Low dosage birth control patch

[Marguerite53]

I have had 2 cardios give differing opinions on wearing a low dosage birth control patch for peri-menopause and wondered what others on the forum might know. My first, male cardio said to get off the thing (only had been on it for 4 months) asap. My second opinion, female cardio said she thought that the benefit outweighed the risk and to go ahead if my menopausal symptoms became really burdensome. I'm 50 and more willing to live with the symptoms right now, then risk anything. But, I am getting pretty cranky and flaky and there may be those around me who would benefit from the patch!! I'd appreciate any words of wisdom here.

Thanks!
Marguerite

 

[tobagotwo]

That patch is from my company, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals. It's a fine product.

On the box somewhere is a phone number to call, if you have questions. That call will go to our Customer Contact Center. I have worked with the folks there on numerous occasions from an Information Management (computer services) standpoint, and they are very serious about their work. By all means, get opinions from here, but please also call that number. They are there to help.

On a personal level, I would not take it, if the main reason is to spare the feelings of those around you. Every man knows there will come a time in his marriage when he will have to stay in the basement for a while, living on mice and insects. I am becoming fond of those fast-moving, crunchy thousand-leggers, myself. They tickle when they go down. Thank heaven this PC is down here. Can you tell me what season it is? Is it sunny outside?

Best wishes,

 

[elphie]

The low dosage patch is progesterone only, isn't it? I had a problem that my obgyn was going to prescribe birth control for. My obgyn kept telling me I could have it, but my cardio said no way. Finally he ended up having a long conversation with her, and in the end it was agreed that I could take it if it was progesterone only, but to stay clear from anything with estrogen in it. Well, so far I haven't tried it. It's very frustrating when doctors don't agree and you don't know who to believe.

 

[Dee]

I had a full hysterectomy at age 32 and have been on the estrogen patch ever since (7 years now). I had my OHS 7 mths ago and nothing was ever said about the patch....or at least I don't remember it. I know that my surgeon was aware of it because they took it off when I went in for surgery and I was upset because she had said that they could leave it on. So, I'm not sure what to think! I think I'll be doing more research on this though. I can't imagine my life without the patch!!

~DeeDee~

 

[Birky]

Estrogen patch

Estrogen patch

I am 57 and was on the estrogen patch for at least 10 yrs. When I went for a checkup in October, I was told that I had to go off of them. I am now sweating with this hot weather and sweating at night. I still have some refills left, but I am not going to refill. He gave me a lower doseage but thought I would go cold turkey.I am on Zoloft since the surgery so this seems to offset the (**itchiness). My husband loved the basement but now he has come up and out of the darkness. His little feelers that grew on his head are now gone and he actually likes the sun. Before hormone replacement was to help with bone loss and heart disease but now it contributes to early Alzheimers. Don't get it -who does these studies?

 

[tobagotwo]

Which patch?

Which patch?

There must be more than one patch in this discussion. The only low-dose birth control patch on the market that I am aware of is Ortho Evra®. This is the one you see on TV and in the magazines in the doctors' offices. Evra® is not an estrogen patch:

http://www.orthoevra.com or http://www.ortho-mcneil.com

ORTHO EVRA® (norelgestromin/ethinyl estradiol transdermal system)
Contraceptive
Combination transdermal contraceptive patch containing 150mcg norelgestromin and 20mcg ethinyl estradiol

Contact can be made through a web form on the Evra® site or the Customer Care Center can be reached by telephone at 1-877-323-2200.

A number of the patches mentioned here seem to be estrogen patches, which would be a different thing, presumably for HRT. They would be from a different company. The two should not be confused, as they are not for the same purpose, as far as I know.

I don't want to confuse anyone, as this is serious stuff.

 

[Birky]

patches

patches

I was talking about an estrogen patch and know that there is a difference between the 2.

 

[tobagotwo]

Good. I'm just concerned that others might not. I don't want to contribute to any misconceptions, even if the patch is intended to...

 

[Marguerite53]

Thank you Bob. I will get in touch with the OrthoEvra personnel and get more info for myself. Yes, that is the patch that I was using and am curious about. In fact the only misconception I had is now a ragingly beautiful 16 year old who I am trying to avoid hormone charged exchanges with. So far, the skirmishes have been minor and we are still the best of friends. To the degree, sometimes, that we may be ganging up on the only male left in the house. Would that we had a basement for my husband to hide in!!! With the two older boys off at college, well, he knew he was in for it last September........

I guess for many things scientific, we're all still in the learning stage. Not even the experts can state things emphatically yet. I think my cholesterol (which was not particularly off) was helped by the patch. I think my blood pressure is changing too (it used to be nice and low), but I don't know if that's due to lifestyle, aortic valve condition or hormones or just plain old aging. I don't know if the added progesterone would help that. Interestingly, so many doctors just say "here, try this, see how it works, see how you feel". I'm sure I'm not alone in wishing they would be more definitive and by the book -- if there only was a book!

Thanks for everyone's input. Fortunately I've not gotten too impossible yet so I've plenty of time to think about it. For me, it's mostly the fog which has crept in that is annoying. Bubble headedness is not inspiring or even particularly manageable! On those days it helps to be blonde......

Marguerite