Ortho Evra 2

Top 235. Jul 28, 2003 9:34 AM

» js555 - Started applications midmonth.....

I have been on patch for a while, stopped a few months ago on account of it making me too emotional. My cycle became pretty regular after that. I'm going on vacation soon and was hoping to push my next period back by a week. Here is my question:

I applied my first patch this sunday - it is 1.5 weeks AFTER my last period ended. (ie, my last period started on July 8, ended supposedly July 14.. I applied my first patch July 27). What does this mean for
1. how soon I can have unprotected sex safely?
2. will my period be pushed back successfully?

Thanks a million!!!!

-- posted by js555

Top 236. Jul 29, 2003 11:18 PM

» DEW18 - sliding Ortho evra

I wear my patch on my butt and it keeps sliding. The sticky stuff will stay right where it is suppose to be but the plastic on top is moving. Has anyone else had this problem and is my patch still effective? Thanks!

-- posted by DEW18

Top 237. Aug 5, 2003 12:17 PM

» Starseedpyxis - ortho evra experience/period before patch free week?

First I'd like to say that I think it's great that there's a discussion forum on this topic. It's been very hard to find info/opinions elsewhere on the web.
I've been using the patch for about 9 months now, and so far things have been satisfactory. The more noticeable side effects during the first several months were breast tenderness and increase in size, mood swings, bloating, vaginal dryness, and decrease in sex drive. Occasionally sex feels a little uncomfortable, although I think this is due to the vaginal dryness and decrease in sex drive. Most of the side effects have (finally!) decreased, although my breast size seems to have grown permanently from a C to a D. I haven't seen any noticeable change in weight.
I started out placing the patch on my rear, but like many other people have commented, it seems to slide around and wrinkle easily there. I moved it to my lower abdomen and it seems to be fine there. Like almost all other people, I get the dark ring around my patch, which is from dirt and lint (especially from jeans) that sticks to the adhesive that has seeped around the edges. There is always a few wrinkles in the patch, since skin is constantly stretching and moving. I've gone swimming, biking, running, skiing, etc and my patch has never come off. Be careful not to rub soap or oils near the patch, because this has caused mine to loosen around the edges before.
Usually my period starts a day or two after the patch free week has begun. I've noticed a significant decrease in menstrual cramps and bloating, although my periods haven't gotten much lighter or shorter. I also haven't seemed to have the usual PMS mood swings since I've been on the patch.
My main concern is that in the last few cycles my period has been starting before the patch free week. Sometimes I will start to spot almost immediately after I put on the third patch and then my period will start a day or two before the patch free week. Sometimes I only spot during the 3rd patch, and my period starts normally. But during this last cycle, my period started right when I put on the third patch. I've always been careful about applying the patches at the correct times. Does anyone know about this? Should I be concerned that the contraceptives are not working and my normal cycle is "taking over"? I've talked to the health center where I get the patches, and nobody there seems to know why it would do this. They keep telling me to wait and see what it does during my next cycle....after every time it happens.... If someone could fill me in, I would much appreciate it!!!!

-- posted by Starseedpyxis

Top 238. Aug 11, 2003 5:37 PM

» hopeful75 - re: still deciding

Hi all,

First I have to say thank you for all of your input and great questions. It has helped me a ton. Although I am still trying to decide whether or not the patch is for me! I have tried several different pills over the past year and a half after having break through bleeding on ortho tri cyclen, including loestrin, which made me crazy, lo-ovral which lessened the spotting but spread it out over two weeks, and ortho novum which was better but still spotted two out of the three weeks on the pill. The patch I have to say has lessened the spotting after one month of use. But I am very active and have a very physical job and am changing the patch on average every 3 to 6 days because of half of it lifting off. The butt is a better place for me as far as placement. I can definately relate to the breast tenderness and have gone up a cup size as well. I am really hoping the tenderness goes away. Has anyone else has this problem with spotting? Would stopping hormones for a while to let my body rest help at all? I have also noticed a slight sensitivity to alchohol. But I don't drink to much. The few times I have I felt a bit sick and dehydrated afterwards. The patch is such a great idea but I don't know if I have the patience to wait for it to be better. Those are my thoughts. Thanks again for sharing. Clarissa_englehart@yahoo.com

-- posted by hopeful75

Top 239. Aug 13, 2003 10:39 PM

» Starseedpyxis - period before patch-free week

I'm adding this to what I previously posted about getting my period before the patch free week. I've been searching the web for similar experiences, including this forum, and it seems that several other women have gotten their period, on the first day of the 3rd patch-just like me. Is there possibly some sort of connection with getting a period early and hormone levels during the third patch? I'm definitely not overweight (125lbs) and this has not happened until my 9th month of use. I'll be really disappointed if I have to stop using the patch because of this; so far it has been working for me and I don't think I would be good at taking a pill every day. I contacted the health center I go to, and nobody there seemed to know what to tell me, which is really frustrating. They keep telling me to just keep an eye on it. One nurse suggested I skip the patch free week and just apply the new patch cycle, since I already had my period. I did so, and now my period "flared up" again, so I'm going on week 2 of menstruation. Why is all this happening??? If someone could give me even a little insight, I would be verrrry grateful!

-- posted by Starseedpyxis

Top 240. Aug 14, 2003 7:15 AM

» stellablue22 - Re: gf gets less side effects with patch on front

In response to message posted by buff4444:

I am having very similar problems when i have the patch on my butt. It feels like hormone overload. I also feel very very irritable and moody. I've moved it to my lower abdomon and hope it decreases a little bit.

good luck to you guys.
a

-- posted by stellablue22

Top 241. Aug 14, 2003 6:34 PM

» hopeful75 - re: to much patch drama and a red mark suggestion

Hi again,

Just in case anyone out there is having my same problem with spotting..... In regards to the two previous entries, I to have had some light spotting the week of my third patch. But with me that is the least amount of spotting in the past year!! From what I gather talking repeatedly to different health care providers break through bleeding is due to the lining of your uterus not having enough progrestrin so the tissue starts to break down sooner. Why a pill/patch will work for an undertermined amount of time then all the sudden caouse you to have spotting is still beyond me. I noticed putting the patch on my lower abdomen actually made me feel like I was getting more in my system than on my butt. Guess everyone has a best place. Because my patch wasn't staying on well I have decided to go back to the pill. Next on the list to try..... desogen aka orthocept. I will let you know if this takes care of the bleeding. Also there is an oil called Emu oil that works pretty good for softening and removing the red patches sometimes left from the patch. You could probably buy it on line or at a local health food supply store. It is rendered from the fat of an actual emu bird and is great for several skin conditions, rashes and inflammation. Sorry this has turned into such a long one. Good luck everyone!!!!!!clarissa

-- posted by hopeful75

Top 242. Aug 15, 2003 4:01 PM

» redhead32 - Tricks to keep the patch from falling off!!

Hi everyone - I was on a wedding website before my July 12th wedding and asked a couple of questions about the patch on there. A woman who sells the patch for her job told me these tricks to making it stick:

- only put on clean, dry skin - preferably right after drying off from a shower

- before you apply the patch use a blow dryer on area you will wear it - this will make adhesion great and make sure your skin is dry

- Make sure you if you use any oil or cream based shower gels or soaps on the area you wear it to really clean that area, that extra lotion can make adhesion trickier

- Once you apply the patch hold down for THIRTY SECONDS - this is key because it will really make it stick no matter where you choose (a lot of women do not do this)

I have been doing this and haven't had a problem yet! When it did start to lift on my honeymoon (super humid, lots of swimming, oils, etc.) I would dry underneath it, put the blowdryer on it for a few seconds (me and the patch), and stick it back on. It worked great smile

I am wearing it on my lower abdomen btw, you can't see it in bikini, underwear, etc.

Hope this helps!
Kim

-- posted by redhead32

Top 243. Aug 19, 2003 10:24 AM

» pearljam1 - Crease

My girlfriend has gotten a small crease the width of the patch. Is this the wrinkling everyone talks about? Is it still effective?

After removing the patch, She noticed that there was small line on the patch that was not worn as much. Was it effective?

-- posted by pearljam1