Index
For women who do not want to get pregnant now and are looking for more convenience and ease in preventing an unwanted pregnancy, every day, new innovative methods are being sold on the market. Among the options most sought at the moment by this type of women, the top of the list is the contraceptive patch or also known as transdermal patch .
Because it is totally different from conventional hormonal methods (birth control pills and hormonal injection), the method still causes many doubts and fear about its effectiveness. But if used correctly and under the guidance of your gynecologist, the chances of failure are identical to other methods, offering 99.9% effectiveness.
What is the contraceptive patch?
The contraceptive patch is a small patch, similar to a tape that has the hormones estrogen and progesterone in its composition. This small patch, in contact with the skin, has the function of releasing small daily doses of these hormones so that it continues to enter the bloodstream and act directly on ovulation , preventing the eggs from being released. In addition to preventing ovulation, another function is to make the cervical mucus thicker, preventing sperm from reaching the egg.
As the contraceptive patch is not transparent, it should be placed in an area of the body that is hidden with the clothing, in case you do not want to show it. The parts most suitable for gluing the patch are: the upper part of the buttocks, the back, the underside of the belly or the outer part of the arm.
Before deciding on the best contraceptive method , always talk to your gynecologist about all the options and the best option for you, your body and your routine. The contraceptive patch is one of the best options for women who have a hectic routine and may therefore forget to take or use the contraceptive methods that need to be ingested daily.
How to Use the Birth Control Patch
If you did not use any other hormonal contraceptive method, the contraceptive patch should be placed on the first menstrual day. But if you already use the contraceptive pill, for example, you should put it on as soon as you finish the pill pack , before menstruation starts.
See the best place to put the adhesive, once chosen, peel off the top of it and apply directly to the skin, ensuring that it has been glued perfectly. The contraceptive patch should remain in the same place on the skin for seven days, completing this period, it should be removed and a new one placed to replace.
This process of replacing the contraceptive patch should be done for 3 weeks, totaling the use of 21 days . After this period, it is necessary to take a week-long break for menstruation to occur. After completing a week’s break, begin the entire process of placing the contraceptive patch.
If the contraceptive patch is released, what to do?
The contraceptive patch was developed and produced to adhere to the skin for a period of 7 days, but it can happen to accidentally detach from the skin or even lose adhesion due to some factors. In this case, it is necessary to replace with a new adhesive immediately, not allowing the 24-hour period to pass, so that the method’s effectiveness is not lost.
If you pass the 24-hour period without the contraceptive patch, you will need to use another contraceptive method until you complete a week and put on the new contraceptive patch. In this case, we recommend using the male or female condom , which is temporary and can be used during all sexual intercourse. Bearing in mind that condoms not only serve to prevent unwanted pregnancies, but protect men and women from acquiring sexually transmitted diseases, such as STDs.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Contraceptive Patch
Like any contraceptive method, there are advantages and disadvantages to its use. So it is necessary to be aware of all the benefits and possible side effects before opting for a contraceptive method. Obviously, side effects are risks and that many women go through long years using the method and never go through it. So it depends a lot on the organism of each one , and how it will react to the method.
- Highly effective and safe method;
- Easy placement and removal;
- Can be placed at home;
- It is not necessary to remember every day;
- No interruptions in sexual intercourse;
- It has a durability of 7 days (replacement required every 7 days);
Disadvantages
- Even in the most discreet places, the sticker is visible;
- It may come loose or fall over the course of the days;
- It can cause redness or allergy in the applied area;
- It can cause headaches and mood swings;
- It can cause changes in the menstrual cycle ;
- It can cause changes in weight;
- It does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
Should I Use the Sticker Always in the Same Place?
The area chosen for applying the contraceptive patch does not always have to be the same. In fact, it is recommended that each week the patch is placed in a different region of the body. Try to vary between the lower belly, buttocks, back and the outside of the arm. It is not recommended to be used in the breast area.
Tips to Reduce the Chance to Release the Birth Control Patch
To properly use your contraceptive patch and reduce the chances of it coming off easily, always apply it to clean, dry skin. Never use moisturizing oils, creams, lotions and any type of makeup on top and close to the region where the adhesive is found. All of these products can achieve the effectiveness of the adhesive, making the glue lose its effect on the skin and come off easily.
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
