A few questions about switching BC

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2006
A few questions about switching BC
4
Fri, 11-17-2006 - 2:33pm

I’m still a bit of a birth control newbie and I have a few questions that I need answered. I’ve been on the BC patch since June (6 months). I was a bit moody at first but after a few cycles I’ve adjusted and don’t really have any problems with it. But I’m thinking about switching to the pill at the end of this month, mainly because I’m scared of the increased side effects with the higher level of hormones in the patch, pills are probably a bit cheaper than the patch and I need to save money, and I’m tired of sticking something to my skin that tends to stick to other things as well. (It’s hot here in Texas :)

So my questions are: If I started the pill would I just start it the same day I would normally start a new set of patches? I get my birth control from planned parenthood and when I went the Dr. wrote me a prescription for 13 months of ortho evra. I only filled out the first 6 months at that time but I was wondering if I go back could they change the next 7 months to something other than the patch? And also any information about pills that you’ve tried and had good results with would be great.

Thank you so much!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Fri, 11-17-2006 - 6:59pm

Hi

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2006
Fri, 12-01-2006 - 2:06pm
Thought I'd update on the situation. I scheduled an appointment to change prescriptions and they prescribed me Microgestin Fe 1/20. I was planning to start taking it today (Friday, the day I normally start a new set of patches.) but I didn't pick them up until 11am and I would like to set my normal time at 7am since my boyfriend has to take his medication at that specific time everyday and it will be easier for both of us to remember. They said I should start it on Sunday (I suppose since that is the traditional start day.) But would it be ok if I started on Saturday morning instead? I just don't see the need to wait an extra day. And I'm a bit worried about going from such a high dosage as the patch to a low dose bc. Do you think it will be a problem? Thanks so much.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Fri, 12-01-2006 - 4:54pm

Hi pomegranate03, welcome back!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2006
Fri, 12-01-2006 - 5:17pm
Thanks for the advice! I went ahead and took the pill, although it's about 3.5 hours later than my patch change time. And tomorrow I'll take the next one at 7am.