Thanks for posting this. I just finished my last patch yesterday and feel so releivesd. I still think a lot of women dont know about the added risks of the patch. I myself just learned about it a couple weeks ago. Its important for people to know that its not as safe as the pill. I would urge anyone who is on it to consider switching or if you are considering starting, you may want to try something else.

If the health risks don't urge you to consider another method, let me tell you a little about my side efffects.

-mood swings
-high blood pressure
-extreme hormone withdrawal symptoms (which almost landed me in the emergency room) after a Dr. Recomended I continuously take the patches without a break for 3 cycles or 9 months without a period.
-skin irritation from patch and ugly lint build up around the corners of patch.
-headaches
-chest pains
-nasea

ofcourse its hard to pinpoint exactly how much the patches are to blame for all of this but its certainly something to consider when a healthy 24 year old has high blood pressure.

If anybody has experienced any of the named side effects, i.E. Blood clots, etc.

I recently stopped using the patch because of the side effects I was experiencing. I had breast tenderness so bad it was hard for me to even wash them in the shower. My periods got 2x as heavy as normal and I had really bad cramps. I have been off of it for a week now and have still been experiencing bad headaches

I quit the patch after only being on it for 6 weeks...I was constantly bloated, and the 2 periods I had while on it were much heavier than normal...Also, it irritated my skin. I was itching constantly! It's not worth it...There are other things out there that are just as effective!

I get frequent migraines and im on the patch. Could the patch be causing these headaches? If so, what is a better choice?

I have been using the patch for the past 6 mths, and I have experienced alot of the same sypmtoms; headache, dizziness, blood clots when changing my tampons, tender breast, but I also smoke. I'm not a heavy smoker so when I got on the patch I didn't tell my healthcare provider that I smoked. If it weren't from my boyfriend tell me that he didn't think that the patch was good for me b/c every since i've been on it he thinks that I have been having severe mood swings( I even went to counseling),and my friends letting me know about the recall I would have never considered stoppin the use of the patch.

I got off the patch about 4 months ago. I started to have serious chest pains for about a month off and on and I had trouble breathing than I would normally. Then one night I woke up about 3 in the morning or so and my whole left arm felt really cold and numb like and my chest was kinda hurting. I finally went in to see a doctor after that. Not knowing about the warnings on it. The doctor had asked me what prescriptions I was on I came to the patch and he stopped me right there and switched me to orto tri cyclin pills and after taking those for about a month I wasn't having the chest pains like I was only my acid reflux I had gotten from my pregnancy. So I would really suggest for the women out there that are still on that patch please stop using it. My doctor told me that a few woman has died from it. They were healthy in everyway they got on that patch and a little while later they all of a sudden had heart failure due to n/a and lung failure again n/a. This was about 4 months ago for me now and I just turned 23 on dec 21st. I got 2 little ones and a husband to take care of. Thank you for posting this up and letting all those who didn't know about this find out and hopfully you woman will read it and make the right choice.

I urge you to consider another method if you are still on the patch. It is confirmed that the pathes release a higher level of hormones, causing a greater risk of blood clots, heart attacks, or strokes.

I have been off of the patches for 1 month and two weeks and I feel great. At 24 I had high blood pressure that I can now say for certain was caused by the use of the ortho evra. I have been on microgestin (loestrin) for over a month and not only do I feel great but when I went to the Dr. Yesterday my high blood pressure has conpletely returned to normal. If your Dr. Is saying that there is no greater risks on ortho evra than on another pill, they are completely misinformed and not up to date. Also, my heavy 6 day periods that I had on the patches have noe turned into extremely light 3-4 day walks in thed park.

I have been off the patch well for 36 wks. Since I find out I was pregnant. I wont be getting back on it. Let me know if anyone files a suit!!