The birth control patch is as effective as the birth control pill. But you should apply a patch correctly to avoid getting pregnant. It is recommended not to forget use a plaster every week or take it away too early because it lessens its effectiveness and makes the girl more prone to get pregnant. The effectiveness of the plaster for girls with weigh more than 198 pounds (90 kilograms) is less comparing with girls with normal weight. The effectiveness of the plaster depends on any health conditions or medicines preventing its influence on a woman’s body. There are some cases when the birth control patch should be avoided. Women who have had blood clots, high blood pressure, certain types of cancers, certain types of migraine headaches, or uncontrolled diabetes should not use it. Girls who have had unexplained vaginal bleeding or who suspected to be pregnant should consult their doctors and stop applying the patch replacing it temporally with another form of birth control. A doctor can provide you with all the necessary information about advantages and disadvantages of various types of birth control, including the patch.
The patch is usually prescribed by a doctor or a nurse practitioner. During the consultation he inquires about health and family medical history, performs a complete physical exam, including a blood pressure measurement and a pelvic exam. He will provide you with a prescription and instructions of a patch’s proper use. Women, who apply the patch for the first time, are recommended to come back several months afterwards to measure a blood pressure once more to be sure that no problems arise. Frequent pelvic exams once or twice a year may also be prescribed to be performed.
The doctor can prescribe you a patch. It is recommended to use it when you are sure you are not pregnant. It is advised to apply another birth control method during your first month on the patch to ensure better safety. The price of the patch that is not covered by insurance is the same comparing with birth control pills. The usual price of a patch is between $30 and $35 a month, it can cost less at health and family planning clinics (such as Planned Parenthood). Many health insurance plans can cover the birth control patch and doctor's visits.
Teenagers who are eager not to get pregnant should avoid having sexual intercourse. It is also an effective way to avoid having sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The birth control patch cannot provide any protection against STDs. Condoms should be applied to provide protection against STDs by people who have sexual intercourse.
The birth control patch does not have any side effects if the possibility of smoking cigarettes while applying the patch is excluded. The side effects caused by the use of the patch are almost the same as those observed from the birth control pill. The possible side effects are:
• irregular menstrual bleeding
• nausea, weight gain, headaches, dizziness, and breast tenderness
• mood changes
• blood clots (rare in women under 35 who do not smoke)
• skin reactions at the place of application of the patch
• problems with contact lens use — a change in vision or inability to wear the lenses
• menstrual cramps
These side effects are usually mild and disappear after 2 or 3 months.
Estrogen issued by a patch has an ability to cause the thickening of the blood. The patch should not be used by women who suffer from a history of previous deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, known genetic clotting disorders or a family history of these (such as Factor V Leiden, protein S or C deficiency). It should also be avoided by women with a history of blood vessel illness such as diabetes, heart illness or hypertension. It is also recommended not to use it by women who have recently born a baby. The patch is quite safe and effective. Don’t be afraid to use it. If you are prone to blood clots ask a doctor a permission to apply it.
There are some disadvantages of applying the patch. They are the same as disadvantages connected with the birth control pill. They are:
1) The possibility of having blood clots in the legs or lungs.
2) Increased effectiveness in women who weight more than 198 pounds
3) Irregular bleeding
4) Weight gain
5) Breast tenderness
The possibility of occurring an ectopic pregnancy is possible when fertilized egg implants somewhere other than the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. Such pregnancies are dangerous for the mother and should be terminated properly.
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