ortho evra and rubbing alcohol

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-29-2003
ortho evra and rubbing alcohol
14
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 8:15pm
I have been on the birth control patch for about a year now. My friend just found out that she is pregnant. She also was using the patch, she says that she got pregnant by rubbing her patch with rubbing alcohol before she put them on. This is supposed to remove the drug on the patch so that it becomes a placebo.

If anyone knows if this is true please let me know.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 8:44pm

I'm a little confused...why would she have been rubbing the patch with alcohol?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2003
Fri, 04-02-2004 - 1:59pm
my doctor actually told me to rub alcohol on my SKIN before applying the patch to help it stick, but not On the PATCH itself.

I only used the patch for one month because when I swam it always got loose. Otherwise I probably would have stayed on it!

Avatar for kissmedeadly
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Fri, 04-02-2004 - 2:40pm
I was on the patch for almost a year- dont rub ANYTHING on it, OR your skin- the best way it to take a shower, dry off completely, THEN put it on your desired spot (holding down for 10 seconds). I would never even rub off the little bit of fuss that might of stuck to it b/c I didnt want to fuss with it.
Avatar for mrscarta914
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-18-2003
Fri, 04-02-2004 - 2:46pm
That's some good advice, but I was a little confused. Some of you say, yes rub alcohol on your skin before applying, but than others say don't rub anything on your skin or the patch....I'll just keep it safe and not rub anything on before I put it on or on it itself. My doctor actually didn't tell me anything like rubbing anything on you or the patch, he gave me instructions and I read them. He did say not to put the patch directly on the same place as the last one, I didn't ask why but it made a little sense, but just to ask, why wouldn't you put the patch on the same place as the previous one was at??

MrsCarta

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Avatar for kissmedeadly
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Fri, 04-02-2004 - 2:53pm
You would not want to put it in the same spot, because the skin can get irritated and red. Mine got really dry when I kept it in the same spot for 2 weeks.
Avatar for mrscarta914
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-18-2003
Fri, 04-02-2004 - 3:05pm
They say you aren't as protected if you leave the same patch on for 8-9 days instead of just 7 day's. Why would they say that if, when they say you take it off the 7th day that it still has some "protection" (that's not what they called it, I forgot) but anywho, on it so you're supposed to fold it over so it sticks to itself and than throw it away. Also, my first patch on the lower right side when I sit down there's a little body roll and it's caused the side to come off a little, does that mean it's not working right and that I should put on my back up or is it okay and just continue wearing it?

MrsCarta

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 04-02-2004 - 3:07pm

My guess is that doing the rubbing alcohol on the skin first would remove some of the oils on the skin that might keep it from adhering well - but if doing that, let it completely dry first before sticking the patch on.


Isopropyl alcohol evaporates very quickly, so I doubt there'd be anything left behind on the skin to cause problems as long as it was totally dry.


I haven't had a problem with it sticking, but it probably wouldn't hurt to try if I were having trouble or if I had really oily skin...

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 04-02-2004 - 3:17pm

About the folding over - there could still be some hormones left on the patch, even if it's not enough to rely on it to protect you.

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Avatar for mrscarta914
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-18-2003
Fri, 04-02-2004 - 3:21pm
Thanks. Back to alcohol and oils, So they are just worried about that stuff making so the patch won't stick? Does it effect what is on the patch at all? Just don't chance it? cause I always put loation on my body after I get out of the shower, If I don't my skin goes really dry and itchy and irritated, so I pretty much need it. I'm also nervous to take a bath, could sitting in the water, like soaking or relaxing cause the patch to come off? Or is it just water safe if you're in the shower?

MrsCarta

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 04-02-2004 - 3:41pm

Hiya,


I think with the lotions and oils it's probaby best to assume both problems are possible - and besides, even if it only affects adhesion, that is still going to mean that the hormones aren't getting to you.

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