If ortho evra patch is used in the way it is prescribed, then its effectiveness is similar to that of the other birth control pills. The problem with birth control pill is that they have to be taken every day and if the women forgets to take it then its effectiveness reduces by a little bit. On the other ortho evra patch has to be taken just once a week and so it is more convenient for some people. Ortho evra pills consist of two types of hormones namely progesterone and estrogen.

Normally birth control pills are taken orally but ortho evra patch delivers hormones through the skin. The estrogen hormone present in the ortho evra patch minimizes high level of estrogen in the body at the time of pregnancy and prevents ovulation. Ortho evra patch has to be worn on continuous basis on the area of buttock, abdomen or upper arm. For maintaining its effectiveness, it is necessary to replace the old one with the new patch.

The period of replacement should not exceed seven days otherwise the patch will lose its effectiveness. Side effects are similar to that caused by birth control pills but can be more severe as it delivers 60% more estrogen as compared to birth control pills.