Potential lawsuits are now being investigated for women who developed benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) after using hormone-containing birth control products. This condition occurs when pressure inside the skull accumulates, causing symptoms that mimic a brain tumor.
What is Ortho Evra?
Ortho Evra is a patch that sticks to the skin which protects against pregnancy. A new patch is placed on the skin once a week for 3 weeks, followed by a patch-free week to allow for menstruation. Ortho Evra contains an estrogen and progestin component that prevent pregnancy by:
- Keeping eggs from leaving the ovaries. Pregnancy cannot occur if there is no egg to join with the sperm.
- Making cervical mucus thicker. This keeps sperm from reaching an egg.
Hormonal Contraceptives and Benign Intracranial Hypertension (BIH)
Benign intracranial hypertension is a neurological disorder characterized by increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the brain. The condition is important to diagnose early because it can lead to progressive vision loss and even total blindness over time. Most patients with BIH are initially misdiagnosed with a brain tumor before the disorder is recognized.
- Changes in vision
- Vision loss
- Papilledema (swelling of the optic nerve)
- Feeling dizzy or nauseated
- Neck stiffness
- Difficulty walking
- Persistent ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Side Effects of Ortho Evra
Serious side effects linked to the Ortho Evra patch have been reported to include:
- Heart attack
- Blood Clots
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
- Pulmonary Embolism (PE)