What is the patch like?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-19-2004
What is the patch like?
9
Tue, 10-26-2004 - 4:27pm
Has anyone tried the patch? Does it make your skin itchy where you put it on?

Does it fall off in the shower? How would you compare it to other bc?

Phew, 20 questions!

Thanks to all of you that respond :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-25-2004
Tue, 10-26-2004 - 4:43pm
I have been using the patch for nearly a year now, since nearly it first came out on the market. There are a bunch of pros and cons to it, as I have come to know well. I liked it because I never liked taking a pill (it usually made my stomach upset) and its definitely easier to remember only once a week.

The cons are that it does occasionally irritate the skin, and I found there is really only one or two places it is comfortable to wear all the time. ( I wear my patch right above my bikini line, alternative sides). It also can get the same "grunge" that a bandaid would get after wearing one for a week.

It doesnt generally fall off though, unless something literally rips it off. My period isnt as precise as it was on the pill either, which isnt too bad though. (Just not down to the hour).

Another thing is having to explain the patch. When I first started seeing the guy I am dating, he though I was trying to quit smoking. So- if you are trying to conceal the fact you are on birth control - this is not right for you.

I am considering switching to the shot or another form of the pill this next gyno - however, I did overall approve of the effectiveness of the patch. Hope this helps.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2004
Tue, 10-26-2004 - 5:22pm
I've been on the patch about 6 weeks. I agree about the grunginess that forms around the patch. After you've had it on for several days, lint and stuff from clothing ends up sticking to the edges. Not too attractive. My BF also wanted to know, "Why do you have a Band-Aid on your butt?" I have not noticed an improvement in my complexion. It doesn't irritate my skin. I have not had any breakthrough bleeding, which I had on the oral pill. All in all, I really like the patch and am planning to stay on it. The convenience is excellent.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-03-2003
Tue, 10-26-2004 - 8:18pm
i never took the pill nearly close to the time i was supposed to, it was before i was sexually active but my dr asked me last year to give the patch a try ( i have irregular/very heavy/painful periods).. it doesn't help w/ my flow or the pain unfortunately... i used to have separate meds for the horrible cramping. so i've been on the patch for over a year, and i loooooooooooooooooooooove it. no remembering! once a week? so easy! and i've never had a problem w/ it falling off. yeah, lint, but honestly i could care less, i switch butt cheeks every week, and my boyfriend could care less. it is just like a bandaid, if a guy has a problem w/ it, who cares! i really recommend it. everyone has different reactions to different BC's, so it's worth a shot and i hope it works for you..

<3cari

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-19-2004
Wed, 10-27-2004 - 10:39am
You girls are great, that is just what I wanted to know. I am going to give it a try :)

Oh and a good way to remove all that "grunge" from the bandaid, is to dip a q-tip in rubbing alcohol and wipe it away.

Thanks Again!

May

Avatar for lucy4980
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 10-28-2004 - 6:34pm
I've been using the patch for about 6 months now. Sometimes it makes my skin itchy toward the end of the week. My skin is really sensitive and will break out and get itchy for basically no reason at all though. The itchiness with the patch isn't bad though, just mildly annoying at times. Each week you put the patch on a different section of skin, so your skin gets a rest. I've never had a patch fall off, even through showers, swimming, going in the hot tub, etc. The only real negative is that it sometimes gets a stickum ring around it, like a bandaid. It's no big deal though.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-12-2003
Tue, 11-02-2004 - 1:25pm
I love the patch! It works great, doesn't make your skin itchy, or come loose. It stays on in the shower, and in the pool. But, at the end of the week, when you need to change it, it comes off very easy! I've been on it since it first came out, and I've NEVER had a problem! I highly recommend it!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2004
Tue, 11-02-2004 - 1:33pm
I just started the patch a week ago. It iritated my skin for the first couple of days but now it seems to be OK. It hasn't fallen off through shower, jacuzzi, etc. It sticks really well, I agree, just like a bandaid. I have been feeling a little nausea though. I'm going to check with the pharmacist to see if he thinks it's the patch. I love not having to take the pill. All and all, I think I'm going to stick with it, pardon the pun! :-)
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-07-2004
Sun, 11-07-2004 - 11:01pm
I was on the bc patch for almost 2 full years. I loved it! It was easy - you only had to think about once a week instead of every day (bc pill). I never had a patch come off, even at the beach. My pms, bloating & cramps even decreased in intensity.

I put my patch on my lower abdomen, switching between the right & left sides. My doc had directed me to put it either on my lower ab or on my backside right above my toosh, whichever was the flatest. My best friend also went on the patch, since she was a little heavier than I am, she put her patch on her backside. She also loved it very much!

I have recently switched bc's to the nouvo ring - you only have to think about that 1x/month!! :)

I hope any info I gave helps you make your decision!

- Katy

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 3:25pm
did any of your girls experience cramping and bloating during the first few days?

thanks!