Birth control patch

What’s a birth control patch?

Over the last few years, many new methods of contraception have become available.  The birth control patch is one of them and it was developed for women.

It is a 4cm by 4cm beige patch that is applied to the skin.  The patch releases small but continuous quantities of hormones (progesterone and estrogen) into the blood.  As with the Pill, these hormones prevent the liberation of an egg (ovule) from the ovaries, thus making pregnancy impossible.  It also makes it harder for sperm to enter the uterus by thickening the secretion of the cervix.  When used properly, the patch is over 99% effective.

It is necessary to get a prescription from a doctor for the patch.

Precautions
  • The patch might lose some of its effectiveness for women over 90kg (200lbs).
  • It is not recommended to smoke while taking the patch.  Combining the patch with cigarettes may lead to a higher risk of illness.  However, not smoking and/or quitting smoking are always good choices.
  • If you’re taking medicine, like antibiotics, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you can safely use the patch.  Certain drugs reduce its effectiveness.
  • Some natural products, like St-John’s-wort, might also reduce its effectiveness.
  • The patch provides no protection against sexually transmitted infections (STI’s).  Use a condom for protection against STI’s.

How much does it cost?

You must have a prescription from a doctor to get the birth control patch.  A 28-day cycle, which means three patches, will cost from 34$ to 38$.  Some clinics offer them at reduced prices.

How to use it and practical tips

Taking the birth control patch…

  • You must apply the first ever patch of your life on the first day of you period.  This step is important if you want the patch to work properly during the first week.
  • The patch must be changed every week on the same day, for three weeks
  • You don’t need to wear a patch during the fourth week, i.e. when you have your period.  However, be sure to apply a new one no more that seven days later.

This is what a typical patch cycle looks like…

  • First week:  You apply the patch on the first day of your period.  For the sake of example, let’s say that it is on Friday.
  • Second week:  On Friday, 7 days later, you remove the patch and apply a new one.
  • Third week: On Friday, 7 days later, you remove the patch and apply a new one.
  • Fourth week:  On Friday, 7 days later, you remove the patch and skip a week.  Your period should start within that week.
  • The next Friday, regardless of whether your period is over or not, you apply a new patch and the cycle starts over.
  • The patch must be applied on clean, dry skin.
  • It can be applied pretty much anywhere but not on the breasts.
  • The patch sticks extremely well to skin.  You can wear it while swimming, taking a bath, or exerciseing.
  • It is a good idea to change where you apply the patch every week.
  • It is not recommended to use creams or lotions on the area where the patch is applied.  The same applies to the area where you are planning to put the next patch.
  • You must check every day that the patch is still holding.
  • If the outside of the patch starts to peal, apply some pressure with your finger for 10 seconds to make it stick again.  If the patch doesn’t stick anymore, or if it falls off completely, apply a new one immediately and change it at the usual time (if you apply it on a Friday and it falls during the week, change the new one on the next Friday anyways).
  • If you forget to apply the patch, follow the instructions that come with the patch.

What are the Pros and Cons?

The Pros:

  • If you forget to take the Pill on occasion, the patch is a good alternative.  You only have to remember to change it once a week.
  • When you decide to stop using the patch, your fertility and normal menstrual cycle will come back within a few days.
  • The patch reduces bleeding and menstrual pain for many women.
  • The patch reduces the risk of cancer of the uterus

The Cons:

  • The birth control patch doesn’t offer protection against sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) or HIV.  Use condoms for STI protection.
  • It can cause skin irritation.
  • When starting with the patch, there might be light bleeding, headaches, and breast pain.  These side effects usually disappear rapidly, once your body is used to the hormones.  If the side effects don’t go away, talk to your doctor.

Extra

If you want to learn more, you can go to these websites:

 

Website developped and offered by the Canadian Association for Adolescent Health
Last modification: 2006-02-03