The Ortho evra is a contraceptive used by most women to avert pregnancy. It looks like a square band aid which is placed on the stomach, buttocks, upper part of the arm or upper torso. The Ortho evra releases the hormone estrogen and progesterone. The hormone by altering the hormone levels in the body, avert the pregnancy. This hormone prevents the ovulation of the egg.

The hormones release through the skin thickens the cervical mucus and disallows the egg to travel from the ovaries to the uterus via the fallopian tubes, thereby preventing fertilization of the egg by the sperm. Also the hormone levels are maintained to prevent the travelling of the egg into the uterus for the fertilization. The lining of the uterus are made thick to prevent pregnancy. All these serve as barrier to prevent sperm from fertilizing the egg. It is very effective in order to avoid any kind of pregnancy risk but isn’t a full proof measure. The drug should administer with some kind of drugs which cause interactions.

Also a person treated for HIV or aids should avoid the drug. The patch should be applied for the first week of the menstrual cycle; three patches are to be applied. A new patch is to be applied every week for the three weeks of the cycle, no patches required for the fourth week as the period starts.