Very Worried- Patch did not work?!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Very Worried- Patch did not work?!
4
Wed, 05-19-2004 - 4:59pm
I am soo upset! I started Orthro-Evera 3 weeks ago after being on depo for a year. I have not felt confident using the patch. It always seems to be wrinkling, moving, water under it from the shower, etc. I have been considering sterilization. And now i don't like it even more, I'm worried i'm pregnant?! Sunday night I had sex and the next morning is when I realized i ovulated. (Which i was unsure of) Today I finally got to talk with my nurse and found out you are not suppose to ovulate. I am really freaking out because i don't want to be pregnant. I have a 1yr old son and my pregnancy/labor/post-partum were all very tramatic not to mention that one is enough for me and his daddy. Is it possible that i'm pregnant? I cant even be tested for at least a week! I just don't know what to do! Thanks! JZ
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
Wed, 05-19-2004 - 5:28pm
What makes you think that you ovulated? Did your nurse mention emergency contraception. It is effective up to 3 days after intercourse.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Wed, 05-19-2004 - 5:33pm
I know this is tmi but... i get a specific discharge it's icky, but it happened regularly before i was on depo. I told the nurse that there is what there was to do and she said the only thing to do was call the dr tomorrow. I don't know... its so frustrating to have to wait! Thanks very much for reading!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 05-19-2004 - 5:47pm
Hi JZ, welcome!

Ok, hold on and try to calm down. No, you aren’t supposed to ovulate on any combined hormonal contraceptive method but what makes you think that you did? Are you familiar with your fertility signs? Are you charting your basal body temperature and saw an ovulation rise? Some women have reported having discharge while using Ortho Evra, is that what you are concerned about? Even if you did ovulate (there is no accurate way to know unless you were charting and saw the temp. rise at ovulation) there are two other means by which the patch can prevent pregnancy, by thickening cervical mucus and thinning the lining of the uterus so you may still be safe. If you are still freaked you might want to consider EC. It is best if used within 72 hours of the event but is somewhat effective for up to 5 days. See: http://ec.princeton.edu/ If you want to try EC Check the list of locations near you that can prescribe it and get it as soon as possible as time is working against you right now.

Cl-marrymeflyfree uses the patch and she has had very good luck with it staying stuck if she wears it in a diamond shape, with one corner up, one down, one left and one right. Another thing is not to use soap with oil or fragrance in it or body lotions on the area where you wear your patch. Hang in there and let us know how you are doing, ok?

(((HUGS)))

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2003
Wed, 05-19-2004 - 5:48pm
I practiced fertility awareness for 4 years. I agree with you that in a non-pill cycle, fertile mucus is a good indicator of approaching ovulation. Also, a temperature shift is a good indicator that ovulation has occurred. However, these are only indicators. For ovulation to occur, a precise sequence of hormonal events has to occur. The pill/patch/ring interrupt this and usually inhibit ovulation. It is possible to still get discharge using hormonal contraception, and different formulations will have different effects on different women. I have tried many different pills and some of them caused an increase in discharge. I don't think you should start stressing out just yet. I think it is unlikely that you ovulated. Even if you did, the patch has other modes of action that help prevent pregnancy. If you are worried about the patch not sticking, etc. maybe you should consider using the ring. I hope things work out for you.