The Patch

By Kaci Cooper, 20 Jan 11:56

This article explains the benefits of the birth control patch.

Do you remember being five years old and taking pleasure in picking at the Band-Aid that protected the scab at your knee? Well here’s one that will prevent you from getting pregnant, although it doesn’t come in fun prints like “Scooby-Doo” and “Spongebob.”

The Super Band-Aid
The patch is a thin, skin-colored, one and three fourths inch square that releases hormones into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy.

What does it do to your body?
The patch releases two hormones into your body: progesterone and estrogen, and, in doing so, prevents you from ovulating or releasing your eggs. For further protection, these hormones also cause the wall of mucus inside your uterus to thicken. This will prevent any sperm from reaching any eggs that may have been released.

How to use it:
Like many birth control methods, the patch is based off of a woman’s monthly cycle. Typically a woman will put the patch on the first day of her period to start or the first Sunday following her menstruation cycle. The patch is to be placed on the upper arm, upper torso (not the breasts), the abdomen, or the buttocks. During the first week it is recommended that a second form of contraception be used as well, for example a condom. Once a week has passed, the woman must replace the patch, so if she started her patch on a Sunday, the very next Sunday, the patch should be replaced, but positioned in a different to give her skin a break. She wears the patch for three weeks before taking a week off for her menstrual cycle.

Normal daily activities are fine, even ones involving water (eg. Showering) are fine, however it is important to not move or try and alter the size of the patch. Avoid using any skin care products before putting the patch on as these will likely affect how the hormones move into your body.

It is important that you contact your doctor should your patch fall off.

What are the odds I will get pregnant while using the patch?
The patch has been shown to be about as effective as the birth control pill. This is because the patch works due to input of hormones and has variables necessary to make the patch work, such as remembering to change the patch on time, not delaying the next patch, and always taking the fourth week off for a menstrual cycle. However, in addition to these factors, there are certain medications that will inhibit the effectiveness of the patch and women who weigh over 200lbs have been shown to react less well to the patch. Most studies on the patch reveal that about 5 to 8 women out of 100 will get pregnant while using the patch. Contact your doctor to make sure that the patch is the correct method of birth control for you.

Remember that the patch does not protect against STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) and a condom is needed to effectively protect against them. Also, the patch is not 100% effective. The only way to ensure you will not get pregnant is by practicing abstinence, not having sex.
Are there unpleasant side effects to the patch?
Most women experience no side effects while using the patch. However some women may experience increased side effects if they smoke while on the patch. Possible side effects include: nausea, weigh loss, weight gain, blood clots (though rare), problems using contact lenses, irregular menstruation, breast tenderness, ad headaches.
The longer a woman is on the patch, the more likely any experienced side effects are to dissipate.

The patch must be prescribed by a doctor, so if you believe that the patch is right for you, then make an appointment to discuss the pros and cons with your healthcare professional. The patch costs about $30-$35, however many health insurance provide coverage of the patch. If you do not have the money, try a free clinic such as Planned Parenthood where the patch may be obtained for less.

The patch is a viable, safe, and convenient method of birth control. However, remember that you can still get pregnant. The only way to completely avoid pregnancy is through abstinence.

Tags: birth control; birth control patch; hormones