thoughts on the patch?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-14-2004
thoughts on the patch?
36
Tue, 08-10-2004 - 2:15pm
Any opinions out there on the patch? I just started it and have been getting headaches (never had any side effects with the pill). Then I read an article about an 18 year old who died from a blood clot because of the patch (my rational mind knows that the chances of that are so slim, but it still really spooked me). I really like the convenience of the patch but I am starting to think maybe it hasn't been around long enough to know if it is really safe.

anyone else have patch experiences?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2004
Wed, 08-18-2004 - 1:01pm
i tried the patch for 3 months and from sunday to mid tuesday i was angry. angry from the inner core, outward and for no other reason than to be angry. at first i thought it was just a new effect of the patch, but it never ceased. the second problem i had was a constant itchy feeling at the edges of the patch.

the convience was wonderful, once a week. this was the first time that ever had remembered to take my birth control on time. but the side effects were not worth the problems for me or for my family and friends.

now i am on the ortho LO....we will see how this goes.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-03-2003
Wed, 08-18-2004 - 8:16pm
i've been on the patch for almost a year now, and so far ive had no problems. it wrinkles a bit, but its never concerned me bc its never even been CLOSE to falling off...swimming and showering usually 2x a day.. this month was the first time i've had one edge slightly peel up..i think since the first day i put it on, it was extremely sticky around the edges and i wore jeans w/ a thong and the rubbing of the jeans and going to the bathroom and me (not thinking) didnt think nething and kept just rippin 'em off. but after pressing on it for a bit, by the next day and as of today ... 6 days later, it's sticking fine. the ring from underwear lint is annoying, but who cares, noone sees it! i switch butt cheeks too! i never took my pill on time, but i wasnt sexually active at the time, but now that i am i knew that i would never take it and am so grateful i went on the patch! to the person who commented to "beware" since her BF got pregnant on it, that can happen w/ ne birth control, it is NOT 100%... and she could have missed a day putting it on or fallen off, and not used backup. its not any less effective then other BC methods. i always use condoms neway, so i have 2 forms. but my period is regulated for the most part, i swithced start days a few months back, so far it's coming always on sunday's, but the times even prior to my start day switch, it ranged in times. i didnt have any side effects either, just my usual PMS. my periods r lighter, but still kinda bad (i think)... i still get crampy/nauseated wen i first get it, but that was happening prior to me going on any BC anyway. hope that helped...however, ull never know until u try, everyone's body reacts differently!

<3cari

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2004
Thu, 08-19-2004 - 8:31am
Hi. I used the patch after the birth of my second child. It made me really sick and it only got worse the longer I tried to use it. I had headaches, upset stomache, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, generally I felt awful. I quit the patch and all of my symptoms went away. Do remember that even though you are not taking a pill the drug is being absorbed into your system therefore, it still has a lot of side effects-just like the pill. I hope this helps someone out there.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2004
Thu, 08-19-2004 - 10:05am
I have been on the patch for about 6 months now. I started out just fine - no side effects different from those I had on the pill (which I was on for YEARS!!) - but lately, I have been having some random pains that are worrying me a bit.

For the past week and a half (AF arrives next week), my breasts have been really sore. No other changes, just really sore. Last month, I had more cramps than I have had in years. My periods are still as regular as they were on the pill (one of my main reasons for starting the pill in the first place), but they are considerably heavier and last about a day longer. :-(

On top of that, my insurance doesn't cover the patch so I am paying almost $40 a month instead of the $7 co-pay for my pills... Hmmm...

I do enjoy the convenience of not having to remember to take the pill every day at the same time, but the negatives are adding up and I am going back to the old reliable. :-)

I am planning to switch back to the pill as soon as possible.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2004
Thu, 08-19-2004 - 11:01am
I have been on the patch since May of 2002. I love it. I had a very hard time remembering to take the pill and this was a wonderful alternative.

When I first went on it I would have a stomach ache on patch day, but that went away after a couple weeks. I haven't had any problems, the only time it ever came off was when I applied it to wet skin. After I wiped down my skin and re-applied it stayed very well. I don't mind the lint ring. I put it on my abdomen and, as directed, switch sides every week. It's covered by my bikini and underwear and the ring scrubs off(or peels off) very easily.

I personally was concerned I would get preggers because the package says I'm a little over the weight limit, but it's been two years and I haven't yet.

One of the perks is that when you are done taking it you will get preggers. This was important to me since I'm only on it till my husband and I want children. With other methods I would have a longer wait for the product to leave my system.

I think that if you don't mind the lint ring (which you get with any band-aid) and the getting preggers as soon as you quit taking it, it is a wonderful product.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2004
Thu, 08-19-2004 - 11:16am
I have been using the patch for well over a year and I love it..As with all birth control there is a risk of blood clots especially if you are a smoker..i had a lot of side effects with the pill including breakthrough bleeding and weight gain...I switched to the patch and it has helped regulate my periods so I am able to plan and know when i am going to get it plus it has shortened my period...Although i will tell you that if you do continue with it becareful if you go into a hot tub or jacuzzi...All the bubbles and hot water have taken mine off. Another plus is that you don't have to remember taking the pill at the same time everyday...Hopefully this will help you...Good luck
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2004
Thu, 08-19-2004 - 12:11pm
I love the patch. It's as simple as that. I was on it for 10 months while with my ex-boyfriend- and I never had any problem with it falling off, no rashes, nothing- Plus it's so nice that you don't have to remember to take a pill every morning! And even if you forget to switch to a new patch a day after you are supposed to, it's ok! there's enough of the hormones in it to last 8 days. (It says so in the directions.)

I had regular menstral cycles- a little lighter- but nothing out of the ordinary. It does however take your body a few days to get used to it and when you take it off, it takes a couple of days for yout to start becasue the body is ridding of the hormones. So don't be frightened if you don't start for 2-3 days after you take it off.

Plus it seemed that the hormones distributed better in my system then the pills- I was less irritable and moody- we all like that!!

I'll never go back to the pills. Patches for me now!

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-12-2003
Thu, 08-19-2004 - 1:55pm
I agree wholeheartedly...I love depo!

I have been a user since 97 (with time off for 2 children).

Just got my injection yesterday as a matter of fact.

With the pill..yeast issues.

Depo...nothing except no periods and I can live with that : )
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2004
Thu, 08-19-2004 - 2:18pm
I have used the patch for quite sometime now and i love it. nothing seems easier! I havent had any side effects and its alot more convenient then the pill and so far has been very effective
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2004
Thu, 08-19-2004 - 2:23pm
Not so fast... I was on the patch about 8 month or so and once I married DH, we have been off it and trying to conceive. Well, 4 months without the patch and there still is no baby on the way. They say, like any bc, there can be months before your body starts producing its own hormones and you ovulate normally again. Hopefully, there won't be much more of a wait. It stinks to be disappointed every month when AF comes again...

Good luck!