Patch or Shot??

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-23-2004
Patch or Shot??
5
Tue, 06-29-2004 - 10:05am
Hi Everyone!

This is my first time going on any type of birth control. I have ruled out the pill because I know I won't remember so it is either going to be the patch or the shot. I have had experience with really bad cramps and bad PMS so I am hoping whatever I choose at least helps this. I thought the shot would be great because I wouldn't have any of those and my period would be gone but I have read some negative comments on it so I am unsure. My doctor told me that the side effects and risks between the two are about the same. What do you think would be the best option and what are your experiences? Please give ANY and ALL feedback you can! Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-20-2004
In reply to: jen1903
Tue, 06-29-2004 - 11:09am
Well, I have been on the patch for a month and a half now and the convenience of it is nice. I haven't had a problem with the patch falling off and I swim almost every day. Since it is changed weekly, it is easy to remember it (I didn't want to do the pill either because I'd forget to take it). Even though I've liked it at times, I am also experiecing side effects that I don't like, such as depression and no sex drive. Everyone experiences hormones differently though, and even though I have side effects doesn't mean you will. The only way to know for sure is to try it out.

I've never used depo-provera (the "shot") but I would recommend trying the patch first. Since it is weekly, you can always remove it if the side effect are unbareable. With depo, however, if you experience side effects, they could be with you up to twelve weeks or longer since that is how long one shot lasts.

Hope this helped! Good luck with your decision!

Katie

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-21-2004
In reply to: jen1903
Tue, 06-29-2004 - 2:50pm
Hi Jen,

I would agree with Katie. Start with the patch as it's easier to get off of it should you experience any negative side effects. I was on the shot for 6 months (2 cycles) and it was dreadful for me. i had spotting every single day for the first 3 months. i was exhausted, cranky and had a very low sex drive. the gyno suggested i come in a about 2 weeks early for my second cycle shot- that the new hormones would level me out- and it didn't! i was basically a nightmare for 6 months. the trouble is with depo- once it's in you, it's in you!!

i have a few friends on the patch and they all speak very highly of it (the only minor complaint i've heard is 'dirty bandaid' style lint building up around the patch itself, but that's minor in my world.

I'm on the NuvaRing (which if you poke around to some of the discussions on this board you'll read a lot about), and i LOVE it-as someone else who, although i'm a smart organized woman simply COULD NOT remember to take the darn pill!! thus, what's the point! am happy to tell you about the ring if you're interested!!

Again, my vote would be for the patch for the control it gives you!!

Good luck!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-21-2003
In reply to: jen1903
Tue, 06-29-2004 - 4:45pm
I'm on the patch and I love it. I also had a bad problem of PMS and horrible cramps, when I went on the pill it helped a bit, then I switched to the patch this year and it made a world of difference -- PMS is a thing of the past and IF I get cramps they are really very minor compared to how they used to be (I don't even need to take any advil they are so minor). I did have some noticeable side effects at first (sore bbs, kinda queasy at first) but my doctor said to give it 3 months for my body to get used to it and sure enough they went away. I love the patch now and absolutely will not be going back to pills!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-23-2004
In reply to: jen1903
Tue, 06-29-2004 - 5:29pm
You may wish to ask your family. My family has horrible experiences with the shot ranging from a never-ending, extremely heavy period to depression. I have found the patch to be wonderful. I take it straight through (do not take a week off) so that I do not have my period, and have had no problems.

My friend, however, prefers the shot. She has no problems with it, besides minor spotting, and prefers having to go in only a couple of times a year.

Avatar for lucy4980
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: jen1903
Wed, 06-30-2004 - 7:01pm
I just started the patch this cycle. So far, so good. I was on the pill for 5 years and it was great, but I started having trouble taking it on time all the time - I travel sometimes for work and I am in a different time zone, I used to have a pretty set routine, but now things are more up in the air, etc. My doctor suggested the patch so alleviate this. I am totally sold on it now.