What Is It?
The birth control patch is a thin, beige, 13/4-inch
(41/2-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 place 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 change the size of
a patch by trimming it and don't try to attach it with tape.
Your doctor will be able to advise you 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 may be as
effective as the birth control pill. That means that about 5 to 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, weight gain, 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
These side effects are usually 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 should 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 $30 and $35 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.
Reviewed by:
Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: February 2007
Originally reviewed by:
James J. Fitzgibbon, MD
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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