Birth-Control Patch Doubles Risk of Pill

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The Food and Drug Administration recently published a new study that shows that women using the Ortho Evra birth-control patch have double the risk of developing blood clots compared with those who take the pill. Last November, additions to the patch label warned women that they would be exposed to about 60% more estrogen than those who used birth-control pills. Over four million have used the patch since going on sale in 2002. An investigation by the Associated Press found that patch users died and suffered blood clots at a rate three times as high as women on the pill. Health officials also warn smokers not to use the patch, because smoking increases the risk of stroke and heart attack.