Should the birth control patch be pulled from the market?

Calling the Ortho-Evra patch "dangerous" and "a poor choice for women", the infamous consumer advocacy group founded by Ralph Nader, Public Citizen, says definitely. The U.S. based organization claims that use of the patch causes a host of unacceptable side effects and should be removed from the market within six months (to give women enough time to find an alternate method of birth control).

Public Citizen’s Not My Patch Campaign

Among the claims Public Citizen makes are that the Ortho-Evra patch:

• exposes women to "dangerous levels of estrogen" which can severely increase the risk of blood clots.

• compared to standard birth control pills, causes an increase in side effects like breast discomfort, severe menstrual pain, nausea and vomiting.

Apparently, these risks were known back when it was approved for use by the FDA in 2001. Ortho-Evra, not unexpectedly, stands by the risks/benefits ratio, saying "Hormonal birth control methods have benefits and risks… The approved labeling has always stated the known risks associated with its use."

The group has set up a campaign called Not My Patch to disseminate information.

Should you agree, there is a petition circulating to encourage the FDA to ban the contraceptive method.