The Patch

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2007
The Patch
6
Sat, 05-19-2007 - 4:06am
I'm considering going on "the patch." It seems to be the least intrusive BC method. Are there any of you who have experienced problems with it? Lastly, for those who have also used other BC methods, how do you rate "the patch" by comparison?
Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: speedo_mermaid
Sat, 05-19-2007 - 2:34pm

Hi speedo_mermaid, welcome!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2005
In reply to: speedo_mermaid
Sat, 05-19-2007 - 10:54pm

I was on the patch for a year. It was ok.

Pros: Didn't have to remember to take a pill every night.

Cons: Not very attractive; the edge would get all linty and gross after the first 8 hours of wearing it. Sometimes it would fall off so I'd have to cut into the next month's supply in order to replace it. Heavier, longer periods.

My dr said that the heavier longer periods had to do with the fact that the patch delivers a stronger dose of hormones than the pill. So I went off it, took the pill for another 2 years and now have a paraguard.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2007
In reply to: speedo_mermaid
Mon, 05-21-2007 - 1:44am
Dear Jill and jerryss... Thank you for your insights on the Patch. You certainly brought up some good points. I'm not concerned about the higher amount of hormones in the patch because unlike the pill it is abosrbed directly into the body without being processed through the liver. However, your other points do make a lot of sense. So.... when I have my annual gyno appointment next month I'm going to request the Nuvaring. I did see a couple of discussions on this site which may be cause for concern, but, hey, what BC system doesn't have its risks? :-(
Thanks so much for pointing me in the right direction! It's so nice to have a place like this where a gal can get some big sisterly advice.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: speedo_mermaid
Mon, 05-21-2007 - 8:31am

Hi again hon,


>>I'm not concerned about the higher amount of hormones in the patch because unlike the pill it is abosrbed directly into the body without being processed through the liver.<<


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2007
In reply to: speedo_mermaid
Mon, 05-21-2007 - 8:49pm
You know Jill, that's always something that confuzes me -- estrogen levels. Supposedly it's the estrogen that makes us less likely to have heart attacks and strokes, and provides us a slightly longer life span than men. Yet, we often read of higher estrogen levels making us more susceptible to clots. So, which is it?
Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: speedo_mermaid
Mon, 05-21-2007 - 10:22pm

It is both!

Judie Cl for Birth Control