This is a thin, beige, 4.5 centimeters square patch that sticks to the skin, releases hormones through the skin to the blood stream preventing pregnancy.
Combination of hormones estrogen and progesterone prevents ovulation, release of an egg from the ovaries during a girl’s monthly cycle, hence a woman can’t get pregnant since there’s no egg to be fertilized.
It also thickens the cervical mucus making it difficult for the sperm to enter the uterus and reach any eggs that may have been released. The hormones released from the patch also affect the lining of the uterus so that if the egg is fertilized it will have a hard time attaching itself to the uterus.
The patch is put on the first day of the menstrual cycle or the first Sunday after her menstrual cycle begins. She will change the patch on her skin once a week for 3 weeks in a row. The patch should be applied on; the buttocks, abdomen, upper arm, upper torso except for the breasts. On the fourth week, the patch should be worn and the menstrual period should start during this time. During the first 7 days of the use of the patch it’s important to use other forms of contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies.
For the patch to work effectively, it should be applied on the same day of every week. For example if it’s applied on a Tuesday, patches should always be applied on a Tuesday. When it’s time to change the patch, the old one should be pulled off first before applying the new one. The new one should be placed on a different area from the old patch but on the recommended areas to avoid skin irritation.
If the patch becomes loose and falls off or if she forgets to apply a new patch on the right day, she should consult a doctor on what to do or read the labeling information. Although it may get wet while bathing or swimming, it shouldn’t be moved or removed until a week is over. Also it shouldn’t be trimmed to reduce its size or attached using a tape.
For women more than 198 pounds (90 kilograms) the contraceptive patch may be less effective in preventing pregnancy. Its effectiveness also depends on the health condition of the girl.
Its side effects include; irregular menstrual bleeding, nausea, headaches, dizziness, breast tenderness, mood changes, blood clots, menstrual cramps, problems with contact lens use and skin reaction at the site of application of the patch.
