Birth Control Patch


What Is It?



The birth control patch is a thin, beige, 1¾-inch (4½-centimeter)
square patch that sticks to the skin. It releases hormones through the
skin into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy. Hormones are chemical
substances that control the functioning of the body's organs.

How Does It Work?

The combination of the hormones progesterone and estrogen in the
patch prevents ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovaries during a
girl's monthly cycle). If an egg isn't released, a girl can't get
pregnant because there's nothing for a guy's sperm to fertilize.

The hormones in the patch also thicken the mucus produced in the
cervix, making it difficult for sperm to enter and reach any eggs that
may have been released. The hormones can also sometimes affect the
lining of the uterus so that if the egg is fertilized it will have a
hard time attaching to the wall of the uterus.

Like other birth control methods that use hormones, such as the birth
control pill or ring, a girl uses the birth control patch based on her
monthly menstrual cycle. She puts on the patch on the first day of her
menstrual cycle or the first Sunday after her menstrual cycle begins.
She will change the patch on her skin once a week for 3 weeks in a row.
(The patch should be applied to one of four areas: the abdomen,
buttocks, upper arm, or upper torso — except for the breasts.) On the
fourth week, no patch is worn, and a girl's period should start during
this time.
Using The Patch



It's important to apply a new patch on the same day every week to
ensure that it keeps working effectively. For example, a girl who
applies her first patch on a Monday should always apply her patches on a
Monday. When it's time to change the patch, pull the old one off first,
before applying a new patch. Place the new patch on a different area
from the old patch (but still on one of the four recommended areas
listed above) to avoid skin irritation. Don't apply the patch to skin
that is red, irritated, or cut.

For the first 7 days on the patch, use an additional form of contraception as well to prevent pregnancy.

If you forget to apply a new patch on the right day, or if the patch
becomes loose and falls off, read the instructions that come in the
package or call your doctor. If this happens you may need to use a
backup method of birth control (such as condoms) or stop having sex for a
while to protect against pregnancy. Also, if you stop using the patch
for any reason, you will need to begin using another method of birth
control, usually after 24 hours of removing your last patch.

It's OK to participate in normal activities like swimming and
exercise while wearing the patch. You can also get it wet in the shower
or in the bath. However, the patch should not be moved or removed until
the week is up (pulling the patch off to reposition or move it may cause
it to lose some of its stickiness and it might fall off easily). Don't
try to decorate the patch, change the size of a patch by trimming it, or
try to attach it with tape. Talk to your doctor if the patch falls off.

The patch should not be applied over makeup, creams, lotions, powder,
or other skin products as these may prevent it from sticking well.
(Skin products may also affect how hormones are absorbed by the skin.)How Well Does It Work?

Ongoing studies suggest the birth control patch is as effective as
the birth control pill. That means that about 8 out of 100 couples will
have an unintended pregnancy during the first year of use. Of course,
the chance of getting pregnant depends on whether you use the patch
correctly. Delaying or missing a weekly application or removing a patch
too early reduces its effectiveness and increases the chance a girl will
become pregnant.

For girls who weigh more than 198 pounds (90 kilograms), the contraceptive patch may be less effective in preventing pregnancy.

In general, how well each type of birth control method works depends on a lot of things. These include whether a person has any health conditions or is taking any medications that might interfere with the patch. How effective the patch is at preventing pregnancy also depends on whether the method chosen is convenient — and whether the person remembers to use it correctly all the time.
Protection Against STDs

The birth control patch does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Couples having sex must always use condoms along with the birth control patch to protect against STDs.

Abstinence (the decision to not have sex) is the only method that always prevents pregnancy and STDs.
Possible Side Effects



The birth control patch is a safe and effective method of birth
control. Most young women who use the patch have no side effects.
Smoking cigarettes while using the patch can increase a girl's risk of
certain side effects, which is why health professionals advise women who
use the patch not to smoke.

The side effects that some women have while using the patch are
similar to those experienced with the birth control pill. These may
include:

• irregular menstrual bleeding
  
• nausea, headaches, dizziness, and breast tenderness
  
• mood changes
  
• blood clots (these are rare in women under 35 who do not smoke, but
  there may be a higher risk with the patch than with the Pill)
  

Other possible side effects seen in patch users include:

• skin reactions at the site of application of the patch
  
• problems with contact lens use — a change in vision or inability to wear the lenses
  
• menstrual cramps
  

Many of these side effects are mild and tend to disappear after 2 or 3 months.

Who Uses It?



The birth control patch may be a good choice for sexually active
young women who weigh less than 198 pounds (90 kilograms) and find it
difficult to remember to take a pill every day or who have difficulty
swallowing pills.

Not all women can — or should — use the birth control patch. In some
cases, medical or other conditions make the use of the patch less
effective or more risky. For example, it is not recommended for women
who have had blood clots, severe high blood pressure, certain types of
cancers, certain types of migraine headaches, or diabetes with certain
problems. It's recommended that girls who have had unexplained vaginal
bleeding (bleeding that is not during their periods) or who suspect they
may be pregnant should talk to their doctors, discontinue using the
patch, and use another form of birth control in the meantime.

Girls who are interested in learning more about the possible health
benefits and risks of different types of birth control, including the
patch, should talk to a doctor or other health professional.How Do You Get It?



A doctor or a nurse practitioner must prescribe the patch. He or she
will ask questions about health and family medical history, and may also
do a complete physical exam, including a blood pressure measurement and
a pelvic exam. If recommending the patch, the doctor or nurse
practitioner will write a prescription and provide instructions on how
to use it.

Those who start using the patch may be asked to return within a few
months for a blood pressure measurement and to ensure that there are no
problems. After that, a doctor may recommend routine exams once or twice
a year or as needed.

How Much Does It Cost?



The patch usually costs between $15 and $50 a month, although health
and family planning clinics (such as Planned Parenthood) might sell them
for less. In addition, the birth control patch and doctor's visits are
covered by many health insurance plans