EVRA CONTRACEPTIVE PATCH
Already marketed in the United States, Europe and South America, the
EVRA contraceptive patch has been available in Canada since January
2004.
Description
It is a beige square patch, measuring 4.4 cm square
(approximately 1-3/4 inches). It can be applied on the buttock, abdomen,
arm or upper torso (excluding breasts).
In all aspects, this method is similar to the
birth control pill (benefits, side effects, contraindications, fertility
reversibility are all the same). It may be less effective for women
weighing more than 90 kg (200 lb). Please note that despite
the lack of research on this matter, it seems that the same thing may
be said about the birth control pill.
The patch has to be worn for
seven days in a row then changed, during three consecutive weeks.
A 28-day cycle using EVRA would look like this :
- First week: for example, your period begins
on a Wednesday. You apply the first patch on that day.
- Second week: on Wednesday, you change the
patch.
- Third week: on Wednesday, you change the
patch.
- Fourth week: on Wednesday, you remove the
patch for one week.
- (It corresponds to the week of "reminder pills" for a
pack of 28 pills or the "stoppage" week for a pack of 21pills.
Your period should start on that week).
- On the next Wednesday, whether or not your
period is finished, apply a new patch and a new cycle begins.
Effectiveness
The patch is as effective as the pill and even more so
considering users are less likely to forget. However,
you must be thorough in complying with the schedule because its
efficiency lasts one week. When you forget to change the patch or are
late in changing it, you must follow very strict recommendations (the
manufacturer’s leaflet supplied with the patches will provide you with
all the required information on that matter).
Risk of the patch detaching itself
The risk of the patch detaching itself is very
low. It resists to baths, saunas, showers, creams (tanning,
moisturizing, etc.). However, such creams must be
applied after sticking the patch (rather than before, because
for the patch to adhere properly, the skin must be dry). The patch should
not be "decorated" (no writing, drawings, clipping, etc.).
Cost
It costs between $34 and $38 (per 28-day cycle). Many
private insurance companies reimburse the costs (inquire beforehand),
but it is still not covered by public drug insurance plans.
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