The Patch?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2003
The Patch?
3
Tue, 08-24-2004 - 12:07pm
Ok....i'm not in a sexual relationship right now...and i don't see myself in one for a while (although...things happen i know that). I just got out of a 4 yr relationship wen i wasn't on the pill and i was wondering how the patch adds up. I'm terrible at remembering to take the pill so i was wondering if the patch was the way to go? I've promised my mom that i would never go for the shot so that's not even an option in my book. I've read a lot of good and bad things about the patch and I was just wondering if i could get some feedback on here. Do you gain or lose weight? Does it come off easily? What side effects have people on here receieved taking this?

thanks in advance

trish

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2004
In reply to: trish_1980
Tue, 08-24-2004 - 1:19pm
Hey!

It is important to note that everyone will react to the patch differently. It may work beautifully for one woman and be absolute hell for another. The side effects experienced by one woman will almost always be completely different than what you will experience yourself.

The risks of the patch are similar to the risks of using birth control pills including an increased risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of serious side effects due to use of combination hormonal contraceptives.

I might also suggest that you read the post about the patch in the FAQ section at the top of this page. Good luck!

Jenn

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-28-2003
In reply to: trish_1980
Tue, 08-24-2004 - 6:22pm
Well, I too would recommend reading all the FAQ's on the patch just to get acquainted with it. However, just as my own two cents:

I went with the patch because I absolutely could not remember to take the pill everyday at the same time, and because of that I wound up with an unexpected pregnancy that I miscarried. So - to ease my mind I went with a prescription of the patch. I've been on it now for three months, which isnt forever, but its something. So far, I really really love the patch, no joke. I dont worry about pregnancy when I have sex, I dont neurotically retrace my day in my head to be sure I swallowed the pill, I dont think about birth control at all really except for those three days a month I have to change the patch.

So far, I haven't had any problems with the patch. The edges do turn up a bit on all the ones I've had so far.. just a millimeter or so. However, taking the patch off is not very much fun at all. The first time I pulled it off it ripped off all the hair with it.. and I'm not a very fuzzy girl! So now I soak the edges in baby oil like Ortho suggests to pull it off more easily.

As far as weight gain or emotional impacts.. I've been losing weight since I got on it, but I'm not sure if its the patch or just me, about nine pounds or so. And I dont think its made me any moodier.. though I could be wrong. ;)

Hope that helps some.. and I dont advise the shot either, one of my friends was getting it and she was SO impossible to be around two to three days after her shots because the surge of hormones made her soooo moody.

>Sarah

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-21-2003
In reply to: trish_1980
Wed, 08-25-2004 - 3:13pm
I would ditto the previous post cautioning you that everyone does react differently to hormonal birth control. However, in my experience (have been on the patch for about 9 mos) it has been great. I've lost weight (was on the pill for 8 years before switching, then was able to loose weight, think the patch did have some affect) I've also had less cramping and moodiness during my period. I have never had one come off and I work out 5 times a week and own a hot tub, so my patches have been through quite a bit of abuse. When I first started it I did experence breast tenderness, but that went away by the third month. Ever since then everything has been great, I personally love the patch. Hope this helped!