Ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin and Itching: What Users Say (Page 2)

• 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."

• imm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 21, 2022

For Birth Control "I’ve been on Xulane for 3 years. Xulane has high estrogen levels, so when I first started, I lightly bled for about a month, and after that, my period has always been regular. It helped so much with my acne. I have realized one period will be a light flow with bad cramps, and the next will be heavy with no cramps. I am more emotional and moody. I get depressed once in a while, but I have good support people around me, so it’s nothing but a lay-in-bed day. Just recently, after a few days of wearing a new week's patch, where the patch is will get itchy and red randomly, like an allergic reaction, and I’m not sure why. I saw someone else saying the same thing. But other than that, 10/10 on preventing pregnancy."

• jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2019

For Birth Control "I was so scared to try Xulane because of all the side effects I was reading about, but since being on it I’ve gotten almost none. I’m on my second month using the patch, and I only feel slightly nauseous sometimes, and I’ve actually lost some weight. It does get a little itchy sometimes, but all the “side effects” I get are totally bearable."

• 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."

• and...
• May 10, 2017

For Birth Control "I have used this product for the past three years without issue until the last few weeks when the site where the patch was applied became itchy. As time has gone by in a few weeks' time, the skin underneath gets extremely itchy. I removed it, and the skin underneath was left raised, purple, and with peeling skin. It has been 2 weeks, and my skin is still purple, and the skin has not healed. I tried it on my back, and yet again the same thing. I have a red square with leather-like skin. I had to call my ob-gyn and ask to be changed to another product. I can't walk around with damaged skin. Hoping that eventually the skin will heal. Horrible product!"

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2015

For Birth Control "This is the best birth control I've had. It's so easy to remember, and you just slap it on and don't have to worry about it for a week. It cleared up my skin significantly, made my periods shorter and lighter, and helped with cramps. I gained about 6 pounds, but for me, that was helpful and went up about half a cup size, but again, perfectly okay with that! The only bad effect I've seen is a little skin irritation where the patch was when I take it off. A little lotion, and it goes away though. Only spotted one day. Love this!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2017

For Birth Control "This was my first birth control I’ve tried. The first 24 hours was fine, but then I noticed my arm was sore where the patch was, that lasted about 2 days and then went away. I had the patch on for 1 week and was extremely nauseous to the point where I couldn’t eat anything, but also felt like I was starving. Skin is a little irritated where the patch was, the nausea was excruciating, and I ended up just taking the patch off. A couple of hours later, I already felt better."

• I...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2015

For Birth Control "I love the patch. I was on the Depo, and it made me miserable. I was bleeding for 3 months straight till I switched to Xulane. This will be my third month using the patch, and the only con is the nausea, skin irritation around the area, and having to reapply it because of clothes or showering. I have gained weight, that I don't mind, but I can't stop eating! I plan on staying with the patch. Highly recommend."

• AKR...
• November 22, 2016

For Birth Control "Nightmare! I was on the Xulane birth control patch for 2 full months. I have felt like a complete zombie with no energy at all. I can feel depression, anxiety, and mood swings getting worse. I'm starting to get headaches and nausea, which I have never experienced before. The patch doesn't stick very well on the skin. I've gotten rashes, and it's always itchy at the site. I'm giving up on birth control because the crippling mental side effects are not worth it. I'm going back to condoms forever. BEWARE, the mental/emotional side effects sneak up on you over time."

• Gan...
• June 28, 2019

For Birth Control "I was on the pill for about 4 years before deciding to switch my method of birth control and went with the patch. I figured it would be much easier, but I was so wrong. I put the patch on my upper left back, and within 1 day of having it on (not even a full 24 hours), I started noticing hives on my left under boob. I figured it was my bra and thought nothing of it. The next day, I had the same hives scattered around the left side of my back. I was having an allergic reaction to the patch! After doing research, I found that many people on the patch end up having similar reactions, some immediately after trying it, and others after months or years of use. Allergic reaction aside, the patch itself and the surrounding area become extremely itchy, and you need to be careful not to damage/take off the patch when dealing with it. I had no problems with the stickiness or keeping the patch on, it was relatively easy. Ultimately, I decided to take the patch off on Week 1, Day 6."

• 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."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2018

For Birth Control "This is the worst patch ever! I’ve been on it for 2 weeks, and I have these bad rashes on my skin where the patch was located. It itches so bad! It doesn’t stick well! The words come off the patch once you touch it! I didn’t have these problems with my other brand!"

• Lei...
• June 11, 2016

For Birth Control "When I started Xulane, I had many reactions. I experienced severe mood swings, and Xulane increased my depression and anxiety. I also experienced redness and itching at the application site, which stopped happening about a month later. I experience nausea, headaches, and severe cramping during times of suspected ovulation. My breasts increased in size, and veins are more prominent. They are also more tender. Sex drive has also decreased. My period comes at the expected time and sometimes lasts 4 days to 6. All in all, I like the idea of not having to remember an oral contraceptive every day! I change it three times a month and the fourth week I leave it off. All forms of birth control have their weak points, but I think Xulane works for me."

• Emy...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 6, 2018

For Birth Control "This is the worst thing I have done to my body. I have been on this patch for a year. The first few months I didn't notice any major side effects except for the itching. Then I started noticing that I was very irritated and anxious for no reason. Again, I didn't suspect that it was due to the patch. Now, a year into it, I realized it's all due to this stupid patch. I had never been like this. The mood swings and irritation got so severe that I was becoming a completely different person. Constantly tired and depressed. Stay away from this patch. I do not recommend it."

• Wei...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2017

For Birth Control "Started/switched to the patch in Feb 2017 @ 229 lbs after giving the NuvaRing. Slight itching at patch site (buttocks), noticeable mood swings, and came off one time. Menstruation consistent, took patch off Sunday, the end of Week 3, and by Wednesday, the menstrual period arrived. No spotting in between. I started a weight loss program and lost 13 lbs in one month (June 2017). On Monday of Week 3, I started spotting (20 days post last period) and it was consistent at every use of the bathroom. Only a panty liner needed. Called GYN, said it's normal, weight loss triggers hormonal changes and to use the patch as usual. Week 4, no period, new patch cycle. Skin itching insanely! Patch site swelled up as if I was branded. Week 6, pregnant with #5! 200 lbs less effective, says label."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 21, 2022

For Birth Control "I started using the patch about 3 months ago. It has been a horrible experience, it itches so much and leaves a burn-looking mark on my skin. I had to go back to my Dr so he can give me something else. I was going to be full of patch marks all over my body."

• 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."