During pregnancy, a woman blossoms and becomes especially beautiful. But only when it is a desired pregnancy! Modern medicine offers a large number of ways to protect against unwanted pregnancy. The contraceptive patch is one of the newest methods of contraception.
Its developers and researchers note its reliability and safety in use. And women were convinced of its convenience.
This is a very serious contraceptive hormonal drug. It works by moving drugs through the skin into the bloodstream.
Ideal for those women who do not tolerate pills well.
In this article we will tell you:
- What is a contraceptive patch
- How to use
- Side effects
- Reviews
- Advantages and disadvantages
- Manufacturers and cost
Along with protection against unwanted pregnancy, the patch helps restore the hormonal levels of the female body. Note that the contraceptive patch is a hormonal contraceptive, therefore, like other similar methods of protection, it reduces the likelihood of pregnancy to zero.
Effectiveness of the contraceptive patch
According to medical data, the reliability of the contraceptive patch has been confirmed in 99 cases out of 100. More precisely, its effectiveness remains at 99.4%. The effect of protection against pregnancy is achieved through the daily entry into the bloodstream of low doses of hormones that block ovulation and the release of the egg for fertilization.
Additionally, in order to protect against pregnancy, the components of the drug contribute to the thickening of the cervical fluid, preventing the penetration of sperm into the uterine cavity. Thus, a double effect in protecting against conception is achieved. The main condition for high effectiveness of the product is proper use.
Which is better: birth control pills or the patch?
The reliability percentage of combined oral contraceptives and the contraceptive patch is at the same level. Therefore, they are equally effective in protecting against unwanted pregnancy. The question is which option is safer for health and has fewer side effects.
Everything is individual and depends on the woman’s health level and her age. Taking pills often provokes:
- epigastric pain;
- nausea;
- swelling;
- weight gain.
The components of the contraceptive patch bypass the digestive tract and enter the body through the skin, carried through the bloodstream to the ovaries. This is a big plus for those who have problems with digestion and stomach function.
Important! The patch has one significant drawback - it can come off during the next water procedure and become dirty during the period of use.
A woman may not notice that it has become unusable, and this is a high risk of reducing the effectiveness of the contraceptive effect. Tablets are much more reliable in this regard. Otherwise, the list of side effects and contraindications is the same.
What is a contraceptive patch?
The contraceptive patch is similar to a thin regular patch and resembles a nicotine patch. This is what it looks like in the photo.
Typically, its size is five centimeters wide and five centimeters high.
At its core, a contraceptive patch is a contraceptive pill that is glued to the skin and enters the body through the skin pores. It contains the same hormones as the tablets, which means it has the same properties.
Progesterone and estrogen affect the female body in such a way that eggs are unable to be fertilized.
In addition, the substances contained in the contraceptive patch create a favorable environment for the secretion of special dense mucus on the cervix. This immobilizes the sperm. In addition, due to these substances, the walls of the uterus become thin , which reduces the opportunity for already fertilized eggs to attach.
Composition of hormonal contraceptive patches
This type of contraception refers to microdrug hormonal drugs. The main active ingredients are synthetic hormones in a certain dosage:
- ethinyl estradiol;
- norelgestromin.
Every day, 20 mcg of the first hormone and 150 mcg of the second enter the blood. With the bloodstream, their metabolites enter the pelvic organs, affecting the ovaries, uterus and cervical glands. In addition to the contraceptive effect, a woman observes other changes in well-being:
- monthly bleeding becomes less intense;
- PMS symptoms go away;
- the risk of developing iron deficiency anemia goes away.
Important! If a woman had problems with her hormonal status, it is also subject to correction.
Pharmacotherapeutic group and properties
The contraceptive patch belongs to the group of transdermal contraceptives. Their action is based on the regulation of the pituitary gland to inhibit the development of the follicle. The dosed intake of low doses of hormones into the blood allows them to maintain the same level throughout the entire period of use of the shepherd.
Hormone surges in the blood serum do not occur when the contraceptive is used correctly. The protective effect lasts for 48 hours, so if a woman forgets to change the patch on the right day, additional contraception should not be used.
Firms and cost
Today you can buy a contraceptive patch in almost any pharmacy. Its price, unfortunately, does not relate to the advantages of this type of contraception. The cost of one package of patch, which is enough for just one menstrual cycle, is about 12.5 USD.
In Russia, the most popular are contraceptive patches from Evra.
Be that as it may, a woman chooses the method of contraception that best suits her individual characteristics. The contraceptive patch is a modern method of pregnancy planning. The number of fans of this method is growing every day. The choice is yours! And we wish that your future pregnancy happens when you want it and brings only joy!
Contraindications to the contraceptive patch
This method of contraception cannot be used in all cases. To determine whether it is suitable for a woman or not, you need to undergo a thorough examination. Only then can the doctor correctly select an effective and safe contraceptive.
Contraindications for the use of a contraceptive for women - the patch:
- thrombosis, varicose veins, thromboembolism;
- diabetes;
- hypertension;
- diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including a history of heart attack and stroke;
- migraine;
- malignant tumors;
- active smoking.
Do not use the product during pregnancy, lactation or if pregnancy is suspected. If a woman weighs more than 90 kg, the effectiveness of the patch is reduced. If a woman undergoes a course of antibacterial treatment, the contraceptive effect is also reduced.
Instructions for use of the contraceptive patch
Like any other hormonal contraceptive, the patch begins to be used on the first day of the cycle. It is glued to clean, dry skin in the area:
- buttocks;
- lower abdomen;
- in the area of the scapula;
- outside on the shoulder.
The woman chooses the place of attachment of the contraceptive independently; the effectiveness of the product does not change.
Important! You need to change the product to a new one every 7 days, 3 weeks in a row. Next, there is a week-long break, during which your period should begin.
If the patch is applied not on the first day of the cycle, but on subsequent days, then it is additionally necessary to use other means of barrier contraception. If for some reason the patch comes off or is lost, it is replaced with a new one, but the same time interval is maintained.
To minimize the likelihood of skin irritation, each new patch is applied to a different area of the body. The skin should be:
- clean;
- dry;
- without traces of detergents, lotions and creams.
Warning! If there is redness and irritation on the skin, do not apply the patch to this area.
There are situations when the product comes off partially. In this case, it must be carefully pressed with your hand to the body and held for several seconds for complete adhesion to the skin. If this does not happen, it is peeled off and a new one is used.
A woman should remember that pregnancy can occur if the next dose of hormones does not enter the bloodstream for more than 48 hours.
Pharmacological certificate
The new method of contraception belongs to the group of hormonal drugs that protect against unwanted pregnancy. Externally, the hormonal patch is a very thin and absolutely smooth adhesive plaster, usually flesh-colored or milky in color, with an area of about 20-25 cm2. As a rule, in the middle of such an adhesive plaster there is a thin napkin, completely saturated with contraceptive hormones, which, when absorbed into the blood, block ovulation and prevent pregnancy. In most cases, the basis of the current composition of the hormonal patch is the following pharmaceuticals:
- Ethinyl estradiol is a synthetic analogue of female reproductive hormones that regulates the absorption of calcium, the functioning of the internal genital organs and the severity of secondary sexual characteristics.
- Norelgestromin is a drug that quickly and gently inhibits the ovulatory mechanism, and also prevents the free movement of sperm into the fallopian tubes.
Together, these medications provide guaranteed protection against unwanted pregnancy in 99.4% of cases, which is certainly a high result. However, the concentration of hormonal drugs in the patch is enough for no more than 7 days - a week after sticking the patch, you will have to use a new plate.
Due to the mild effect of synthetic hormones that penetrate percutaneously, this method is sometimes recommended not only as a contraceptive - the patch can cope with hormonal imbalances in a woman’s body, and can be used for menopausal changes and menstrual irregularities. However, in this case, the recommended method of use, duration of wear and frequency of replacing the plate should be discussed with your doctor - in such cases, the classic instructions may be useless.
Positive aspects of the patch method of contraception
The growing popularity of hormonal patches among women is quite simply explained by the incredible number of significant advantages of this innovative method. Among them are:
- Free sex life without restrictions. Using the patch means that a girl can have intimacy at any time of the day and on any day of the cycle - the effectiveness of contraception does not change depending on the time frame.
- Hygiene. Unlike many hormonal products, the patch does not cause a sharp jump in the level of hormones in the body, so the composition, consistency and intensity of vaginal discharge also remains unchanged.
- Ease of use. The hormonal patch is one of the most convenient and affordable methods of contraception. You don’t have to make sure you have condoms before each sexual intercourse, take pills every day, or install all kinds of foreign objects in your genitals - you just need to change the sticker once a week.
- Low dose of hormones. Since synthetic hormonal substances are continuously released through the skin, a much lower dosage is required to provide effective contraception than in pills.
- Delicate impact. The active ingredients of the patch do not affect the gastrointestinal tract, entering directly into the blood through the dermal cells. This avoids the negative effects of hormones on the gastric mucosa. In addition, the use of the sticker does not affect the condition of the vaginal mucosa, does not cause erosion or other problems, such as an intrauterine device or ring.
- Positive effect on the menstrual cycle. If you have previously had problems with the regularity and pain of your periods, the patch can solve them, while providing reliable contraception.
Disadvantages of the contraceptive patch
Like any other method of contraception, the hormonal sticker has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, when using this method it is not always possible to avoid side effects - although the dose of hormones is small, their effect on the body cannot be completely ignored. Some girls note inflammation and itching at the site of gluing, headaches, nausea, and attacks of dizziness. However, such a side effect is the exception rather than the rule.
Secondly, it is extremely difficult to completely hide a rather voluminous sticker under clothes, and such an addition to the outfit does not always look appropriate. Combining a hormonal patch with an evening dress with an open back or low jeans and a short top is not the best solution, so you should think about your wardrobe and where to stick the contraceptive in advance.
Thirdly, you will have to give up long-term relaxation in the bath, sauna or steam room - the patch may come off due to excessive contact with water and will have to be replaced. At the same time, the cost of each sticker varies in the range above average, so it cannot be called a budget method of contraception.
But most importantly, the hormonal patch does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases transmitted through intimate contact. Therefore, you can use this method of contraception only if you are completely confident in your partner and are not prone to casual relationships - otherwise it is better to choose a condom.
Contraindications
Not in every case can you use the patch method of contraception - this method has a number of contraindications and limitations. The absolute ones include:
- neoplasms in the genital area of any origin and location;
- tendency to increased thrombosis;
- diabetes;
- liver diseases;
- individual intolerance to the components of the patch.
Important! The patch also does not guarantee a high degree of effectiveness if the woman’s weight exceeds 90 kg - in this case, the dose of hormones may be insufficient for high-quality contraception.
In addition, you should postpone the use of the adhesive patch during breastfeeding or at least 4 weeks after childbirth - during this time the hormonal levels should return to normal, after which you can choose any convenient method of contraception.
Side effects
When using the patch as a contraceptive, the side effects are mild. Usually, after 2-3 months, all negative consequences disappear, and the post-adaptation phase begins. In the first weeks and months of use, the following changes in well-being are possible:
- headache;
- weakening libido;
- mild bleeding in the middle of the cycle;
- skin irritation;
- discomfort in the lower abdomen.
If any of the side effects is severe and does not go away by the end of the adaptation period, a decision is made to replace it with another contraceptive.
Reviews from doctors about the contraceptive patch
Margarita Gennadievna Uvarova, gynecologist, Moscow
Of course, using the contraceptive patch is much safer than taking the pill. Its effectiveness, judging by the Pearl index, is 0.9%, which is slightly lower than that of tablet hormones. I don’t presume to say whether its effectiveness has been confirmed in practice, since my patients are accustomed to trusting tablets. The price and reviews of the contraceptive patch are quite attractive, but they write about it only from the perspective of short-term use.
Svetlana Igorevna Kondratyeva, gynecologist, Ufa
I am inclined to trust COCs that have been on the market for a long time. These are low-dose pills, for example, “Janine” or “Logest”, which, when selected correctly, do not cause complications, are well tolerated and provide the most reliable protection against pregnancy. The mechanism of action of the patch is very tempting. I think this product is on the way to perfection and will soon be widely used by women.
Reviews of the contraceptive patch
More and more girls and women are using the contraceptive patch to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Reviews for this drug 99 percent positive .
Depending on individual characteristics, the body may respond differently to such hormonal therapy. Some side effects develop, but for the most part the patch is convenient and reliable.
- Some girls prefer the patch to the pills. They believe that it is much more convenient: stick it and forget it for a whole week.
- Many girls rate the performance of the patch as “excellent.” However, they note some inconvenience in use: after a week of wear and constant contact with clothing, the patch gets dirty and does not look very nice.
- Girls who have been using this contraceptive for many years recommend it to their friends. They note that the patch never failed: it did not come off, did not interfere, did not cause allergies, and did not allow pregnancy.
- Girls who use the contraceptive patch note that their periods no longer cause them so much trouble: there is almost no pain in the lower abdomen, and the discharge is not so abundant.
