In today’s world where modern birth control methods are available, the birth control patch is considered one of the simple and effective methods of preventing pregnancy. In this comprehensive and detailed article we are going to talk about birth control patch, its advantages and disadvantages. We will deeply discuss its potential use and its importance in preventing pregnancy. So this article is very important if you are looking for effective birth control methods. So without any further delay let’s talk about it.
What is a Birth Control Patch?
The birth control patch is a little square patch that attaches to the skin and produces hormones in order to avoid pregnancy. It is designed in such a way to be used in the lower belly, thighs or the upper body without the breasts. The function of this patch is to create a continuous amount of estrogen and progestin. It is very important to keep in mind that these are the same hormones as many of the birth control tablets contain. These hormones are actually injected directly into the bloodstream through the skin.
How Does the Birth Control Patch Work?
Birth control patches actually avoid pregnancy by following the different processes. Let’s talk about one by one.
Preventing Ovulation
The first step of the birth control patch is to prevent ovulation. The special hormones present in birth control patches restrict ovaries to produce eggs.
Thickening Cervical Mucus
The presence of progesterone in birth control patches helps to harden or thicken mucus found in the uterus. By doing this it becomes very difficult for the sperms to get into the uterus and develop an egg.
Thinning the Uterine Lining
The third process of these birth control patches is to make the lining of the uterus thinner. The special hormones found in the patch actually do this. That’s why if fertilization happens, the chances of implantation decreases to a great extent.
Benefits of Birth Control Patch
There are a lot of benefits by using birth control patches. Some of the important ones are as follows.
Easy in Using
The first and important benefit to use birth control patches is the ease in its use. By using it once a week, you are free from the pain of remembering a daily pill.
Effective Birth Control Method
Birth control patch is considered one of the effective birth control methods but it is important to use it in a correct way. It is 99% effective in order to avoid pregnancy.
Regular Menstrual Cycles
It is observed that most of the people considered it as one of the best methods of birth control. After its use they have no disturbance or difficulties in their menstrual cycles.
Reduced Risk of Certain Cancers
One of the important benefits of using birth control patches is the reduced risk of certain cancer such as ovarian and endometrial cancer.
Safe Option
Birth control patch is considered a safe option to avoid pregnancy as compared to other methods like implants or intrauterine devices.
Reversible
One of the most important benefits of these patches is their easily reversible option. After removing the birth control patch you can quickly get yourself pregnant without any difficulties.
How to Use the Birth Control Patch?
This is a very important part of the article on how you can use a birth control patch for getting maximum results. Let’s have a look.
Selecting the Start Day
It is very important to select your starting day in order to apply a birth control patch. You can get started from the first day of your menstrual period or choose the first Sunday after your period starts.
Applying the Patch
Before applying, makes sure that your skin is dry and clean where it is going to be applied. After that take the patch out of its packing and separate the backing into two layers. Just apply the sticky side of the patch to your skin and remove the remaining backing. It is very important to make sure that it correctly sticks to your skin. For this purpose press it firmly for at least 10 seconds.
Patch Schedule
Try to understand the proper schedule of using patches. It is important to apply the patch for a week. After that, use a fresh patch on the same day each week. After 3 weeks of applying the patch, now you will have a patch free week. This is actually the time of your menstrual cycle.
Continuous Use
It is important to use the birth control patch continuously. If you are thinking to skip wearing the patch during the week in order to avoid a period, then it is better you consult with your professional physician. Your healthcare provider actually gives you a comprehensive idea that it is suitable for you or not.
Side Effects and Precautions
It is the reality that everything has both positive and negative side effects and the same is the case here by using birth control patches. Let’s talk about some of the common side effects that can occur with this use.
Skin Irritation
It is observed that some people can feel redness itching at that point where the birth control patch is attached.
Hormonal Side Effects
Hormonal side effects can also be produced due to the use of these patches like headaches, nausea, breast pain and mood changes.
Increased Risk of Blood Clots
Medical research has shown that there is a possibility of a risk of blood clots by using hormonal birth control methods. When this happens certain diseases can occur such as heart attacks and stroke. Smokers and those women who are above 35 are likely at higher levels to develop these kinds of diseases.
Weight Changes
Some people while using birth control patches can experience weight changes. Weight gain can occur but it is not a common situation.
Less Effective in Overweight Women
One of the major side effects of using birth control patches is the non effectiveness in those women who are overweight having weight more than 198 pounds.
Who Should Avoid the Birth Control Patch?
It is very important to make sure that you actually qualify or not for using a birth control patch. There are certain conditions where it is better to avoid the use of the birth control patches. Let’s find out.
✓The smokers whose ages are above 35 years are recommended not to use a birth control patch.
✓Those people who have a medical history of heart disease, stroke and blood clot should avoid using these patches.
✓People whose blood pressure remains uncontrollable are at a higher level of risk by using these patches.
✓If anyone is suffering from hormone sensitive diseases such as cancer, it is better to avoid these birth control methods.
✓In case of unexpected bleeding in the vagina, there is a need to stop using a birth control patch.
Comparing the Patch to Other Birth Control Methods
This part of the article is very informative for you because here we have drawn a comparison between patch and other birth control methods. Let’s find out which one is more reliable and easier to use.
Birth Control Pills
It is important to remember that the function of both pills and a patch is to create hormones to prevent pregnancy. Having said that, the patch is more comfortable for those who have difficulty remembering pills on a daily basis.
IUDs
Intrauterine devices are used for the long term birth control and are adjustable. There is a need for a professional healthcare provider to inject these devices. The time period of the usage of these devices is from months to years. On the other hand you have to change patches on a weekly basis.
Contraceptive Implants
Birth control implants are also one of the effective birth control methods but they require a little surgery in order to insert and remove these devices. The contraceptive implants are actually like small rods that are inserted under the skin of the arm. After the insertion they start producing hormones in order to prevent pregnancy.
Condoms
With the use of condoms you can get more protection against infections that are sexually transmitted. On the other hand, patch does not provide this type of protection. If you use patch and condom both during intercourse then you can get maximum benefits at the same time.
Conclusion
The birth control patch is really effective and is a useful method in order to avoid pregnancy. The major benefit of using patches is that it mostly suits many women around the world. You can get maximum results of preventing pregnancy with small effort. Just stick it to your skin and the rest of the work will start by providing a consistent amount of hormones for birth control. Only thing that you have to do before using patches is to consult with your doctors in order to find out whether it is useful for you or not. You can get maximum results in the case of using a birth control patch if you use it in the right way. Try to make sure to consult your doctor regularly. Overall this method of birth control is considered as easier and reliable in most of the cases.