birth control patch?

ace175
ace175 Posts: 518 Member
edited September 2024 in Chit-Chat
Hi everyone! I was just wondering if anyone has used the birth control patch? I have my annual drs. visit this week so I've been looking up different birth control forms. I used to be on the pill (tri sprintec), and I'm pretty sure that's what I'll go back to, but have recently been looking into the patch. I recently read an article or 2 discussing a type of hormone that's used in brands such as Yaz, that kind of scared me! I always research the crap out of everything before I get it (and this is something that I think should be researched a lot!), and I always wanted to get a few opinions from anyone who has tried it! Thanks! :)

Replies

  • TheMaidOfAstolat
    TheMaidOfAstolat Posts: 3,222 Member
    The blood clot risk is associated with all birthcontrol...it's higher in the patch and the 'yaz' products. I was on the patch for 2 years and I LOVED it! I only had to worry about it weekly and I hate taking pills so it was super easy. I didn't gain any weight or have hormonal swings but I also was postpartum with my daughter when I started it.
    Keep researching and talk to as many women as you can who have been on it.
  • kristydi
    kristydi Posts: 781 Member
    I was on it for a few months, but it didn't agree with my crazy sensitive skin. Other than the skin issue I liked it though. I had fewer side effects with it than with pills.

    Of the several hormonal BCs I've tried, I liked NuvaRing the best.

    Sorry I don't remember many more details, I haven't been on BC for about 5 years now so the specifics have faded a bit.
  • ace175
    ace175 Posts: 518 Member
    Yeah the article was talking about drospirenone and yaz/yasmin and other products that contain it, and it said that these ones have an even higher risk than ones that don't contain it.
    Thanks for replying!
  • TexasNurseMom78
    TexasNurseMom78 Posts: 897 Member
    I was on the patch when I got pregnant with my son...! does that answer your question? Wasnt too big a deal for me bc my hubby and I wanted another child, just not quite that fast. Found out later that in the fine print of the drug insert, it says that is you are over a certain weight, i think it was 180 lb, which I was over, It may be less effective due to poor absorption. would ahve been nice to know that before hand.
  • Sarawoods
    Sarawoods Posts: 111 Member
    I used the patch but It wouldn't stay stuck on for me, But I have very oily skin so that could very well be the reason :D
  • Swimgoddess
    Swimgoddess Posts: 711 Member
    I had to use the patch once it became too risky for me to use pills (I would randomly lose my EYESIGHT for hours at a time and got excruciating headaches); it could be removed immediately in the event of emergency. I didn't like that after awhile they started to look like a dirty bandaid; they did seem to stay cleanest if placed above the pubic hair line but below the underwear line (edited to add that you need to alternate sides with each application) & yes, I did swim with them. I did get pregnant THE very first cycle I decided to stop using them... a little shocking as the doc had me mentally prepared for it to take up to six months.

    I did away with it though for a Paraguard non-hormonal IUD. MUCH better, nothing to remember, NO hormones, and I got pregnant within 2 months after removal the last two times. This one is in to stay for the next ten years :) I consider it the gold standard of birth control; definitely worth looking into if your insurance covers it (most don't), if you're not looking to get pregnant in 2+ years (and up to 10 years... it's my permanent choice from now on, though you can have it removed at any time). Just my 2 cents. You're only fertile 3-5 days a month; it's not worth effing up your hormones or your body for the other 84+% of the time.
  • runlorirun
    runlorirun Posts: 389
    I looked into that but since I am prone to migraines my doctor and I decided not to go that route. I went with the Paraguard IUD, no hormones and last 10 years. Before that I used the pill and had Norplant at one time (I sooo miss Norplant, I cried when I found out it was no longer available in the states.), I have to say I like the IUD, no worries, not hormones and you can have it removed any time if you decide to have baby.
  • Sarawoods
    Sarawoods Posts: 111 Member
    I got pregnant with the 10 year Paraguard :( Horrible experience, we lost the baby and I had to have my left fallopian tube removed, now when I cramp it feels like labor pains -_- was not worth it!!
  • Swimgoddess
    Swimgoddess Posts: 711 Member
    I got pregnant with the 10 year Paraguard :( Horrible experience, we lost the baby and I had to have my left fallopian tube removed, now when I cramp it feels like labor pains -_- was not worth it!!

    I'm so sorry you had to go through that! (hugs)

    Can I ask if it was an etopic, since you lost your tube?

    I hate how no matter what, it always boils down to "birth" control with what >should< be "pregnancy" control in a perfect world. That way nobody would have to go through an experience like that ever again.
  • brittanydittman
    brittanydittman Posts: 86
    I was on the patch for about 6 months and my blood pressure spiked like crazy... it scared me so i stopped using it! The doctors at the ER did all kinds of tests on me cus it was so high they were thinking i had a blood clot or something. They even sent me home with an EKG monitor for a month. They didnt find anything but im not taking any chances!
  • ace175
    ace175 Posts: 518 Member
    I was on the patch when I got pregnant with my son...! does that answer your question? Wasnt too big a deal for me bc my hubby and I wanted another child, just not quite that fast. Found out later that in the fine print of the drug insert, it says that is you are over a certain weight, i think it was 180 lb, which I was over, It may be less effective due to poor absorption. would ahve been nice to know that before hand.

    Ah yes! I saw online that if you weigh over 198 pounds it is not effective!

    Thanks for everyones input....I'm really leaning towards not doing the patch!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories