“The Patch” (Ortho Evra)

What is Ortho Evra? Ortho Evra is a thin beige patch that measures 1 3/4 inches on each of its 4 sides. The transdermal—or "through the skin"—weekly birth control patch attempts to prevent pregnancy by delivering continuous levels of the hormones norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol (progestin and estrogen, respectively) through the skin and into the bloodstream.¹⁰

What it does…
Hormones from patches applied to the skin get into the blood stream and are removed from the body differently than hormones from birth control pills taken by mouth. You will be exposed to about 60% more estrogen if you use Ortho Evra than if you use a typical birth control pill containing 35 micrograms (mcg) of estrogen. In general, increased estrogen exposure may increase the risk of side effects.

Important warnings: 

• The patch has possible side-effects:
• Nausea
• Breast symptoms
• Headache
• Emotional Liability
• Blood clots
• Stroke
• Heart attacks
• Not effective against sexually transmitted infection

Source:   www.orthoevra.com