The estrogen and progestin hormones are included in the birth control patch, a contraception. The patch is worn to prevent pregnancy.
You apply a tiny patch to your skin once every week for three weeks, wearing it for 21 days. You don’t use a patch during the fourth week, allowing menstrual flow.
Similar to combination birth control tablets, the birth control patch also works. The birth control patch prevents pregnancy by injecting chemicals into your circulation that stop your ovaries from ovulating (releasing an egg). The birth control patch thickens cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching an egg.
You’ll need a prescription from your doctor to use the birth control patch. Infections that are transmitted sexually (STIs) are not covered by the patch.
Why is it done?
To avoid becoming pregnant, apply the birth control patch. The birth control patch offers a few benefits over other birth control methods, including:
- It does away with the need to interrupt intercourse for contraception.
- You can utilize it without your partner’s help.
- It can be done without constant attention or the need to remember to take a tablet every day.
- It delivers hormones in a consistent dosage.
- If you have difficulties swallowing tablets, it’s simpler to utilize.
- It may be quickly restored to fertility by being removed at any moment.
The birth control patch, however, is only suitable for some. Your doctor could advise against using the patch if you:
- smoking and are at least 35 years old
- Have you experienced a heart attack stroke or have a history of very high blood pressure?
- a background of blood clots
- Possess a history of liver, uterine, or breast cancer.
- greater than 198 pounds (90 kilograms) in weight
- Have liver disease or aura migraines
- Have issues from diabetes that affect the kidneys, eyes, nerves, or blood vessels.
- Possess abnormal vaginal bleeding
- During pregnancy or while using hormonal contraceptives in the past, you had jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes.
- The next significant operation that will prevent them from moving about normally
- Do you use any prescription drugs or natural supplements?
- Are hypersensitive to the birth control patch in any way
Tell your medical professional if you also:
- Have you recently given birth, been nursing, had a miscarriage, or had an abortion?
- Have you worried about a new breast lump or a change in your breast self-examination?
- Take medicine for epilepsy.
- illness of the gallbladder, liver, heart, kidneys, or diabetes
- Have excessive triglycerides or cholesterol
- Experience irregular periods
- Feel depressed
- Possess skin disorders such as psoriasis or eczema.
Risks
In the first year of wearing the birth control patch, fewer than 1 in 100 women became pregnant with perfect usage. Seven to nine pregnancies per 100 women are predicted to occur during a year of usual use. Typical usage scenarios can include forgetting to replace the patch on schedule or realizing it was absent from your skin for a considerable time.
Contraceptive patches do not provide STI (sexually transmitted infection) protection.
Among the potential side effects of the birth control patch are:
- an increased risk of high blood pressure, liver cancer, gallbladder disease, heart attack, and stroke
- significant bleeding or spotting
- Skin sensitivity
- breast soreness or sensitivity
- Period discomfort
- Headaches
- nausea or diarrhoea
- Continent pain
- Mood changes
- gaining weight
- Dizziness
- Acne
- Diarrhea
- spasms of muscles
- infections and discharge in the vagina
- Fatigue
- Retention of fluid
Compared to oral combination birth control pills, some evidence suggests that the birth control patch may raise estrogen levels. This might indicate that patch users have a slightly increased risk of estrogen-related adverse effects than those who use combination birth control pills, such as blood clots.
How you get ready
Your doctor must provide you with a prescription for the birth control patch. Your doctor will examine your medical background and take your blood pressure. Any drugs you take, including over-the-counter medicines and herbal remedies, should be discussed with your healthcare professional.
What to anticipate
How to apply a birth control patch:
A start date should be discussing with your healthcare practitioner. Wait until the first day of your menstruation before applying the birth control patch. If you start on the first day of the period, you will use your first patch. There is no need for a backup technique of birth control. If you choose the Sunday start, your first patch will be applied the first Sunday after the beginning of your period. For the first week, use a backup form of contraception.
Determine where to place the patch. The patch may be applied to your upper torso, lower abdomen, upper arm, or buttock. Avoid placing it on your breasts or in a rubbing area, such as beneath a bra strap. Apply to thoroughly clean and dry skin. Avoid touching cut, irritated, or reddened skin. Apply no creams, powders, lotions, or cosmetics to the skin region where the patch will go. Remove the patch and place a fresh patch on a different area if skin sensitivity occurs.
Put the patch on. Open the foil bag with care. Lift a corner of the contraceptive patch with your fingernail. Peel the patch, the plastic lining, and then a portion of the protective translucent lining away from the pouch. Take care not to cut, modify, or harm the patch. Remove the remaining lining and apply the patch’s adhesive to your skin. For around 10 seconds, press down hard on top of the skin patch with the palm of your hand. As you smooth it out, make sure the edges adhere firmly. The patch should be worn for seven days. Please don’t take it off to shower, bathe, swim, or work out.
Switch out your patch. Apply a fresh contraceptive patch to your body for three weeks straight on the same day of the week. To prevent irritability, apply every new patch to a different skin region. After removing a patch, fold it in half with the adhesive sides facing each other and discard it. Please don’t dispose of it in the toilet. Use baby oil or lotion to remove any glue still on your skin.
To make sure the patch is still in place:
- Check it often.
- Replace the patch as soon as possible with a fresh one if it gets partly or entirely detached and cannot be reapplied. If a patch loses its stickiness, gets attaching to itself or another surface, or has other material adhering to it, do not reapply it.
- Use no additional adhesives or wraps to secure the patch.
- Apply a new patch and utilize a backup method of contraception for a week if your patch separates entirely or partly for more than 24 hours.
On week 4, omit the patch. Avoid applying a fresh patch when you have your period in the fourth week. Use a new patch and apply it on the same day of the week as in the previous weeks once the fourth week has ended.
Use a backup method of contraception if you are late applying a fresh patch. Apply a new patch immediately and use a backup method of contraception for a whole week if you are more than two days late applying the birth control patch during your first week or more than two days late during your second or third week.
As soon as you can, speak with your healthcare professional if you have:
- Sharp chest discomfort, abrupt shortness of breath, or bloody coughing are symptoms that a blood clot may be present.
- persistent calf discomfort or further indicators of a blood clot in your leg
- Sudden partial or total blindness or other indications of an eye blood clot
- crushing chest pain or other heart attack warning signals
- Stroke symptoms could be an abruptly intense headache, speech or vision issues, numbness in the arm or leg, or other symptoms.
- Skin or eye whitening that is potentially accompanied by fever, exhaustion, appetite loss, black urine, or pale bowel motions
- severe difficulty sleeping, tiredness, or sadness
- severe stomach discomfort or soreness
- A breast lump that grows in size or lasts for one to two menstrual cycles
- Two missed periods or other pregnancy-related indicators.