An important warning for you or someone you might know. Makers now say using the Ortho Evra patch could put you at a greater risk for serious side effects. The company is just learning about the new, serious risks. 7's Dr. Deanna Lites explains what you need to know.
When it comes to birth control many woman use the patch. That may change because of a recent study.
Dr. Daniela Carusi of Brigham & Women's Hospital says, "What they found was that the total exposure of estrogen was significantly higher with the patch than with the pill or ring."
Women using the patch are exposed to 60 percent more estrogen than women using birth control pills. Too much estrogen can lead to serious health risks.
"The worrisome complications are blood clots, stroke and heart attack which are rare but can be very serious," explains Dr. Carusi.
Most birth control pills have the same amount of estrogen as the patch. The difference is in the delivery system. Hormones from the patch go directly into the blood stream, while pills are swallowed and digested first.
That's why women using the patch may have higher levels of estrogen. Gynecologist Daniela Carusi says more studies need to be done. "We've yet to see any proof that these higher doses of estrogen are actually associated with more complications."
For now if you're using the patch, Dr. Carusi says, "The best thing for a patient to do is not stop taking the patch because they still need the birth control and contact their providers."
The patch has been available for about three years. Since it's been on the market more than four million women have used it as a form of birth control.
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