The Food and Drug Administration says women ought to discuss the risk of wearing a birth-control patch with their doctors.

The makers of the Ortho Evra patch say one study suggests the risks of blood clots in legs and lungs may be twice as high for women using the patch as for women who take the pill.

An investigation by The Associated Press last year found higher rates of blood clots in women who used the patches.

Dr. Daniel Shames with the FDA says the preliminary findings need analysis and don't require immediate government action.

And Shames says clots remain "fairly unusual events."

Four months ago, the FDA warned women that increased hormones released by the patch could cause blood clots and other serious side effects.

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