra patch. I started the patch just over a month ago on the first day of my period. My period was extended and lasted 2 weeks straight, then I had a lot of spotting. On the 4th week (off patch), I got my period, cramps and all, and by this point, I thought the bleeding would never end! I was extremely emotional and cried almost every day and would constantly ask myself, 'What is wrong with me?' Now that over a month has passed, everything seems back to normal. Larger breasts is a definite pro! I don't feel the need to cry now, and everything is good. Enjoying the patch now!"

• Car...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 31, 2012

For Birth Control "I've been on the patch for 4 years. It was the first contraceptive I went on. I love it, my periods came almost the same time each month. I did not notice any changes, maybe just a pimple or two on my third patch. I'm very young, so I blame my 10 pounds of weight gain on my body changing over the years. I did have to switch birth controls because my parents did not approve. So I tried Depo-Provera so I could still be protected without my parents knowing. I rapidly gained almost 25 pounds and spotted the whole time! As soon as I could, I switched back to the patch, now I'm back to my normal weight and no more spotting. The patch never comes off, and it takes less than a minute to change. I highly recommend it."

• Amy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2012

For Birth Control "Before trying this type of birth control, I read the reviews here, and I thought there was a great chance that I wouldn't have any serious side effects. Although I didn't have serious side effects, I did experience spotting every single day while on this. My periods were heavier than usual. I was moodier. I had a great increase in appetite, which made me feel like a pregnant woman. Because I was bleeding every day, I never wanted to have sex. This product definitely did what it was supposed to. For me, the one pro was that I only had to change my patch once a week. I will be switching back to the pill. With the birth control pill, I never experienced any negative side effects. My only problem was forgetting to take it."

• Cla...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 11, 2013

For Birth Control "I have been on the Evra patches for about 7 months and have decided, after 4 months of using it, to keep it on without a break (after my GP said it would be okay to do so) to avoid my horrible periods. I was taking the pill before and always forgot to take it and have had a few 'scares' in the past, so I decided it was time for a change as I am still young and not ready for a shock pregnancy! I haven't had the best experience with it to begin with as I have heavy spotting after every patch change, which is VERY annoying. It lasts days to my boyfriend's and my own annoyance! No baby, though, and my breasts feel bigger."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2016

For Birth Control "I've only been on the patch for a couple of months now, but it is going well so far. The only downsides are that I had fairly heavy spotting for almost 3 weeks after my period, but I haven't experienced any spotting since. The other downfall is that I get really lightheaded when I first put the patch on after my period. Other than that, there haven't been any noticeable changes."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2016

For Birth Control "I've been on the patch for 2 months now, and I love it. The only downside to the pill is my periods have become heavier, and I have spotting in between my periods! On the upside, my breasts are growing, but they tend to be sore a week before I get my period. So far, it's kept me protected, and I love it."

• VVA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2021

For Birth Control "I didn’t like Ortho Evra at all. I gave it a go for 3 months, and the first batch of patches it was fine: some spotting, nothing serious, SUPER SENSITIVE boobs, and super nauseous but manageable. Then I noticed I started gaining weight, and the second batch of patches I had my period. One week after, I started with super heavy bleeding nonstop, huge blood clots for 2 weeks straight. Then it was just light spotting for one day, and then back again to extreme bleeding. That’s when I decided to stop it. I don’t think it’s the right birth control method for me."

• Chr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 11, 2023

For Birth Control "I am grateful that I'm now on track in my health! I had excessive menstrual bleeding that resulted in acute iron deficiency anemia. I have now used Evra for 1 year and have had a fantastic experience after 7 years of searching for the right birth control for me. I use it back-to-back to stop my periods, as well as enjoy the birth control benefits. It's really nice to ditch the condoms and have peace of mind regarding birth control. We have 2 kids already (a boy and a girl, approaching their teenage years) and are certain we don't want any more. My work insurance covers this 100%. Prior to Evra, I had tried various forms of birth control over the years which didn't work for me, including Mirena, Kylena, Depo-Provera, and a couple of different combination birth control pills. I experienced pain from a malpositioned IUD, on reinstallation, it expelled itself. The pills were no better with several side effects including spotting. Happy now."

• Bla...
• January 1, 2020

For Birth Control "I have used the Ortho Evra patch for almost two years now, with a 3-month gap in the middle. I had used the pill from age 13 to 16 and gained weight. First year, everything worked as it should, the patch tends to pick up fluff on the edge from clothes, but I was told not to worry so long as it stays stuck on as a whole. No side effects, all went well until I had a zero sex drive, awful mood spell about 12 months. After the break, things are all okay besides spotting, so I can't complain this time round."

• Anonymous
• March 19, 2012

For Birth Control "I am currently on day 5 of the patch and have had very, very light spotting, but have been an emotional wreck all day. I think this is due to work-related stress too, though. I thought it would be just another form of contraception that is useless to me, but after reading everyone's reviews, I feel so much better! I have PCOS, so I am using it to regulate my periods. I also feel better that some people got pregnant as soon as they stopped using it."

• sup...
• May 12, 2010

For Birth Control "As with almost every form of birth control, there are side effects with the patch. However, in my case, I really feel that the side effects I've had are totally tolerable. I've been using Ortho Evra for about 3 years and have had some occasional breast tenderness and really occasional spotting. I do notice that I break out in week 3 and am pretty moody in week 4. It's really convenient for those of us who aren't 'religious' with pills. Thus far, I am a happy camper."