use of the patch and questions

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-17-2004
use of the patch and questions
1
Tue, 02-17-2004 - 1:02pm
I have a question about the patch. I've been on birth control for over 4 years now. I started out with the pill but switched to the patch last spring. I never had any problems with it. I was not sexually active so there was no need for me to worry. However, recently, I had sex with my fiance (the night we got engaged). That was the one and only time we had sex. And now I'm worried. I've read all the literature and I know how the patch works (suppresses ovulation, thickens the mucus so sperm has trouble entering, and thins the uterine lining making it unconducive to pregnancy) but for some reason, I'm not reassured. I had sex with my fiance during my patch free week (three days after my period came). I started my next round of patches the following morning after we had sex. My question is: can you get pregnant on the patch free week? I have never forgotten to change the patch or experienced looseness or removal of the patch. This is week four so I should be getting my period today or tomorrow but I haven't and I'm really nervous. I've had lower back cramps since Thursday but nothing has come yet. No breast tenderness unless I poke myself hard.

Thanks for any information or advice you could provide.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2003
Tue, 02-17-2004 - 2:40pm
If you have been using your patches correctly (which it sounds like you have), there is no good reason for you to be worried about preganancy. Hormonal birth control wouldn't be very effective if it didn't keep you from getting pregnant during the patch/pill free week, would it!

Although pregnancy CAN occur even when you're doing everything correctly, the chances are very small. Try to relax & enjoy your fiance!