History of Ortho Evra Birth Control Patch

In 2001 the Ortho Evra patch was introduced as a safe, reliable alternative to oral contraceptives, known as The Pill. Doctors and women who use birth control have been familiar with the risks associated with using The Pill since its debut in 1960.

History of The Pill

Early 1960s

Birth control pills in the 1960s had a higher dose of estrogen than necessary to achieve the desired birth control results. As soon as 1961 doctors saw greater risks of blood clots causing heart attacks and strokes in patients taking The Pill. Soon the drug makers significantly lowered doses of estrogen.

Mid 1960s

By the mid-1960s the U.S. FDA and British groups were conducting research related to the risks of the oral contraceptives. In 1968, many of the British studies found that the birth control pill significantly increased the risk of clotting, and higher estrogen levels were soon linked to a greater chance of stroke, heart attacks, and pulmonary embolisms (PEs). The UK soon recommended removal of all birth control containing higher than 50 micrograms of estrogen.

Early 1970s

By 1970 the FDA also issued a warning to doctors of the risks associated with oral contraceptives that have more than 50 mcg of estrogen. At this time the FDA also required drug makers to include a label that warned both doctors and patients of these risks, and recommended that estrogen levels in The Pill be lowered.

Mid 1970s

In 1973 lower-dose oral contraceptives came on the market, and by 1975 all oral contraceptives contained less than 50 mcg of estrogen.

1980s

In 1987 only 3% of oral birth control pills contained greater than 50 micrograms of estrogen. Finally in 1988, after almost 20 years of knowledge about the life-threatening risks of higher levels of estrogen in The Pill, the FDA required the removal of all oral contraceptives with more than 50 mcg of estrogen.

Since that time, all oral contraceptives available on the market have contained less than 50 mcg of estrogen, with most between 20-35 mcg.

The Ortho Evra Patch-Up to 60% More Estrogen Than The Pill

Increased risks associated with the significantly high dosages of estrogen released by the Ortho Evra patch echo the dangerous levels of the first birth control pills of the 1960s. Since the patch releases estrogen over time, the estrogen levels administered may vary. This could translate into as much as 60% more estrogen via the Ortho Evra patch than released by 35 mcg dose oral birth control pills.

Why Higher Estrogen Levels Increase Blood Clot Risk

The estrogen hormone has often been associated with the increase of blood coagulation (clotting). Increased amounts of estrogen in hormonal birth control pills and the Ortho Evra patch help regulate the reproductive cycle in women by inhibiting ovulation. However, research has shown that high amounts of estrogen can also increase clotting activity in the blood.

Ortho Evra warrants particular concern with respect to its extremely high estrogen exposure. Some studies have shown that the patch releases three times as much estrogen into the blood stream than birth control pills.